The purpose of this program is to improve student achievement by improving the quality of new and prospective teachers through the preparation of prospective teachers and enhancement of professional development activities for new teachers. This program also supports teacher preparation programs that prepare highly qualified teachers at institutions of higher education (IHEs) and the recruitment of highly qualified individuals, including minorities and individuals from other occupations, into the teaching force. Specifically, funding will be available for the creation of partnerships among IHEs, high-need school districts (or local educational agencies) and their high-need schools, and/or high-need early childhood education (ECE) programs. All programs must meet one or both of the following absolute priorities:

Partnership grants for the preparation of teachers
Partnership grants for the establishment of effective teaching residency programs

Eligible applicants are partnerships that must include the following entities:
A high-need local educational agency (LEA)
A high-need school or a consortium of high-need schools served by a high-need LEA and/or, as applicable, a high-need early childhood education program
A partner institution of higher education
A school, department, or program of education within a partner institution
A school or department of arts and sciences within a partner institution