20 USC 1034 - Teach to reach grants

View all text of Subpart 3 [§ 1034 - § 1034]

§ 1034. Teach to reach grants

(a) Authorization of program

(1) In general

(2) Duration of grants

(3) Non-Federal share

(b) Definition of eligible partnershipIn this section, the term “eligible partnership” means a partnership that—

(1) shall include—

(A) one or more departments or programs at an institution of higher education—

(i) that prepare elementary or secondary general education teachers;

(ii) that have a program of study that leads to an undergraduate degree, a master’s degree, or completion of a postbaccalaureate program required for teacher certification; and

(iii) the graduates of which meet the applicable State certification and licensure requirements, including any requirements for certification obtained through alternative routes to certification, or, with regard to special education teachers, the qualifications described in section 1412(a)(14)(C) of this title;

(B) a department or program of special education at an institution of higher education;

(D) a high-need local educational agency; and

(2) may include a department or program of mathematics, earth or physical science, foreign language, or another department at the institution that has a role in preparing teachers.

(1) shall use the grant funds to—

(A) develop or strengthen an undergraduate, postbaccalaureate, or master’s teacher preparation program by integrating special education strategies into the general education curriculum and academic span;

(B) provide teacher candidates participating in the program under subparagraph (A) with skills related to—

(i) response to intervention, positive behavioral interventions and supports, differentiated instruction, and data driven instruction;

(ii) universal design for learning;

(iii) determining and utilizing accommodations for instruction and assessments;

(iv) collaborating with special educators, related services providers, and parents, including participation in individualized education program development and implementation; and

(v) appropriately utilizing technology and assistive technology for students with disabilities; and

(C) provide extensive clinical experience for participants described in subparagraph (B) with mentoring and induction support throughout the program that continues during the first two years of full-time teaching; and

(2) may use grant funds to develop and administer alternate assessments of students with disabilities.

(d) ApplicationAn eligible partnership seeking a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. Such application shall include—

(1) a self-assessment by the eligible partnership of the existing teacher preparation program at the institution of higher education and needs related to preparing general education teacher candidates to instruct students with disabilities; and

(2) an assessment of the existing personnel needs for general education teachers who instruct students with disabilities, performed by the local educational agency in which most graduates of the teacher preparation program are likely to teach after completion of the program under subsection (c)(1).

(e) Peer review

(f) Evaluations

(1) By the partnership

(A) In generalAn eligible partnership receiving a grant under this section shall conduct an evaluation at the end of the grant period to determine—

(i) the effectiveness of the general education teachers who completed a program under subsection (c)(1) with respect to instruction of students with disabilities in general education classrooms; and

(ii) the systemic impact of the activities carried out by such grant on how each institution of higher education that is a member of the partnership prepares teachers for instruction in elementary schools and secondary schools.

(B) Report to the Secretary

(2) Report by the Secretary

(Pub. L. 89–329, title II, § 251, as added Pub. L. 110–315, title II, § 201(3), Aug. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 3159; amended Pub. L. 114–95, title IX, § 9214(c)(9), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 2163.)