Teacher Quality Partnership Grant Program

Teacher Quality Partnership Grant Program is a federal grant program administered by the United States Department of Education to improve teacher education and prepare highly qualified teachers for high-need schools. The program aims to increase student achievement and close the achievement gap by supporting innovative teacher preparation programs and partnerships between institutions of higher education and high-need local educational agencies. The program is authorized under Title II of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which was amended by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 and the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, with support from organizations like the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers.

Introduction

The Teacher Quality Partnership Grant Program is designed to address the critical need for highly qualified teachers in high-need schools, which often struggle to attract and retain effective educators. The program builds on the work of previous initiatives, such as the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and the Race to the Top program, which were launched by the United States Department of Education under the leadership of Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings and Arne Duncan. The program also draws on research from organizations like the National Center for Education Statistics and the Institute of Education Sciences, which have studied the impact of teacher quality on student outcomes.

Program Overview

The Teacher Quality Partnership Grant Program provides funding to support innovative teacher preparation programs that prepare teachers to work in high-need schools. These programs must be designed in partnership with institutions of higher education and high-need local educational agencies, such as the New York City Department of Education and the Los Angeles Unified School District. The programs must also include clinical training, mentorship, and induction support for new teachers, as well as ongoing professional development opportunities, which can be provided by organizations like the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and the Teach For America program. The program has been influenced by the work of educational researchers like Linda Darling-Hammond and Diane Ravitch, who have studied the importance of teacher preparation and support.

Eligibility and Application

To be eligible for funding under the Teacher Quality Partnership Grant Program, applicants must be a partnership between an institution of higher education and a high-need local educational agency, such as the University of California, Los Angeles and the Chicago Public Schools. The partnership must also include other partners, such as non-profit organizations and community groups, like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Ford Foundation. The application process typically involves a competitive review of proposals, which are evaluated based on criteria such as the quality of the teacher preparation program, the level of need in the partner schools, and the potential for impact on student outcomes, as measured by organizations like the National Assessment of Educational Progress and the Program for International Student Assessment.

Grant Allocation and Use

Grants awarded under the Teacher Quality Partnership Grant Program can be used to support a range of activities, including the development of teacher preparation programs, the provision of clinical training and mentorship for new teachers, and the implementation of induction and support systems for beginning teachers. The grants can also be used to support research and evaluation activities, such as studies of the impact of teacher preparation on student outcomes, which can be conducted by organizations like the American Educational Research Association and the National Academy of Education. The program has been supported by legislators like Senator Ted Kennedy and Representative George Miller, who have championed education reform efforts.

Evaluation and Impact

The Teacher Quality Partnership Grant Program is subject to ongoing evaluation and monitoring to assess its impact on student outcomes and teacher quality. The program is evaluated based on criteria such as the number of highly qualified teachers prepared, the percentage of teachers who remain in the profession after three years, and the impact on student achievement in partner schools, as measured by organizations like the National Center for Education Statistics and the Institute of Education Sciences. The program has been influenced by the work of educational researchers like Eric Hanushek and Dan Goldhaber, who have studied the impact of teacher quality on student outcomes.

History and Legislation

The Teacher Quality Partnership Grant Program was authorized under Title II of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which was amended by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 and the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015. The program has been supported by legislators like Senator Lamar Alexander and Representative John Kline, who have championed education reform efforts. The program has also been influenced by the work of educational organizations like the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, which have advocated for teacher quality and support initiatives. The program is administered by the United States Department of Education, which is led by the Secretary of Education, currently Miguel Cardona, and has been supported by previous Secretaries of Education, including Betsy DeVos and Arne Duncan. Category:United States Department of Education programs