Sec. 238. Grants for civics education programs
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The Secretary of Defense shall carry out a program under which the Secretary makes grants to eligible entities, on a competitive basis, to support the development and evaluation of civics education programs. To be eligible to receive a grant under this section an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary of Defense an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. Applications submitted under this subsection shall be evaluated on the basis of merit pursuant to competitive procedures prescribed by the Secretary of Defense.
To be selected to receive a grant under this section an eligible entity shall demonstrate each of the following to the satisfaction of the Secretary: The civics education program proposed by the entity will include innovative approaches for improving civics education. The entity will dedicate sufficient resources to the program. As part of the program, the entity will conduct evaluations in accordance with subsection (f)(1)(B). The entity will carry out activities to disseminate the results of the evaluations described in such subsection, including publication of the results in peer-reviewed academic journals.
To the extent practicable, the Secretary of Defense shall ensure an equitable geographic distribution of grants under this section. In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary of Defense shall consult with the Secretary of Education. An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use such grant— to establish a civics education program or to improve an existing civics education program; and to evaluate the effect of the program on participants, including with respect to— critical thinking and media literacy; voting and other forms of political and civic engagement; interest in employment, and careers, in public service; understanding of United States law, history, and Government; and the ability of participants to collaborate and compromise with others to solve problems.
An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section may use such grant for— the development or modification of curricula relating to civics education; classroom activities, thesis projects, individual or team projects, internships, or community service activities relating to civics; collaboration with government entities, nonprofit organizations, or consortia of such entities and organizations to provide participants with civics-related experiences; civics-related faculty development programs; recruitment of educators who are highly qualified in civics education to teach civics or to assist with the development of curricula for civics education; presentation of seminars, workshops, and training for the development of skills associated with civic engagement; activities that enable participants to interact with government officials and entities; expansion of civics education programs and outreach for members of the Armed Forces, dependents and children of such members and employees of the Department of Defense; and opportunities for participants to obtain work experience in fields relating to civics.
In this section: The term civics education program means an educational program that provides participants with— knowledge of law, government, and the rights of citizens; and skills that enable participants to responsibly participate in democracy. The term eligible entity means a Department of Defense domestic dependent elementary or secondary school (as described in section 2164 of title 10, United States Code).