Home > 106th Congressional Bills > H.R. 3222 (rh) To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to improve literacy through family literacy projects. [Reported in House] ...H.R. 3222 (rh) To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to improve literacy through family literacy projects. [Reported in House] ...
106th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 3222
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 13, 2000
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to improve
literacy through family literacy projects and to reauthorize the
inexpensive book distribution program.
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 ``Literacy Involves Families Together
Act''.
TITLE I--FAMILY LITERACY
SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 1002(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6302(b)) is amended by striking ``$118,000,000 for
fiscal year 1995 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the four
succeeding fiscal years.'' and inserting ``$250,000,000 for fiscal year
2001.''.
SEC. 102. IMPROVING BASIC PROGRAMS OPERATED BY LOCAL EDUCATIONAL
AGENCIES.
Section 1111(c) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) the State educational agency will encourage local
educational agencies and individual schools participating in a
program assisted under this part to offer family literacy
services (using funds under this part), if the agency or school
determines that a substantial number of students served under
this part by the agency or school have parents who do not have
a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent or who have
low levels of literacy.''.
SEC. 103. EVEN START FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAMS.
(a) Part Heading.--The part heading for part B of title I of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6361 et seq.)
is amended to read as follows:
``PART B--WILLIAM F. GOODLING EVEN START FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAMS''.
(b) Statement of Purpose.--Section 1201 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6361) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``high quality'' after
``build on''; and
(2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
``(2) promote the academic achievement of children and
adults;'';
(3) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (3) and
inserting ``; and''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) use instructional programs based on scientifically
based reading research (as defined in section 2252) and the
prevention of reading difficulties for children and, to the
extent such research is available, scientifically based reading
research (as so defined) for adults.''.
(c) Program Authorized.--
(1) Reservation for migrant programs, outlying areas, and
indian tribes.--Section 1202(a) of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6362(a)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by inserting ``(or, if such
appropriated amount exceeds $200,000,000, 6 percent of
such amount)'' after ``1002(b)'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``If the amount
of funds made available under this subsection exceeds
$4,600,000,'' and inserting ``After the date of the
enactment of the Literacy Involves Families Together
Act,''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Coordination of programs for american indians.--The
Secretary shall ensure that programs under paragraph (1)(C) are
coordinated with family literacy programs operated by the
Bureau of Indian Affairs in order to avoid duplication and to
encourage the dissemination of information on high quality
family literacy programs serving American Indians.''.
(2) Reservation for federal activities.--Section 1202(b) of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
6362(b)) is amended to read as follows:
``(b) Reservation for Federal Activities.--
``(1) Evaluation, technical assistance, program
improvement, and replication activities.--From amounts
appropriated under section 1002(b), the Secretary may reserve
not more than 3 percent of such amounts for purposes of--
``(A) carrying out the evaluation required by
section 1209; and
``(B) providing, through grants or contracts with
eligible organizations, technical assistance, program
improvement, and replication activities.
``(2) Research.--In the case of fiscal years 2001 through
2004, if the amounts appropriated under section 1002(b) for any
of such years exceed such amounts appropriated for the
preceding fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve from such
excess amount $2,000,000 or 50 percent, whichever is less, to
carry out section 1211(b).''.
(d) Reservation for Grants.--Section 1202(c)(1) of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6362(c)(1)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``From funds reserved under section
2260(b)(3), the Secretary shall award grants,'' and inserting
``For any fiscal year for which at least one State applies and
qualifies and for which the amount appropriated under section
1002(b) exceeds the amount appropriated under such section for
the preceding fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve, from
the amount of such excess remaining after the application of
subsection (b)(2), the amount of such remainder or $1,000,000,
whichever is less, to award grants,''; and
(2) by adding at the end ``No State may receive more than
one grant under this subsection.''.
(e) Allocations.--Section 1202(d)(2) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6362(d)(2)) is amended by
striking ``that section'' and inserting ``that part''.
(f) Definitions.--Section 1202(e) of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6362(e)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ``or'' after ``higher
education,'' and inserting ``a religious organization, or'';
and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``nonprofit
organization'' and inserting ``nonprofit organization,
including a religious organization,''.
(g) Subgrants for Local Programs.--Section 1203(b)(2) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6363(b)(2))
is amended to read as follows:
``(2) Minimum subgrant amounts.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraphs (B) and (C), no State shall award a
subgrant under paragraph (1) in an amount less than
$75,000.
``(B) Subgrantees in ninth and succeeding years.--
No State shall award a subgrant under paragraph (1) in
an amount less than $52,500 to an eligible entity for a
fiscal year to carry out an Even Start program that is
receiving assistance under this part or its predecessor
authority for the ninth (or any subsequent) fiscal
year.
``(C) Exception for single subgrant.--A State may
award one subgrant in each fiscal year of sufficient
size, scope, and quality to be effective in an amount
less than $75,000 if, after awarding subgrants under
paragraph (1) for such fiscal year in accordance with
subparagraphs (A) and (B), less than $75,000 is
available to the State to award such subgrants.''.
(h) Uses of Funds.--Section 1204 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6364) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``family-centered
education programs'' and inserting ``family literacy
services''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Use of Funds for Family Literacy Services.--
``(1) In general.--States may use a portion of funds
received under this part to assist eligible entities receiving
a subgrant under section 1203(b) in improving the quality of
family literacy services provided under Even Start programs
under this part, except that in no case may a State's use of
funds for this purpose for a fiscal year result in a decrease
from the level of activities and services provided to program
participants in the preceding year.
``(2) Priority.--In carrying out paragraph (1), a State
shall give priority to programs that were of low quality, as
evaluated based on the indicators of program quality developed
by the State under section 1210.
``(3) Technical assistance to help local programs raise
additional funds.--In carrying out paragraph (1), a State may
use the funds referred to in such paragraph to provide
technical assistance to help local programs of demonstrated
effectiveness to access and leverage additional funds for the
purpose of expanding services and reducing waiting lists.
``(4) Technical assistance and training.--Assistance under
paragraph (1) shall be in the form of technical assistance and
training, provided by a State through a grant, contract, or
cooperative agreement with an entity that has experience in
offering high quality training and technical assistance to
family literacy providers.''.
(i) Program Elements.--Section 1205 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6365) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (9) and (10) as paragraphs
(13) and (14), respectively;
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (8) as
paragraphs (6) through (9), respectively;
(3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
``(5) with respect to the qualifications of staff the cost
of whose salaries are paid, in whole or in part, with Federal
funds provided under this part, ensure that--
``(A) not later than 4 years after the date of the
enactment of the Literacy Involves Families Together
Act--
``(i) a majority of the individuals
providing academic instruction--
``(I) shall have obtained an
associate's, bachelor's, or graduate
degree in a field related to early
childhood education, elementary school
education, or adult education; or
``(II) shall meet qualifications
established by the State for early
childhood education, elementary school
education, or adult education provided
as part of an Even Start program or
another family literacy program;
``(ii) the individual responsible for
administration of family literacy services
under this part has received training in the
operation of a family literacy program; and
``(iii) paraprofessionals who provide
support for academic instruction have a high
school diploma or its recognized equivalent;
and
``(B) beginning on the date of the enactment of the
Literacy Involves Families Together Act, all new
personnel hired to provide academic instruction--
``(i) have obtained an associate's,
bachelor's, or graduate degree in a field
related to early childhood education,
elementary school education, or adult
education; or
``(ii) meet qualifications established by
the State for early childhood education,
elementary school education, or adult education
provided as part of an Even Start program or
another family literacy program;'';
(4) by inserting after paragraph (9) (as so redesignated by
paragraph (2)) the following:
``(10) use instructional programs based on scientifically
based reading research (as defined in section 2252) for
children and, to the extent such research is available, for
adults;
``(11) encourage participating families to attend regularly
and to remain in the program a sufficient time to meet their
program goals;
``(12) include reading readiness activities for preschool
children based on scientifically based reading research (as
defined in section 2252) to ensure children enter school ready
to learn to read;''; and
(5) in paragraph (14) (as so redesignated), by striking
``program.'' and inserting ``program to be used for program
improvement.''.
(j) Eligible Participants.--Section 1206 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6366) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1)(B) by striking ``part;'' and
inserting ``part, or who are attending secondary school;''; and
(2) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Children 8 years of age or older.--If an Even Start
program assisted under this part collaborates with a program
under part A, and funds received under such part A program
contribute to paying the cost of providing programs under this
part to children 8 years of age or older, the Even Start
program, notwithstanding subsection (a)(2), may permit the
participation of children 8 years of age or older.''.
(k) Plan.--Section 1207(c) of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6367(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
inserting ``and continuous improvement'' after ``plan
of operation'';
(B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``goals;'' and
inserting ``objectives, strategies to meet such
objectives, and how they are consistent with the
program indicators established by the State;'';
(C) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(D) in subparagraph (F)--
(i) by striking ``Act, the Goals 2000:
Educate America Act,'' and inserting ``Act'';
and
(ii) by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(E) by adding at the end the following:
``(G) a description of how the plan provides for
rigorous and objective evaluation of progress toward
the program objectives described in subparagraph (A)
and for continuing use of evaluation data for program
improvement.''; and
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