Education Department Tries To Stop Teachers From Rage Quitting
Published Date: 1/17/2025
Rule
Summary
The Department of Education is updating rules for the Indian Education Professional Development program to better support keeping great teachers and school leaders who help Native students succeed. These changes include clear priorities and new definitions, plus they now officially include part-time participants. The new rules kick in on February 18, 2025, aiming to boost educator retention and improve learning outcomes with fresh funding focus.
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
How payback time is calculated
For participants who receive pre-service training, if the participant was a full-time student the payback period equals the months of training on a month-for-month basis; if part-time, the payback period is proportional to accumulated academic years on a month-for-month basis; mixed full- and part-time training is prorated accordingly.
New payback deferral pathways (36 months)
The Secretary may defer payback while a participant continues education (full- or part-time), serves on active military duty, serves as a full-time volunteer for an Indian Tribe for up to 36 months, or experiences a temporary disability for up to 36 months. Secretarial exceptions may also be granted in limited circumstances.
FY2020 participants auto-referred for cash payback
Participants who exited or completed a grant-funded pre-service training program in Federal fiscal year 2020 (Oct 1, 2019–Sep 30, 2020) and did not submit employment verification within 24 months will automatically be referred for a cash payback unless they qualify for a deferral under Sec. 263.10.
Priority for educator retention projects
The Secretary establishes a priority for projects that propose educator retention initiatives or compensated educator leadership models to increase retention of effective Indian educators. There is also a priority for applications led by state educational agencies, local educational agencies, or Bureau of Indian Education schools in consortium with an institution of higher education.
Part-time participants now included
The program rules now officially include part-time participants and the regulation removes the definition of "full-time student." This change is effective February 18, 2025 and adjusts definitions and references throughout the Professional Development program regulations.
Payback can extend past grant end
The work-related payback period for an individual supported under the Professional Development program may extend beyond the end of the performance period of the grant.
Payback meetings and written agreements required
Before providing funds or services, grantees must hold a payback meeting and enter into a written payback agreement that lists items such as estimated length of training, total training costs, total assistance accrued year-to-date, and months required to satisfy payback. Grantees must submit the signed agreement to the Department within 30 days.
Expanded definition of "educator"
The regulation adds a definition of "educator" that explicitly includes teachers (including early education teachers), principals and other school leaders, administrators, specialized instructional personnel (for example, school psychologists and counselors), paraprofessionals, and faculty.
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