Palmetto State News

U.S. Sens. Tim Scott (R-SC), John Cornyn (R-TX), Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Mark Warner (D-VA) last month announced the Teacher and School LEADERS Act to alter grants that would better support school leaders and educator preparation.

According to a release by Scott's office, the Teacher and School LEADERS Act would reform Title II of the Higher Education Act to expand the Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) Grant program. 

Specifically, the bill would expand the program to provide training to educators who aspire to fill leadership roles in high-need schools and remove restrictions requiring grant recipients to partner with an Institution of Higher Education, ensuring greater flexibility within preparation programs.

"A few devoted teachers can change the trajectory of a kid’s life. The Teachers and School LEADERS Act will ensure more educators have the tools they need to lead the next generation with excellence," Scott tweeted.

Scott's website also said that the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, the American Psychological Association, Knowledge Alliance, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, the National Center for Learning Disabilities, the National Council of Teachers of English, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Leading Educators, the National Science Teaching Association, the National Network of State Teachers of the Year, New Leaders, Teach For America, and Third Way all support The Teacher and School LEADERS Act.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to our nation’s teachers and school leaders who have given so much to the next generation—even in the midst of a pandemic,” Scott said in the office release. “As someone who struggled in school, I am living proof that a few devoted teachers can change the trajectory of a kid’s life. By providing high-quality teacher and leadership preparation programs, the Teacher and School LEADERS Act will ensure more of our educators have the tools they need to lead the next generation with excellence.”