S. 848 · 117th Congress · Senate

Consider Teachers Act of 2021

Enacted· Became Public Law No: 117-49.
Introduced
Mar 18, 21
Passed Senate
Apr 27, 21
Passed House
Sep 28, 21
Sent to President
Oct 4, 21
Signed into Law
Oct 13, 21

Executive Summary

Consider Teachers Act of 2021

This bill revises the service obligation verification process for the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant program. The TEACH program awards grants to postsecondary students who commit to teaching for four years in high-need subjects in low-income schools. In addition, the bill establishes certain program flexibilities with respect to the service obligations of teachers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Specifically, the bill provides a process for the Department of Education (ED) to reconsider and reverse the conversion of a TEACH grant to a loan. Under current program terms, TEACH grants are converted into loan obligations if service requirements are not met.

In addition, the bill directs ED to notify TEACH grant recipients of the requirements for submitting employment certifications. ED must also provide an alternative to certification.

ED must maintain and annually update a list of qualifying schools and high-need fields.

The bill also provides certain program flexibilities with respect to the service obligations of teachers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the bill (1) extends the service obligation window for TEACH grants, and (2) requires ED to consider teaching service that is interrupted as a result of a qualifying emergency as full-time service for purposes of Federal Perkins Loans.

Previous Versions

53Sep 28, 2021

Consider Teachers Act of 2021

This bill revises the service obligation verification process for the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant program. The TEACH program awards grants to postsecondary students who commit to teaching for four years in high-need subjects in low-income schools. In addition, the bill establishes certain program flexibilities with respect to the service obligations of teachers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Specifically, the bill provides a process for the Department of Education (ED) to reconsider and reverse the conversion of a TEACH grant to a loan. Under current program terms, TEACH grants are converted into loan obligations if service requirements are not met.

In addition, the bill directs ED to notify TEACH grant recipients of the requirements for submitting employment certifications. ED must also provide an alternative to certification.

ED must maintain and annually update a list of qualifying schools and high-need fields.

The bill also provides certain program flexibilities with respect to the service obligations of teachers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the bill (1) extends the service obligation window for TEACH grants, and (2) requires ED to consider teaching service that is interrupted as a result of a qualifying emergency as full-time service for purposes of Federal Perkins Loans.

55Apr 27, 2021

Consider Teachers Act of 2021

This bill revises the service obligation verification process for the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant program.

For example, the bill provides a process for the Department of Education to reconsider and reverse the conversion of a TEACH grant to a loan. The bill also establishes certain program flexibilities with respect to the service obligations of teachers affected by the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.

00Mar 18, 2021

Consider Teachers Act of 2021

This bill revises the service obligation verification process for the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant program.

For example, the bill provides a process for the Department of Education to reconsider and reverse the conversion of a TEACH grant to a loan. The bill also establishes certain program flexibilities with respect to the service obligations of teachers affected by the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.

Action Timeline

23
  1. OCT 13, 2021BecameLaw

    Signed by President.

  2. OCT 13, 2021President

    Signed by President.

  3. OCT 13, 2021BecameLaw

    Became Public Law No: 117-49.

    117Yea
    49Nay
    0NV
  4. OCT 13, 2021President

    Became Public Law No: 117-49.

    117Yea
    49Nay
    0NV
  5. OCT 04, 2021President

    Presented to President.

  6. OCT 04, 2021Floor

    Presented to President.

  7. SEP 28, 2021Floor

    Considered as unfinished business

    (consideration: CR H5496)

  8. SEP 28, 2021Floor

    Passed/agreed to in House

    Roll Call #302

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 406 - 16 (Roll no. 302).(text: CR 7/26/2021 H3851-3852)

    406Yea
    16Nay
    0NV
  9. SEP 28, 2021Floor

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays

    Roll Call #302

    (2/3 required): 406 - 16 (Roll no. 302). (text: CR 7/26/2021 H3851-3852)

    406Yea
    16Nay
    0NV
  10. SEP 28, 2021Floor

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  11. JUL 26, 2021Floor

    Mr

    Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  12. JUL 26, 2021Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules

    (consideration: CR H3851-3854)

    3851Yea
    3854Nay
    0NV
  13. JUL 26, 2021Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 848.

  14. JUL 26, 2021Floor

    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered

    Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

  15. APR 28, 2021Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  16. APR 28, 2021Floor

    Received in the House.

  17. APR 28, 2021Floor

    Held at the desk.

  18. APR 27, 2021Committee

    Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S2246-2247)

    2246Yea
    2247Nay
    0NV
  19. APR 27, 2021Discharge

    Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2246-2247)

    2246Yea
    2247Nay
    0NV
  20. APR 27, 2021Floor

    Passed/agreed to in Senate

    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S2246-2247)

    2246Yea
    2247Nay
    0NV
  21. APR 27, 2021Floor

    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent

    (text: CR S2246-2247)

    2246Yea
    2247Nay
    0NV
  22. MAR 18, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in Senate

  23. MAR 18, 2021IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Committees

2

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

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Referred: Apr 27, 2021

Active

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

sshr00

Referred: Mar 18, 2021

Active