§6671. Findings and purpose
(a) Findings
The Congress finds that-
(1) underlying the standards-driven framework of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act [20 U.S.C. 5801 et seq.] and the high academic standards for eligible students under subchapter I of this chapter is a widespread need to prepare teachers to teach to higher standards;
(2) prospective and current teachers need knowledge and skills beyond what such teachers currently possess;
(3) while both the Goals 2000: Educate America Act [20 U.S.C. 5801 et seq.] and subchapters I and II of this chapter have extensive references to professional development of teachers, there are no provisions to incorporate "on-the-ground" planning and implementation to serve as models for local educational agencies across the Nation; and
(4) better prepared teachers can lead to improved student achievement, especially for students who are furthest from reaching high standards.
(b) Purpose
It is the purpose of this part-
(1) to address the need for professional development with a primary focus on teachers;
(2) to provide both prospective teachers and current teachers opportunities to learn both the content and the pedagogy needed to teach to high standards; and
(3) to build models, in a few cities and States, that demonstrate new organizational arrangements and deep investments in teachers necessary to better prepare teachers for new standards and assessments.
(
References in Text
The Goals 2000: Educate America Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), (3), is