English Learning and Innovation Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to award renewable, competitive grants to states, local educational agencies (LEAs), and public charter schools or charter school management organizations to carry out activities that result in English learners becoming proficient in English so that they can access the knowledge needed to meet state academic content standards and be ready for postsecondary education and careers (innovation grants).
Includes among those activities: (1) improving instructional programs, including through the use of dual-language or bilingual education; (2) ensuring that English learners are taught by effective teachers at schools administered by effective principals; (3) increasing the ability of the families of English learners to engage in their child's education and development; and (4) expanding best practices to other schools or LEAs.
Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive capacity building grants to states and LEAs that have experienced a significant increase in English learners for use in building their capacity to provide quality instruction to English learners and their parents and become competitive in applying for an innovation grant.
Directs the Secretary to establish indicators to measure the success of this Act's grant programs.
Requires this Act's grantees to: (1) develop, and submit for the Secretary's approval, quantifiable benchmarks for evaluating their grant activities; and (2) provide the Secretary with an annual report on their progress toward those benchmarks.
[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5219 Introduced in House (IH)]
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5219
To promote innovative practices for the education of English learners
and to help States and local educational agencies with English learner
populations build capacity to ensure that English learners receive
high-quality instruction that enables them to become proficient in
English, access the academic content knowledge needed to meet State
challenging academic content standards, and be prepared for
postsecondary education and careers.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 28, 2014
Mr. Garcia (for himself, Mr. Polis, and Mr. Cardenas) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and
the Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To promote innovative practices for the education of English learners
and to help States and local educational agencies with English learner
populations build capacity to ensure that English learners receive
high-quality instruction that enables them to become proficient in
English, access the academic content knowledge needed to meet State
challenging academic content standards, and be prepared for
postsecondary education and careers.
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 ``English Learning and Innovation
Act''.
SEC. 2. ENGLISH LEARNER INNOVATION GRANTS.
(a) In General.--Title III of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6801 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 3001(a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and part C''
after ``part B''; and
(B) by adding at the end of the following:
``(3) English learner innovation grants.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out part C, $100,000,000
for fiscal year 2015 and each of the 5 succeeding fiscal
years.'';
(2) by redesignating part C as part D;
(3) by redesignating sections 3301 through 3304 as sections
3401 through 3404, respectively;
(4) in section 3111(c)(1)(C), by striking ``3303'' each
place the term appears and inserting ``3403'';
(5) in section 3116(d)(1), by striking ``3302'' and
inserting ``3402''; and
(6) by inserting after part B the following:
``PART C--ENGLISH LEARNER INNOVATION GRANTS.
``SEC. 3301. PURPOSE.
``The purposes of this part are--
``(1) to support eligible entities and eligible agencies in
developing and strengthening innovative systems that support
high-quality instruction for a diverse group of English
learners, including English learners who have entered a school
in the United States after elementary school or English
learners who have been in schools in the United States for more
than 5 years without achieving English language proficiency (as
determined through the assessment described in section
1111(b)(7)), or both; and
``(2) to encourage successful strategies in providing
coordinated literacy and parent engagement service models for
low-literate limited English proficient parents of English
learners.
``SEC. 3302. INNOVATION GRANTS.
``(a) Program Authorized.--From amounts appropriated under section
3001(a)(3), the Secretary may award grants, on a competitive basis, to
eligible entities that have demonstrated progress in establishing and
committing to provide high-quality instruction that results in the
ability of English learners to achieve English language proficiency and
to demonstrate content mastery in core academic subjects to enable such
eligible entities to carry out the activities described in subsection
(f).
``(b) Duration.--
``(1) In general.--Grants awarded under this section shall
be for a period of not more than 4 years.
``(2) Renewal.--The Secretary may renew a grant under this
section for an additional 2-year period, if the eligible entity
demonstrates success in--
``(A) improving the English language proficiency of
students served by the grant program, as measured by
the assessment described in section 1111(b)(7);
``(B) increasing the percentage of English learners
who achieve proficiency on the State academic
assessment in mathematics, reading or language arts,
and science, as described in section 1111(b)(3);
``(C) increasing the percentage of secondary school
students who achieve proficiency in core academic
subjects;
``(D) increasing the awareness and knowledge of the
education system for parents of English learners;
``(E) improving the English language proficiency
and literacy skills of parents served by the grant
program; and
``(F) increasing the graduation rate, as defined in
section 1111(b)(2)(C)(vi) and clarified in section
200.19(b)(1) of title 34, Code of Federal Regulations,
for English learners.
``(c) Eligible Entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
``(1) a State educational agency;
``(2) a local educational agency; or
``(3) a public charter school or a charter school
management organization.
``(d) Applications.--
``(1) In general.--An eligible entity desiring a grant
under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary
at such time, in such manner, and containing such information
as the Secretary may require.
``(2) Contents.--At a minimum, the application described in
paragraph (1) shall include the following:
``(A) A description of how the eligible entity will
use grant funds to implement English language
proficiency standards, and the academic content
standards and student academic achievement standards
required under section 1111(b)(1), to assist English
learners in--
``(i) improving English language
proficiency, academic achievement, and
achievement in core academic subject areas; and
``(ii) improving preparation for
postsecondary education and careers.
``(B) A description of the benchmarks, consistent
with section 3304(b)(1), that the eligible entity will
establish to demonstrate improvements in outcomes for
students who are English learners.
``(C) A description of how the eligible entity has
used the metrics described in subparagraphs (A) through
(D) of subsection (b)(2) and the benchmarks described
in subparagraph (B) to create a data-driven needs
assessment that the eligible entity will use to
determine how grant funds will be used.
``(D) A description of how the eligible entity will
use Federal funds received under this section only to
supplement the funds that would, in the absence of such
Federal funds, be made available from non-Federal
sources for the education of students participating in
programs assisted under this section, and not to
supplant such funds.
``(e) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that--
``(1) use funds, or propose to use grant funds under this
section, to--
``(A) implement evidence-based strategies, as
determined by the Secretary, for activities described
in subsection (f);
``(B) provide educational opportunities for English
learners who have entered a school in the United States
after elementary school or English learners who have
been in schools in the United States for more than 5
years without achieving English language proficiency
(as determined through the assessment described in
section 1111(b)(7)), or both;
``(C) provide a continuum of literacy, parenting,
and parent engagement services for low-literate limited
English proficient parents of young English learners;
or
``(D) serve populations of rural students and
students who are migratory children, as defined in
section 1309(2);
``(2) form partnerships with entities to carry out
activities under the grant; or
``(3) work with an educational research entity that is, at
the time of the application, implementing research-based
programs or interventions in schools that serve a significant
percentage of English learners.
``(f) Use of Funds.--Each eligible entity that receives a grant
under this section shall use the grant funds to carry out activities
that lead to English learners becoming proficient in English in order
to access the academic content knowledge that English learners need to
meet the State challenging academic content standards under section
1111(b)(1) and to be ready for postsecondary education and careers,
which may include--
``(1) improving instructional programs by--
``(A) implementing evidence-based language
instruction programs, including--
``(i) technology-based programs; and
``(ii) early childhood education programs,
if applicable;
``(B) consistent with State law, implementing a
program that uses instruction in the native language as
a basis for English language acquisition, such as--
``(i) a dual-language program; or
``(ii) a bilingual education program; or
``(C) obtaining technical assistance from an expert
to develop or implement materials for English learner
instruction;
``(2) ensuring that English learners are taught by
effective teachers and attend schools that are administered by
effective principals, by--
``(A) developing or implementing a strategy to
recruit effective teachers and principals;
``(B) developing or implementing a strategy to
retain effective teachers and principals; or
``(C) developing or implementing a strategy to
improve the effectiveness of teachers and principals;
``(3) increasing the ability of families of English
learners to be engaged in their child's education and
development;
``(4) expanding best practices to other schools or local
educational agencies that are served by the eligible entity; or
``(5) carrying out other activities consistent with the
purpose of this part.
``SEC. 3303. CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTS.
``(a) Capacity Building Grants.--
``(1) In general.--From amounts appropriated under section
3001(a)(3), the Secretary may award capacity-building grants,
on a competitive basis, to eligible agencies that demonstrate a
commitment to establishing and maintaining a system of high-
quality instruction for English learners to enable such
eligible agencies to carry out the activities described in
subsection (g).
``(2) Limitations.--The Secretary shall not award a grant
under this section to an eligible agency that has received a
grant under section 3302.
``(b) Duration.--
``(1) In general.--Grants awarded under this section shall
be for a period of not more than 4 years.
``(2) Renewal.--The Secretary shall not renew a grant under
this section.
``(c) Eligible Agency.--The term `eligible agency' means a State
educational agency or local educational agency that has experienced a
significant increase, as determined by the Secretary, in the number of
English learners that the State educational agency or local educational
agency, respectively, serves.
``(d) Funding Requirement.--Continued funding after the second year
of the grant period for a grant awarded under this section shall be
contingent on the eligible agency's progress in--
``(1) meeting the benchmarks described in subsection
(e)(2)(B);
``(2) improving the English language proficiency of
students served by the grant program, as measured by the
assessment described in section 1111(b)(7);
``(3) increasing the percentage of English learners who
achieve proficiency on State academic assessments in
mathematics, reading or language arts, and science, as
described in section 1111(b)(3);
``(4) increasing the percentage of secondary school
students who achieve proficiency in core academic subjects;
``(5) increasing the graduation rate, as defined in section
1111(b)(2)(C)(vi) and clarified in section 200.19(b)(1) of
title 34, Code of Federal Regulations, for English learners;
``(6) increasing the awareness and knowledge of the
education system for parents of English learners; and
``(7) improving the English language proficiency and
literacy skills of parents of English learners.
``(e) Applications.--
``(1) In general.--An eligible agency desiring a grant
under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary
at such time, in such manner, and containing such information
as the Secretary may require.
``(2) Contents.--At a minimum, the application described in
paragraph (1) shall include the following:
``(A) A description of how the eligible entity will
use grant funds to implement English language
proficiency standards and challenging student academic
achievement standards and academic content standards
under section 1111(b)(1) to assist English learners
in--
``(i) improving English language
proficiency;
``(ii) improving preparation for
postsecondary education and careers;
``(iii) improving the English language
proficiency and literacy skills of their
parents; and
``(iv) improving the knowledge and ability
of their parents to navigate the education
system.
``(B) A description of the benchmarks, consistent
with section 3304(b), that the eligible agency will
establish to demonstrate improvements in outcomes for
students who are English learners.
``(C) A description of how the eligible agency will
efficiently use funds to build upon previous efforts to
educate English learners and their parents.
``(D) A description of how the eligible entity will
use Federal funds received under this section only to
supplement the funds that would, in the absence of such
Federal funds, be made available from non-Federal
sources for the education of students participating in
programs assisted under this section, and not to
supplant such funds.
``(f) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Secretary shall give priority to eligible agencies that propose to use
grant funds to implement evidence-based strategies, as determined by
the Secretary, in order to become competitive in the application
process for a grant described in section 3302.
``(g) Use of Funds.--
``(1) Required use of funds.--An eligible agency that
receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds
to carry out activities that--
``(A) build the eligible agency's capacity to
provide quality instruction to English learners and
their parents; and
``(B) will allow the eligible agency to become
competitive in the application process for a grant
described in section 3302.
``(2) Permissible use of funds.--An eligible agency that
receives a grant under this section may use the grant funds to
ensure that English learners are taught by effective teachers
and attend schools that are administered by effective
principals, by--
``(A) developing or implementing a strategy to
recruit effective teachers and principals;
``(B) developing or implementing a strategy to
retain effective teachers and principals; or
``(C) developing or implementing a strategy to
improve the effectiveness of teachers and principals.
``SEC. 3304. INDICATORS, EVALUATION, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND
RESEARCH.
``(a) Indicators.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
Director of the Institute of Education Sciences, shall
establish indicators to measure the success of grant programs
under this part.
``(2) Primary indicator.--The primary indicator described
in paragraph (1) shall be the percentage of students who--
``(A) are English learners;
``(B) become English language proficient;
``(C) are on track for postsecondary education and
a career;
``(D) have parents who demonstrate improved English
language or basic literacy skills;
``(E) have parents who increase their knowledge of
the education system; and
``(F) have parents who increase their participation
in their children's education.
``(b) Evaluation and Reports by the Eligible Entity.--Each eligible
entity and eligible agency receiving a grant under this part shall--
``(1) develop quantifiable benchmarks to evaluate the
activities that the eligible entity or eligible agency carries
out under this part, based on the applicable indicators
described in subsection (a), which may include--
``(A) the percentage of students who are English
learners who obtain English proficiency;
``(B) the rate of participation of students who are
English learners in the State academic assessments
under section 1111(b);
``(C) the reduction in the percentage of students
who are English learners and who are in the lowest
level of achievement on such State assessments in
English, reading or language arts, and mathematics;
``(D) the percentage of students who are English
learners and who are taking advanced coursework;
``(E) the percentage of parents of English learners
who advance at least one educational functioning level
in English language proficiency, based on the
Department's National Reporting System of Adult
Education, after a year of participating in a program
supported under this part;
``(F) the percentage of parents of English learners
who enter postsecondary education or job training after
a year of participating in such program;
``(G) improvement, based on pre- and post- surveys,
of the knowledge of the parents of English learners
regarding the education system; or
``(H) improvement, based on instructor observation,
of child and parent interactions and reports of parent
engagement;
``(2) submit the benchmarks described in paragraph (1) to
the Secretary for approval; and
``(3) prepare and submit an annual report to the Secretary
on the progress that the eligible entity or eligible agency is
making toward meeting such benchmarks.
``(c) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall reserve not more
than 1 percent from amounts appropriated in section 3001(a)(3) to
directly, or through grant or contract, provide technical assistance to
eligible entities and eligible agencies to prepare the entities and
agencies to qualify, apply for, and maintain grants under this part.
``(d) Research and Evaluation.--The Secretary shall reserve not
more than 0.5 percent from amounts appropriated in section 3001(a)(3)
to evaluate grants or provide technical assistance for activities
funded under this part.
``SEC. 3305. DEFINITIONS.
``In this part:
``(1) Dual language program.--The term `dual language
program' means an instructional strategy for English learners--
``(A) in which students are taught literacy and
content in English and another language and use the
other language for at least half of the instructional
day; and
``(B) that fosters bilingualism, biliteracy,
enhanced awareness of linguistic and cultural
diversity, and high levels of academic achievement
through instruction in 2 languages.
``(2) English learner.--The term `English learner' means an
individual who is limited English proficient, as defined in
section 9101.''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H6940)
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
Llama 3.2 · runs locally in your browser
Ask anything about this bill. The AI reads the full text to answer.
Enter to send · Shift+Enter for new line