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Title I — Technology Readiness and Access

H.R. 521 · 113th Congress · Feb 6, 2013 · Lineage

I Technology Readiness and Access

Sec. 101 Technology grants program authorized

(a)
In general— From the amounts appropriated under section 106, the Secretary shall award State Grants for Technology Readiness and Access (in this title referred to as “grants”) to State educational agencies to strengthen State and local technological infrastructure and professional development that supports digital learning through State activities under section 103(c) and local activities under section 104(c).
(b)
Grants to State educational agencies—
(1)
Reservations— From the amounts appropriated under section 106 for any fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve—
(A)
three-fourths of 1 percent for the Secretary of Interior to provide assistance under this title for schools operated or funded by the Bureau of Indian Education; and
(B)
1 percent to provide assistance under this title to the outlying areas; and
(2)
Grants— From the amounts appropriated under section 106 for any fiscal year and remaining after the Secretary makes reservations under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall make a grant for the fiscal year to each State educational agency with an approved application under section 102 in an amount that bears the same relationship to such remainder as the amount the State educational agency received under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.) for such year bears to the amount all State educational agencies with an approved application under section 102 received under such part (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.) for such year.
(c)
Minimum— The amount of a grant to a State educational agency under subsection (b)(2) for a fiscal year may not be less than one-half of 1 percent of the total amount made available for grants to all State educational agencies under such subsection for such year.
(d)
Reallotment of unused funds— If any State educational agency does not apply for a grant under subsection (b)(2) for a fiscal year, or does not use its entire grant under subsection (b)(2) for such year, the Secretary shall reallot the amount of the State educational agency’s grant, or the unused portion of the grant, to the remaining State educational agencies that use their entire grant amounts under subsection (b)(2) for such year.
(e)
Matching funds—
(1)
In general— A State educational agency that receives a grant under subsection (b)(2) shall provide matching funds, from non-Federal sources, in an amount equal to 20 percent of the amount of grant funds provided to the State educational agency to carry out the activities supported by the grant. Such matching funds may be provided in cash or in-kind, except that any such in-kind contributions shall be provided for the purpose of supporting the State educational agency’s activities under section 104(c).
(2)
Waiver— The Secretary may waive the matching requirement under paragraph (1) for a State educational agency that demonstrates that such requirement imposes an undue financial hardship on the State educational agency.

Sec. 102 State applications

(a)
Application— To receive a grant under section 101(b)(2), a State educational agency shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require and containing the information described in subsection (b).
(b)
Contents— Each application submitted under subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1)
A description of how the State educational agency will meet the following goals:
(A)
Use technology to ensure all students achieve college-and-career readiness and technology literacy, including by providing high-quality education opportunities to economically or geographically isolated student populations.
(B)
Provide educators with the tools, devices, content, and resources to—
(i)
significantly improve teaching and learning, including support to increase personalization for and engagement of students in pursuit of college-and-career readiness and technology literacy; and
(ii)
develop and use assessments to improve instruction consistent with the principles of universal design for learning, including for students with disabilities and English-language learners.
(C)
Ensure administrators and school leaders have the flexibility and capacity to develop and manage systems to carry out activities described in subparagraphs (A) and (B), and support administrators and school leaders in utilizing technology to promote equity and increase efficiency and productivity.
(D)
Enable local educational agencies to build the technological capacity and infrastructure (including through local purchasing of eligible technology), necessary for the full implementation of on-line assessments for all students, (including students with disabilities and English-language learners) and to—
(i)
ensure the interoperability of data systems and eligible technology; and
(ii)
carry out subparagraphs (A) through (C).
(2)
A description of the results of the technology readiness in the State as determined by local educational agency responses to the technology readiness survey, including—
(A)
the status of the ability of each local educational agency served by the State educational agency to meet the goals described in section 104(b)(1);
(B)
an assurance that not less 90 percent of the local educational agencies served by the State educational agency have completed and submitted the technology readiness survey to the State educational agency; and
(C)
an assurance that the results of the technology readiness survey for each such local educational agency are made available to the Secretary and the public through the Website of the local educational agency.
(3)
A description of the plan for the State educational agency to support each local educational agency served by the State educational agency in meeting the goals described in section 104(b)(1) not later than 3 years after the local educational agency completes the technology readiness survey by addressing the readiness gaps identified in such survey.
(4)
A description of the State’s process for the adoption, acquisition, distribution, and use of content, how the State will ensure integrity of such processes, and how such processes support the goals under paragraph (1) or how a State will change such processes to support such goals, and how the State will ensure content quality.
(5)
A description of how the State educational agency will ensure its data systems and eligible technology are interoperable.
(6)
An assurance that the State educational will consider making content widely available through open educational resources when making purchasing decisions with funds received under this title.
(7)
A description of the State’s student technology literacy standards and the technology standards for teachers and administrators, and an assurance that the State’s student technology literacy standards meet the requirements of section 7(8).
(8)
An assurance that subgrant awards under section 104 will be carried out by the State educational agency staff with responsibility for leadership, coordination, and implementation of instructional and other classroom technologies.
(9)
A description of how the State educational agency will award subgrants to local educational agencies under section 104.
(10)
A description of the process, activities, and performance measures, that the State educational agency will use to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the grant and subgrants funds awarded under this title across the State and in each local educational agency.
(11)
A description of how the State educational agency will, in providing technical and other assistance to local educational agencies, give priority to the local educational agencies proposing to target services to—
(A)
students in schools in need of improvement and persistently low-achieving schools; and
(B)
schools with a high percentage of students that are eligible for free or reduced price lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.).
(12)
A description of how the State educational agency consulted with local educational agencies in the development of the State educational agency’s application under this subsection.
(13)
An assurance that the State educational agency will provide matching funds as required under section 101(e).
(14)
A description of how the State educational agency will ensure that funds received under this title is not duplicative of support received under the E-rate program.
(15)
An assurance that the State educational agency will protect the privacy and safety of students and teachers, consistent with requirements of section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g) (commonly known as the “Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974”) and section 2441(a) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6777(a)).

Sec. 103 State use of grant funds

(a)
Reservation for subgrants To support technology infrastructure— Each State educational agency that receives a grant under section 101(b)(2) shall expend not less 90 percent of the grant amount for each fiscal year to award subgrants to local educational agencies in accordance with section 104.
(b)
Reservation for State activities—
(1)
In general— A State educational agency shall reserve not more than 10 percent of the grant received under section 101(b)(2) for the State activities described in subsection (c).
(2)
Grant administration— Of the amount reserved by a State educational agency under paragraph (1), the State educational agency may reserve not more than 1 percent or 3 percent, in the case of a State educational agency awarding subgrants under section 104(a)(2), for the administration of the grant under this title, except that a State educational agency that forms a State purchasing consortium under subsection (d)—
(A)
may reserve an additional 1 percent to carry out the activities described in subsection (d)(1); and
(B)
shall receive direct approval from the local educational agencies receiving subgrants under section 104(a) from the State educational agency prior to reserving more than the additional percentage authorized under subparagraph (A) to carry out the activities described in subsection (d)(1).
(c)
State activities— A State educational agency shall use funds described in subsection (b) to carry out each of the following:
(1)
Except for the awarding of subgrants in accordance with section 104, activities described in the State educational agency’s application under section 102(b).
(2)
Providing technical assistance to local educational agencies to—
(A)
identify and address technology readiness needs;
(B)
redesign curriculum and instruction, improve educational productivity, and deliver computer-based and online assessment;
(C)
use technology, consistent with the principles of universal design for learning, to support the learning needs of all students including students with disabilities and English-language learners;
(D)
support principals to have the expertise to evaluate teachers’ proficiency in implementing digital tools for teaching and learning; and
(E)
build capacity for individual school and local educational agency leaders.
(3)
Developing or utilizing research-based or innovative strategies for the delivery of specialized or rigorous academic courses and curricula through the use of technology, including digital learning technologies and assistive technology.
(4)
Integrating and coordinating activities under this title with other educational resources and programs across the State.
(5)
Disseminating information, including making publicly available on the Websites of the State educational agency promising practices to improve technology instruction, and acquiring and implementing technology tools and applications.
(6)
Ensuring that teachers, paraprofessionals, library and media personnel, specialized instructional support personnel, and administrators possess the knowledge and skills to use technology—
(A)
for curriculum redesign to change teaching and learning and improve student achievement;
(B)
for formative and summative assessment administration, data analysis, and to personalize learning;
(C)
to improve student technology literacy;
(D)
to expand the range of supports and accommodations available to English-language learners and students with disabilities; and
(E)
for their own ongoing professional development and for access to teaching resources and tools.
(7)
Coordinating with teacher and school leader preparation programs to—
(A)
align digital learning teaching standards; and
(B)
provide ongoing professional development for teachers and school leaders that is aligned to State student technology standards and activities promoting college-and-career readiness.
(d)
Purchasing consortia—
(1)
In general— A State educational agency receiving a grant under section 101(b)(2) may—
(A)
form a State purchasing consortium with 1 or more State educational agencies receiving such a grant to carry out the State activities described in subsection (c), including purchasing eligible technology;
(B)
encourage local educational agencies to form local purchasing consortia under section 104(c)(4); and
(C)
promote pricing opportunities to local educational agencies for the purchase of eligible technology that are—
(i)
negotiated by the State educational agency or the State purchasing consortium of the State educational agency; and
(ii)
available to such local educational agencies.
(2)
Restrictions— A State educational agency receiving a grant under section 101(b)(2) may not—
(A)
except for promoting the pricing opportunities described in paragraph (1)(C), make recommendations to local educational agencies for or require use of any specific commercial products and services by local educational agencies;
(B)
require local educational agencies to participate in a State purchasing consortia or local purchasing consortia; or
(C)
use more than the reservation amount authorized for the administration of the grant under subsection (b) to carry out the activities described in paragraph (1), unless the State educational agency receives approval in accordance with subsection (b)(2)(B).

Sec. 104 Local subgrants

(a)
Subgrants—
(1)
Grants to local educational agencies— From the grant funds provided under section 101(b)(2) to a State educational agency that are remaining after the State educational agency makes reservations under section 104(b) for any fiscal year and subject to paragraph (2), the State educational agency shall award subgrants for the fiscal year to local educational agencies served by the State educational agency and with an approved application under subsection (b) by allotting to each such local educational agency an amount that bears the same relationship to the remainder as the amount received by the local educational agency under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) for such year bears to the amount received by all such local educational agencies under such part for such year, except that no local educational agency may receive less than $5,000.
(2)
Competitive grants to local educational agencies— If the amount of funds appropriated under section 106 is less than $500,000,000 for any fiscal year, a State educational agency—
(A)
shall not award subgrants under paragraph (1); and
(B)
shall—
(i)
award subgrants, on a competitive basis, to local educational agencies based on the quality of applications submitted under (b), including—
(I)
the level of technology readiness as determined by the technology readiness surveys completed by local educational agencies submitting such applications; and
(II)
the technology plans described in subsection (b)(3) and how the local educational agencies with such plans will carry out the alignment and coordination described in such subsection; and
(ii)
ensure that such subgrants are of sufficient size and scope to carry out the local activities described in subsection (c).
(3)
Definition of local educational agency for certain fiscal years— For purposes of awarding subgrants under paragraph (2), the term “local educational agency” means—
(A)
a local educational agency;
(B)
an educational service agency; or
(C)
a local educational agency and an educational service agency.
(b)
Application— A local educational agency that desires to receive a subgrant under subsection (a) shall submit an application to the State at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the State educational agency may require, including—
(1)
a description of how the local educational agency will—
(A)
carry out the goals described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of section 101(b)(1); and
(B)
enable schools served by the agency to build the technological capacity and infrastructure (including through local purchasing of eligible technology), necessary for the full implementation of on-line assessments for all students (including students with disabilities and English-language learners) and to—
(i)
ensure the interoperability of data systems and eligible technology; and
(ii)
carry out the goals described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of section 101(b)(1);
(2)
a description of the results of the technology readiness survey completed by the local educational agency and a description of the plan for the local educational agency to meet the goals described in paragraph (1) within 3 years of completing the survey;
(3)
a description of the local educational agency’s student technology literacy standards, and its goals for the technology skills for teachers and administrators, and an assurance that the student technology literacy standards meet the requirements of section 7(8);
(4)
a description of the local educational agency’s technology plan to carry out paragraphs (1) and (3) and how the agency will align and coordinate the activities under this section with other activities across the local educational agency;
(5)
a description of the team of educators that will coordinate and carry out the activities under this section, including individuals with responsibility and expertise in instructional technology, teachers that specialize in supporting students with disabilities and English-language learners, school leaders, technology officers, and staff responsible for assessments and data analysis;
(6)
a description of how the local educational agency will evaluate teachers’ proficiency and progress in implementing technology for teaching and learning;
(7)
a description of how the local educational agency will ensure that principals have the expertise to evaluate teachers’ proficiency and progress in implementing technology for teaching and learning and the interoperability of data systems and eligible technology;
(8)
a description of the local educational agency’s procurement process and process for the creation, acquisition, distribution, and use of content, how the local educational agency will ensure integrity of such processes, and how such processes support the goals described in paragraph (1) or how a local educational agency will change such processes to support such goals, and how the local educational agency will ensure content quality;
(9)
a description of how the local educational agency will carry out activities under subsection (c);
(10)
a description of how the subgrant funds received under subsection (a) will be coordinated with and supported by other Federal, State, and local funds to support activities under this title;
(11)
a description of how the local educational agency will ensure that the subgrant received under subsection (a) is not duplicative of support received under the E-rate program; and
(12)
an assurance that the local educational agency will protect the privacy and safety of students and teachers, consistent with requirements section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g) (commonly known as the “Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974”) and section 2441(a) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6777(a)).
(c)
Use of funds—
(1)
Technology infrastructure— Subject to paragraph (3), a local educational agency receiving a subgrant under subsection (a) shall use not less than 40 percent of such funds to support activities for the acquisition of eligible technology needed to—
(A)
except for the activities described in paragraph (2), carry out activities described in the application submitted under subsection (b), including purchasing devices, equipment, and software applications, and improving connectivity to and within schools; and
(B)
address readiness shortfalls identified under the technology readiness survey completed by the local educational agency.
(2)
Professional development for digital learning— Subject to paragraph (3), a local educational agency receiving a subgrant under subsection (a)—
(A)
shall use not less than 35 percent of such funds to carry out—
(i)
digital age professional development opportunities for teachers, paraprofessionals, library and media personnel, specialized instructional support personnel, technology coordinators, and administrators in the effective use of modern information and communication technology tools and digital resources to deliver instruction, curriculum and school classroom management, including for classroom teachers to assess, support, and provide engaging student learning opportunities, including professional development that—
(I)
is ongoing, sustainable, and scalable;
(II)
is participatory;
(III)
includes communication and regular interactions with instructors, facilitators, and peers and is directly related to up-to-date teaching methods in content areas;
(IV)
includes strategies and tools for improving communication with parents and family engagement;
(V)
may be built around active professional learning communities or online communities of practice or other tools that increase collaboration among teachers across schools, local educational agencies, or States; and
(VI)
may contain on-demand components, such as instructional videos, training documents, or learning modules;
(ii)
ongoing professional development in strategies and pedagogy in the core academic subjects that involve the use of technology and curriculum redesign as key components of supporting effective, innovative teaching and learning, and improving student achievement;
(iii)
ongoing professional development in the use of educational technologies to ensure every educator achieves and maintains technology literacy, including possessing and maintaining the knowledge and skills to use technology—
(I)
across the curriculum for student learning;
(II)
for real-time data analysis and online or digital assessment to enable individualized instruction; and
(III)
to develop and maintain student technology literacy;
(iv)
ongoing professional development for school leaders to provide and promote leadership in the use of—
(I)
educational technology to ensure a digital-age learning environment, including the capacity to lead the reform or redesign of curriculum, instruction, assessment; and
(II)
data through the use of technology in order to increase student learning opportunity, student technology literacy, student access to technology, and student engagement in learning; and
(v)
a review of the effectiveness of the professional development and regular intervals of learner feedback and data; and
(B)
may use such funds for—
(i)
the use of technology coaches to work directly with teachers, including through the preparation of teachers as technology leaders or master teachers—
(I)
who are provided with the means to serve as experts and to create professional development opportunities for other teachers in the effective use of technology; and
(II)
who may leverage technologies, such as distance learning and online virtual educator-to-educator peer communities, as a means to support ongoing, participatory professional growth around the integration of effective educational technologies;
(ii)
innovative approaches to ongoing professional development such as non-standard achievement recognition strategies, including digital badging, gamification elements, use of learner-created learning objects, integration of social and professional networking tools, rating and commenting on learning artifacts, and personalization of professional development; and
(iii)
any other activities required to carry out the local educational agency’s technology plan described in subsection (b)(4).
(3)
Modification of funding allocations— A State educational agency may authorize a local educational agency to modify the percentage of the local educational agency’s subgrant funds required to carry out the activities described in paragraphs (1) or (2) if the local educational agency demonstrates that such modification will assist the local educational agency in more effectively carrying out such activities.
(4)
Purchasing consortia— Local educational agencies receiving subgrants under subsection (a) may—
(A)
form a local purchasing consortia with other such local educational agencies to carry out the activities described in this subsection, including purchasing eligible technology; and
(B)
use such funds for purchasing eligible technology through a State purchasing consortia under section 103(d).

Sec. 105 Reporting

(a)
Local educational agencies— Each local educational agency receiving a subgrant under section 104 shall submit to the State educational agency that awarded such subgrant an annual report the meets the requirements of subsection (c).
(b)
State educational agencies— Each State educational agency receiving a grant under section 101(b)(2) shall submit to the Secretary an annual report that meets the requirements of subsection (c).
(c)
Report requirements— A report submitted under subsection (a) or (b) shall include, at a minimum, a description of—
(1)
the status of the State education agency’s plan described in section 102(b)(3) or local education agency’s technology plan under section 104(b)(4), as applicable;
(2)
the categories eligible technology acquired with funds under this title and how such technology is being used;
(3)
the professional development activities funded under this title, including types of activities and entities involved in providing such professional development to classroom teachers and other staff, such as school librarians;
(4)
the instruction, strategies, activities, and curricula used in the programs funded under this title; and
(5)
the types of programs funded under this title.

Sec. 106 Authorization

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2014 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.