; (3) hold teacher and school leader preparation programs accountable for preparing highly skilled and effective teachers and school leaders; and (4) recruit well-prepared individuals, including individuals from underrepresented populations and individuals from other occupations, into the teaching and school leadership force with an emphasis on areas of State-identified teacher shortage, and where available, school leader shortage. 202. Partnership grants (a) Program authorized From amounts made available under section 210, excluding amounts reserved under subsection (k), the Secretary is authorized to award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible partnerships, to enable the eligible partnerships to carry out the activities described in subsection (c). (b) Application Each eligible partnership desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require. Each such application shall contain— (1) a needs assessment of the partners in the eligible partnership with respect to the preparation, ongoing professional development, and retention of general education, English language, and special education teachers, principals, and other school leaders, and, as applicable, early childhood educators, including any information provided by the State or local educational agency regarding teacher and school leader shortage areas, including in special education, English language, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and career and technical education, and areas of inequitable distribution of certified, experienced, and effective teachers and school leaders; (2) a description of the extent to which the program to be carried out with grant funds, as described in subsection (c), will prepare prospective and new teachers with effective teaching skills or prepare prospective and new school leaders with strong school leadership skills