Encouraging State and local blended learning projects

(a)

State applications

Section 2112(b) (20 U.S.C. 6612(b)) is amended by inserting at the end the following:

(13)In the case of a State that will carry out a program to award grants under section 2121(b), a description of the program, which shall include— (A)the criteria the State will use to award grants under such section to eligible entities to carry out blended learning projects; (B)the State policies and procedures to be waived by the State, consistent with Federal law, for such eligible entities to carry out such projects, which may include waivers with respect to— (i)restrictions on class sizes; (ii)restrictions on licensing or credentialing of personnel supervising student work in such projects; (iii)restrictions on the use of State funding for instructional materials for the purchase of digital instructional resources; (iv)restrictions on advancing students based on demonstrated mastery of learning outcomes, rather than seat-time requirements; and (v)restrictions on secondary school students in the State enrolling in online coursework; (C)how the State will inform eligible entities of the availability of the waivers described in subparagraph (B); and (D)how the State will provide the non-Federal match required under section 2121(b)(2)(D).

(b)

Reservation of subgrant funds for blended learning

Section 2121 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6621) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(b)

Reservation for blended learning

(1)

In general

Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, a State that receives a grant under subpart 1 may reserve not more than 5 percent of the amount reserved to carry out this part under section 2113(a)(1) to make grants to local educational agencies to enable the agencies to carry out blended learning projects described in paragraph (2). (2)

Blended learning projects

(A)

In general

(i)

In general

The State educational agency may use the funds described in paragraph (1) to carry out a program to award grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities in the State to carry out blended learning projects described in this paragraph. (ii)

Reservation for rural areas

In awarding grants under this paragraph, a State educational agency shall reserve 5 percent of the funds available to carry out this paragraph for eligible entities that will serve rural areas. (B)

Application

An eligible entity desiring to receive a grant under this paragraph shall submit an application to the State educational agency at such time and in such manner as the agency may require, and which describes— (i)the blended learning project to be carried out by the eligible entity, including the design of the instructional model to be carried out by the eligible entity and how such eligible entity will use funds provided under this paragraph to carry out the project; (ii)in the case of an eligible entity described in subclause (I) or (III) of subparagraph (E)(iii), the schools that will participate in the project; (iii)the expected impact on student academic achievement; (iv)how the eligible entity will ensure sufficient information technology is available to carry out the project; (v)how the eligible entity will ensure sufficient digital instructional resources are available to students participating in the project; (vi)the ongoing professional development to be provided for teachers, school leaders, and other personnel carrying out the project; (vii)the State policies and procedures for which the eligible entity requests waivers from the State to carry out the project, which may include requests for the waivers described in section 2112(b)(13)(B); (viii)as appropriate, how the eligible entity will use the blended learning project to improve instruction and access to the curriculum for diverse groups of students, including students with disabilities and students who are limited English proficient; (ix)how the eligible entity will evaluate the project in terms of student academic achievement and publicly report the results of such evaluation; and (x)how the eligible entity will sustain the project beyond the grant period. (C)

Uses of funds

An eligible entity receiving a grant under this paragraph shall use such grant to carry out a blended learning project, which shall include at least 1 of the following activities: (i)Planning activities, which may include development of new instructional models (including blended learning technology software and platforms), the purchase of digital instructional resources, initial professional development activities, and one-time information technology purchases, except that such expenditures may not include expenditures related to significant construction or renovation of facilities. (ii)Ongoing professional development for teachers, school leaders, or other personnel involved in the project that is designed to support the implementation and academic success of the project. (D)

Non-federal match

A State educational agency that carries out a grant program under this paragraph shall provide non-Federal matching funds equal to not less than 10 percent of the grant funds awarded by the State educational agency to eligible entities under this paragraph. (E)

Definitions

In this paragraph: (i)

Blended learning project

The term blended learning project means a formal education program— (I)that includes an element of online learning, and instructional time in a supervised location away from home; (II)that includes an element of student control over time, path, or pace; and (III)in which the elements are connected to provide an integrated learning experience. (ii)

Charter school

The term charter school has the meaning given the term in section 5210. (iii)

Eligible entity

The term eligible entity means a— (I)local educational agency; (II)charter school; or (III)consortium of the entities described in subclause (I) or (II), which may be in partnership with a for-profit or nonprofit entity.