Reaching English Learners Act

Teacher training grants for English learners

This bill would create competitive grants for colleges to train teacher candidates to instruct English learners. Grants would go to partnerships between eligible colleges and high‑need school districts or high‑need early childhood programs. Grants could last up to 5 years and would require partnerships to provide at least 50% of project costs from non‑Federal sources. Funds would have to supplement, not replace, non‑Federal funding. Grantees would use funds to strengthen teacher preparation, clinical experience, bilingual and dual‑language instruction, supports for ELs with disabilities, social‑emotional supports, family engagement, and mentoring. Grantees would report on enrollment, completion, licensure, employment, and systemic impact, and the Education Secretary would publish evaluation findings and best practices within 180 days after the last grant ends.