Sec. 3504. English as a Gateway to Integration grant program
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/bill/117/hr/1177/ih/section-3504·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 in the Department of Education (referred to in this section as the Assistant Secretary ) 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, a private organization, an educational institution, a community-based organization, or a nonprofit organization that— in the case of any applicant that has previously received a grant under this section, uses matching funds from non-Federal sources, which may include in-kind contributions, equal to 25 percent of the amount received from the English as a Gateway to Integration program to carry out such program; 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; demonstrates collaboration with public and private entities to provide the instruction and assistance described in subsection (c)(1); provides English language programs that— teach English language skills to limited English proficient
(LEP)individuals who— have less than a United States high school diploma; or are parents who are caretakers of young children; support and promote the social, economic, and civic integration of adult English language learners and their families; equip adult English language learners for ongoing, independent study and learning beyond the classroom or formal instruction; and incorporate the use of technology to help students develop digital literacy skills; and is located in— 1 of the 10 States with the highest rate of foreign-born residents; or a State that has experienced a large increase in the population of immigrants during the most recent 10-year period, based on data compiled by the Office of Immigration Statistics or the 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 to help them— build their knowledge of United States history and civics; 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 postsecondary 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. 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 served by the grant funds; the number of immigrants in such area; the primary languages spoken in such area; 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; and whether the English language instruction needs of the geographic area served have been met; and in the case of an assessment under subparagraph (A)(ii) that such needs have not been met, a description of the additional assistance required to meet such needs. In this section: The term adult English language learner refers to an individual age 16 years and older who is not enrolled in secondary school and who is limited English proficient. The terms English language learner and limited English proficient 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 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. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for fiscal years 2022 through 2023.