Twenty-First Century Teachers Act

Twenty-First Century Teachers Act - Title I: Loans Incentives for Teaching - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to establish a separate fund for teachers under the National Direct Student Loan (NDSL) program.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 through 1995 for the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to make separate capital contributions to NDSL student loan funds.

Requires a student, in order to receive a loan from the special account, to: (1) have completed two undergraduate years; (2) intend to pursue a teaching career; and (3) agree to certain repayment conditions if the student either does not enter full-time teaching within a certain period or ceases such teaching before the end of the five-year service period required for loan cancellation.

Gives priority for such loans to minority students, or those otherwise underrepresented in the teaching profession or curricula areas, and to individuals who qualify and need such a loan and who demonstrate high academic achievement and potential for success in teaching. Provides for an expedited loan cancellation option for teaching at certain types of schools.

Title II: Financial Assistance for Institutional Recruitment and Retention of Individuals Preparing to Enter the Teaching Force - Directs the Secretary to allocate funds under this title to State educational agencies (SEAs) for grants to institutions of higher education for programs to recruit and retain students, particularly minority students, preparing to enter the teaching profession.

Authorizes appropriations.

Title III: Professional Development Academies - Directs the Secretary to allocate 80 percent of funds for this title among SEAs, on the basis of number of disadvantaged children, to distribute such funds to consortia of local educational agencies (LEAs) for various activities relating to teacher training.

Directs the Secretary, from the remaining 20 percent of funds under this title, to award to specified consortia grants to establish professional development academies to provide interstate, international, or other exemplary programs. Limits such grants to five years, with renewal for one additional five-year period.

Authorizes appropriations.

Title IV: Teacher Recognition - Teacher of the Year Recognition Act - Directs the Secretary to design and implement a program for teachers designated by the Council of Chief State School Officers as teacher of the year and the national teacher of the year.

Directs the Secretary to designate and procure medals to honor such teachers of the year, which shall be presented by the President or a designee.

Authorizes the Secretary to work with States, local governments, SEAs, LEAs, and others to encourage development of State and local recognition programs for teachers and other educators.