Sec. 202. English as a Gateway grants
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/bill/116/hr/4928/ih/section-202·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education at the Department of Education, in consultation with the Director of the National Office of New Americans, shall award English as a Gateway to Integration grants to eligible entities. An entity eligible to receive a grant under this section is a State or unit of local government, private organization, educational institution, community-based organization, or not-for-profit organization— in the case of any applicant who has previously received a grant under this section, that uses matching funds from non-Federal sources, which may include in-kind contributions, equal to 25 percent of amount received from the English as a Gateway to Integration program; that submits to the Assistant Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Assistant Secretary may reasonably require, including— a description of the target population to be served, including demographics, literacy levels and English language levels of the target population; and the assessment and performance measures that the grant recipient plans to use to evaluate the English language learning progress of students and overall success of the instruction and program; demonstrate collaboration with public and private entities to provide the instruction and assistance described in subsection (c)(1); provide English language programs that teach English language skills to— lower-educated individuals;
Limited English Proficient
(LEP)individuals; parents who are caretakers of young children; that supports and promotes the social, economic and civic integration of adult English language learners and their families; that equips adult English language learners for ongoing, independent study and learning beyond the classroom or formal instruction provided by the entity; and that incorporates the use of technology to help students develop digital literacy skills; are 1 of the 10 States with the highest rate of foreign-born residents; or have experienced a large increase in the population of immigrants during the most recent 10-year period relative to past migration patterns, based on data compiled by the Office of Immigration Statistics or the United States Census Bureau. Funds awarded under this section shall be used to provide English language instruction to adult English language learners. Such instruction shall advance the integration of students in order to help them— build their knowledge of United States history and civics; to prepare for United States citizenship and the naturalization process; gain digital literacy; understand and navigate the early childhood, K–12 and postsecondary education systems; gain financial literacy; build an understanding of the housing market and systems in the United States; learn about and access the United States, State, and local health care systems; prepare for a high school equivalency diploma or post-secondary training or education; and prepare for and secure employment. Funds awarded under this section shall be used to support an instructional program that may include the following elements: English language instruction in a classroom setting, provided that such setting is in a geographic location accessible to the population served. Online English language instruction and distance learning platforms. Educational support and specialized instruction for English language learners with low levels of literacy in their first language. Other online and digital components, including the use of mobile phones. In order to receive a payment under this section, a participating entity shall submit to the Assistant Secretary a certification that the proposed uses of grant funds by the entity are consistent with this section and meet all necessary criteria determined by the Assistant Secretary. Not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year for which an entity receives grant funds under this section, the entity shall submit to the Assistant Secretary the following: A report that describes— the activities undertaken by the entity that were funded entirely or partially by the grant funds; the geographic area or areas served by the grant funds; the number of immigrants in such areas; the primary languages spoken in such areas; the number of adult English language learners receiving assistance that was funded entirely or partially by grant funds received by the entity; and a breakdown of the costs of the instruction services provided and the average per capita cost of providing such instruction. An evaluation of any program of the entity using grant funds under this section, including an assessment of— the effectiveness of such program and recommendations for improving the program; whether or not the English language instruction needs of the geographic area served have been met and if not, what further assistance is required to meet such need; and the results of any assessment or evaluation of progress or success described in subsection (b)(3)(B). In this section, the following definitions apply: The term State means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The terms limited English proficient and English language learner describe an individual who does not speak English as their primary language and who has a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English. The term adult English language learner refers to an individual age 16 and older who is not enrolled in secondary school and who is limited English proficient. There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for fiscal years 2021 through 2022.