SEC. 3131. NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.

The Secretary shall use funds made available under section 3111(c)(1)(C) to award grants on a competitive basis, for a period of not more than 5 years, to institutions of higher education (in consortia with State educational agencies or local educational agencies) to provide for professional development activities that will improve classroom instruction for limited English proficient children and assist educational personnel working with such children to meet high professional standards, including standards for certification and licensure as teachers who work in language instruction educational programs or serve limited English proficient children. Grants awarded under this subsection may be used —

(1) for preservice professional development programs that will assist local schools and institutions of higher education to upgrade the qualifications and skills of educational personnel who are not certified or licensed, especially educational paraprofessionals;

(2) for the development of curricula appropriate to the needs of the consortia participants involved; and

(3) in conjunction with other Federal need-based student financial assistance programs, for financial assistance, and costs related to tuition, fees, and books for enrolling in courses required to complete the degree involved, to meet certification or licensing requirements for teachers who work in language instruction educational programs or serve limited English proficient children.

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