Sec. 501. Expanded learning opportunities
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Subtitle D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act is amended by inserting after section 365 ( 7 U.S.C. 2008 ) the following: The purpose of this section is to enhance expanded learning time opportunities in rural areas by helping communities— to establish expanded learning time opportunities, including after-school programs; and to improve existing programs by overcoming barriers to service. In this section: The term eligible entity means a local educational agency (as such term is defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7801 )), educational service agency, community-based organization, another public or private entity, or a consortium of 2 or more such agencies, organizations, or entities.
The term expanded learning time means using a longer school day, week, or year schedule to significantly increase the total number of school hours, in order to include additional time for— instruction and enrichment in core academic subjects, other academic subjects, and other activities that contribute to a well-rounded education; and instructional and support staff to collaborate, plan, and engage in professional development (including professional development on family and community engagement) within and across grades and subjects.
The term rural area means an area that is served by an elementary or secondary school that is designated with a school locale code of 32, 33, 41, 42, or 43, as determined by the Secretary of Education. The Secretary shall make grants to eligible entities to improve, expand, or establish expanded learning time programs, and afterschool programs (taking place during non-school hours), in rural areas. Each grant under this section shall be in an amount of not less than $25,000. The term of a grant under this section may not be for less than 3 years.
The Secretary may renew a grant under this section for a period of not less than 3 years, based on the performance of the eligible entity during the previous grant term. As a condition of the receipt of a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall use the grant to fund projects and activities described in subsection (c), including transportation, professional development, training, recruitment and retention of staff, staff compensation for additional hours worked, increasing access to technology, and planning.
The Secretary may use not more than 1 percent of the funds under this section— to conduct evaluations of the effectiveness of programs and activities assisted under subsection (c); and to disseminate the results of those evaluations for the purpose of refining, improving, and strengthening programs. The Secretary may use not more than 3 percent of the funds made available to carry out this section— to conduct outreach, including bidders’ conferences, to ensure widespread knowledge of the availability of resources described in subsection (c); to disseminate information on best practices and successful program models for serving children and youth in rural areas; and to provide capacity building, training, and technical assistance to after-school programs and providers in rural areas.
To be considered for a grant under this section, each eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require. An application submitted pursuant to paragraph
(1)shall include— a description of the expanded learning time program to be funded, including— an assurance that the program will take place in a safe and easily accessible facility; a description of how children and youth participating in the program will travel safely between the program site and home; a description of how the eligible entity will disseminate information about the program, including the location of the program, to the community in a manner that is understandable and accessible; a description of the services to be provided to children and youth, which may include a broad array of activities, such as— academic enrichment and youth development activities; drug and violence prevention programs; counseling programs; art, music, physical fitness, and recreational programs; technology education programs; character education programs; and service-learning programs; the roles and responsibilities of the partners in providing the services; and how the services enhance an existing expanded learning time program; and an assurance that the program will provide a nutritious snack or meal that meets nutrition standards established by the Secretary; an assurance that the proposed program was developed, and will be carried out, in active collaboration with the schools the students attend; an assurance that funds provided under this section will be used to increase the level of State, local, and other non-Federal funds that would, in the absence of funds under this section, be made available for programs and activities authorized under this section, and in no case supplant Federal, State, local, or non-Federal funds; a description of the partnership between a local educational agency, a community-based organization, or another public entity or private entity, if applicable; and such additional assurances as the Secretary determines to be necessary to ensure compliance with this section. The Secretary shall give priority to applications that— propose partnerships between 2 or more eligible entities; or propose that a majority of the students participating in the expanded learning time program are eligible for free or reduced price school meals under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq. ) and section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1773 ). Nothing in this Act shall be construed to alter or otherwise affect the rights, remedies, and procedures afforded to employees of a school or local educational agency under Federal, State, or local laws (including applicable regulations or court orders as well as requirements that school districts negotiate and meet and confer in good faith) or under the terms of collective bargaining agreements, memoranda of understanding, or other agreements between such employers and their employees. There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section— $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2016; $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2017; and such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2020. .
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