Rule links teacher incentive program to performance

The Department of Education finalized rules Friday to link federal grant funding for teacher preparation programs to performance.

Created by Congress in 2007, the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant program goal has been to push high-performing college students into teaching professions.

Eligible students can receive up to $4,000 annually to participate in teacher training programs and commit to teaching in the nation’s highest-need schools.

But research shows the program isn’t working the way Congress intended.

Of the 38 programs identified by states as “low-performing” or “at-risk,” the Department of Education said 22 programs were offered by institutions of higher education participating in the TEACH Grant program.

The rule finalized Friday is an agency effort to improve the programs. Now only state programs that have been identified as “effective” will be eligible to award TEACH grants.

The rule will take effect in 30 days.