NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.

SEC. 3131. [20 U.S.C. 6861] NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT. The Secretary shall use funds made available under section 3111(c)(1)(C) to award grants on a competitive basis, for a period of not more than 5 years, to institutions of higher education or public or private entities with relevant experience and capacity (in consortia with State educational agencies or local educational agencies) to provide for professional development activities that will improve classroom instruction for English learners and assist educational personnel working with English learners to meet high professional standards, including standards for certification and licensure as teachers who work in language instruction educational programs or serve English learners. Grants awarded under this section may be used— (1) for effective preservice or inservice professional development programs that will improve the qualifications and skills of educational personnel involved in the education of English learners, including personnel who are not certified or licensed and educational paraprofessionals, and for other activities to increase teacher and school leader effectiveness in meeting the needs of English learners; (2) for the development of curricula or other instructional strategies appropriate to the needs of the consortia participants involved; (3) to support strategies that strengthen and increase parent, family, and community member engagement in the education of English learners; (4) to develop, share, and disseminate effective practices in the instruction of English learners and in increasing the student academic achievement of English learners, such as through the use of technology-based programs; (5) in conjunction with other Federal need-based student financial assistance programs, for financial assistance, and costs related to tuition, fees, and books for enrolling in courses required to complete the degree involved, to meet certification or licensing requirements for teachers who work in language instruction educational programs or serve English learners; and (6) as appropriate, to support strategies that promote school readiness of English learners and their transition from early childhood education programs, such as Head Start or State-run preschool programs, to elementary school programs.