A Democratic bill with 6 Democratic cosponsors · See all 6 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Reaching English Learners Act and it amends the Higher Education Act of 1965. It directs the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to eligible partnerships. These grants aim to improve how teacher candidates are prepared to instruct English learners. The grants last for a period of not more than five years. Partnerships must provide at least 50 percent of the cost of activities from non-Federal sources.
Yes· 3 of 15
- Scored +5
Would children be better off under this?
The bill trains teachers to better support English learner students and children with disabilities in early childhood and K-12 education.
- Scored +5
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?
Hispanic Americans make up a large portion of English learners and benefit directly from targeted educational improvements and teacher recruitment.
- Scored +5
Would immigrants be better off under this?
Immigrant children who are English learners will receive significantly improved instructional support and resources from better-prepared teachers.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 259(c) gives preference to eligible partnerships that recruit and enroll teacher candidates from underrepresented populations or former English learners, which could benefit these specific groups by creating more targeted educational and career opportunities.
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Section 259(e)(1) allows funds to be used to develop or strengthen teacher preparation programs that incorporate evidence-based strategies like bilingual, immersion, and dual-language education, which may improve instruction for students learning English.
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Section 259(e)(2)(B) helps teacher candidates gain skills in appropriately identifying and meeting the specific learning needs of children with disabilities who are English learners, potentially leading to better support for these students.
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Section 259(e)(3) provides high-quality preservice clinical experience, including clinical learning in classrooms serving English learners and mentoring by certified teachers, which helps prepare better teachers for the classroom.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 259(d) requires an eligible partnership receiving a grant to provide not less than 50 percent of the cost of the activities from non-Federal sources, which might place a financial burden or barrier on partnerships that struggle to secure matching funds.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill trains teachers to better support English learner students and children with disabilities in early childhood and K-12 education. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Hispanic Americans make up a large portion of English learners and benefit directly from targeted educational improvements and teacher recruitment. Would immigrants be better off under this? — Immigrant children who are English learners will receive significantly improved instructional support and resources from better-prepared teachers. Would students be better off under this? — Teacher candidates and students in participating preparation programs receive high-quality clinical experience and mentorship. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Asian American students who are English learners will benefit from teachers better trained in language acquisition strategies. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The legislation explicitly targets the needs of children with disabilities who are English learners. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Teacher candidates and students in higher education benefit from enhanced training programs and recruitment preferences. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — English learners often come from lower-income backgrounds, and improved educational support can help bridge achievement gaps.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill ensures teacher candidates receive skills specifically to meet the needs of children with disabilities who are English learners. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The legislation gives preference to partnerships recruiting teacher candidates from underrepresented populations, aiding minority representation. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Improving educational outcomes for English learners helps build foundational skills that contribute to long-term economic mobility.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into public schools? — The bill authorizes competitive grants to higher education institutions and partnerships to strengthen teacher preparation for English learners. Does this put more money into scientific research? — The legislation mandates evaluations and reporting on grant program effectiveness and best practices.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill provides grants to improve teacher preparation programs, which supports educational staffing development.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires comprehensive evaluations and public reporting by grant recipients and the Secretary of Education regarding program results and best practices.
- 10/26/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/24/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 9/16/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
4 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Alma AdamsDemocrat · North Carolina
Adriano EspaillatDemocrat · New York
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Melanie StansburyDemocrat · New Mexico
Juan VargasDemocrat · California
Frederica WilsonDemocrat · Florida