,,ii #aaeth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #aefe ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,july #ac1 #bjag ,mr4 ,franken introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to support the preparation and retention of outstanding educators in all fields to ensure a bright future for children in under-resourced1 underserved communities in the ,united ,states1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,supporting ,future ,educators ,act of #bjag4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,,esea definitions ,the terms dual or concurrent enrollment program1 elementary school1 local educational agency1 and secondary school have the meanings given the terms in section #haja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja74 7#b7 ,certified teacher ,the term certified teacher means an individual who possesses a document certifying that the individual has met the requirements of a ,state for employment as a teacher in the public schools of that ,state4 7#c7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means a local educational agency 7or a consortium of such agencies7 partnered with an institution of higher education4 7#d7 ,qualified mentor teacher ,the term qualified mentor teacher means an educator who meets a minimum set of qualification standards as determined by the ,secretary4 7#e7 ,teaching residency program ,the term teaching residency program has the meaning given the term in section #bjj of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajba71 except that such term shall not include the requirement that the prospective teacher acquire a master's degree not later than #ah months after beginning the program4 7#f7 ,rural area ,the term rural area has the meaning given the term in section #cdc7;a77#ac77;,a7 of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aiia7;a77#ac77;,a774 7#g7 ,rural school district ,the term rural school district means a school district that serves #a or more schools located in a rural area4 7#h7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,education4 #c4 ,strengthen-,our-,schools ,grant ,program 7a7 ,strengthen-,our-,schools ,grant ,program ,established 7#a7 ,grants authorized ,from amounts appropriated to carry out this section1 the ,secretary shall establish a ,strengthen-,our-,schools ,grant ,program1 through which the ,secretary shall award grants1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible entities4 7#b7 ,duration ,a grant awarded under this section-- 7,a7 shall be for a period of #e years2 and 7,b7 may be renewed if the eligible entity demonstrates sufficient positive outcomes and evidence of potential for continued success in achieving the goals of the initial grant4 7b7 ,application and approval 7#a7 ,application 7,a7 ,in general ,an eligible entity desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 7,b7 ,contents ,an application submitted under subparagraph 7,a7 shall-- 7i7 describe the activities for which assistance under this section is sought2 7ii7 provide such additional assurances as the ,secretary determines to be essential to ensure compliance with the requirements of this section2 and 7iii7 if seeking support for a teaching residency program1 demonstrate that the institution of higher education that is a partner in the eligible entity is approved to prepare candidates for ,state teaching licensure4 7#b7 ,approval ,the ,secretary shall approve any application for a program that includes the components described in paragraph 7#a74 7c7 ,use of funds ,a recipient of a grant under this section may use the grant fund to help cover the costs associated with-- 7#a7 teaching residency programs1 including-- 7,a7 resident tuition2 7,b7 resident salaries2 7,c7 mentor teacher incentives2 7,d7 facilities or infrastructure for a distance learning classroom within the school for onsite coursework and practical learning2 and 7,e7 any other purpose that the ,secretary determines appropriate4 7#b7 fulfilling additional credit requirements needed for a teacher to become licensed in a second subject area or earn an additional qualification that meets a specific need of the school in which the teacher is employed2 7#c7 fulfilling additional credit requirements needed to qualify teachers to teach dual or concurrent enrollment programs2 and 7#d7 housing supplements or special housing programs to support prospective teachers who complete student teaching placements in high-need districts4 7d7 ,priority ,in awarding grants that propose to cover costs associated with teacher residency programs1 the ,secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that propose to carry out a program designed to prepare the following school employees for teaching licensure3 7#a7 ,paraprofessionals4 7#b7 ,other employees of the school community employed on the date of the determination4 7e7 ,award basis ,in awarding grants under this section1 the ,secretary shall ensure that1 to the extent practicable based on the applications received under subsection 7b71 not less than #aj percent of the grant funds available to carry out this section are designated for uses that address teacher shortage challenges in rural school districts4 #d4 ,national ,database of ,qualified ,mentor ,teachers 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall create a national database of qualified mentor teachers who can provide student teacher supervision to participants in teacher preparation programs during their student teaching placement4 7b7 ,database ,each qualified mentor teacher database entry shall include-- 7#a7 basic information on the educational background and professional experience of the mentor1 including details of the subject areas and grade levels the mentor is licensed to teach2 7#b7 a description of the subject areas and grade levels the mentor feels most comfortable mentoring2 and 7#c7 a brief teaching philosophy statement4 7c7 ,availability ,the database shall be available as a resource for teacher preparation programs to allow for prospective teachers to complete student teaching in a location outside of the staffing area of the teacher preparation program4 #e4 ,sense of the ,senate ,it is the sense of the ,senate that teaching be formally recognized as a career pathway that is part of career and technical education as defined in section #c of the ,carl ,d4 ,perkins ,career and ,technical ,education ,act of #bjjf 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #bcjb71 allowing early career pathway programs in education1 offered at the secondary school level and offering college credit toward pursuing a teaching licensure program1 to be eligible for funds available through programs that support career and technical education4