Part C - Innovation for Teacher Quality

subpart 1 - transitions to teaching

Division A - Troops-to-Teachers Program

20 USC 6671 - Definitions

In this division:

(1) Armed Forces
The term Armed Forces means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

(2) Member of the Armed Forces
The term member of the Armed Forces includes a former member of the Armed Forces.

(3) Program
The term Program means the Troops-to-Teachers Program authorized by this division.

(4) Reserve component
The term reserve component means

(A) the Army National Guard of the United States;

(B) the Army Reserve;

(D) the Marine Corps Reserve;

(E) the Air National Guard of the United States;

(F) the Air Force Reserve; and

(G) the Coast Guard Reserve.

(5) Secretary concerned
The term Secretary concerned means

(A) the Secretary of the Army, with respect to matters concerning a reserve component of the Army;

(B) the Secretary of the Navy, with respect to matters concerning reserve components named in subparagraphs (C) and (D) of paragraph (4);

(D) the Secretary of Homeland Security, with respect to matters concerning the Coast Guard Reserve.

20 USC 6672 - Authorization of Troops-to-Teachers Program

(a) Purpose
The purpose of this section is to authorize a mechanism for the funding and administration of the Troops-to-Teachers Program, which was originally established by the Troops-to-Teachers Program Act of 1999 (title XVII of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000) (20 U.S.C. 9301 et seq.).

(b) Program authorized
The Secretary may carry out a program (to be known as the Troops-to-Teachers Program)

(1) to assist eligible members of the Armed Forces described in section 6673 of this title to obtain certification or licensing as elementary school teachers, secondary school teachers, or vocational or technical teachers, and to become highly qualified teachers; and

(2) to facilitate the employment of such members

(A) by local educational agencies or public charter schools that the Secretary identifies as

(i) receiving grants under part A of subchapter I of this chapter as a result of having within their jurisdictions concentrations of children from low-income families; or

(ii) experiencing a shortage of highly qualified teachers, in particular a shortage of science, mathematics, special education, or vocational or technical teachers; and

(B) in elementary schools or secondary schools, or as vocational or technical teachers.

(c) Administration of Program
The Secretary shall enter into a memorandum of agreement with the Secretary of Defense under which the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support of the Department of Defense, will perform the actual administration of the Program, other than section 6676 of this title. Using funds appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this division, the Secretary shall transfer to the Secretary of Defense such amounts as may be necessary to administer the Program pursuant to the memorandum of agreement.

(d) Information regarding Program
The Secretary shall provide to the Secretary of Defense information regarding the Program and applications to participate in the Program, for distribution as part of preseparation counseling provided under section 1142 of title 10 to members of the Armed Forces described in section 6673 of this title.

(e) Placement assistance and referral services
The Secretary may, with the agreement of the Secretary of Defense, provide placement assistance and referral services to members of the Armed Forces who meet the criteria described in section 6673 of this title, including meeting education qualification requirements under subsection^[1] 6673(c)(2) of this title. Such members shall not be eligible for financial assistance under subsections (c) and (d) of section 6674 of this title.

[1] So in original. Probably should be “section”.

20 USC 6673 - Recruitment and selection of program participants

(a) Eligible members
The following members of the Armed Forces are eligible for selection to participate in the Program:

(1) Any member who

(A) on or after October 1, 1999, becomes entitled to retired or retainer pay in the manner provided in title 10 or title 14;

(B) has an approved date of retirement that is within 1 year after the date on which the member submits an application to participate in the Program; or

(2) Any member who, on or after January 8, 2002

(A)

(i) is separated or released from active duty after 6 or more years of continuous active duty immediately before the separation or release; or

(ii) has completed a total of at least 10 years of active duty service, 10 years of service computed under section 12732 of title 10, or 10 years of any combination of such service; and

(B) executes a reserve commitment agreement for a period of not less than 3 years under subsection (e)(2) of this section.

(3) Any member who, on or after January 8, 2002, is retired or separated for physical disability under chapter 61 of title 10.

(4) Any member who

(A) during the period beginning on October 1, 1990, and ending on September 30, 1999, was involuntarily discharged or released from active duty for purposes of a reduction of force after 6 or more years of continuous active duty immediately before the discharge or release; or

(B) applied for the teacher placement program administered under section 1151 of title 10 before the repeal of that section, and satisfied the eligibility criteria specified in subsection (c) of such section 1151.

(b) Submission of applications

(1) Form and submission
Selection of eligible members of the Armed Forces to participate in the Program shall be made on the basis of applications submitted to the Secretary within the time periods specified in paragraph (2). An application shall be in such form and contain such information as the Secretary may require.

(2) Time for submission
An application shall be considered to be submitted on a timely basis under paragraph (1) if

(A) in the case of a member described in paragraph (1)(A), (2), or (3) of subsection (a) of this section, the application is submitted not later than 4 years after the date on which the member is retired or separated or released from active duty, whichever applies to the member; or

(B) in the case of a member described in subsection (a)(4) of this section, the application is submitted not later than September 30, 2003.

(1) Establishment
Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the Secretary shall prescribe the criteria to be used to select eligible members of the Armed Forces to participate in the Program.

(2) Educational background

(A) Elementary or secondary school teacher
If a member of the Armed Forces described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (a) of this section is applying for assistance for placement as an elementary school or secondary school teacher, the Secretary shall require the member to have received a baccalaureate or advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education.

(B) Vocational or technical teacher
If a member of the Armed Forces described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (a) of this section is applying for assistance for placement as a vocational or technical teacher, the Secretary shall require the member ave^[1] received the equivalent of 1 year of college from an accredited institution of higher education and have 6 or more years of military experience in a vocational or technical field; or

(ii) to otherwise meet the certification or licensing requirements for a vocational or technical teacher in the State in which the member seeks assistance for placement under the Program.

(3) Honorable service
A member of the Armed Forces is eligible to participate in the Program only if the members last period of service in the Armed Forces was honorable, as characterized by the Secretary concerned (as defined in section 101 (a)(9) of title 10). A member selected to participate in the Program before the retirement of the member or the separation or release of the member from active duty may continue to participate in the Program after the retirement, separation, or release only if the members last period of service is characterized as honorable by the Secretary concerned (as so defined).

(d) Selection priorities
In selecting eligible members of the Armed Forces to receive assistance under the Program, the Secretary shall give priority to members who have educational or military experience in science, mathematics, special education, or vocational or technical subjects and agree to seek employment as science, mathematics, or special education teachers in elementary schools or secondary schools or in other schools under the jurisdiction of a local educational agency.

(e) Other conditions on selection

(1) Selection subject to funding
The Secretary may not select an eligible member of the Armed Forces to participate in the Program under this section and receive financial assistance under section 6674 of this title unless the Secretary has sufficient appropriations for the Program available at the time of the selection to satisfy the obligations to be incurred by the United States under section 6674 of this title with respect to the member.

(2) Reserve commitment agreement
The Secretary may not select an eligible member of the Armed Forces described in subsection (a)(2)(A) of this section to participate in the Program under this section and receive financial assistance under section 6674 of this title unless

(A) the Secretary notifies the Secretary concerned and the member that the Secretary has reserved a full stipend or bonus under section 6674 of this title for the member; and

(B) the member executes a written agreement with the Secretary concerned to serve as a member of the Selected Reserve of a reserve component of the Armed Forces for a period of not less than 3 years (in addition to any other reserve commitment the member may have).

[1] So in original. Probably should be “(i) to have”.

20 USC 6674 - Participation agreement and financial assistance

(a) Participation agreement

(1) In general
An eligible member of the Armed Forces selected to participate in the Program under section 6673 of this title and receive financial assistance under this section shall be required to enter into an agreement with the Secretary in which the member agrees

(A) within such time as the Secretary may require, to obtain certification or licensing as an elementary school teacher, secondary school teacher, or vocational or technical teacher, and to become a highly qualified teacher; and

(B) to accept an offer of full-time employment as an elementary school teacher, secondary school teacher, or vocational or technical teacher for not less than 3 school years with a high-need local educational agency or public school">charter school, as such terms are defined in section 66011 of this title, to begin the school year after obtaining that certification or licensing.

(2) Waiver
The Secretary may waive the 3-year commitment described in paragraph (1)(B) for a participant if the Secretary determines such waiver to be appropriate. If the Secretary provides the waiver, the participant shall not be considered to be in violation of the agreement and shall not be required to provide reimbursement under subsection (f) of this section, for failure to meet the 3-year commitment.

(b) Violation of participation agreement; exceptions
A participant in the Program shall not be considered to be in violation of the participation agreement entered into under subsection (a) of this section during any period in which the participant

(1) is pursuing a full-time course of study related to the field of teaching at an institution of higher education;

(2) is serving on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces;

(3) is temporarily totally disabled for a period of time not to exceed 3 years as established by sworn affidavit of a qualified physician;

(4) is unable to secure employment for a period not to exceed 12 months by reason of the care required by a spouse who is disabled;

(5) is a highly qualified teacher who is seeking and unable to find full-time employment as a teacher in an elementary school or secondary school or as a vocational or technical teacher for a single period not to exceed 27 months; or

(6) satisfies the provisions of additional reimbursement exceptions that may be prescribed by the Secretary.

(1) Stipend authorized
Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may pay to a participant in the Program selected under section 6673 of this title a stipend in an amount of not more than $5,000.

(2) Limitation
The total number of stipends that may be paid under paragraph (1) in any fiscal year may not exceed 5,000.

(d) Bonus for participants

(1) Bonus authorized
Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may, in lieu of paying a stipend under subsection (c) of this section, pay a bonus of $10,000 to a participant in the Program selected under section 6673 of this title who agrees in the participation agreement under subsection (a) of this section to become a highly qualified teacher and to accept full-time employment as an elementary school teacher, secondary school teacher, or vocational or technical teacher for not less than 3 school years in a high-need school.

(2) Limitation
The total number of bonuses that may be paid under paragraph (1) in any fiscal year may not exceed 3,000.

(3) High-need school defined
In this subsection, the term high-need school means a public elementary school, public secondary school, or public school">charter school that meets one or more of the following criteria:

(A) Low-income children
At least 50 percent of the students enrolled in the school were from low-income families (as described in section 6672 (b)(2)(A)(i) of this title).

(B) Children with disabilities
The school has a large percentage of students who qualify for assistance under part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [20 U.S.C. 1411 et seq.].

(e) Treatment of stipend and bonus
A stipend or bonus paid under this section to a participant in the Program shall be taken into account in determining the eligibility of the participant for Federal student financial assistance provided under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 [20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq. and 42 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.].

(f) Reimbursement under certain circumstances

(1) Reimbursement required
A participant in the Program who is paid a stipend or bonus under this section shall be required to repay the stipend or bonus under the following circumstances:

(A) Failure to obtain qualifications or employment
The participant fails to obtain teacher certification or licensing, to become a highly qualified teacher, or to obtain employment as an elementary school teacher, secondary school teacher, or vocational or technical teacher as required by the participation agreement under subsection (a) of this section.

(B) Termination of employment
The participant voluntarily leaves, or is terminated for cause from, employment as an elementary school teacher, secondary school teacher, or vocational or technical teacher during the 3 years of required service in violation of the participation agreement.

(C) Failure to complete service under reserve commitment agreement
The participant executed a written agreement with the Secretary concerned under section 6673 (e)(2) of this title to serve as a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces for a period of 3 years and fails to complete the required term of service.

(2) Amount of reimbursement
A participant required to reimburse the Secretary for a stipend or bonus paid to the participant under this section shall pay an amount that bears the same ratio to the amount of the stipend or bonus as the unserved portion of required service bears to the 3 years of required service. Any amount owed by the participant shall bear interest at the rate equal to the highest rate being paid by the United States on the day on which the reimbursement is determined to be due for securities having maturities of 90 days or less and shall accrue from the day on which the participant is first notified of the amount due.

(3) Treatment of obligation
The obligation to reimburse the Secretary under this subsection is, for all purposes, a debt owing the United States. A discharge in bankruptcy under title 11 shall not release a participant from the obligation to reimburse the Secretary under this subsection.

(4) Exceptions to reimbursement requirement
A participant shall be excused from reimbursement under this subsection if the participant becomes permanently totally disabled as established by sworn affidavit of a qualified physician. The Secretary may also waive the reimbursement in cases of extreme hardship to the participant, as determined by the Secretary.

(g) Relationship to educational assistance under Montgomery GI Bill
The receipt by a participant in the Program of a stipend or bonus under this section shall not reduce or otherwise affect the entitlement of the participant to any benefits under chapter 30 of title 38 or chapter 1606 of title 10.

[1] So in original. Probably should be section “6602”.

20 USC 6675 - Participation by States

(a) Discharge of State activities through consortia of States
The Secretary may permit States participating in the Program to carry out activities authorized for such States under the Program through one or more consortia of such States.

(b) Assistance to States

(1) Grants authorized
Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may make grants to States participating in the Program, or to consortia of such States, in order to permit such States or consortia of States to operate offices for purposes of recruiting eligible members of the Armed Forces for participation in the Program and facilitating the employment of participants in the Program as elementary school teachers, secondary school teachers, and vocational or technical teachers.

(2) Limitation
The total amount of grants made under paragraph (1) in any fiscal year may not exceed $5,000,000.

20 USC 6676 - Support of innovative preretirement teacher certification programs

(a) Purpose
The purpose of this section is to provide funding to develop, implement, and demonstrate teacher certification programs.

(b) Development, implementation and demonstration
The Secretary may enter into a memorandum of agreement with a State educational agency, an institution of higher education, or a consortia of State educational agencies or institutions of higher education, to develop, implement, and demonstrate teacher certification programs for members of the Armed Forces described in section 6673 (a)(1)(B) of this title for the purpose of assisting such members to consider and prepare for a career as a highly qualified elementary school teacher, secondary school teacher, or vocational or technical teacher upon retirement from the Armed Forces.

(1) provide recognition of military experience and training as related to certification or licensing requirements;

(2) provide courses of instruction that may be conducted on or near a military installation;

(3) incorporate alternative approaches to achieve teacher certification, such as innovative methods to gaining field-based teaching experiences, and assessment of background and experience as related to skills, knowledge, and abilities required of elementary school teachers, secondary school teachers, or vocational or technical teachers;

(4) provide for courses to be delivered via distance education methods; and

(5) address any additional requirements or specifications established by the Secretary.

(d) Application procedures

(1) In general
A State educational agency or institution of higher education (or a consortium of State educational agencies or institutions of higher education) that desires to enter into a memorandum under subsection (b) of this section shall prepare and submit to the Secretary a proposal, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including an assurance that the State educational agency, institution, or consortium is operating a program leading to State approved teacher certification.

(2) Preference
The Secretary shall give preference to State educational agencies, institutions, and consortia that submit proposals that provide for cost sharing with respect to the program involved.

(e) Continuation of programs
Upon successful completion of the demonstration phase of teacher certification programs funded under this section, the continued operation of the teacher certification programs shall not be the responsibility of the Secretary. A State educational agency, institution, or consortium that desires to continue a program that is funded under this section after such funding is terminated shall use amounts derived from tuition charges to continue such program.

(f) Funding limitation
The total amount obligated by the Secretary under this section for any fiscal year may not exceed $10,000,000.

20 USC 6677 - Reporting requirements

(a) Report required
Not later than March 31, 2006, the Secretary (in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security) and the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on the effectiveness of the Program in the recruitment and retention of qualified personnel by local educational agencies and public charter schools.

(b) Elements of report
The report submitted under subsection (a) of this section shall include information on the following:

(1) The number of participants in the Program.

(2) The schools in which the participants are employed.

(3) The grade levels at which the participants teach.

(4) The academic subjects taught by the participants.

(5) The rates of retention of the participants by the local educational agencies and public charter schools employing the participants.

(6) Such other matters as the Secretary or the Comptroller General of the United States, as the case may be, considers to be appropriate.

Division B - Transition to Teaching Program

20 USC 6681 - Purposes

The purposes of this division are

(1) to establish a program to recruit and retain highly qualified mid-career professionals (including highly qualified paraprofessionals), and recent graduates of an institution of higher education, as teachers in high-need schools, including recruiting teachers through alternative routes to certification; and

(2) to encourage the development and expansion of alternative routes to certification under State-approved programs that enable individuals to be eligible for teacher certification within a reduced period of time, relying on the experience, expertise, and academic qualifications of an individual, or other factors in lieu of traditional course work in the field of education.

20 USC 6682 - Definitions

In this division:

(1) Eligible participant
The term eligible participant means

(A) an individual with substantial, demonstrable career experience, including a highly qualified paraprofessional; or

(B) an individual who is a graduate of an institution of higher education who

(i) has graduated not more than 3 years before applying to an eligible entity to teach under this division; and

(ii) in the case of an individual wishing to teach in a secondary school, has completed an academic major (or courses totaling an equivalent number of credit hours) in the academic subject that the individual will teach.

(2) High-need local educational agency
The term high-need local educational agency has the meaning given the term in section 6602 of this title.

(3) High-need school
The term high-need school means a school that

(A) is located in an area in which the percentage of students from families with incomes below the poverty line is 30 percent or more; or

(B)

(i) is located in an area with a high percentage of out-of-field teachers, as defined in section 6602 of this title;

(ii) is within the top quartile of elementary schools and secondary schools statewide, as ranked by the number of unfilled, available teacher positions at the schools;

(iii) is located in an area in which there is a high teacher turnover rate; or

(iv) is located in an area in which there is a high percentage of teachers who are not certified or licensed.

20 USC 6683 - Grant program

(a) In general
The Secretary may establish a program to make grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities to develop State and local teacher corps or other programs to establish, expand, or enhance teacher recruitment and retention efforts.

(b) Eligible entity
To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an entity shall be

(1) a State educational agency;

(2) a high-need local educational agency;

(3) a for-profit or nonprofit">nonprofit organization that has a proven record of effectively recruiting and retaining highly qualified teachers, in a partnership with a high-need local educational agency or with a State educational agency;

(4) an institution of higher education, in a partnership with a high-need local educational agency or with a State educational agency;

(5) a regional consortium of State educational agencies; or

(6) a consortium of high-need local educational agencies.

(c) Priority
In making such a grant, the Secretary shall give priority to a partnership or consortium that includes a high-need State educational agency or local educational agency.

(d) Application

(1) In general
To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an entity described in subsection (b) of this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

(2) Contents
The application shall describe

(A) one or more target recruitment groups on which the applicant will focus its recruitment efforts;

(B) the characteristics of each such target group that

(i) show the knowledge and experience of the groups members; and

(ii) demonstrate that the members are eligible to achieve the objectives of this section;

(C) describe how the applicant will use funds received under this section to develop a teacher corps or other program to recruit and retain highly qualified midcareer professionals (which may include highly qualified paraprofessionals), recent college graduates, and recent graduate school graduates, as highly qualified teachers in high-need schools operated by high-need local educational agencies;

(D) explain how the program carried out under the grant will meet the relevant State laws (including regulations) related to teacher certification or licensing and facilitate the certification or licensing of such teachers;

(E) describe how the grant will increase the number of highly qualified teachers, in high-need schools operated by high-need local educational agencies (in urban or rural school districts), and in high-need academic subjects, in the jurisdiction served by the applicant; and

(F) describe how the applicant will collaborate, as needed, with other institutions, agencies, or organizations to recruit (particularly through activities that have proven effective in retaining highly qualified teachers), train, place, support, and provide teacher induction programs to program participants under this division, including providing evidence of the commitment of the institutions, agencies, or organizations to the applicants programs.

(e) Duration of grants
The Secretary may make grants under this section for periods of 5 years. At the end of the 5-year period for such a grant, the grant recipient may apply for an additional grant under this section.

(f) Equitable distribution
To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure an equitable geographic distribution of grants under this section among the regions of the United States.

(g) Uses of funds

(1) In general
An entity that receives a grant under this section shall use the funds made available through the grant to develop a teacher corps or other program in order to establish, expand, or enhance a teacher recruitment and retention program for highly qualified mid-career professionals (including highly qualified paraprofessionals), and recent graduates of an institution of higher education, who are eligible participants, including activities that provide alternative routes to teacher certification.

(2) Authorized activities
The entity shall use the funds to carry out a program that includes two or more of the following activities:

(A) Providing scholarships, stipends, bonuses, and other financial incentives, that are linked to participation in activities that have proven effective in retaining teachers in high-need schools operated by high-need local educational agencies, to all eligible participants, in an amount not to exceed $5,000 per participant.

(B) Carrying out pre- and post-placement induction or support activities that have proven effective in recruiting and retaining teachers, such as

(i) teacher mentoring;

(ii) providing internships;

(iii) providing high-quality, preservice coursework; and

(iv) providing high-quality, sustained inservice professional development.

(C) Carrying out placement and ongoing activities to ensure that teachers are placed in fields in which the teachers are highly qualified to teach and are placed in high-need schools.

(D) Making payments to pay for costs associated with accepting teachers recruited under this section from among eligible participants or provide financial incentives to prospective teachers who are eligible participants.

(E) Collaborating with institutions of higher education in developing and implementing programs to facilitate teacher recruitment (including teacher credentialing) and teacher retention programs.

(F) Carrying out other programs, projects, and activities that are designed and have proven to be effective in recruiting and retaining teachers, and that the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

(G) Developing long-term recruitment and retention strategies including developing

(i) a statewide or regionwide clearinghouse for the recruitment and placement of teachers;

(ii) administrative structures to develop and implement programs to provide alternative routes to certification;

(iii) reciprocity agreements between or among States for the certification or licensing of teachers; or

(iv) other long-term teacher recruitment and retention strategies.

(3) Effective programs
The entity shall use the funds only for programs that have proven to be effective in both recruiting and retaining teachers.

(h) Requirements

(1) Targeting
An entity that receives a grant under this section to carry out a program shall ensure that participants in the program recruited with funds made available under this section are placed in high-need schools operated by high-need local educational agencies. In placing the participants in the schools, the entity shall give priority to the schools that are located in areas with the highest percentages of students from families with incomes below the poverty line.

(2) Supplement, not supplant
Funds made available under this section shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, State and local public funds expended for teacher recruitment and retention programs, including programs to recruit the teachers through alternative routes to certification.

(3) Partnerships and consortia of local educational agencies
In the case of a partnership established by a local educational agency to carry out a program under this division, or a consortium of such agencies established to carry out a program under this division, the local educational agency or consortium shall not be eligible to receive funds through a State program under this division.

(i) Period of service
A program participant in a program under this division who receives training through the program shall serve a high-need school operated by a high-need local educational agency for at least 3 years.

(j) Repayment
The Secretary shall establish such requirements as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to ensure that program participants who receive a stipend or other financial incentive under subsection (g)(2)(A) of this section, but fail to complete their service obligation under subsection (i) of this section, repay all or a portion of such stipend or other incentive.

(k) Administrative funds
No entity that receives a grant under this section shall use more than 5 percent of the funds made available through the grant for the administration of a program under this division carried out under the grant.

20 USC 6684 - Evaluation and accountability for recruiting and retaining teachers

(a) Evaluation
Each entity that receives a grant under this division shall conduct

(1) an interim evaluation of the program funded under the grant at the end of the third year of the grant period; and

(2) a final evaluation of the program at the end of the fifth year of the grant period.

(b) Contents
In conducting the evaluation, the entity shall describe the extent to which local educational agencies that received funds through the grant have met the goals relating to teacher recruitment and retention described in the application.

(c) Reports
The entity shall prepare and submit to the Secretary and to Congress interim and final reports containing the results of the interim and final evaluations, respectively.

(d) Revocation
If the Secretary determines that the recipient of a grant under this division has not made substantial progress in meeting such goals and the objectives of the grant by the end of the third year of the grant period, the Secretary

(1) shall revoke the payment made for the fourth year of the grant period; and

(2) shall not make a payment for the fifth year of the grant period.

Division C - General Provisions

20 USC 6691 - Authorization of appropriations

(a) In general
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subpart $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2002 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years.

(b) Reservation
From the funds appropriated to carry out this subpart for fiscal year 2002, the Secretary shall reserve not more than $30,000,000 to carry out division A of this subpart.

subpart 2 - national writing project

20 USC 6701 - Purposes

The purposes of this subpart are

(1) to support and promote the expansion of the National Writing Project network of sites so that teachers in every region of the United States will have access to a National Writing Project program;

(2) to ensure the consistent high quality of the sites through ongoing review, evaluation, and technical assistance;

(3) to support and promote the establishment of programs to disseminate effective practices and research findings about the teaching of writing; and

(4) to coordinate activities assisted under this subpart with activities assisted under this chapter.

20 USC 6702 - National Writing Project

(a) Authorization
The Secretary is authorized to award a grant to the National Writing Project, a nonprofit">nonprofit educational organization that has as its primary purpose the improvement of the quality of student writing and learning (hereafter in this section referred to as the grantee) to improve the teaching of writing and the use of writing as a part of the learning process in our Nations classrooms.

(b) Requirements of grant
The grant shall provide that

(1) the grantee will enter into contracts with institutions of higher education or other nonprofit">nonprofit educational providers (hereafter in this section referred to as contractors) under which the contractors will agree to establish, operate, and provide the non-Federal share of the cost of teacher training programs in effective approaches and processes for the teaching of writing;

(2) funds made available by the Secretary to the grantee pursuant to any contract entered into under this section will be used to pay the Federal share of the cost of establishing and operating teacher training programs as provided in paragraph (1); and

(3) the grantee will meet such other conditions and standards as the Secretary determines to be necessary to assure compliance with the provisions of this section and will provide such technical assistance as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

(1) be conducted during the school year and during the summer months;

(2) train teachers who teach grades kindergarten through college;

(3) select teachers to become members of a National Writing Project teacher network whose members will conduct writing workshops for other teachers in the area served by each National Writing Project site; and

(4) encourage teachers from all disciplines to participate in such teacher training programs.

(d) Federal share

(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2) or (3) and for purposes of subsection (a) of this section, the term Federal share means, with respect to the costs of teacher training programs authorized in subsection (a) of this section, 50 percent of such costs to the contractor.

(2) Waiver
The Secretary may waive the provisions of paragraph (1) on a case-by-case basis if the National Advisory Board described in subsection (e) of this section determines, on the basis of financial need, that such waiver is necessary.

(3) Maximum
The Federal share of the costs of teacher training programs conducted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section may not exceed $100,000 for any one contractor, or $200,000 for a statewide program administered by any one contractor in at least five sites throughout the State.

(e) National Advisory Board

(1) Establishment
The National Writing Project shall establish and operate a National Advisory Board.

(2) Composition
The National Advisory Board established pursuant to paragraph (1) shall consist of

(A) national educational leaders;

(B) leaders in the field of writing; and

(3) Duties
The National Advisory Board established pursuant to paragraph (1) shall

(A) advise the National Writing Project on national issues related to student writing and the teaching of writing;

(B) review the activities and programs of the National Writing Project; and

(f) Evaluation

(1) In general
The Secretary shall conduct an independent evaluation by grant or contract of the teacher training programs administered pursuant to this subpart. Such evaluation shall specify the amount of funds expended by the National Writing Project and each contractor receiving assistance under this section for administrative costs. The results of such evaluation shall be made available to the appropriate committees of Congress.

(2) Funding limitation
The Secretary shall reserve not more than $150,000 from the total amount appropriated pursuant to the authority of subsection (h) of this section for fiscal year 2002 and each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years to conduct the evaluation described in paragraph (1).

(g) Application review

(1) Review Board
The National Writing Project shall establish and operate a National Review Board that shall consist of

(A) leaders in the field of research in writing; and

(B) such other individuals as the National Writing Project deems necessary.

(2) Duties
The National Review Board shall

(A) review all applications for assistance under this subsection; and

(B) recommend applications for assistance under this subsection for funding by the National Writing Project.

(h) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subpart $15,000,000 as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002 and each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years.

subpart 3 - civic education

20 USC 6711 - Short title

This subpart may be cited as the Education for Democracy Act.

20 USC 6712 - Purpose

It is the purpose of this subpart

(1) to improve the quality of civics and government education by educating students about the history and principles of the Constitution of the United States, including the Bill of Rights;

(2) to foster civic competence and responsibility; and

(3) to improve the quality of civic education and economic education through cooperative civic education and economic education exchange programs with emerging democracies.

20 USC 6713 - General authority

(a) Authority
The Secretary is authorized to award grants to, or enter into contracts with

(1) the Center for Civic Education, to carry out civic education activities under sections 6714 and 6715 of this title;

(2) the National Council on Economic Education, to carry out economic education activities under section 6715 of this title; and

(3) organizations experienced in the development of curricula and programs in civics and government education and economic education for students in elementary schools and secondary schools in countries other than the United States, to carry out civic education activities under section 6715 of this title.

(b) Distribution for cooperative civic education and economic education exchange programs

(1) Limitation
Not more than 40 percent of the amount appropriated under section 6716 of this title for a fiscal year shall be used to carry out section 6715 of this title.

(2) Distribution
Of the amount used to carry out section 6715 of this title for a fiscal year (consistent with paragraph (1)), the Secretary shall use

(A) 37.5 percent for a grant or contract for the Center for Civic Education;

(B) 37.5 percent for a grant or contract for the National Council on Economic Education; and

(C) 25 percent for not less than 1, but not more than 3, grants or contracts for organizations described in subsection (a)(3) of this section.

20 USC 6714 - We the People program

(a) The Citizen and the Constitution

(1) Educational activities
The Center for Civic Education

(A) shall use funds made available under grants or contracts under section 6713 (a)(1) of this title

(i) to continue and expand the educational activities of the program entitled the We the People... The Citizen and the Constitution program administered by such center;

(ii) to carry out activities to enhance student attainment of challenging academic content standards in civics and government;

(iii) to provide a course of instruction on the basic principles of the Nations constitutional democracy and the history of the Constitution of the United States, including the Bill of Rights;

(iv) to provide, at the request of a participating school, school and community simulated congressional hearings following the course of instruction described in clause (iii); and

(v) to provide an annual national competition of simulated congressional hearings for secondary school students who wish to participate in such a program; and

(B) may use funds made available under grants or contracts under section 6713 (a)(1) of this title

(i) to provide advanced, sustained, and ongoing training of teachers about the Constitution of the United States and the political system of the United States;

(ii) to provide materials and methods of instruction, including teacher training, that utilize the latest advancements in educational technology; and

(iii) to provide civic education materials and services to address specific problems such as the prevention of school violence and the abuse of drugs and alcohol.

(2) Availability of program
The education program authorized under this subsection shall be made available to public and private elementary schools and secondary schools, including Bureau funded schools, in the 435 congressional districts, and in the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

(b) Project Citizen

(1) Educational activities
The Center for Civic Education

(A) shall use funds made available under grants or contracts under section 6713 (a)(1) of this title

(i) to continue and expand the educational activities of the program entitled the We the People... Project Citizen program administered by the Center;

(ii) to carry out activities to enhance student attainment of challenging academic content standards in civics and government;

(iii) to provide a course of instruction at the middle school level on the roles of State and local governments in the Federal system established by the Constitution of the United States; and

(iv) to provide an annual national showcase or competition; and

(B) may use funds made available under grants or contracts under section 6713 (a)(1) of this title

(i) to provide optional school and community simulated State legislative hearings;

(ii) to provide advanced, sustained, and ongoing training of teachers on the roles of State and local governments in the Federal system established by the Constitution of the United States;

(iii) to provide materials and methods of instruction, including teacher training, that utilize the latest advancements in educational technology; and

(iv) to provide civic education materials and services to address specific problems such as the prevention of school violence and the abuse of drugs and alcohol.

(2) Availability of program
The education program authorized under this subsection shall be made available to public and private middle schools, including Bureau funded schools, in the 50 States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

(c) Bureau-funded school defined
In this section, the term Bureau-funded school has the meaning given such term in section 2026 of title 25.^[1]

[1] See References in Text note below.

20 USC 6715 - Cooperative civic education and economic education exchange programs

(a) Cooperative education exchange programs
The Center for Civic Education, the National Council on Economic Education, and organizations described in section 6713 (a)(3) of this title shall use funds made available under grants or contracts under section 6713 of this title to carry out cooperative education exchange programs in accordance with this section.

(b) Purpose
The purpose of the cooperative education exchange programs carried out under this section shall be

(1) to make available to educators from eligible countries exemplary curriculum and teacher training programs in civics and government education, and economics education, developed in the United States;

(2) to assist eligible countries in the adaptation, implementation, and institutionalization of such programs;

(3) to create and implement civics and government education, and economic education, programs for students that draw upon the experiences of the participating eligible countries;

(4) to provide a means for the exchange of ideas and experiences in civics and government education, and economic education, among political, educational, governmental, and private sector leaders of participating eligible countries; and

(5) to provide support for

(A) independent research and evaluation to determine the effects of educational programs on students development of the knowledge, skills, and traits of character essential for the preservation and improvement of constitutional democracy; and

(B) effective participation in, and the preservation and improvement of, an efficient market economy.

(c) Activities
In carrying out the cooperative education exchange programs assisted under this section, the Center for Civic Education, the National Council on Economic Education, and organizations described in section 6713 (a)(3) of this title shall

(1) provide to the participants from eligible countries

(A) seminars on the basic principles of United States constitutional democracy and economic system, including seminars on the major governmental and economic institutions and systems in the United States, and visits to such institutions;

(B) visits to school systems, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit">nonprofit organizations conducting exemplary programs in civics and government education, and economic education, in the United States;

(C) translations and adaptations with respect to United States civics and government education, and economic education, curricular programs for students and teachers, and in the case of training programs for teachers, translations and adaptations into forms useful in schools in eligible countries, and joint research projects in such areas; and

(D) independent research and evaluation assistance

(i) to determine the effects of the cooperative education exchange programs on students development of the knowledge, skills, and traits of character essential for the preservation and improvement of constitutional democracy; and

(ii) to identify effective participation in, and the preservation and improvement of, an efficient market economy;

(2) provide to the participants from the United States

(A) seminars on the histories, economies, and systems of government of eligible countries;

(B) visits to school systems, institutions of higher education, and organizations conducting exemplary programs in civics and government education, and economic education, located in eligible countries;

(C) assistance from educators and scholars in eligible countries in the development of curricular materials on the history, government, and economy of such countries that are useful in United States classrooms;

(D) opportunities to provide onsite demonstrations of United States curricula and pedagogy for educational leaders in eligible countries; and

(E) independent research and evaluation assistance to determine

(i) the effects of the cooperative education exchange programs assisted under this section on students development of the knowledge, skills, and traits of character essential for the preservation and improvement of constitutional democracy; and

(ii) effective participation in, and improvement of, an efficient market economy; and

(3) assist participants from eligible countries and the United States to participate in international conferences on civics and government education, and economic education, for educational leaders, teacher trainers, scholars in related disciplines, and educational policymakers.

(d) Participants
The primary participants in the cooperative education exchange programs assisted under this section shall be educational leaders in the areas of civics and government education, and economic education, including teachers, curriculum and teacher training specialists, scholars in relevant disciplines, and educational policymakers, and government and private sector leaders from the United States and eligible countries.

(e) Consultation
The Secretary may award a grant to, or enter into a contract with, the entities described in section 6713 of this title to carry out programs assisted under this section only if the Secretary of State concurs with the Secretary that such grant, or contract, respectively, is consistent with the foreign policy of the United States.

(f) Avoidance of duplication
With the concurrence of the Secretary of State, the Secretary shall ensure that

(1) the activities carried out under the programs assisted under this section are not duplicative of other activities conducted in eligible countries; and

(2) any institutions in eligible countries, with which the Center for Civic Education, the National Council on Economic Education, or organizations described in section 6713 (a)(3) of this title may work in conducting such activities, are creditable.

(g) Eligible country defined
In this section, the term eligible country means a Central European country, an Eastern European country, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, the independent states of the former Soviet Union as defined in section 5801 of title 22, the Republic of Ireland, the province of Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom, and any developing country (as such term is defined in section 4359a (d) of this title)^[1] if the Secretary, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, determines that such developing country has a democratic form of government.

[1] See References in Text note below.

20 USC 6716 - Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subpart $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2002 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years.

subpart 4 - teaching of traditional american history

20 USC 6721 - Establishment of program

(a) In general
The Secretary may establish and implement a program to be known as the Teaching American History Grant Program, under which the Secretary shall award grants on a competitive basis to local educational agencies

(1) to carry out activities to promote the teaching of traditional American history in elementary schools and secondary schools as a separate academic subject (not as a component of social studies); and

(2) for the development, implementation, and strengthening of programs to teach traditional American history as a separate academic subject (not as a component of social studies) within elementary school and secondary school curricula, including the implementation of activities

(A) to improve the quality of instruction; and

(B) to provide professional development and teacher education activities with respect to American history.

(b) Required partnership
A local educational agency that receives a grant under subsection (a) of this section shall carry out activities under the grant in partnership with one or more of the following:

(1) An institution of higher education.

(2) A nonprofit">nonprofit history or humanities organization.

(3) A library or museum.

(c) Application
To be eligible to receive an^[1] grant under this section, a local educational agency shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

[1] So in original. Probably should be “a”.

20 USC 6722 - Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subpart such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002 and each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years.

subpart 5 - teacher liability protection

20 USC 6731 - Short title

This subpart may be cited as the Paul D. Coverdell Teacher Protection Act of 2001.

20 USC 6732 - Purpose

The purpose of this subpart is to provide teachers, principals, and other school professionals the tools they need to undertake reasonable actions to maintain order, discipline, and an appropriate educational environment.

20 USC 6733 - Definitions

For purposes of this subpart:

(1) Economic loss
The term economic loss means any pecuniary loss resulting from harm (including the loss of earnings or other benefits related to employment, medical expense loss, replacement services loss, loss due to death, burial costs, and loss of business or employment opportunities) to the extent recovery for such loss is allowed under applicable State law.

(2) Harm
The term harm includes physical, nonphysical, economic, and noneconomic losses.

(3) Noneconomic loss
The term noneconomic loss means loss for physical or emotional pain, suffering, inconvenience, physical impairment, mental anguish, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of society or companionship, loss of consortium (other than loss of domestic service), hedonic damages, injury to reputation, or any other nonpecuniary loss of any kind or nature.

(4) School
The term school means a public or private kindergarten, a public or private elementary school or secondary school, or a home school.

(5) State
The term State means each of the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, any other territory or possession of the United States, or any political subdivision of any such State, territory, or possession.

(6) Teacher
The term teacher means

(A) a teacher, instructor, principal, or administrator;

(B) another educational professional who works in a school;

(i) works in a school; and

(ii)

(I) in the employees job, maintains discipline or ensures safety; or

(II) in an emergency, is called on to maintain discipline or ensure safety; or

(D) an individual member of a school board (as distinct from the board).

20 USC 6734 - Applicability

This subpart shall only apply to States that receive funds under this chapter, and shall apply to such a State as a condition of receiving such funds.

20 USC 6735 - Preemption and election of State nonapplicability

(a) Preemption
This subpart preempts the laws of any State to the extent that such laws are inconsistent with this subpart, except that this subpart shall not preempt any State law that provides additional protection from liability relating to teachers.

(b) Election of State regarding nonapplicability
This subpart shall not apply to any civil action in a State court against a teacher with respect to claims arising within that State if such State enacts a statute in accordance with State requirements for enacting legislation

(1) citing the authority of this subsection;

(2) declaring the election of such State that this subpart shall not apply, as of a date certain, to such civil action in the State; and

(3) containing no other provisions.

20 USC 6736 - Limitation on liability for teachers

(a) Liability protection for teachers
Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, no teacher in a school shall be liable for harm caused by an act or omission of the teacher on behalf of the school if

(1) the teacher was acting within the scope of the teachers employment or responsibilities to a school or governmental entity;

(2) the actions of the teacher were carried out in conformity with Federal, State, and local laws (including rules and regulations) in furtherance of efforts to control, discipline, expel, or suspend a student or maintain order or control in the classroom or school;

(3) if appropriate or required, the teacher was properly licensed, certified, or authorized by the appropriate authorities for the activities or practice involved in the State in which the harm occurred, where the activities were or practice was undertaken within the scope of the teachers responsibilities;

(4) the harm was not caused by willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed by the teacher; and

(5) the harm was not caused by the teacher operating a motor vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or other vehicle for which the State requires the operator or the owner of the vehicle, craft, or vessel to

(A) possess an operators license; or

(B) maintain insurance.

(b) Exceptions to teacher liability protection
If the laws of a State limit teacher liability subject to one or more of the following conditions, such conditions shall not be construed as inconsistent with this section:

(1) A State law that requires a school or governmental entity to adhere to risk management procedures, including mandatory training of teachers.

(2) A State law that makes the school or governmental entity liable for the acts or omissions of its teachers to the same extent as an employer is liable for the acts or omissions of its employees. ate^[1] law that makes a limitation of liability inapplicable if the civil action was brought by an officer of a State or local government pursuant to State or local law.

(1) General rule
Punitive damages may not be awarded against a teacher in an action brought for harm based on the act or omission of a teacher acting within the scope of the teachers employment or responsibilities to a school or governmental entity unless the claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the harm was proximately caused by an act or omission of such teacher that constitutes willful or criminal misconduct, or a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed.

(2) Construction
Paragraph (1) does not create a cause of action for punitive damages and does not preempt or supersede any Federal or State law to the extent that such law would further limit the award of punitive damages.

(d) Exceptions to limitations on liability

(1) In general
The limitations on the liability of a teacher under this subpart shall not apply to any misconduct that

(A) constitutes a crime of violence (as that term is defined in section 16 of title 18) or act of international terrorism (as that term is defined in section 2331 of title 18) for which the defendant has been convicted in any court;

(B) involves a sexual offense, as defined by applicable State law, for which the defendant has been convicted in any court;

(D) where the defendant was under the influence (as determined pursuant to applicable State law) of intoxicating alcohol or any drug at the time of the misconduct.

(2) Hiring
The limitations on the liability of a teacher under this subpart shall not apply to misconduct during background investigations, or during other actions, involved in the hiring of a teacher.

(e) Rules of construction

(1) Concerning responsibility of teachers to schools and governmental entities
Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect any civil action brought by any school or any governmental entity against any teacher of such school.

(2) Concerning corporal punishment
Nothing in this subpart shall be construed to affect any State or local law (including a rule or regulation) or policy pertaining to the use of corporal punishment.

[1] So in original. Probably should be “(3) A State”.

20 USC 6737 - Allocation of responsibility for noneconomic loss

(a) General rule
In any civil action against a teacher, based on an act or omission of a teacher acting within the scope of the teachers employment or responsibilities to a school or governmental entity, the liability of the teacher for noneconomic loss shall be determined in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.

(b) Amount of liability

(1) In general

(A) Liability
Each defendant who is a teacher shall be liable only for the amount of noneconomic loss allocated to that defendant in direct proportion to the percentage of responsibility of that defendant (determined in accordance with paragraph (2)) for the harm to the claimant with respect to which that defendant is liable.

(B) Separate judgment
The court shall render a separate judgment against each defendant in an amount determined pursuant to subparagraph (A).

(2) Percentage of responsibility
For purposes of determining the amount of noneconomic loss allocated to a defendant who is a teacher under this section, the trier of fact shall determine the percentage of responsibility of each person responsible for the claimants harm, whether or not such person is a party to the action.

(c) Rule of construction
Nothing in this section shall be construed to preempt or supersede any Federal or State law that further limits the application of joint liability in a civil action described in subsection (a) of this section, beyond the limitations established in this section.

20 USC 6738 - Effective date

(a) In general
This subpart shall take effect 90 days after January 8, 2002.

(b) Application
This subpart applies to any claim for harm caused by an act or omission of a teacher if that claim is filed on or after the effective date of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 without regard to whether the harm that is the subject of the claim or the conduct that caused the harm occurred before such effective date.