S. 5540 — PREP Act of 2026

This section replaces Title II of the Higher Education Act of 1965 with new provisions on teacher and school leader quality enhancement. It establishes 13 definitions for terms used in the title, including 2+2 program, arts and sciences, children from low-income families, comprehensive literacy instruction, core academic subjects, early childhood educator, educational service agency, effective early childhood educator, eligible partnership, English learner, evidence-based, high-need early childhood education program, and high-need local educational agency.

This section expands authorized grant activities for strengthening institutions, tribal colleges and universities, Alaska Native-serving and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, predominantly Black institutions, Native American-serving nontribal institutions, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions, and historically Black colleges and universities to include establishing or enhancing teacher or school leader education programs. The programs must align with specified elements of section 202, develop teaching skills for elementary and secondary schools, and include preparation for certification or licensure.