teacher training programs

teacher training programs Sec. 153. (a) Title V of the Act is further amended by inserting immediately before the heading of section 511 the following:90 STAT. 2154 “Part A—Teacher Cokes Program” and by adding at the end thereof the following new part: “Part B—Teacher Training Programs “authorization of appropriations “Sec. 531. There are authorized to be appropriated $75,000,000 for the fiscal year 1977 and for each of the fiscal years ending prior to October 1, 1979, to carry out the provisions of this part. Of the sums so appropriated for any fiscal year not less than 10 per centum shall be available for each of the programs authorized by sections 532 and 533. “teacher centers “Sec. 532. (a) (1) The Commissioner is authorized to make grants to local educational agencies in accordance with the provisions of this section to assist such agencies in planning, establishing, and operating teacher centers. “(2) For the purpose of this section, the term ‘teacher center’ means any site operated by a local educational agency (or a combination of such agencies) which serves teachers, from public and non-public schools of a State, or an area or community within a State, in which teachers, with the assistance of such consultants and experts as may be necessary, may— “(A) develop and produce curricula designed to meet the educational needs of the persons in the community, area, or State being served, including the use of educational research findings or new or improved methods, practices, and techniques in the development of such curricula; and “(B) provide training to improve the skills of teachers to enable such teachers to meet better the special educational needs of persons such teachers serve, and to familiarize such teachers with developments in curriculum development and educational research, including the manner in which the research can be used to improve their teaching skills. “(b) Each teacher center shall be operated under the supervision of a teacher center policy board, the majority of which is representative of elementary and secondary classroom teachers to be served by such center fairly reflecting the make-up of all schoolteachers, including special education and vocational education teachers. Such board shall also include individuals representative of, or designated by, the school board of the local educational agency served by such center, and at least one representative designated by the institutions of higher education (with departments or schools of education) located in the area. “(c) (1) Any local educational agency desiring to receive a grant under this section shall make application therefor at such time, in such manner, and containing or accompanied by such information, as the Commissioner may by regulation require. Each application shall be submitted through the State educational agency of the State in which the applicant is located. Each such State agency shall review the application, make comments thereon, and recommend each application the State agency finds should be approved. Only applications so recommended snail be transmitted to the Commissioner for his approval. 90 STAT. 2155 “(2) Any local educational agency which has submitted an application in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection which is dissatisfied with the action of the appropriate State educational agency may petition the Commissioner to request further consideration by the State educational agency. “(d) In approving any application under this section, the Commissioner shall insure that there is adequate provision for the furnishing of technical assistance to, and dissemination of information derived from, the proposed teacher center by the appropriate State educational agency. Such State agency shall be adequately compensated by the Commissioner for such review of applications, recommendations, submissions, technical assistance, and dissemination services. “(e) Any local educational agency having an application approved under this section may contract with an institution of higher education to carry out activities under, or provide technical assistance in connection with, such application. “(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) (1) of this section with respect to t he requirement that teacher centers be operated by local educational agencies, 10 per centum of the funds expended under this section may be expended directly by the Commissioner to make grants to institutions of higher education to operate teacher centers, subject to the other provisions of this section. “training for higher education personnel “Sec. 533. (a) The Commissioner is authorized to make grants to institutions of higher education to assist such institutions in the training of individuals— “(1) preparing to serve as teachers, including guidance and counseling personnel, administrative personnel, or education specialists in institutions of higher education if such individuals are (A) from cultural or educational backgrounds which have hindered such individuals in achieving success in the field of education, or (B) preparing to Serve m educational programs designed to meet the special needs of students from such backgrounds; or “(2) serving as teachers, including guidance and counseling personnel, administrative personnel, or education specialists in institutions of higher education, if such individuals are to be trained to meet changing personnel needs, such as in areas determined to be national priority areas pursuant to section 532 of this title. “(b) Grants made under this section may be used only to assist in paying the cost of courses of training or study, including short term or regular institutes, symposia or other in-service training, for teachers, including guidance and counseling personnel, administrative personnel, or educational specialists in institutions of higher education.”.