The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). Title II of the Act makes funds available to states and local communities under a variety of flexible programs that will assist them in developing and supporting a high-quality teaching force and thereby improving student academic achievement. One of these programs, Teacher and Principal Training and Recruitment Fund (Title II, Part A), focuses on using practices grounded in scientifically-based research to prepare, train, and recruit high quality teachers and principals and requires states to develop plans with annual measurable objectives that will ensure that all teachers teaching in core academic subjects are highly qualified by the end of the 2005-2006 school year.

As part of the Teacher and Principal Training and Recruitment Fund, the Commission for Higher Education is responsible for conducting a competitive Improving Teacher Quality grants process. The Improving Teacher Quality partnership program will bring Indiana's colleges and universities together with high-need school districts to support the professional development needs of teachers, paraprofessionals and principals in core academic subjects.

Through this program, the Commission will provide grants that support teacher quality as a major factor in improving student achievement.

Eligible applicants for grants must include partnerships consisting of:

1. A department or school within an Indiana college or university responsible for teacher preparation;
   
2. A department or school within an Indiana college or university specific to the subject matter being addressed; and
   
3. A "high-need" local educational agency (LEA).

The Indiana college or university partner must be the fiscal agent and official applicant for the grant. Eligible applicants may apply for an award for up to two years.

• No Child Left Behind Act of 2001



• U.S. Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education



• Indiana Department of Education



• Indiana's Implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001



• Indiana's Accountability System for Academic Progress



• Indiana Professional Standards Board