Sec. 201 Ready-To-Earn Grants
“244. Television broadcast workforce training grant program
“(a) In general—The Secretary is authorized to award grants, on a competitive basis, to an entity that owns and operates a television public broadcast station, as defined in section 397(6) of the Communications Act of 1934, or a partnership of such entities, for the purpose of developing, disseminating, and providing online and on-air education and training services for adults, including adult education, adult literacy, high school equivalency test preparation, workforce training, and related outreach services that are priorities for the community.
“(b) Eligible entities—To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an entity shall—
“(1) own or operate a local television public broadcast station, as defined in section 397(6) of the Communications Act of 1934, that is able to demonstrate a capacity for the development and distribution of high-quality educational digital content and services in the areas of adult education, adult literacy, high school equivalency test preparation, workforce training, and related outreach services;
“(2) partner with an eligible agency as defined in section 203(4) or a State Board as described in section 111 or institutions of higher education in order to implement a high-quality program in accordance with this section; and
“(3) conduct a needs assessment of the proposed community to be served through online and on-air education and training services.
“(c) Application—To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity, or partnership of eligible entities, shall submit an application to the Secretary. Each application shall—
“(1) describe the innovative, high-quality training, tools, products, and educational digital content and services that will be developed and used to improve the quality and delivery of adult education, adult literacy, high school equivalency test preparation, workforce training, and related outreach services;
“(2) describe the partnership and the roles of the partners in implementing a high-quality program in accordance with this section;
“(3) describe how the eligible entity or entities will address the needs of adults who are non-English speakers;
“(4) describe how the comprehensive program described in this section will meet the needs of that community and include partnerships with community-based organizations that serve adults in need of such services;
“(5) describe the research-based practices and advanced technologies that the program funded under this section will use to carry out the purposes of this section;
“(6) describe the rigorous evaluation the eligible entity or entities will use to support continuous improvement of the program and services, including the report described under subsection (g); and
“(7) contain such additional assurances as the Secretary may reasonably require.
“(d) Required uses of funds—Grant funds provided under this section shall be used for—
“(1) the development, training and use of innovative, high-quality tools, products, and educational digital content and services for—
“(A) adult education, adult literacy, high school equivalency test preparation, workforce training, and related outreach services;
“(B) professional development; and
“(C) community and family outreach;
“(2) professional development and training of staff;
“(3) evaluation as described in subsection (g);
“(4) outreach activities to engage adult learners and community organizations;
“(5) English language education and services for non-English speakers; and
“(6) other activities as needed to meet the purposes of this section.
“(e) Duration—A grant under this section shall be awarded for a period of 5 years.
“(f) Administrative costs—An entity that receives a grant under this section may not use more than 5 percent of the amount received under the grant for administrative costs.
“(g) Reports and evaluation—An entity receiving a grant under this section shall prepare and submit to the Secretary an annual report that contains such information as the Secretary may require. At a minimum, such report shall describe the program activities undertaken with funds received under the grant, including—
“(1) the success in engaging families and the number of such families;
“(2) the impact of professional development and training for staff on the acquisition of training and job skills;
“(3) the effectiveness of the specific, innovative, high-quality training, tools, products, and educational digital content and services developed and used to improve the quality and delivery of adult education, adult literacy, high school equivalency test preparation, workforce training, and related outreach services; and
“(4) the impact of the program on adult literacy and English language skills, workforce skills, job placements, and high school equivalency test passage rates.
“(h) Authorization of appropriations—There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2014 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years.
“(i) Definition—In this section, the term institution of higher education has the meaning given such term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).”