[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 26 (Thursday, March 1, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1778-S1780]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DeWINE:
  S. 438. A bill to improve the quality of teachers in elementary and 
secondary schools; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions.
  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of 
the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 438

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Teacher Quality Act of 
     2001''.

         TITLE I--EISENHOWER NATIONAL CLEARINGHOUSE IMPROVEMENT

     SEC. 101. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) The most important education tool in any classroom is a 
     qualified, highly trained teacher.
       (2) The collection and effective dissemination of best 
     practices in education is a primary responsibility of the 
     Federal Government.
       (3) The Eisenhower National Clearinghouse is the Nation's 
     repository of kindergarten through grade 12 instructional 
     materials in mathematics and science education, and 
     disseminates information about these materials in a user-
     friendly format for educators.
       (4) The Eisenhower National Clearinghouse collaborates with 
     the national network of Eisenhower Regional Mathematics and 
     Science Education Consortia and the collaboration includes 
     twelve demonstration sites throughout the Nation.
       (5) Since 1992, the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse has 
     distributed 3,714,807 CD-ROM's and print publications. 
     Products are distributed to every school building in the 
     Nation, colleges of education, and various education groups 
     and professional organizations. The Eisenhower National 
     Clearinghouse has received over 40,000,000 hits to their web 
     site since the creation of the web site in 1994. In addition, 
     the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse has established over 
     100 access centers across the Nation to expand direct service 
     to more teachers.
       (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this title is--
       (1) to expand the activities of the Eisenhower National 
     Clearinghouse to include collecting and reviewing 
     instructional and professional development materials and 
     programs for language arts and social studies; and
       (2) to require the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse to 
     collect and analyze the materials and programs.

     SEC. 102. EXPANDED ACTIVITIES.

       (a) In General.--Section 2102 of the Elementary and 
     Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6622(b)) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``for Mathematics and 
     Science'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (3)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and science'' each 
     place the term appears and inserting ``, science, language 
     arts, and social studies'';
       (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and science'' and 
     inserting ``, science, language arts, and social studies'';
       (iii) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``and science'' and 
     inserting ``, science, language arts, and social studies''; 
     and
       (iv) by amending subparagraph (F) to read as follows:
       ``(F) gather (in consultation with the Department, national 
     teacher associations, professional associations, and other 
     reviewers and developers of education materials and programs) 
     qualitative and evaluative materials and programs for the 
     Clearinghouse, review the evaluation of the materials and 
     programs, rank the effectiveness of the materials and 
     programs on the basis of the evaluations, and distribute the 
     results of the reviews to teachers in an easily accessible 
     manner, except that nothing in this subparagraph shall be 
     construed to permit the Clearinghouse to directly conduct an 
     evaluation of the materials or programs.'';
       (B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``or science'' and 
     inserting ``, science, language arts, or social studies''; 
     and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(9) Effective use of technology.--In reviewing 
     evaluations of materials and programs under this subsection 
     the Clearinghouse shall give particular attention to the 
     effective use of education technology in mathematics, 
     science, language arts, and social studies.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 13302(10) of the 
     Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     8672(10)) is amended by striking ``Mathematics and Science''.

[[Page S1779]]

                      TITLE II--TEACHER MENTORING

     SEC. 201. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) The American teaching force is aging. The average 
     school teacher was 43 years old in academic year 1993-1994, 
     an increase of 3 years over the average age of school 
     teachers in academic year 1987-1998. Nearly a quarter of 
     American teachers are over 50 years old and nearing 
     retirement.
       (2) On average public school teachers have slightly more 
     than 15 years teaching experience, and over a third of the 
     public school teachers have 20 or more years of teaching 
     experience.
       (3) The experience of America's veteran teachers should be 
     utilized to help introduce beginning teachers to the 
     profession and to their new school.
       (4) Retention of beginning teachers is a growing problem, 
     with approximately 25 percent of beginning teachers leaving 
     the teaching profession within their first 3 years in the 
     classroom.
       (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this title is to increase 
     teacher retention and improve the support and performance of 
     teachers by encouraging and assisting States to develop and 
     operate mentoring programs for beginning teachers.

     SEC. 202. DEFINITIONS.

       The terms used in this title have the meanings given the 
     terms in section 14101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 8801).

     SEC. 203. GRANT PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized to award 
     grants to State educational agencies to enable the State 
     educational agencies to carry out mentoring programs under 
     which public elementary school or secondary school teachers 
     with more than 3 years teaching experience serve as mentor 
     teachers to public elementary school or secondary school 
     teachers with less than 3 years teaching experience.
       (b) Amount.--Each State educational agency having an 
     application approved under subsection (d) for a fiscal year 
     shall receive a grant in an amount that bears the same 
     relation to the amount appropriated under subsection (f) for 
     the fiscal year as the number of elementary school and 
     secondary school students in the State for the fiscal year 
     bears to the number of such students in all States for the 
     fiscal year.
       (c) Reallocation.--The amount of a State educational 
     agency's grant that will not be used by the State educational 
     agency for a fiscal year shall be reallotted to the other 
     State educational agency in the same manner as grants are 
     awarded under subsection (b).
       (d) Application.--Each State educational agency that 
     desires a grant under this section shall submit an 
     application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner and 
     accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require. 
     Each such application shall--
       (1) describe the activities and services for which 
     assistance is sought;
       (2) contain an assurance that funds provided under this 
     title will be used to supplement and not supplant State or 
     local public funds available for teacher mentoring programs; 
     and
       (3) contain an assurance that the State educational agency 
     consulted with local educational agencies, school 
     superintendents, school boards, parents, and institutions of 
     higher education in the design and implementation of the 
     teacher mentoring program to be assisted.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this title $5,000,000 for 
     each of the fiscal years 2002 and 2003.

     TITLE III--ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE OF TEACHERS

     SEC. 301. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
       (1) the measure of a good teacher is how much and how well 
     the teacher's students learn;
       (2) the main teacher quality problem in 1998 was the lack 
     of subject matter knowledge;
       (3) knowledgeable and eager individuals of sound character 
     and various professional backgrounds should be encouraged to 
     enter the kindergarten through grade 12 classrooms as 
     teachers;
       (4) many talented professionals who have demonstrated a 
     high level of subject area competence outside the education 
     profession may wish to pursue careers in education, but have 
     not fulfilled the traditional requirements to be certified or 
     licensed as teachers;
       (5) States should have maximum flexibility and incentives 
     to create alternative teacher certification and licensure 
     programs in order to recruit well-educated people into the 
     teaching profession; and
       (6) alternative routes can enable qualified individuals to 
     fulfill State teacher certification or licensure requirements 
     and will allow school systems to utilize the expertise of 
     professionals and improve the pool of qualified individuals 
     available to local educational agencies as teachers.
       (b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this title to improve 
     the supply of well-qualified elementary school and secondary 
     school teachers by encouraging and assisting States to 
     develop and implement programs for alternative routes to 
     teacher certification or licensure requirements.

     SEC. 302. ALLOTMENTS.

       (a) Allotments to States.--
       (1) In general.--From the amount appropriated to carry out 
     this title for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall allot to 
     each State the lesser of--
       (A) the amount the State applies for under section 303; or
       (B) an amount that bears the same relation to the amount so 
     appropriated as the total population of children ages 5 
     through 17 in the State bears to the total population of such 
     children in all the States (based on the most recent data 
     available that is satisfactory to the Secretary).
       (2) Reallocation.--If a State does not apply for the 
     State's allotment, or the full amount of the State's 
     allotment, under paragraph (1), the Secretary may reallocate 
     the excess funds to 1 or more other States that demonstrate, 
     to the satisfaction of the Secretary, a current need for the 
     funds.
       (b) Special Rule.--Notwithstanding section 421(b) of the 
     General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1225(b)), funds 
     awarded under this title shall remain available for 
     obligation by a recipient for a period of 2 calendar years 
     from the date of the grant.

     SEC. 303. STATE APPLICATIONS.

       (a) In General.--Any State desiring to receive an allotment 
     under this title shall, through the State educational agency, 
     submit an application at such time, in such manner, and 
     containing such information, as the Secretary may reasonably 
     require.
       (b) Requirements.--Each application shall--
       (1) describe the programs, projects, and activities to be 
     undertaken with assistance provided under this title; and
       (2) contain such assurances as the Secretary considers 
     necessary, including assurances that--
       (A) assistance provided to the State educational agency 
     under this title will be used to supplement, and not to 
     supplant, any State or local funds available for the 
     development and implementation of programs to provide 
     alternative routes to fulfilling teacher certification or 
     licensure requirements;
       (B) the State educational agency has, in developing and 
     designing the application, consulted with--
       (i) representatives of local educational agencies, 
     including superintendents and school board members (including 
     representatives of their professional organizations if 
     appropriate);
       (ii) elementary school and secondary school teachers, 
     including representatives of their professional 
     organizations;
       (iii) schools or departments of education within 
     institutions of higher education;
       (iv) parents; and
       (v) other interested individuals and organizations; and
       (C) the State educational agency will submit to the 
     Secretary, at such time as the Secretary may specify, a final 
     report describing the activities carried out with assistance 
     provided under this title and the results achieved with 
     respect to such activities.
       (c) GEPA Provisions Inapplicable.--Sections 441 and 442 of 
     the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232d and 
     1232e), except to the extent that such sections relate to 
     fiscal control and fund accounting procedures, shall not 
     apply to this title.

     SEC. 304. USE OF FUNDS.

       (a) Use of Funds.--
       (1) In general.--A State educational agency shall use funds 
     provided under this title to support programs, projects, or 
     activities that develop and implement new, or expand and 
     improve existing, programs that enable individuals to move to 
     a teaching career in elementary or secondary education from 
     another occupation through an alternative route to teacher 
     certification or licensure.
       (2) Types of assistance.--A State educational agency may 
     carry out such programs, projects, or activities directly, 
     through contracts, or through grants to local educational 
     agencies, intermediate educational agencies, institutions of 
     higher education, or consortia of such agencies or 
     institutions.
       (b) Uses.--Funds received under this title may be used 
     for--
       (1) the design, development, implementation, and evaluation 
     of programs that enable qualified professionals who have 
     demonstrated a high level of subject area competence outside 
     the education profession and are interested in entering the 
     education profession to fulfill State teacher certification 
     or licensure requirements;
       (2) the establishment of administrative structures 
     necessary for the development and implementation of programs 
     to provide alternative routes to fulfilling State teacher 
     certification or licensure requirements;
       (3) training of staff, including the development of 
     appropriate support programs, such as mentor programs, for 
     teachers entering the school system through alternative 
     routes to teacher certification or licensure;
       (4) the development of recruitment strategies;
       (5) the development of reciprocity agreements between or 
     among States for the certification or licensure of teachers; 
     or
       (6) other programs, projects, and activities that--
       (A) are designed to meet the purpose of this title; and
       (B) the Secretary determines appropriate.

     SEC. 305. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) Elementary school; local educational agency; secondary 
     school; secretary; and state educational agency.--

[[Page S1780]]

     The terms ``elementary school'', ``local educational 
     agency'', ``secondary school'', ``Secretary'', and ``State 
     educational agency'' have the meanings given the terms in 
     section 14101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
     of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 8801).
       (2) Institution of higher education.--The term 
     ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the 
     term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
     U.S.C. 1001).
       (3) 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, and the Commonwealth of the 
     Northern Mariana Islands.

     SEC. 306. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
     title $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2002 and each of the 4 
     succeeding fiscal years.

                       TITLE IV--TEACHER QUALITY

     SEC. 401. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
       (1) individuals entering a classroom should have a sound 
     grasp of the subject the individuals intend to teach, and the 
     individuals should know how to teach;
       (2) the quality of teachers impacts student achievement;
       (3) people who enter the teaching profession through 
     alternative certification programs can benefit from having 
     the opportunity to attend a teacher training facility;
       (4) teachers need to increase their subject matter 
     knowledge;
       (5) less than 40 percent of the individuals teaching the 
     core subjects (English, mathematics, science, social studies, 
     and foreign languages) majored or minored in the core 
     subjects; and
       (6) according to the Third International Mathematics and 
     Science Study, American high school seniors finished near the 
     bottom of the study in both science and mathematics.
       (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this title is to strengthen 
     teacher training programs by establishing a private and 
     public partnership to create the best teacher training 
     facilities in the world to ensure that teachers receive 
     unlimited access to the most updated technology and skills 
     training in education, so that students can benefit from the 
     teachers' knowledge and experience.

     SEC. 402. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) Local educational agency.--The term ``local educational 
     agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 14101 of 
     the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     8801).
       (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Education.

     SEC. 403. GRANTS.

       (a) In General.--From amounts appropriated under section 
     404 for a fiscal year the Secretary shall award grants to 
     local educational agencies to enable the local educational 
     agencies to establish teacher training facilities for 
     elementary and secondary school teachers.
       (b) Competitive Basis.--The Secretary shall award grants 
     under this title on a competitive basis.
       (c) Partnership Contract Required.--In order to receive a 
     grant under this title, a local educational agency shall 
     enter into a contract with a nongovernmental organization to 
     establish a teacher training facility.
       (d) Applications.--Each local educational agency desiring a 
     grant under this title shall submit to the Secretary an 
     application at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by 
     such information as the Secretary may require. Each such 
     application shall contain an assurance that the local 
     educational agency--
       (1) will raise matching funds, from public or private 
     sources, for the support of the teacher training facility in 
     an amount equal to the amount of funds provided under the 
     grant;
       (2) will train the teachers employed by the local 
     educational agency at the teacher training facility for a 
     period of 10 years after the date the agency enters into the 
     contract described in subsection (c); and
       (3) will spend not less than 0.5 percent of the local 
     educational agency's total school budget for each fiscal year 
     to support the teacher training facility.
       (e) Amount.--The Secretary shall award each grant under 
     this section in an amount that is not less than $1,000,000 
     and not more than $4,000,000.

     SEC. 404. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
     title $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2002, $12,000,000 for fiscal 
     year 2003, $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2004, and $16,000,000 
     for fiscal year 2005.
                                 ______