1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Reaching English Learners Act . 2. Teaching English learners grant Part B of title II of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1031 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 6 Teaching English learners 259. Teaching English learners grant (a) Authorization of program The Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible partnerships to pay the Federal share of the costs of improving the preparation of teacher candidates to ensure that such teacher candidates possess the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively instruct English learners. (b) Duration of grants A grant awarded under this section shall be for a period of not more than 5 years. (c) Non-Federal share An eligible partnership that receives a grant under this section shall provide an amount of not less than 25 percent of the cost of the activities carried out under the grant from non-Federal sources, which may be provided in cash or in-kind. (d) Uses of funds An eligible partnership that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant to— (1) develop or strengthen a teacher preparation program by integrating strategies for teaching English learners into the education curriculum and academic content; (2) provide teacher candidates participating in the teacher preparation program with skills related to— (A) helping English learners— (i) achieve at high levels in early childhood education programs, and in elementary schools and secondary schools, so such English learners can meet the challenging State academic standards adopted under section 1111(b)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 by the State of the school attended by the English learners, which all children in the State are expected to meet; and (ii) attain English proficiency; (B) appropriately identifying and meeting the specific learning needs of children with disabilities who are English learners; (C) recognizing and addressing the social and emotional needs of English learners