Time for Innovation Matters in Education Act of 2011 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award competitive matching grants to states to enable them to award competitive subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) or partnerships between LEAs and other public or nonprofit entities to plan and implement expanded learning time initiatives at high-need schools that they serve.
Requires such initiatives to: (1) increase the total number of school hours each year at participant schools by at least 300 hours, compared to the school hours per year that are standard for comparable schools served by their LEAs; and (2) expand learning time for all students in all grade levels in such schools, though on-site prekindergarten programs may be excepted.
Directs states to give subgrant priority to entities that: (1) serve a high percentage of students from low-income families; (2) include a nonprofit community-based organization experienced in expanding learning opportunities or helping schools redesign their educational programs; (3) take certain steps to facilitate collaboration between high-need schools and community partners; and (4) will coordinate this Act's funding with other federal, state, local, and private funding to implement high-quality expanded learning time initiatives in high-need schools.
Permits the Secretary to: (1) award planning and implementation grants directly to a partnership that serves more that one area in more than one state, and (2) provide technical assistance to grantees and subgrantees in developing and implementing expanded learning time initiatives.
Requires the Secretary to contract with an independent organization with expertise in school improvement, program evaluation, and measurement to evaluate this Act's program and provide technical assistance to grantees and subgrantees in collecting data and evaluating their programs pursuant to specified performance measures.
[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1636 Introduced in House (IH)]
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1636
To establish expanded learning time initiatives, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 15, 2011
Mr. Payne (for himself, Mr. Chabot, and Mr. Honda) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and
the Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish expanded learning time initiatives, and for other
purposes.
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 ``Time for Innovation Matters in
Education Act of 2011''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Although the demands of our global society have grown
and expectations of our students and schools have risen, the
time allotted for students and teachers to reach these
standards has remained the same for decades.
(2) The near-universal school calendar, consisting of 180
6-hour days, has not changed since the school calendar was
designed to meet the needs of farms and factories in the early
20th century.
(3) According to the Programme for International Student
Assessment (PISA), which measures how well students from more
than 70 economies are prepared to meet the challenges they may
encounter in the future, students in the United States have
maintained a status quo for nearly 1 decade, while the
mathematics and reading ratings of students from other high-
performing nations surpass the ratings of students in the
United States.
(4) Quality expanded learning programs, which provide
students with more than 300 additional school hours per year,
have demonstrated success in improving student academic
performance across the United States.
(5) Expanded learning time initiatives can address the
diverse academic needs and interests of students and modernize
public schools to help students develop 21st century learning
skills and prepare all students for life-long success.
(6) As of the date of enactment of this Act, most expanded
learning opportunities are offered through charter schools or
schools with independent organizational structures, but
expanded learning time could positively impact all public
school students, from prekindergarten through grade 12.
SEC. 3. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to increase opportunities for students in high-need
schools to participate in expanded learning time initiatives,
including expanded school days, expanded school weeks, or
expanded school years, in order to increase student academic
achievement and student engagement and success in schools, by--
(A) providing students with more in-depth and
rigorous learning opportunities in reading or language
arts, mathematics, science, history and civics, and
other core academic subjects;
(B) providing students with more time for
additional subjects and enrichment activities that
contribute to a well-rounded education, which may
include music and the arts, physical education,
service-learning, and experiential and work-based
learning opportunities (such as community service,
learning apprenticeships, internships, and job
shadowing); and
(C) providing teachers with increased opportunities
to work collaboratively, and to participate in common
planning, within and across grades and subjects, to
improve instruction;
(2) to improve teaching and learning by using expanded
learning, including school redesign, to--
(A) create a seamless program or curriculum with
regular and expanded teaching and learning
opportunities within a school program that is
comprehensively redesigned for students and teachers;
and
(B) improve access to instructional supports for
academically struggling students;
(3) to encourage States, local educational agencies, and
schools to develop high-quality, innovative, replicable, and
sustainable initiatives to expand learning time, including
using school redesign; and
(4) to create partnerships between schools and local
educational agencies, and external organizations such as
community-based organizations, institutions of higher
education, community learning centers, cultural organizations,
and health and mental health agencies to provide expanded
learning opportunities for students.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS AND REFERENCES.
(a) Definitions.--In this Act:
(1) Elementary and secondary education act terms.--The
terms ``community-based organization'', ``core academic
subjects'', ``elementary school'', ``highly qualified'',
``institution of higher education'', ``local educational
agency'', ``other staff'', ``parent'', ``professional
development'', ``secondary school'', ``Secretary'', ``State'',
and ``State educational agency'' have the meanings given the
terms in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(2) Community learning center.--The term ``community
learning center'' means a community learning center, as defined
in section 4201(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7171(b)), that receives assistance under
part B of title IV of such Act.
(3) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) 1 or more local educational agencies; or
(B) a partnership that includes 1 or more local
educational agencies and 1 or more of the following:
(i) A nonprofit community-based
organization, such as--
(I) an organization with
demonstrated experience in expanding
learning opportunities and helping
schools redesign their educational
programs to better meet student needs;
or
(II) an organization focused on
alternative learning or dropout
prevention.
(ii) An institution of higher education.
(iii) A community learning center.
(iv) An entity that is carrying out an
after-school program.
(v) A public or nonprofit entity.
(4) Expanded learning time initiative.--The term ``expanded
learning time initiative'' means a program that--
(A) uses an expanded school day, expanded school
week, or expanded school year schedule, that increases
the total number of school hours for the school year at
a school by not less than 300 hours (which shall
include hours in which a student is engaged in academic
activities, experiential learning, work-based learning,
and enrichment, but shall not include hours in which a
student is engaged in sports or employment
activities)--
(i) compared to the school year that is
standard for the local educational agency
serving the school, for schools of the
comparable level (elementary school, middle
school, or high school, as defined under
applicable State law); or
(ii) in the case of a charter school that
is its own local educational agency, compared
to the school year that is standard for local
educational agencies in the surrounding area,
for schools of the comparable level;
(B) uses the expanded learning time involved to
redesign the school's program in a manner that includes
additional time--
(i) for academic work, and to support
innovation in teaching, to improve the
proficiency of participating students
(particularly struggling students) in reading
or language arts, mathematics, science, history
and civics, and other core academic subjects;
(ii) to advance student learning for all
students, including those who already meet or
exceed student academic achievement standards,
as measured by State academic assessments
required under section 1111(b)(3) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(3));
(iii) for additional subjects and
enrichment activities that contribute to a
well-rounded education, which may include music
and the arts, physical education, service-
learning, and experiential and work-based
learning opportunities (such as community
service, learning apprenticeships, internships,
and job shadowing); and
(iv) for teachers for collaboration, and
common planning, within and across grades and
subjects; and
(C) will expand learning time for all students in
all grade levels in the school, except that--
(i) the program shall not require secondary
schools to have all students on campus at all
times; and
(ii) a school that includes an on-site
prekindergarten-level program may choose
whether or not to expand the learning time of
such program, however, if the school decides to
provide expanded learning time for
prekindergarten, the school must do so for all
students enrolled in prekindergarten at the
school.
(5) Expanded learning time school.--The term ``expanded
learning time school'' means a school that has implemented an
expanded learning time initiative using funds received under
this Act.
(6) Graduation rate.--The term ``graduation rate'' means a
graduation rate as defined in section 1111(b)(2)(C)(vi) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
6311(b)(2)(C)(vi)) and clarified by section 200.19(b) of title
34, Code of Federal Regulations, or any corresponding similar
regulation or ruling.
(7) High-need school.--
(A) In general.--The term ``high-need school''
means--
(i) a public elementary school or secondary
school at which 50 percent or more of the
students are low-income students; or
(ii) a high school with a graduation rate
of less than 75 percent.
(8) High school.--The term ``high school'' means a public
high school, as defined under applicable State law.
(9) Low-income student.--The term ``low-income student''
means a student who is eligible to be counted under 1 of the
measures of poverty described in section 1113(a)(5) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
6313(a)(5)).
(10) Redesign.--The term ``redesign'', used with respect to
a school or school program, means a process to significantly
reconfigure a school's or program's schedule in a manner that
more effectively utilizes students and teachers' time,
including providing additional time--
(A) for academic work and to support innovation in
the teaching of core academic subjects;
(B) for teachers to collaborate and conduct common
planning; and
(C) for innovative approaches to providing
academic, experiential, and work-based learning
opportunities.
(b) References.--In this Act--
(1) a reference to a school day, school week, or school
year includes a reference to a combination thereof; and
(2) a reference to a school day, school week, or school
year program (or schedule) includes a reference to a
combination thereof.
SEC. 5. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.
(a) Grants to State Educational Agencies.--From the amount
appropriated under section 12, the Secretary is authorized to award
grants on a competitive basis under section 6 to State educational
agencies having applications approved pursuant to section 6(c) to
enable such agencies to award subgrants on a competitive basis to
eligible entities as described in sections 7 and 8.
(b) Reservation.--From the amount made available under this Act for
each fiscal year, the Secretary may reserve--
(1) 3 percent of the amount to carry out the activities
described in section 10; and
(2) from the remainder--
(A) not more than 20 percent of the remainder to
award grants under section 9; and
(B) not more than $1,000,000 to carry out the
review of applications for, selection of recipients of,
and distribution of, grants to State educational
agencies and eligible entities under sections 6 and 9.
SEC. 6. GRANTS TO STATE EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES.
(a) Grants.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to award
grants to State educational agencies on a competitive basis to
assist the agencies in developing State expanded learning time
grant programs in accordance with this Act, which shall involve
awarding subgrants on a competitive basis to eligible entities
in accordance with this Act, to plan and implement expanded
learning time initiatives in high-need schools.
(2) Distribution.--The Secretary shall ensure that grants
awarded under this section and section 9 are distributed to
State educational agencies and eligible entities from diverse
geographical regions.
(b) Duration.--The Secretary shall award grants described in
subsection (a) for an initial period of not more than 4 years, and
shall renew a State educational agency's grant for an additional period
of not more than 2 years if the Secretary finds that the State
educational agency is achieving the objectives of the grant and has
shown improvement against baseline data on the performance indicators
described in subsection (d)(4).
(c) Applications.--Each State educational agency desiring to
receive 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. At a minimum, each State
educational agency application shall include--
(1) a description of how the State educational agency will
use grant funds under this section;
(2) a description of the peer review process and selection
criteria the State educational agency will use to evaluate
applications from, and select, eligible entities to receive
expanded learning time planning and implementation subgrants,
which shall include--
(A) a description of how the State educational
agency will assess the capacity of eligible entities to
plan and implement high-quality expanded learning time
initiatives; and
(B) a description of how the State educational
agency will prioritize applications from eligible
entities that meet the requirements of section 7(f);
(3) a description of the process the State educational
agency will use to encourage local educational agencies and
schools, especially local educational agencies and schools with
a high percentage of low-income students, to implement expanded
learning time initiatives;
(4) a description of how the State educational agency will
provide, or has provided, technical assistance and support to
eligible entities, local educational agencies, and schools
receiving funds through the State educational agency under this
Act, in implementing expanded learning time initiatives,
including--
(A) assisting local educational agencies in
identifying potential partners that are external
organizations with demonstrated experience in expanding
learning opportunities and helping schools redesign
their educational programs to better meet student
needs; and
(B) assisting eligible entities, local educational
agencies, and schools in collecting, reviewing, and
analyzing data on student academic achievement;
(5) a description of how the State educational agency will
use the expanded learning time grant program, and lessons
learned from such program--
(A) to improve schools that have not made adequate
yearly progress under section 1111(b)(2) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)) for 2 or more consecutive years; and
(B) to improve student academic achievement at such
schools;
(6) a description of how the State educational agency will
evaluate, on a regular basis, activities carried out by
eligible entities receiving funds through the State educational
agency under this Act;
(7) a description of how the State educational agency will
collect, analyze, and disseminate, to local educational
agencies and other schools within the State, information on
best practices learned from schools receiving funding under
this Act, including best practices for--
(A) improving schools that have not made adequate
yearly progress under section 1111(b)(2) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)) for 2 or more years; and
(B) improving student academic achievement at such
schools;
(8) an assurance that the State educational agency, and any
eligible entity receiving funds through the State educational
agency under this Act, will, if requested, participate in the
evaluation described in section 10(b)(3); and
(9) information identifying the per-pupil funding amount
range the State will use to establish the correct amount of
subgrants that will be awarded to local educational agencies
under section 8(c).
(d) Authorized Activities.--
(1) Distribution.--A State educational agency that receives
a grant under this section--
(A) may reserve not more than 10 percent of the
grant funds to carry out the activities described in
paragraphs (2) through (4); and
(B) shall use an amount consisting of not less than
90 percent of the grant funds to award subgrants, on a
competitive basis, to eligible entities under section 7
or section 8 to enable the eligible entities to carry
out the authorized activities described in section 7(e)
or 8(f), except that not more than 10 percent of that
amount shall be used for subgrants under section 7.
(2) State-level planning and administration.--A State
educational agency that receives a grant under this section may
use grant funds reserved under paragraph (1)(A) for planning
and administration, including--
(A) evaluating applications from eligible entities;
(B) administering the distribution of subgrants to
eligible entities; and
(C) assessing and evaluating, on a regular basis,
activities carried out by eligible entities receiving
funds through the State educational agency under this
Act.
(3) Technical assistance for eligible entities.--A State
educational agency that receives a grant under this section may
use grant funds reserved under paragraph (1)(A) for technical
assistance, including--
(A) assisting eligible entities in planning and
implementing expanded learning time initiatives,
including assisting local educational agencies in
identifying potential partners that are external
organizations with demonstrated experience in expanding
learning opportunities and helping schools redesign
their educational programs to better meet student
needs;
(B) implementing a program of professional
development for teachers and administrators, in schools
that receive funding under this Act, that prepares
teachers and administrators to implement the authorized
activities described in section 8(f); and
(C) identifying best practices for using expanded
learning time to improve student academic achievement
in schools that have not made adequate yearly progress
under section 1111(b)(2) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2))
for 2 or more years, and providing technical assistance
to local educational agencies in using such best
practices to implement expanded learning time in such
schools.
(4) Evaluation and reporting.--A State educational agency
that receives a grant under this section shall annually prepare
and submit to the Secretary a report that contains all reports
submitted by eligible entities under section 8(g), and provide
an evaluation of progress made by eligible entities in
improving the following (disaggregated by the student subgroups
described in section 1111(b)(2)(C)(v)(II) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965):
(A) student academic achievement and growth, as
measured by State academic assessments required under
section 1111(b)(3) of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965;
(B) for high schools--
(i) graduation rates;
(ii) rates of student enrollment in an
institution of higher education (as defined
under section 101(a) of the Higher Education
Act of 1965) within 16 months of receiving a
regular high school diploma; and
(iii) rates of remediation and credit
accumulation of students who enroll in a public
institution of higher education (as defined in
section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of
1965) within the State;
(C) performance on a set of comprehensive school
performance indicators, which--
(i) shall include--
(I) student attendance;
(II) as appropriate, rate of earned
on-time promotion from grade to grade;
(III) percentage of students
failing a credit-bearing mathematics,
reading or language arts, or science
course, or failing 2 or more courses in
any subjects; and
(IV) for high schools, the
percentage of students taking a
curriculum that prepares students for
postsecondary education; and
(ii) for high schools, may include student
rates of attainment of an associate or
baccalaureate degree within 4, 5, and 6 years.
(e) Match.--
(1) In general.--Each State educational agency that
receives a grant under this section shall provide matching
funds to carry out the activities supported by the grant in an
amount not less than--
(A) for the first year of an initial grant under
this section, 10 percent of the cost of the activities;
(B) for the second year of such a grant, 20 percent
of the cost of the activities;
(C) for the third year of such grant, or the first
year of a subsequent grant under this section, 25
percent of the cost of the activities; and
(D) for the second or any succeeding year of such
subsequent grant, 30 percent of the cost of the
activities.
(2) Matching funds.--The State educational agency may
provide the matching funds in cash or in kind, fairly
evaluated, including plant, equipment, or services, but may not
provide more than 50 percent of the matching funds in kind. The
State educational agency may provide the matching funds from
State, local, or private sources.
(f) Supplement Not Supplant.--Funds used to make grants under this
Act shall be used to supplement and not supplant other Federal, State,
and local public funds expended to plan or implement expanded learning
time initiatives.
SEC. 7. EXPANDED LEARNING TIME PLANNING SUBGRANTS.
(a) Subgrants Authorized.--A State educational agency receiving a
grant under section 6 is authorized to award expanded learning time
planning subgrants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities.
(b) Duration.--The State educational agency shall award each
subgrant described in subsection (a) for a period of not more than 1
year. Such grants shall be nonrenewable.
(c) Subgrant Amount.--The State educational agency shall award each
subgrant described in subsection (a) in an amount that is not less than
$15,000 and not more than $60,000.
(d) Applications.--Each eligible entity desiring to receive an
expanded learning time planning subgrant pursuant to this section shall
submit an application to the State educational agency at such time and
in such manner as the agency may require. At a minimum, the eligible
entity's application shall include--
(1) a description of the eligible entity's proposal to
establish expanded learning time initiatives, including school
redesign, at high-need schools served by the eligible entity;
(2) information identifying the number of high-need schools
the eligible entity proposes to serve using funds made
available under this Act, and a description of the process,
considerations, and criteria the eligible entity will use to
select schools to implement the expanded learning time
initiatives--
(A) which considerations shall include the
percentage of low-income students attending each
school; and
(B) which criteria shall include the local
educational agency's determination of the capacity of
each school to implement successfully a proposed
expanded learning time initiative;
(3) a description of the process by which the eligible
entity will ensure the meaningful involvement of teachers,
teacher organizations, parents, and community-based
organizations in the development of the expanded learning time
initiatives;
(4) a description of how the local educational agency
involved and participating high-need schools will work with
external organizations that comprise the eligible entity
involved, and any other external organizations as applicable
(such as a community-based organization, an institution of
higher education, a community learning center, an entity
carrying out an after-school program, or an organization that
will provide students with internships and work-based learning
opportunities) to develop and implement expanded learning time
initiatives;
(5) an assurance that the eligible entity has the
infrastructure in place to collect the data necessary for an
evaluation of the impact of the expanded learning time
initiatives on student academic achievement, graduation rates,
and indicators described in section 6(d)(4), to be submitted in
the report described in section 8(g); and
(6) an assurance that each participating local educational
agency will use the subgrant period to negotiate and reach an
agreement with the recognized representatives of the employees
of each participating high-need school served by the agency or,
where there is no such representative, with the employees of
each participating high-need school served by the agency.
(e) Authorized Activities.--An eligible entity receiving a subgrant
under this section shall use the subgrant funds to develop a detailed
plan to implement expanded learning time initiatives at high-need
schools served by the eligible entity, as specified in this section.
(f) Priority.--In awarding subgrants under this section, a State
educational agency shall give priority to an application from an
eligible entity that--
(1) serves a high percentage of students eligible to be
counted under section 1124(c)(1)(A) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6333(c)(1)(A));
(2) includes a nonprofit community-based organization with
a demonstrated record of success in expanding learning
opportunities or helping schools redesign their educational
programs to better meet student needs;
(3) has identified a coordinator at each high-need school
that will participate in the expanded learning time initiative
to support the integration and alignment of community partners
for the school, and the programming of such partners,
throughout the expanded school day or year;
(4) will require each high-need school that will
participate in the expanded learning time initiative to have a
partnership agreement, signed by representatives of the school
and all community partners that will be part of the initiative,
that--
(A) shows commitment from teachers, school leaders,
and the staff of community partners to work
collaboratively to implement the expanded learning time
initiative;
(B) sets clear expectations, including measurable
goals for all community partners; and
(C) shows that staff from all community partners
are committed to collecting and reporting to the school
relevant data about the participation, performance, and
outcomes of expanded learning time programs in order to
monitor progress toward achieving such goals, and that
the school is committed to sharing information with the
community partners, as necessary and appropriate, to
assist the community partners in meeting such goals;
and
(5) will coordinate funds received under this Act with
other Federal, State, local, or private sources of funding in
order to implement high-quality expanded learning time
initiatives in participating schools.
SEC. 8. EXPANDED LEARNING TIME IMPLEMENTATION SUBGRANTS.
(a) Subgrants Authorized.--A State educational agency receiving a
grant under section 6 is authorized to award expanded learning time
implementation subgrants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities
that have received subgrants pursuant to section 7.
(b) Duration.--The State educational agency shall award each
subgrant described in subsection (a) for an initial period of not more
than 3 years, and shall renew such subgrant for an additional period of
not more than 2 years if the State educational agency finds that the
eligible entity is achieving the objectives of the subgrant and has
shown improvement against baseline data on the performance indicators
described in section 6(d)(4).
(c) Subgrant Amount.--In awarding a subgrant described in
subsection (a) to an eligible entity, a State educational agency shall
determine the amount of the subgrant by taking into account the number
of students expected to participate in the expanded learning time
initiatives involved, as specified in the application submitted by the
eligible entity under subsection (d), and the approximate per student
cost of implementing a high-quality expanded learning time initiative.
(d) Applications.--Each eligible entity desiring to receive an
expanded learning time implementation subgrant pursuant to this section
shall submit an application to the State educational agency at such
time and in such manner as the agency may require. At a minimum, the
eligible entity's application shall include--
(1) an identification and description of each high-need
school (selected in accordance with the process,
considerations, and criteria described in section 7(d)(2)) that
will receive funding from the eligible entity to participate in
an expanded learning time initiative, including--
(A) the number of students that will be served
through the initiative at the school; and
(B) student academic achievement, demographic, and
socioeconomic data for students at the school;
(2) a description of how the eligible entity will implement
at each such school an expanded learning time initiative that
involves an expanded school day, expanded school week, or
expanded school year schedule, and school redesign at each such
school consistent with section 4(a)(4)(A), which description
shall include--
(A) a description of how the expanded learning time
schedule will expand learning time by not less than 300
hours, consistent with section 4(a)(4); and
(B) a description of how the eligible entity will
meet each of the other requirements of the definition
in section 4(a)(4);
(3) a description of the plan the eligible entity will use
to evaluate, on an annual basis, the impact of each expanded
learning time initiative, based on measures of student academic
achievement, student engagement and success, and other
appropriate measures;
(4) a description of the additional subjects and enrichment
activities that will be offered at each such school that
contribute to a well-rounded education;
(5) a comprehensive plan, developed in collaboration with
teachers and, as appropriate, other staff, for professional
development at each such school that includes a description of
intended changes in teaching practices and curriculum delivery
that will result in improved student academic achievement and
student engagement and success;
(6) a description of how the eligible entity will use the
expanded learning time initiatives, and lessons learned from
such initiatives, to improve student academic achievement in
schools that have not made adequate yearly progress under
section 1111(b)(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)) for 2 or more consecutive
years;
(7) evidence of an agreement reached between each
participating local educational agency and the exclusive
recognized representative of the employees of each
participating high-need school served by the agency, for
employees to work the expanded learning time schedules
involved, or if there is no such representative, evidence of an
agreement supported by at least \2/3\ of the employees of each
participating high-need school served by the local educational
agency, to work the expanded learning time schedules involved;
(8) a description of how the local educational agency
involved and participating high-need schools will work with
external organizations that comprise the eligible entity
involved, and any other external organizations as applicable
(such as a community-based organization, an institution of
higher education, a community learning center, an entity
carrying out an after-school program, or an organization that
will provide students with internships and work-based learning
opportunities) to implement expanded learning time initiatives,
including a description of the specific roles and
responsibilities of such external organizations;
(9) a description of the process by which the eligible
entity ensured the meaningful involvement of teachers, teacher
organizations, where applicable, administrators, parents, and
community-based organizations in the development (including the
design) of the expanded learning time initiatives;
(10) an assurance that the eligible entity will work with a
community learning center, or an entity carrying out an after-
school program, where appropriate, to provide after-school
programs for students participating in the expanded learning
time initiatives after the conclusion of the school day; and
(11) an assurance that the eligible entity will report to
the State educational agency all data necessary for the State
educational agency's report, under section 6(d)(4).
(e) Priority.--In awarding subgrants under this section, a State
educational agency shall give priority to an application from an
eligible entity that meets the criteria described in section 7(f).
(f) Authorized Activities.--An eligible entity receiving a subgrant
under this section shall use the subgrant funds to implement high-
quality expanded learning time initiatives, at high-need schools served
by such eligible entity, that are consistent with section 4(a)(4).
(g) Reports by Eligible Entities.--Each eligible entity receiving a
subgrant under this section for expanded learning time initiatives
shall, not later than 1 year after the first day of the first school
year in which the expanded learning time initiatives were implemented,
prepare and submit to the State educational agency a report--
(1) containing a detailed description of the expanded
learning time initiatives carried out;
(2) regarding the technical assistance the eligible entity
provided to expanded learning time schools;
(3) for each expanded learning time school--
(A) regarding the budget for, and actual expenses
associated with carrying out, the expanded learning
time initiatives in the first school year; and
(B) regarding the amount of time by which the
school day, school week, or school year, was expanded
in the school; and
(4) containing information on the impact of the expanded
learning time initiatives, including--
(A) data on student academic achievement and growth
as measured by State academic assessments required
under section 1111(b)(3) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(3));
(B) graduation rates; and
(C) indicators described in section 6(d)(4).
(h) Publication and Availability of Report Summaries.--The
Secretary shall publish and make widely available to the public,
including through a website or other means, a summary of the eligible
entity reports received under section 6(d)(4) and subsection (g).
SEC. 9. GRANTS TO ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary may award a grant under this section
to an eligible entity that serves 1 or more areas within 1 or more
States.
(b) Planning and Implementation Grants.--The Secretary may award a
planning grant under subsection (a), to the eligible entity, to carry
out the activities described in section 7(e). In the case of an
eligible entity that has received a planning grant under subsection
(a), the Secretary may award an implementation grant under subsection
(a) to the eligible entity, to carry out the activities described in
section 8(f).
(c) Applications.--
(1) In general.--To be qualified to receive a grant under
subsection (a), an eligible entity shall submit to the
Secretary an application that contains the following:
(A) If the application is for a planning grant--
(i) information describing how the entity
will undertake the activities described in
section 6(c)(7); and
(ii) the information described in section
7(d).
(B) If the application is for an implementation
grant, the information described in section 8(d), other
than paragraph (11) of that section.
(2) Priority.--In determining whether to award a grant
under subsection (a) to an eligible entity, the Secretary shall
give priority to an eligible entity that meets the criteria
described in section 7(f).
(d) Period; Amount.--The subgrant period and amount described in
subsections (b) and (c) of section 7 or 8, as appropriate, shall apply
to the grant.
(e) Authorities; Responsibilities.--The eligible entity shall have
the same authorities and responsibilities under this Act as an eligible
entity that receives a subgrant under section 7 or 8, as appropriate.
In carrying out the report responsibilities described in section 8(g),
the eligible entity shall submit the reports to the Secretary.
(f) Match.--
(1) In general.--Each eligible entity that receives an
implementation grant under this section shall comply with the
matching requirements described in section 6(e)(1), except that
references in that section to a grant under section 6 shall be
considered to be references to an implementation grant under
this section.
(2) Matching funds.--The eligible entity may provide the
matching funds in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including
plant, equipment, or services, but may not provide more than 50
percent of the matching funds in kind. The eligible entity may
provide the matching funds from State, local, or private
sources, or Federal sources under the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.).
SEC. 10. NATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
(a) Technical Assistance and Support.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to provide,
directly or by entering into a contract with an independent
organization, technical assistance to State educational
agencies, eligible entities, including eligible entities
receiving grants under section 9, local educational agencies,
and schools in developing and implementing expanded learning
time initiatives under this Act.
(2) Provision of assistance.--The Secretary or such
organization shall provide technical assistance that shall
include--
(A) assisting State educational agencies (and
eligible entities receiving grants under section 9, at
the election of the Secretary) with developing expanded
learning time initiatives; and
(B) identifying and disseminating information about
eligible entities, local educational agencies, and
schools that have effectively planned and implemented
expanded learning time initiatives, including schools
that have implemented such initiatives to improve
student academic achievement in schools that previously
had not made adequate yearly progress under section
1111(b)(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)) for 2 or more years.
(b) Evaluation and Dissemination.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall enter into a contract
with an independent organization with expertise in school
improvement, program evaluation, and measurement (such as an
institution of higher education or other research organization)
to assist with the provision of the technical assistance, and
conduct the evaluation and analyses, described in this
subsection.
(2) Technical assistance on data collection and measures.--
(A) In general.--The independent organization shall
provide technical assistance to State educational
agencies and eligible entities receiving funds under
this Act with data collection and analysis of--
(i) measures of student academic
achievement and student engagement and success,
including the indicators and other measures
described in section 6(d)(4);
(ii) measures of teacher collaboration and
common planning; and
(iii) detailed measures of the amount of
time devoted to core academic subjects and
additional subjects and enrichment activities.
(B) Special rule for eligible entities receiving
grants under section 9.--If an eligible entity receives
a grant under section 9, the eligible entity shall
establish measures in lieu of the measures described in
subparagraph (A) to assess the success of the eligible
entity and schools receiving funds through the eligible
entity under this Act.
(3) Report.--
(A) In general.--The independent organization shall
prepare a report that shall include the evaluation
described in subparagraph (B), including the analyses
described in subparagraph (C), and the analyses
described in subparagraph (D).
(B) Evaluation.--The independent organization shall
conduct an evaluation of the impact and implementation
of the program funded under this Act, which evaluation
shall rely in part on the reports prepared by States
under section 6(d)(4) and eligible entities pursuant to
section 8(g) (including reports described in section
9(e)).
(C) Contents.--In conducting the evaluation, the
independent organization shall conduct an analysis of
the impact of the expanded learning time initiatives
funded under this Act, by analyzing data on the
measures described in paragraph (2) and other
appropriate measures for students participating in
expanded learning time initiatives in all expanded
learning time schools, with results from that analysis
disaggregated by expanded school day, expanded school
week, or expanded school year program, as appropriate.
(D) Analyses.--The independent organization shall
conduct--
(i) a comparative analysis of how variation
in school design, instructional practices, and
other conditions influence the success of the
implementation of the expanded learning time
initiatives;
(ii) a comparative analysis of the
conditions and activities that impact the
planning and implementation of the expanded
learning time initiatives, including--
(I) teaching and leadership
practices at a school;
(II) student and teacher schedules;
(III) the additional costs of
operating an expanded learning time
school;
(IV) how the additional school
hours required for the initiative
involved are used to enhance teaching
and learning; and
(V) how external organizations are
utilized for the initiative;
(iii) an analysis of the similarities and
differences in the ways in which schools
implemented an expanded school day, expanded
school week, or expanded school year schedule;
and
(iv) any other analysis requested by the
Secretary.
(4) Dissemination.--The independent organization shall
submit the report described in paragraph (3) to Congress and
the Secretary, and disseminate the report to the general
public. The Secretary shall ensure that the report described in
paragraph (3) is provided to eligible entities and local
educational agencies on a periodic basis for use in improving
initiatives.
SEC. 11. CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to alter or otherwise affect
the rights, remedies, and procedures afforded to the employees of local
educational agencies under Federal, State, or local law (including
applicable regulations or court orders) or under the terms of
collective bargaining agreements, memoranda of understanding, or other
agreements between such employees and their employers.
SEC. 12. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act such
sums as may be necessary.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
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