Official Summary

9/15/2011--Introduced.Teacher and Principal Improvement Act - Creates a new title II (Preparing, Training, and Recruiting High Quality Teachers and Principals) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) consisting of a part A (Teacher and Principal Training and Recruitmen

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Official Summary

9/15/2011--Introduced.Teacher and Principal Improvement Act - Creates a new title II (Preparing, Training, and Recruiting High Quality Teachers and Principals) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) consisting of a part A (Teacher and Principal Training and Recruitment Fund) and part B (Teacher Incentive Fund). Moves teacher liability and internet safety provisions to title IX of the ESEA. Authorize appropriations for title II through FY2016. Reserves at least 20% of such funding for the part B program, after the Secretary of Education reserves funds for certain national activities under part A. Allocates part A grants to states and, through them, subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) pursuant to a formula that apportions:
(1) 20% of the funding to states and LEAs on the basis of their share of students aged 5-17 on the national and state level, respectively; and
(2) 80% of such funding on the basis of their share of impoverished students in that age group. Requires states to use 98.5% of those funds for subgrants to LEAs, with the remainder being used for specified state activities. Lists the projects which the subgrants may fund, including:
(1) teacher and principal recruitment, training, and retention efforts;
(2) teacher and principal evaluation systems that are based in significant part on student achievement;
(3) model instructional programs in the core academic subjects; and
(4) measures that improve students' access to school library materials, postsecondary level coursework, and extended learning opportunities. Directs the Secretary to:
(1) provide technical assistance to part A grantees and subgrantees,
(2) evaluate part A activities, and
(3) award competitive matching grants to national nonprofit organizations for teacher or principal training programs. Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive matching grants under part B to states, LEAs, or partnerships between those entities and profit or nonprofit organizations to develop, implement, improve, or expand, performance-based compensation systems for teachers and principals. Favors grant applicants that focus on teachers and principals serving in high-need schools. Directs the Secretary to arrange for an independent evaluation of the effectiveness of part B programs.

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