H.R. 5056: Teachers Are Leaders Act of 2025

The Teachers Are Leaders Act of 2025 is a proposed legislation aimed at enhancing the professional development of teachers by establishing a teacher leader development program under the Higher Education Act of 1965. Here’s a breakdown of its key components:

Purpose of the Bill

The bill seeks to create a structured program for the professional development of teachers who not only fulfill their roles in the classroom but also take on formal leadership responsibilities. This program is intended to help these teachers improve student academic achievement and implement instructional practices based on data that addresses the specific needs of their schools.

Key Components of the Teacher Leader Development Program

The program under the bill includes provisions for:

• Professional Development: Teachers will receive one year of comprehensive training that may include coursework and fieldwork relevant to leadership, support from instructional leaders, and the option to earn a credential in teacher leadership.
• Ongoing Support: After the initial training, there will be one or two additional years of ongoing support from school administrators and educational partners.
• Program Planning: Eligible partnerships must develop a detailed plan outlining how they will manage the time teachers spend on their classroom responsibilities versus their leadership roles and how the partnership will continue to support the teacher leaders post-program.

Eligibility Criteria for Teacher Leaders

To participate in the program, teachers must meet several criteria, including:

• Full certification to teach in their state.
• Employment by a local educational agency identified as high-need.
• A minimum of three years of teaching experience.

Program Funding and Requirements

The bill outlines how the funding for this development program will be used:

• Grants will finance the training and support for teacher leaders for two to three years.
• Funds may also contribute to stipends for teacher leaders, contingent upon matching funds from other sources.
• There may be a requirement for teacher leaders to repay costs associated with earning their credential if they do not complete their service term.

Definitions and Amendments

The bill includes definitions regarding the term "teacher leader," describing them as highly effective educators with designated leadership roles while still active as classroom teachers. Additionally, it modifies existing legal references in the Higher Education Act to incorporate these new program elements.

Funding Authorization

The bill also updates the authorization for appropriations to ensure the program is funded for the fiscal year 2025 and for each of the following five years.

Relevant Companies

None found.