Teacher Empowerment Act

Summary

Teacher Empowerment Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to revise and rename title II as Teacher Quality (replacing the current title II Dwight D. Eisenhower Professional Development Program). (Sec. 2) Sets forth a new title II part A Teacher Empowerment program of grants to improve the quality of teaching and learning. Directs the Secretary of Education to make such formula grants to States. Requires States to distribute such grant funds as follows: (1) 95 percent for subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) according to specified formulas; (2) two-and-one-half percent for competitive subgrants to eligible partnerships; and (3) two-and-one- half percent for authorized State activities. Sets forth requirements for coordination, public accountability, and applications. Requires eligible partnerships to use such subgrants for: (1) professional development activities in core academic subjects to ensure that teachers have content knowledge in the subjects they teach; and (2) assistance to LEAs and their teachers, principals, and administrators for professional development activities. Requires LEAs to use portions of such subgrants for: (1) professional development activities in mathematics and science, in an amount at least equal to that under the current Eisenhower Program (unless given a State waiver); (2) professional development activities that give teachers, principals, and administrators the knowledge and skills to provide students with the opportunity to meet challenging State or local content standards and student performance standards; and (3) recruitment, hiring, and training of certified teachers, including teachers certified through State and local alternative routes, in order to reduce class size (unless given a State waiver), or for hiring of special education teachers regardless of whether such action reduces class size. Authorizes LEAs to use such subgrants for highly qualified teacher recruitment programs, including: (1) signing bonuses or other financial incentives for teaching in academic subject areas where there is a shortage; (2) recruiting and providing alternative routes to teacher certification for professionals from other fields; (3) providing increased opportunities for minorities, individuals with disabilities, and other individuals underrepresented in teaching; and (4) hiring policies that identify teachers certified through alternative routes and intensively screen for the most qualified applicants. Authorizes LEAs to use such subgrants also for: (1) highly qualified teacher retention programs (including master teacher mentoring of newly hired teachers, or other incentives for highly qualified teachers to remain in the classroom); (2) teacher quality improvement and professional development programs (including technology training through partnerships with institutions of higher education, delivery of professional development activities through technology and distance learning, tenure reform, merit pay, testing of teachers in the subject areas they teach, instruction in how to teach children with different learning styles, particularly those with disabilities or special learning need, and instruction in classroom discipline and identifying early and appropriate interventions); and (3) teacher opportunity payments. Requires LEAs receiving subgrants to provide parents information regarding the professional qualifications of students' classroom teachers. Prohibits the provision of professional development funds from LEA subgrants for a teacher and an activity if the activity is not: (1) directly related to the curriculum and content areas in which the teacher provides instruction; or (2) designed to enhance the teaching of such areas. Permits the use of such funds for instruction in methods of disciplining children. Authorizes LEAs to use subgrants for teacher opportunity payments to certain teachers or groups of teachers for professional development activities of their own choosing. Requires certain LEAs, if they fail to meet State teaching standards, to make such teacher opportunity payments. Requires providing notice to teachers regarding the availability of such funds. Sets forth a process for selecting teachers in the event of inadequate funds. Sets forth certain national activities under part A of title II of ESEA. Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive grants to eligible consortia for Teacher Excellence Academies, in elementary or secondary school facilities, to carry out specified activities promoting alternative routes to State teacher certification, specified model professional development activities, or all such activities. Authorizes continuation of the Troops-to-Teachers Program under specified conditions. Authorizes the Secretary to make a grant to the National Writing Project. Authorizes the Secretary to make a grant or contract to continue the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2004 for part A (Teacher Empowerment) of title II (Teacher Quality) of ESEA. (Sec. 3) Extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for the Reading Excellence Act (REA) program. Redesignates REA as part B of title II of ESEA. (Sec. 4) Prohibits the Secretary from: (1) using Federal funds to plan, develop, implement, or administer any national teacher test or certification; or (2) withholding funds from any State or LEA that fails to adopt a specific method of teacher certification. Provides that: (1) nothing in ESEA title II shall be construed to permit, allow, encourage, or authorize any Federal control over any aspect of any private, religious, or home school, whether or not a home school is treated as a private school or home school under State law; and (2) private, religious, or home schools are not barred, by the previous provision, from participation in programs or services under ESEA title II.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

1. 27 May 1999

   Introduced

   Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 27 May 1999

   Introduced

   Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 27 May 1999

   Introduced

   Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1134-1135)

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 27 May 1999

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

5. 27 May 1999

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

6. 30 June 1999

   Vote

   Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 27 - 19.

   Source: Committee

7. 30 June 1999

   Committee

   Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

   Source: Committee

8. 30 June 1999

   Passed

   Mr. Goodling asked unanimous consent that the Committee on Education and Labor have until 3:00 p.m. on July 9 to file a report on H.R. 1995. Agreed to without objection.

   Source: Committee

9. 14 July 1999

   Calendars

   Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 133.

   Source: Calendars

10. 14 July 1999

    Discharge

    Committee on Armed Services discharged.

    Source: Discharge

11. 14 July 1999

    Committee

    Committee on Armed Services discharged.

    Source: Committee

12. 14 July 1999

    Introduced

    House Committee on Armed Services Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than July 14, 1999.

    Source: IntroReferral

13. 14 July 1999

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. H. Rept. 106-232, Part I.

    Source: Committee

14. 14 July 1999

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. H. Rept. 106-232, Part I.

    Source: Committee

15. 19 July 1999

    Reported

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 253 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1995 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and the Workfoce now printed in the bill. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.

    Source: Floor

16. 20 July 1999

    Floor

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1995 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and the Workfoce now printed in the bill. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.

    Source: Floor

17. 20 July 1999

    Floor

    The Speaker designated the Honorable John Shimkus to act as Chairman of the Committee.

    Source: Floor

18. 20 July 1999

    Floor

    House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 253 and Rule XXIII.

    Source: Floor

19. 20 July 1999

    Floor

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 253. (consideration: CR H5863-5919)

    Source: Floor

20. 20 July 1999

    Passed

    Rule H. Res. 253 passed House.

    Source: Floor

21. 20 July 1999

    Floor

    The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 1995.

    Source: Floor

22. 20 July 1999

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

23. 20 July 1999

    Vote

    On passage Passed by recorded vote: 239 - 185 (Roll no. 320).

    Source: Floor

24. 20 July 1999

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 239 - 185 (Roll no. 320).

    Source: Floor

25. 20 July 1999

    Passed

    The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

    Source: Floor

26. 20 July 1999

    Floor

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

    Source: Floor

27. 20 July 1999

    Floor

    The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1995.

    Source: Floor

28. 22 July 1999

    Introduced

    Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on HELP.

    Source: IntroReferral

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Referred in Senate · 22 July 1999 · Official file
• Engrossed in House · 20 July 1999 · Official file
• Reported in House · 14 July 1999 · Official file
• Introduced in House · 27 May 1999 · Official file

Documents

11 official files

• Referred in Senate (text)

  Referred in Senate · EN · 22 July 1999

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Referred in Senate (PDF)

  Referred in Senate · EN · 22 July 1999

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Engrossed in House (text)

  Engrossed in House · EN · 20 July 1999

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Engrossed in House (PDF)

  Engrossed in House · EN · 20 July 1999

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Passed House amended

  summary · EN · 20 July 1999

  Open at official source

• Reported in House (text)

  Reported in House · EN · 14 July 1999

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Reported in House (PDF)

  Reported in House · EN · 14 July 1999

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Reported to House amended, Part I

  summary · EN · 14 July 1999

  Open at official source

• Introduced in House (text)

  Introduced in House · EN · 27 May 1999

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House (PDF)

  Introduced in House · EN · 27 May 1999

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 27 May 1999

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Rep. McKeon, Howard P. "Buck" [R-CA-25] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Hastert, J. Dennis [R-IL-14] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Armey, Richard K. [R-TX-26] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Watts, J. C., Jr. [R-OK-4] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Blunt, Roy [R-MO] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Pryce, Deborah [R-OH-15] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Goodling, William F. [R-PA-19] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Castle, Michael N. [R-DE-At Large] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Hoekstra, Peter [R-MI-2] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Barrett, Bill [R-NE-3] · R · Sponsor
• SAM JOHNSON · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. McIntosh, David M. [R-IN-2] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Norwood, Charles W. [R-GA-10] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Hilleary, Van [R-TN-4] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Fletcher, Ernie [R-KY-6] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Isakson, Johnny [R-GA] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Northup, Anne M. [R-KY-3] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Cunningham, Randy (Duke) [R-CA-50] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Hill, Rick [R-MT-At Large] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Dreier, David [R-CA-33] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Miller, Gary G. [R-CA-31] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Talent, Jim [R-MO] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Deal, Nathan [R-GA-9] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. DeMint, Jim [R-SC] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Baker, Richard H. [R-LA-6] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Horn, Stephen [R-CA-38] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Dickey, Jay [R-AR-4] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Green, Mark [R-WI-8] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Fossella, Vito [R-NY-13] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Boehner, John A. [R-OH-8] · R · Cosponsor
• Ken Calvert · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Hostettler, John N. [R-IN-8] · R · Cosponsor
• JOHN SHIMKUS · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Peterson, John E. [R-PA-5] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Ballenger, Cass [R-NC-10] · R · Cosponsor
• ED ROYCE · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Myrick, Sue Wilkins [R-NC-9] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Souder, Mark E. [R-IN-3] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Petri, Thomas E. [R-WI-6] · R · Cosponsor
• FRED UPTON · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Ehlers, Vernon J. [R-MI-3] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Hall, Ralph M. [D-TX-4] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Greenwood, James C. [R-PA-8] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Roukema, Marge [R-NJ-5] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Radanovich, George [R-CA-19] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Herger, Wally [R-CA-2] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Cox, Christopher [R-CA-40] · R · Cosponsor

Showing 48 of 51 sponsors and actors.

Related records

• related to → Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1995) to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to empower teachers, improve student achievement through high-quality professional development for teachers, reauthorize the Reading Excellence Act, and for other purposes.