Achievement Through Technology and Innovation Act of 2009 - Amends title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to reauthorize part D (Enhancing Education through Technology) through FY2015.
Alters the current program to require states to use a portion of their allotted funds to develop challenging academic content and achievement standards to ensure that students are technologically literate before the end of grade eight. Provides that such standards are only for tracking technological literacy and not for assessing adequate yearly progress (AYP) under title I. Permits technological literacy testing to be embedded in other state tests or performance-based assessments portfolios, or made through other valid and reliable means.
Requires states to use the bulk of their part D allotment for two new subgrant programs for local educational agencies (LEAs), devoting: (1) 60% for formula subgrants to improve teaching and learning through technology; and (2) 40% for competitive subgrants for systemic school reform through technology integration.
Requires LEAs to: (1) include a new or updated local long-range strategic educational technology plan in their applications; (2) use a specified percentage of each subgrant for teacher training; and (3) use each subgrant to acquire and apply technology to identify individual student learning needs and support individualized learning. Allows LEAs that receive funds for both programs to use all the funds for systemic school reform through technology integration program activities.
Directs the Secretary of Education to: (1) conduct an annual national study on student technology literacy to determine the extent to which such literacy is attained by grade eight; and (2) update the National Education Technology Plan at least once every five years.
[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
[H.R. 558 Introduced in House (IH)]
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 558
To reauthorize part D of title II of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 15, 2009
Ms. Roybal-Allard (for herself, Mr. Hinojosa, Mrs. Biggert, and Mr.
Kind) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Education and Labor
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To reauthorize part D of title II of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Achievement Through Technology and
Innovation Act of 2009''.
SEC. 2. ENHANCING EDUCATION THROUGH TECHNOLOGY.
Part D of title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6751 et seq.) is amended to read as follows:
``Part D--Enhancing Education Through Technology
``SEC. 2401. FINDINGS, PURPOSES, AND GOALS.
``(a) Findings.--The Congress makes the following findings:
``(1) Learning technologies are critical in our schools to
meet the goals of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 of
raising student achievement, closing the achievement gap and
ensuring high quality teaching, and to ensure that our Nation's
students are prepared to compete in the 21st Century knowledge-
based global economy.
``(2) A 2007 Department of Education random control study
found that students using selected reading and math software
achieved at least as well as those in the control classrooms
using other methods and curriculum, `students were more likely
to engage in individual practice and teachers were more likely
to facilitate student learning rather than lecture', and nearly
all teachers indicated that they would want to use the
technology again. These findings came in only the first year of
implementation, with less than recommended time using the
software, and with half of teachers indicating their need for
more related professional development.
``(3) Increased professional development opportunities are
needed if teachers are to be highly qualified and effective in
a 21st century classroom with today's digital native students,
including in the use of learning technologies to deliver
innovative instruction and curriculum and to use data to inform
instruction.
``(4) Scientifically based research, conducted with Federal
funding, demonstrates that systemic reform initiatives centered
around technology have shown great promise in improving
teaching and learning, including the following:
``(A) In Utah, Missouri, and Maine, the eMINTS
program provides schools and teachers with educational
technology tools, curriculum, and over 200 hours of
professional development to change how teachers teach
and students learn. In classrooms in the same school
(one with eMINTS and one without), the student
achievement of students in the eMINTS classroom was
repeatedly over 10 percent higher than the control
classroom.
``(B) In West Virginia, students receiving access
to on-line foreign language courses performed at least
as well as those in face-to-face versions of the
classes, providing comparable high quality instruction
for those in rural areas who otherwise would not have
access to such courses.
``(C) In Michigan's Freedom to Learn technology
program, 8th grade math achievement increased from 31
percent in 2004 to 63 percent in 2005 in one middle
school, and science achievement increased from 68
percent of students proficient in 2003 to 80 percent in
2004.
``(D) In Texas, the Technology Immersion Pilot,
implemented in middle schools, demonstrated that
discipline referrals went down by over \1/2\ with the
changes in teaching and learning; while in one school,
6th grade standardized math scores increased by 5
percent, 7th grade by 42 percent, and 8th grade by 24
percent.
``(E) In Iowa, after connecting teachers with
sustainable professional development and technology-
based curriculum interventions, student scores
increased by 14 points in 8th grade math, 16 points in
4th grade math, and 13 points in 4th grade reading
compared with control groups.
``(5) Technology and e-learning in our schools are
necessary to meet our science, technology, engineering and
mathematics education needs and provide students with 21st
century skills, including technology literacy, information
literacy, communication, problem solving, and the ability for
self-directed lifelong learning.
``(6) A 2003 Department of Commerce report credits United
States industry's investments in information technology between
1989-2001 with producing positive and probably lasting changes
in the Nation's economic potential, but finds education in the
United States last in intensity of information technology of 55
industry sectors.
``(7) Many schools in the United States lack the resources
necessary for the 21st century classroom and to meet the needs
and expectations of today's digital native students, including
software, digital content, broadband and other technologies.
``(8) According to the Department of Education's National
Educational Technology Trends Study (NETTS 2007), insufficient
or outdated technology presented a substantial barrier to
technology use for teaching and learning for more than 40
percent of students, while lack of support specialists was a
barrier to technology use for more than 50 percent of students.
``(9) Federal leadership and investment is needed to serve
as a catalyst for State and local education initiatives aimed
at school innovation and improved student achievement through
leveraging educational technologies. According to the
Department of Education's National Educational Technology
Trends Study (NETTS 2007), because funds generated locally
through bonds or taxes frequently have legal restrictions
requiring them to be spent on hardware and connectivity
purchases only, Federal and State funds supporting the use of
technology resources fill a critical gap.
``(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this part are the following:
``(1) To ensure that through technology every student has
access to individualized, rigorous, and relevant learning to
meet the goals of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and to
prepare all students and the United States for the 21st
century.
``(2) To evaluate, build upon and increase the use of
research-based and innovative systemic school reforms that
center on the use of technology and lead to school improvement
and increase student achievement.
``(3) To increase on-going, meaningful professional
development around technology that leads to changes in teaching
and curriculum, and which improves student achievement,
including but not limited to core curricular subjects, and
student technology literacy.
``(c) Goals.--The goals of this part are the following:
``(1) To improve student academic achievement on State
academic standards through the use of professional development,
research-based and innovative systemic school reforms, and
other technology uses and applications.
``(2) To improve teacher professional development to ensure
every teacher and administrator is technologically literate,
including possessing the knowledge and skills to use technology
across the curriculum, to use technology and curriculum
redesign as key components of changing teaching and learning
and improving student achievement, to use technology for data
analysis to enable individualized instruction, and to use
technology to improve student technology literacy.
``(3) To ensure that every student is technologically
literate by graduation, regardless of the student's race,
ethnicity, gender, family income, geographic location, or
disability.
``(4) To improve student engagement, opportunity,
attendance, graduation rates, and technology access through
enhanced or redesigned curriculum or instruction.
``(5) To more effectively use data to inform instruction,
address individualized student needs, and support school
decision making.
``(6) To improve the efficiency and productivity of the
classroom and school enterprise toward the ultimate purposes of
improving student achievement.
``SEC. 2402. DEFINITION.
``In this part, the term `student technology literacy' means
student knowledge and skills in using contemporary information,
communication and learning technologies in a manner necessary for
successful life-long learning and citizenship in the knowledge-based,
digital, and global 21st century, which includes the abilities to
effectively communicate and collaborate; to analyze and solve problems;
to access, evaluate, manage and create information and otherwise gain
information literacy; and to do so in a safe and ethical manner.
``SEC. 2403. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this part, $1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, and such sums as
may be necessary for each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years.
``(b) Allocation of Funds Between State and Local and National
Initiatives.--Allocation of funds between State and local and national
initiatives--the amount of funds made available under subsection (a)
for a fiscal year shall be allocated so that--
``(1) the lesser of 3 percent or $10,000,000 is made
available to carry out subpart 2, including not more than
$2,000,000 annually to carry out section 2421(a); and
``(2) the remainder of funds is made available to carry out
subpart 1.
``(c) Limitation.--
``(1) Of the amount of funds made available to a local
educational agency under this part for a fiscal year, not more
than 5 percent may be used by the recipient for administrative
costs or technical assistance, of which not more than 60
percent may be used by the recipient for administrative costs.
``(2) Of the amount of funds made available to a State
local educational agency under section 2412(a)(1) for
administrative costs and technical assistance, nor more than 60
percent may be used by the recipient for administrative costs.
``(3) The funds made available to carry-out activities
under section 2421(a) shall be used solely to develop the
National Education Technology Plan and not transferred or
otherwise used for any other purpose.
``Subpart 1--State and Local Grants
``SEC. 2411. ALLOTMENT AND REALLOTMENT.
``(a) Reservations and Allotment.--From the amount made available
to carry out this part under section 2403(b)(2) for a fiscal year--
``(1) the Secretary shall reserve--
``(A) three-fourths of 1 percent for the Secretary
of the Interior for programs under this subpart for
schools operated or funded by the Bureau of Indian
Affairs; and
``(B) one-half of 1 percent to provide assistance
under this subpart to the outlying areas; and
``(2) from the remainder of such amount and subject to
subsection (b), the Secretary shall make grants by allotting to
each eligible State educational agency under this subpart an
amount that bears the same relationship to such remainder for
such year as the amount received under part A of title I for
such year by such State educational agency bears to the amount
received under such part for such year by all State educational
agencies.
``(b) Minimum Allotment.--The amount of any State educational
agency's allotment under subsection (a)(2) for any fiscal year may not
be less than one-half of 1 percent of the amount made available for
allotments to States under this part for such year.
``(c) Reallotment of Unused Funds.--If any State educational agency
does not apply for an allotment under this subpart for a fiscal year,
or does not use its entire allotment under this subpart for that fiscal
year, the Secretary shall reallot the amount of the State educational
agency's allotment, or the unused portion of the allotment, to the
remaining State educational agencies that use their entire allotments
under this subpart in accordance with this section.
``(d) State Educational Agency Defined.--In this section, the term
`State educational agency' does not include an agency of an outlying
area or the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
``SEC. 2412. USE OF ALLOTMENT BY STATE.
``(a) In General.--Of the amount provided to a State educational
agency from the agency's allotment under section 2411(a)(2) for a
fiscal year--
``(1) the State educational agency may use the greater of
$100,000 or 5 percent to carry out activities under section
2414(a);
``(2) the State educational agency may use the greater of
$50,000 or 2.5 percent to carry out activities under section
2414(b); and
``(3) the State educational agency shall distribute the
remainder as follows:
``(A) 60 percent shall be used to award subgrants
to local educational agencies for improving teaching
and learning through technology pursuant to section
2415(c) by allocating to each eligible local
educational agency that has submitted an application to
the State educational agency under such section, for
the activities described in section 2416(b), an amount
that bears the same relationship to 50 percent of the
remainder for such year as the amount received under
part A of title I for such year by such local
educational agency bears to the amount received under
such part for such year by all local educational
agencies within the State.
``(B) 40 percent shall be used to award systemic
school reform through technology integration subgrants
pursuant to section 2416(a), through a State-determined
competitive process, to eligible local educational
agencies that have submitted applications to the State
educational agency under section 2415(b).
``(b) Sufficient Amounts.--
``(1) Special rule.--In awarding subgrants under subsection
(a)(3)(B), the State educational agency shall--
``(A) ensure grants are of sufficient size and
scope to be effective, consistent with the purposes of
this part;
``(B) ensure grants are of sufficient duration to
be effective, consistent with the purposes of this
part, including by awarding grants that will run for at
least 2 years and may be renewed for up to a total of
five years;
``(C) give preference in the awarding of grants to
eligible local educational agencies that include
schools in need of improvement as identified under
section 1116, including those with high populations of
students with limited English proficiency or students
with disabilities; and
``(D) ensure an equitable distribution of
assistance under this subpart among urban and rural
areas of the State, according to the demonstrated need
of those local educational agencies serving the areas.
``(2) Minimum allotment.--The amount of any local
educational agency's allotment under subsection (a)(3)(A) for
any fiscal year may not be less than $3,000.
``(c) Reallotment of Unused Funds.--If any local educational agency
does not apply for an allotment under this subpart for a fiscal year,
or does not use its entire allotment under this subpart for that fiscal
year, the State shall reallot the amount of the local educational
agency's allotment, or the unused portion of the allotment, to the
remaining local educational agencies that use their entire allotments
under this subpart in accordance with this section.
``SEC. 2413. STATE APPLICATIONS.
``(a) In General.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this
subpart, a State educational agency shall submit to the Secretary, at
such time and in such manner as the Secretary may specify, an
application containing the contents described in subsection (b) and
such other information as the Secretary may reasonably require.
``(b) Contents.--Each State application submitted under subsection
(a) shall include each of the following:
``(1) A description of how the State will support local
grant recipients in meeting, and help improve their capacity to
meet, the purposes, goals, and requirements of this part,
including through technical assistance.
``(2) A description of the State's long-term goals and
strategies for improving student academic achievement,
including core curricular areas and technology literacy,
through the effective use of technology in classrooms and
schools throughout the State.
``(3) A description of the priority areas on which the
State will focus its guidance, technical assistance, and other
local support under this part, as identified by the State from
among the core content areas, grade levels, and student
subgroup populations that may be causing the most number of
local educational agencies in the State to not make adequate
yearly progress (as described in section 1111).
``(4) A description of how the State will support local
grant recipients in implementing, and help improve their
capacity to implement, professional development programs
pursuant to section 2416(b)(1)(A).
``(5) A description of how the State will ensure that
teachers, paraprofessionals, library and media personnel, and
administrators in the State are technologically literate.
``(6) A description of the process, activities, and
performance measures that the State educational agency will use
to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of activities funded
under this part as required under section 2414(b).
``(7) Identification of the State challenging academic
content standards and challenging student academic achievement
standards that the State will use to ensure that each student
is technology literate by the end of the 8th grade (consistent
with the definition of student technology literacy in section
2402), and a description of how the State will assess student
performance in gaining technology literacy, except that--
``(A) such assessment shall be used only to track
student technology literacy and not for purposes of
determining adequate yearly progress under section
1111; and
``(B) nothing in this part shall be construed as
requiring a State to develop a separate test to measure
student technology literacy, as assessment may be
embedded in other State tests or performance-based
assessments portfolios, or made through other valid and
reliable means.
``(8) An assurance that financial assistance provided under
this subpart will supplement, and not supplant, State and local
funds.
``(9) A description of how the State educational agency
will, in providing technical and other assistance to local
educational agencies, give priority to those identified by the
State in the highest need of assistance, including those with
the highest percentage or number of students from families with
incomes below the poverty line, students not achieving at the
State proficiency level with student populations identified
under section 2412(b)(1)(C), or schools identified as in need
of improvement under section 1116.
``(10) A description of how the State educational agency
will ensure that each subgrant awarded under section 2412(a) is
of sufficient size, scope, and duration to be effective as
required under section 2412(b), and that such subgrants are
appropriately targeted and equitably distributed as required
under section 2412(b) to carry out the purposes of this part
effectively.
``(11) A description of how the State educational agency
consulted with local educational agencies in the development of
the State application.
``SEC. 2414. STATE ACTIVITIES.
``(a) In General.--From funds made available under section
2412(a)(1), a State educational agency--
``(1) shall--
``(A) identify the State challenging academic
content standards and challenging student academic
achievement standards that the State will use to ensure
that each student is technology literate by the end of
the 8th grade (consistent with the definition of
student technology literacy in section 2402);
``(B) assess at least once by the end of the 8th
grade student performance in gaining technology
literacy consistent with subparagraph (A), including
through embedding such assessment items in other State
tests, performance-based assessment portfolios, or
through other means, except that--
``(i) such assessments shall be used only
to track student technology literacy and not
for purposes of determining adequate yearly
progress under section 1111; and
``(ii) nothing in this part shall be
construed as requiring a State to develop a
separate test to measure student technology
literacy;
``(C) provide guidance, technical assistance and
other support in the priority areas identified by the
State pursuant to section 2413(b)(3) to local
educational agencies receiving grants of under $10,000
under section 2412(a)(3)(A), with a priority given to
those in highest need of assistance pursuant to section
2413(b)(9);
``(D) provide technical assistance to local
educational agencies (with a priority given to those
identified by the State as being the most in need of
assistance, including those with the highest percentage
or number of students from families with incomes below
the poverty line, students not achieving at the State
proficiency level, with student populations identified
under section 2412(b)(1)(C) and schools identified as
in need of improvement under section 1116) in--
``(i) submitting applications for funding
under this part;
``(ii) carrying out activities authorized
under section 2416, including implementation of
systemic school reforms as described in section
2415(b); and
``(iii) developing local educational
technology plans and integrating such plans
with their plans for improving student
achievement under sections 1111 and 1112 and,
if applicable, section 1116; and
``(E) provide guidance, technical assistance, and
other support to local educational agencies on their
plans to update computers and servers, including the
types of functionalities that elementary and secondary
schools should seek in purchasing new computers and
servers and the amount of time that schools should use
computers and servers before replacing them; and
``(2) may carry out the following activities:
``(A) State leadership activities and technical
assistance that assist recipients of funds under this
part in achieving the purposes and goals of this part.
``(B) Assisting recipients of funds under this part
in the development and utilization of research-based or
innovative strategies for the delivery of specialized
or rigorous academic courses and curricula through the
use of technology, including distance learning
technologies.
``(C) Assisting recipients of funds under this
subpart in providing sustained and intensive, high-
quality professional development pursuant to section
2416(b)(1)(A), including through assistance in a review
of relevant research.
``(b) Evaluation.--From funds made available under section
2412(a)(2), a State educational agency shall carry out one or more of
the following activities:
``(1) Conducting scientifically based or other rigorous
research to evaluate the impact of one or more programs or
activities authorized under this part in meeting the purposes
and goals of this part.
``(2) Providing technical assistance to eligible local
educational agencies in carrying out evaluation research
activities as required under section 2416(a)(1).
``(3) Creating one or more evaluation research protocols,
designs, performance measurement systems or other tools to
assist eligible local educational agencies in carrying out
evaluation activities as required under section 2416(a)(1).
``(4) Collecting and disseminating the findings of the
evaluation research carried out by eligible local educational
agencies under section 2416(a)(1).
``SEC. 2415. LOCAL APPLICATIONS.
``(a) In General.--To be eligible to receive a subgrant from a
State educational agency under this subpart, a local educational
agency, or consortium of local educational agencies, shall submit to
the State educational agency an application containing a new or updated
local long-range strategic educational technology plan, and such other
information as the State educational agency may reasonably require, at
such time and in such manner as the State educational agency may
require, which shall include each of the following:
``(1) A description of how the applicant will align and
coordinate its use of funds under this part to the district
technology plan, to the district plans and activities for
improving student achievement, including under sections 1111,
1112, and if applicable, section 1116, and to funds available
from other Federal, State and local sources.
``(2) An assurance that financial assistance provided under
this subpart will supplement, and not supplant other existing
funds.
``(3) A description of plans to regularly replace computers
and servers that lack the functional capabilities to process
new online applications and services, including video
conferencing, video streaming, virtual simulations, and
distance learning courses.
``(4) Such other information as the State educational
agency may reasonably require.
``(b) Competitive Grants for Systemic School Reform Through
Technology Integration.--In addition to components included in
subsection (a), eligible local educational agencies or consortiums of
local educational agencies submitting application for a grant under
section 2412(a)(3)(B) shall submit to the State educational agency an
application containing the following:
``(1) A description of how the applicant will use grant
funds to implement systemic school reform, which is a
comprehensive set of programs, practices, and technologies that
collectively lead to school or agency change and improvement,
including in the use of technology, and in improved student
achievement and that incorporate all of the following elements:
``(A) Reform or redesign of curriculum,
instruction, assessment, use of data, or other school
or classroom practices through the use of technology,
including to increase student learning opportunity,
technology literacy, access, and engagement.
``(B) Improve educator quality, knowledge, and
skills through on-going, sustainable, timely, and
contextual professional development pursuant to section
2416(b)(1)(A).
``(C) Develop student technology literacy and other
skills necessary for 21st century learning and success.
``(D) On-going use of formative assessments and
other timely data sources and data systems to more
effectively identify individual student learning needs
and guide personalized instruction and learning and
appropriate interventions that address those
personalized student learning needs.
``(E) Engagement of agency and school leaders, as
well as classroom educators.
``(F) Are either research-based, innovative, or
both, such that research-based systemic reforms are
based on a review of the best available research
evidence, and innovative systemic reforms are based on
development and use of new reforms, programs, practices
and technologies.
``(2) An assurance that the applicant will use at least 25
percent of funds to implement a program of professional
development pursuant to section 2416(b)(1)(A).
``(3) A description of how the applicant will evaluate the
impact of one or more programs or activities authorized under
this part in meeting one or more of the purposes and goals of
this part.
``(c) Formula Grants for Improving Teaching and Learning Through
Technology.--In addition to components included in subsection (a),
eligible local educational agencies or consortiums of local educational
agencies that submit an application for a grant under section
2412(a)(3)(A) shall submit to the State educational agency an
application containing the following:
``(1) An assurance that the applicant will use at least 40
percent of funds for professional development pursuant to
section 2416(b)(1)(A) and for technology tools, applications,
and other resources related specifically to such professional
development activities.
``(2) A description of how the applicant will implement a
program of professional development as required under paragraph
(1).
``(3) A description of how the local educational agency
will employ technology tools, applications, and other resources
in professional development and to improve student learning and
achievement in the areas of priority identified by the local
educational agency pursuant to paragraph (4).
``(4) A description of the priority areas upon which the
local educational agency will focus its grant funds under this
part, such that such priority areas shall be identified from
among the core content areas, grade levels and student subgroup
populations in which the most number of students are not
proficient.
``(d) Combined Applications.--An eligible local educational agency
that submits an application to the State educational agency for funds
awarded under section 2412(a)(3)(B) may, upon notice to the State
educational agency, submit a single application that will also be
considered by the State educational agency as an application for funds
awarded under section 2412(a)(3)(A), if the application addresses each
application requirement.
``(e) Consortium Applications.--For any fiscal year, a local
educational agency applying for financial assistance described in
section 2412(a)(3) may apply as part of a consortium in which more than
one local educational agencies jointly submits a grant application
under this part.
``SEC. 2416. LOCAL ACTIVITIES.
``(a) Competitive Grants for Systemic School Reform Through
Technology Integration.--From funds made available to a local
educational agency under section 2412(a)(3)(B), the local educational
agency--
``(1) shall use at least 5 percent of funds to evaluate the
impact of one or more programs or activities carried out under
this grant in meeting one or more of the purposes and goals of
this part as approved by the State educational agency as part
of the local application as described under section 2415(b)(4);
``(2) shall use the remaining funds to implement a plan for
systemic school reform pursuant to section 2415(b)(1),
including--
``(A) using at least 25 percent of funds to improve
teacher quality and skills through support for--
``(i) professional development activities
described in subsection (b)(1)(A); and
``(ii) the acquisition and implementation
of technology tools, applications and other
resources to be employed in the professional
development activities described in paragraphs
(i);
``(B) acquiring and effectively implementing
technology tools, applications and other resources in
conjunction with enhancing or redesigning the
curriculum or instruction in order to--
``(i) increase student learning opportunity
or access, student engagement in learning, or
student attendance or graduation rates;
``(ii) improve student achievement in one
or more of the core academic subject areas; and
``(iii) improve student technology
literacy; and
``(C) acquiring and effectively implementing
technology tools, applications, and other resources
to--
``(i) conduct on-going formative assessment
and use other timely data sources and data
systems to more effectively identify individual
students learning needs and guide personalized
instruction, learning and appropriate
interventions that address those personalized
student learning needs;
``(ii) support individualized student
learning, including through instructional
software and digital content that supports the
learning needs of each student, or through
providing access to high-quality courses and
instructors, including math, science and
foreign language courses, often not available
except through technology and online learning,
especially in rural and high-poverty schools;
and
``(iii) such other activities as
appropriate consistent with the goals and
purposes of research-based and innovative
systemic school reform, including to increase
parental involvement through improved
communication with teachers and access to
student assignments and grades.
``(b) Formula Grants for Improving Teaching and Learning Through
Technology.--From funds made available to a local educational agency
under section 2412(a)(3)(A), the local educational agency shall carry
out activities to improve student learning, technology literacy, and
achievement in the area of priority identified by the State under
section 2413(b)(1), including the following:
``(1) Use of at least 40 percent of such funds for
professional development to improve teacher quality and skills
through support for--
``(A) training of teachers, paraprofessionals,
library and media personnel, and administrators that--
``(i) shall include the development,
acquisition or delivery of--
``(I) training that is on-going,
sustainable, timely, and directly
related to current teaching content
areas;
``(II) training in strategies and
pedagogy in the core curriculum areas
that involve use of technology and
curriculum redesign as key components
of changing teaching and learning and
improving student achievement;
``(III) training in the use of
technology to ensure every educator is
technologically literate, including
possessing the knowledge and skills to
use technology across the curriculum,
to use technology and curriculum
redesign as key components of
innovating teaching and learning and
improving student achievement, to use
technology for data analysis to enable
individualized instruction, and to use
technology to improve student
technology literacy; and
``(IV) training that includes on-
going communication and follow-up with
instructors, facilitators, and peers;
and
``(ii) may include--
``(I) use of instructional
technology specialists, mentors or
coaches to work directly with teachers,
including through the preparing of one
or more teachers as technology leaders
or master teachers who are provided
with the means to serve as experts and
train other teachers in the effective
use of technology; and
``(II) use of technology such as
distance learning and online virtual
educator-to-educator peer communities
as a means for delivering professional
development; and
``(B) the acquisition and implementation of
technology tools, applications, and other resources to
be employed in the professional development activities
described in subparagraph (A).
``(2) Use of the remaining funds to acquire or implement
technology tools, applications and other resources to improve
student learning, technology literacy and achievement in the
areas of priority identified by the local educational agency,
including one or more of the following:
``(A) Conducting on-going formative assessment and
using other timely data sources and data systems to
more effectively identify individual students learning
needs and guide personalized instruction, learning and
appropriate interventions that address those
personalized student learning needs.
``(B) Supporting individualized student learning,
including through instructional software and digital
content that supports the learning needs of each
student, or through providing access to high-quality
courses and instructors including math, science and
foreign language courses.
``(C) Increasing parental involvement through
improved communication with teachers and access to
student assignments and grades.
``(D) Enhancing accountability, instruction and
data-driven decision making through data systems that
allow for management, analysis and disaggregating of
student, teacher and school data.
``(E) Such other activities as appropriate
consistent with the goals and purposes of this part.
``(c) Multiple Grants.--Local educational agencies receiving grant
awards under section 2412(a)(3)(A) and section 2412(a)(3)(B) may use
all such funds for activities authorized under subsection (a).
``Subpart 2--National Activities
``SEC. 2421. NATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
``From the amount made available to carry out national activities
under section 2403(b)(1), the Secretary shall carry out the following
activities:
``(1) National study.--The Secretary shall annually conduct
a national study on student technology literacy to determine
the extent to which students have gained technology literacy,
as defined in section 2402 by the end of the 8th grade. In
conducting the study, the Secretary shall--
``(A) consult first with experts and stakeholders,
including educators and education leaders, education
technology experts from education and industry, and the
business and higher education communities seeking high
school graduates with these skills; and
``(B) employ a random stratified sample methodology
of student technology literacy performance using an
existing assessment instrument.
``(2) National education technology plan.--The Secretary
shall update at least once every five years the National
Education Technology Plan to promote understanding and
awareness of the role of technology and e-learning in meeting
the Nation's education goals and needs.
``(3) Other national activities.--From the remaining funds,
the Secretary shall carry out one or more of the following
activities:
``(A) Supporting efforts to increase student
technology literacy as defined in section 2402.
``(B) Supporting and disseminating research to
examine and identify the conditions and practices that
support the effective use of technology in education to
improve teaching, learning, teacher quality, student
achievement, student technology literacy, and the
efficiency and productivity of the education
enterprise.
``(C) Supporting efforts to increase the capacity
of State and local education officials to budget for
technology acquisition and implementation, including
taking into account the long-term costs, how technology
investments could increase effectiveness and
efficiencies that ultimately save other educational
costs or provide improved outcomes, and how spending
for technology in education should be considered in a
comprehensive cost-benefit analysis and not simply as a
supplemental expense.
``(D) Supporting staff at the Department of
Education and other Federal agencies in their
understanding of education technology, its role in
Federal education programs, and how Federal grantees
can be supported in integrating education technologies
into their programs as appropriate.
``(E) Convening stakeholders in an effort to
outline and support a national research and development
agenda aimed at supporting public-private partnerships
to leverage evolving technologies to meet evolving
educational needs.
``(F) Convening practitioners and leaders from
local and State education, business and industry,
higher education, and other stakeholder communities to
carry out the activities described in this paragraph,
including convening an annual forum on classroom
technology best practices, and to otherwise address
challenges and opportunities in the use of technology
to improve teaching, learning, teacher quality, student
achievement, student technology literacy, the
efficiency and productivity of the education enterprise
and to otherwise support school innovation and the
Nation's competitiveness.''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H371)
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
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