NATIONAL JOB BANK FOR TEACHER RECRUITMENT.

SEC. 1412. NATIONAL JOB BANK FOR TEACHER RECRUITMENT. (a) Feasibility Study.— The Secretary of Education is authorized to conduct a study on the feasibility of— (1) establishing a clearinghouse to operate a national teacher job bank; or (2) establishing regional clearinghouses to operate regional teacher job banks. 106 STAT. 823 (b) National Teacher Job Bank Demonstration.— (1) Program Authorized.— The Secretary of Education is authorized to contract with one or more State entities, nonprofit organizations, or institutions of higher education to establish a national or regional teacher job bank clearinghouse which shall— (A) assist local educational agencies and private schools in locating qualified applicants for teaching-related positions; and (B) help individuals in locating teaching-related jobs or the training necessary to enter the teaching profession or the field of early childhood or preschool education. (2) Application required.— Each entity desiring to enter into a contract with the Secretary of Education for the establishment of a teacher job bank clearinghouse shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may reasonably require. Each such application shall include— (A) a demonstration of the applicant’s capacity to efficiently and effectively handle a large volume of inquiries from employers and potential employees; (B) a demonstration of support from local educational agencies and private schools and institutions of higher education that are likely to use the services provided by the teacher job bank clearinghouse; and (C) a demonstration of ability to provide prospective teachers with information, either directly or by contract with another entity, regarding the certification and licensure requirements of each State which is served by a clearinghouse and information regarding procedures for assisting out-of-State teachers to meet State certification requirements. (3) Priority.— The Secretary shall give priority to applications submitted pursuant to paragraph (2) which— (A) demonstrate the ability to serve a region of the United States and involve the cooperation of several State educational agencies and institutions of higher education; or (B) demonstrate an ability to address shortages of teachers, such as teachers from minority groups, special education teachers, bilingual teachers, or individuals planning to teach in subject areas, geographical areas, or types of schools with shortages. (c) Use of Funds.— Each entity, organization, or institution receiving funds under this section may use such funds to— (1) develop, in consultation with local education agencies and other appropriate entities, standardized initial application forms for teaching jobs and related positions, and standardized forms and procedures for announcing available teaching positions; (2) coordinate and assist State and local teacher recruitment efforts; (3) publish and disseminate information about opportunities for teacher employment and teacher training; (4) maintain a system for matching available teachers with job openings for which they are qualified and for tracking the supply of teachers and the demand for teachers among the States; 106 STAT. 824 (5) encourage the development of programs to recruit and train minorities and individuals with disabilities to become teachers; (6) assist employers in checking the background of applicants; (7) publicize the availability of scholarships, loans, and other programs that assist individuals wishing to pursue a teaching career; (8) assist employers in the development of effective teacher recruitment programs; (9) assist in developing reciprocal agreements on teacher certification among States; and (10) conduct such other activities and services necessary to carrying out the purposes of this section in accordance with the provisions of this section. (d) Definition.— For the purposes of this section, the term “teacher” includes elementary and secondary school classroom teachers, and preschool and early childhood education specialists. (e) Authorization.— There are authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1993 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years to carry out this section.