article: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Master Teacher Act of 2001''. SEC. 2. MASTER TEACHER DEMONSTRATION PROJECT. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Local educational agency.--The term ``local educational agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 14101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 8801). (2) Master teacher.--The term ``master teacher'' means a teacher who-- (A) is licensed or credentialed under State law; (B) has been teaching for at least 5 years in a public or private school or institution of higher education; (C) is selected upon application, is judged to be an excellent teacher, and is recommended by administrators and other teachers who are knowledgeable of the individual's performance; (D) at the time of submission of such application, is teaching and based in a public school; (E) assists other teachers in improving instructional strategies, improves the skills of other teachers, performs mentoring, develops curriculum, and offers other professional development; and (F) enters into a contract with the local educational agency to continue to teach and serve as a master teacher for at least 5 additional years. (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Education. (b) Establishment of Demonstration Project.-- (1) In general.--Not later than July 1, 2002, the Secretary shall conduct a demonstration project under which the Secretary shall award competitive grants to local educational agencies to increase teacher salaries and employee benefits for teachers who enter into contracts with the local educational agencies to serve as master teachers. (2) Requirements.--In awarding grants under the demonstration project, the Secretary shall-- (A) ensure that grants are awarded under the demonstration project to a diversity of local educational agencies in terms of size of school district, location of school district, ethnic and economic composition of students, and experience of teachers; and (B) give priority to local educational agencies in school districts that have schools with a high proportion of economically disadvantaged students. (c) Applications.--In order to receive a grant under the demonstration project, a local educational agency shall submit an application to the Secretary that contains-- (1) an assurance that funds received under the grant will be used in accordance with this section; and (2) a detailed description of how the local educational agency will use the grant funds to pay the salaries and employee benefits for positions designated by the local educational agency as master teacher positions. (d) Matching Requirement.--The Secretary may not award a grant to a local educational agency under the demonstration project unless the local educational agency agrees that, with respect to costs to be incurred by the agency in carrying out activities for which the grant was awarded, the agency shall provide (directly, through the State, or through a combination thereof) in non-Federal contributions an amount equal to the amount of the grant awarded to the agency. (e) Study and Report.-- (1) In general.--Not later than July 1, 2005, the Secretary shall conduct a study and transmit a report to Congress analyzing the results of the demonstration project conducted under this section. (2) Contents of report.--The report shall include-- (A) an analysis of the results of the project on-- (i) the recruitment and retention of experienced teachers; (ii) the effect of master teachers on teaching by less experienced teachers; (iii) the impact of mentoring new teachers by master teachers; and (iv) the impact of master teachers on student achievement; and (B) recommendations regarding-- (i) continuing or terminating the demonstration project; and (ii) establishing a grant program to expand the project to additional local educational agencies and school districts. (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $100,000,000, for the period of fiscal years 2002 through 2006.
summary: Master Teacher Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of Education to conduct a demonstration project to increase teacher salaries and employee benefits for teachers who contract with local educational agencies (LEAs) to serve as master teachers. Gives priority to LEAs in school districts that have schools with a high proportion of economically disadvantaged students.