Sec. 7. Subgrants to eligible entities in support of literacy for children from birth through kindergarten entry
965 words·~4 min read·
/bill/114/hr/858/ih/section-7·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
A State educational agency shall provide the funds provided under section 4(a)(2)(A) to the State agency that oversees child care programs, who shall award subgrants, on a competitive basis, in consultation with the State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care and other State early childhood agencies, to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to carry out the activities described in subsection (e). Each subgrant awarded under this section shall be of sufficient size and scope to allow the eligible entity to carry out the activities described in subsection (e).
An eligible entity that desires to receive a subgrant under this section shall submit an application to the State agency that oversees child care programs, at such time, in such manner, and including such information as such agency may require. Such application shall include a description of— a needs assessment, including an analysis of data on child literacy as applicable; an implementation plan that utilizes the needs assessment described in paragraph 1 that identifies a baseline level of literacy and early literacy skills, as well as benchmarks for making improvements and monitoring progress; the programs assisted under the subgrant, including demographic and socioeconomic information on the children from birth through kindergarten entry enrolled in the programs; a budget for the eligible entity that projects the cost of developing and implementing literacy initiatives to carry out the activities described in subsection (e); how the subgrant funds will be used to enhance the language and literacy aspects of school readiness of children from birth through kindergarten entry in early childhood education programs; how the subgrant funds will be used to prepare and provide ongoing assistance to staff in the programs, through professional development focused on the essential components of early literacy instruction, including onsite intensive mentoring by early childhood literacy coaches to provide high-quality literacy activities based on scientifically valid research on child development and learning for children from birth through kindergarten entry; how the subgrant funds will be used to provide services, incorporate activities, and select and use literacy instructional materials that are based on scientifically valid research on child development and early learning; how the subgrant funds will be used to provide— screening assessments or other appropriate measures— to effectively identify children from birth through kindergarten entry who may be at risk for delayed development or later academic difficulties; and to determine whether such children are developing the fundamental knowledge necessary for literacy, engagement, development, and achievement in kindergarten and beyond; and diagnostic assessments, as appropriate, to determine the need for additional services; classroom-based instructional assessments; and other appropriate assessments of developmental progress; how the subgrant funds will be used to help instructional staff in the programs assisted under the subgrant to more effectively meet the diverse developmental and linguistic needs of children from birth through kindergarten entry in the community, including the needs of English language learners and children with disabilities; how the subgrant funds will be used to ensure that parents receive instruction— on their children’s early literacy development; and on how parents can support children’s literacy development at home; how the subgrant funds will be used to help children, particularly children experiencing difficulty with spoken and written language, to make the transition from early education to formal classroom instruction; how the activities assisted under the subgrant will be coordinated with literacy instruction at the kindergarten through grade 3 levels; how the eligible entity will— evaluate the success of the activities supported under the subgrant in enhancing the early language and literacy development of children served under such subgrant; and evaluate data for program improvement; and such other information as the State agency that oversees child care programs may require.
The State agency that oversees child care programs shall— award subgrants to eligible entities in accordance with this section based on the quality of applications submitted; and prioritize awarding subgrants based on the criteria described in section 6(b)(2)(F). An eligible entity that receives a subgrant under this section shall use the subgrant funds to carry out the following activities to support the development of early language and literacy in children from birth through kindergarten entry:
Enhance and improve early learning programs to ensure that children in such programs are provided with high-quality, developmentally appropriate oral language, literature- and print-rich environments. Provide high-quality professional development on how children develop language and literacy skills (including children with disabilities and English language learners), and the selection and integration of developmentally, linguistically, and culturally appropriate literacy instructional strategies, activities, and materials, which may include the use of an early literacy coach for the staff of the eligible entity, in such entity’s curriculum and activities.
Acquire, provide training for, and implement, as appropriate— screening assessments or other appropriate measures to determine whether children from birth through kindergarten entry are developing appropriate early language and literacy skills; diagnostic assessments, as appropriate, to determine the need for additional services; and classroom-based instructional assessments. Acquire, as appropriate, and integrate evidence-based instructional materials, activities, tools, and measures into the early learning programs offered by the eligible entity to improve development of children’s early language and literacy skills.
An eligible entity that receives a subgrant under this section may use the subgrant funds to carry out either or both of the following activities to support the development of early language and literacy in children from birth through kindergarten entry: Selecting, developing, and implementing a multitier system of supports. Providing activities that encourage family literacy experiences and practices and educate parents of children enrolled in a program receiving funds under this section on the development of their children’s early literacy skills.
The use of assessment items and data on any assessment authorized under this section to provide rewards or sanctions for individual children, early learning providers, program directors, or principals is prohibited.