July 16, 2026
Mr. Smith of Washington introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
To amend the requirements for teaching residency programs under part A of title II of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Educators for America Act
.
Sec. 2. Teacher quality partnerships
Section 202(e)(2)(B)(ii) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1022a(e)(2)(B)(ii)) is amended—
(1)
by redesignating subclauses (I), (II), and (III) as items (aa), (bb), and (cc), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly;
(2)
in the matter preceding item (aa), as so redesignated, by striking shall
and all that follows through characteristics:
and inserting the following: “shall carry out the following:
(I)
Establish criteria for the selection of eligible individuals to participate in the teaching residency program based on the following characteristics:; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:
(II)
Prioritize the recruitment and selection of eligible individuals underrepresented in the teaching profession, including men.