[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 372 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
107th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 372
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to
strengthen the involvement of parents in the education of their
children, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 15, 2001
Mr. Reed (for himself, Mr. Wellstone, and Mrs. Murray) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to
strengthen the involvement of parents in the education of their
children, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Parent Act of 2001''.
SEC. 2. REFERENCES.
Except as otherwise specifically provided, whenever in this Act an
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or a
repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be
considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.).
SEC. 3. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Parents are the first and most influential educators of
their children.
(2) The Federal Government must provide leadership,
technical assistance, and financial support to States and local
educational agencies, as partners, in helping the agencies
implement successful and effective parental involvement
policies and programs that lead to improved student
achievement.
(3) State and local education officials, as well as
teachers, principals, and other staff at the school level, must
work as partners with the parents of the children they serve.
(4) Research has documented that, regardless of the
economic, ethnic, or cultural background of the family,
parental involvement in a child's education is a major factor
in determining success in school.
(5) Parental involvement in a child's education contributes
to positive outcomes such as improved grades and test scores,
higher expectations for student achievement, better school
attendance, improved homework completion rates, decreased
violence and substance abuse, and higher rates of graduation
and enrollment in postsecondary education.
(6) Numerous education laws now require meaningful parental
involvement, including title I of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), the Goals 2000:
Educate America Act (20 U.S.C. 5801 et seq.), the Head Start
Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.), and the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.), and
elements of these laws should be extended to other Federal
education programs.
SEC. 4. BASIC PROGRAMS.
(a) State Plan.--Section 1111 (20 U.S.C. 6311) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(1)(B), by striking ``and technical
assistance under section 1117'' and inserting ``, technical
assistance under section 1117, and parental involvement under
section 1118'';
(2) by redesignating subsections (d) through (g) as
subsections (e) through (h), respectively; and
(3) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
``(d) Parental Involvement.--Each State plan shall demonstrate that
the State has identified or developed effective research-based best
practices designed to foster meaningful parental involvement. Such best
practices shall--
``(1) be disseminated to all schools and local educational
agencies in the State;
``(2) be implemented in all schools in the State; and
``(3) address the full range of parental involvement
activities required under section 1118.''.
(b) Local Educational Agency Plans.--Section 1112 (20 U.S.C. 6312)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), (6), (7),
(8), and (9) as paragraphs (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), and
(10) respectively; and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
``(4) a description of the strategy the local educational
agency will use to implement effective parental involvement in
accordance with section 1118;'';
(2) in subsection (c)(1)--
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) through (H)
as subparagraphs (E) through (I); and
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the
following:
``(D) work in consultation with schools as the
schools develop and implement their plans or activities
under sections 1118 and 1119;''; and
(3) in subsection (e)(3), by inserting before the period
the following: ``and if such agency's parental involvement
activities are in accordance with section 1118''.
(c) Schoolwide Programs.--Section 1114 (20 U.S.C. 6314) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(1)(E), by inserting after
``involvement'' the following: ``in accordance with section
1118''; and
(2) in subsection (b)(2)(A)(iv), by inserting after
``results'' the following: ``in a language the family can
understand''.
(d) Targeted Assistance.--Section 1115(c)(1)(H) (20 U.S.C.
6315(c)(1)(H)) is amended by inserting after ``involvement'' the
following: ``in accordance with section 1118''.
(e) Assessments.--Section 1116 (20 U.S.C. 6317) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as
paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) review the effectiveness of the actions and
activities the schools are carrying out under this part with
respect to the parental involvement programs described in
section 1118, the professional development activities described
in section 1119, and other activities assisted under this
Act;'';
(2) in subsection (c)(4), by inserting after ``elements of
student performance problems'' the following: ``, that
addresses school problems, if any, in implementing the parental
involvement requirements in section 1118 and the professional
development requirements in section 1119,'';
(3) in subsection (d)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' after
the semicolon;
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as
subparagraph (C); and
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the
following:
``(B) annually review the effectiveness of the
action or activities carried out under this part by
each local educational agency receiving funds under
this part with respect to parental involvement,
professional development, and other activities assisted
under this Act; and''; and
(4) in subsection (d)(5)(i)--
(A) in subclause (I), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(III) address problems, if any,
in implementing the parental
involvement requirements described in
section 1118 and the professional
development provisions described in
section 1119; and''.
(f) State Assistance.--Section 1117 (20 U.S.C. 6318) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting ``parental
involvement,'' after ``including''; and
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(C)--
(i) by inserting ``parents,'' after
``including''; and
(ii) by inserting ``parental involvement
programs,'' after ``successful''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Parental involvement.--Each State shall collect and
disseminate effective parental involvement practices to local
educational agencies and schools. Such practices shall--
``(A) be based on the most current research on
effective parental involvement that fosters achievement
to high standards for all children; and
``(B) be geared toward lowering barriers to greater
participation in school planning, review, and
improvement experienced by parents.''.
(g) Parental Involvement.--Section 1118 (20 U.S.C. 6319) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2)(B), by inserting before the
semicolon the following: ``activities that will lead to
improved student achievement for all students'';
(2) in subsection (a)(3)--
(A) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as
subparagraph (C);
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the
following:
``(B)(i) The Secretary is authorized to award grants to
local educational agencies to enable the local educational
agencies to supplement the implementation of the provisions of
this section and to allow for the expansion of other recognized
and proven initiatives and policies to improve student
achievement through the involvement of parents.
``(ii)(I) Each local educational agency desiring a grant
under this subparagraph shall submit to the Secretary an
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary may require.
``(II) Each application submitted under subclause (I) shall
describe the activities to be undertaken using funds received
under this subparagraph and shall set forth the process by
which the local educational agency will annually evaluate the
effectiveness of the agency's activities in improving student
achievement and increasing parental involvement.
``(iii) Each grant under this subparagraph shall be awarded
for a 5-year period.
``(iv) The Secretary shall conduct a review of the
activities carried out by each local educational agency using
funds received under this subparagraph, to determine whether
the local educational agency demonstrates improvement in
student achievement and an increase in parental involvement.
``(v) The Secretary shall terminate grants to a local
educational agency under this subparagraph after the fourth
year if the Secretary determines that the evaluations conducted
by such agency and the reviews conducted by the Secretary show
no improvement in the local educational agency's student
achievement and no increase in such agency's parental
involvement.
``(vi) There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out
this subparagraph $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2002, and such
sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal
years, of which the Secretary may reserve not more than .20
percent to carry out the reviews described in clause (iv).'';
and
(C) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated), by
inserting ``and granted under subparagraph (B)'' after
``subparagraph (A)'';
(3) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting before the last
sentence the following: ``Parents shall be notified of the
policy in the language most familiar to the parents.'';
(4) in subsection (e)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``participating
parents'' and inserting ``all parents of children
served by the school or agency, as appropriate,''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``and'' after the semicolon;
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by inserting
``and'' after the semicolon; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) materials or training using technology to
foster parental involvement;'';
(5) in subsection (g), by adding at the end the following:
``Such local educational agencies and schools may use
information, technical assistance, and other support from the
parental information and resource centers to create parent
resource centers in schools.''; and
(6) by adding at the end the following:
``(i) State Review.--The State educational agency shall review the
local educational agency's parental involvement policies and practices
to determine if such policies and practices meet the requirements of
section 1118 and are meaningful and targeted to improve home and school
communication, student achievement, and parental involvement in school
planning, review, and improvement.''.
SEC. 5. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
(a) Purposes.--Section 2002(2) (20 U.S.C. 6602(2)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(2) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period and
inserting a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(G) incorporates training in effective practices
in order to encourage and offer opportunities to get
parents involved in their child's education in ways
that will foster student achievement and well-being;
and
``(H) includes special training for teachers and
administrators to develop the skills necessary to work
most effectively with parents.''.
(b) Authorized Activities.--Section 2102(c) (20 U.S.C. 6622(c)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (13), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (14), by striking the period and inserting
``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(15) the development and dissemination of model programs
that teach teachers and administrators how best to work with
parents and how to encourage the parent's involvement in the
full range of parental involvement activities described in
section 1118.''.
(c) State Applications.--Section 2205(b)(2) (20 U.S.C. 6645(b)(2))
is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (N), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(2) by redesignating subparagraph (O) as subparagraph (P);
and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (N) the following:
``(O) describe how the State will train teachers to
foster relationships with parents and encourage parents
to become collaborators with schools in their
children's education; and''.
(d) State-Level Activities.--Section 2207 (20 U.S.C. 6647) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (12) and (13) as paragraphs
(13) and (14), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (11) the following:
``(12) providing professional development programs that
enable teachers, administrators, and pupil services personnel
to effectively communicate with and involve parents in the
education process to support school planning, review,
improvement, and classroom instruction, and to work effectively
with parent volunteers;''.
(e) Local Plan and Application for Improving Teaching and
Learning.--Section 2208 (20 U.S.C. 6648) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(2), by inserting ``parents,'' after
``administrators,''; and
(2) in subsection (d)(1)--
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (I) and (J) as
subparagraphs (J) and (K), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (H) the
following:
``(I) describe the specific professional
development strategies that will be implemented to
improve parental involvement in education and how such
agency will be held accountable for implementing such
strategies.''.
(f) Local Allocation.--Section 2210(b)(3) (20 U.S.C. 6650(b)(3)) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (P) and (Q) as
subparagraphs (Q) and (R), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (O) the following:
``(P) professional development activities designed
to enable teachers, administrators, and pupil services
personnel to communicate with parents regarding student
achievement on assessments;''.
SEC. 6. TECHNOLOGY FOR EDUCATION.
(a) Findings.--Section 3111 (20 U.S.C. 6811) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (6), by inserting ``and by facilitating
mentor relationships,'' after ``by means of
telecommunications,'';
(2) in paragraph (14), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(3) in paragraph (15), by striking the period and inserting
a semicolon; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(16) access to education technology and teachers trained
in how to incorporate the technology into their instruction
leads to improved student achievement, motivation, and school
attendance;
``(17) the use of technology in education can enhance the
educational opportunities schools can offer students with
special needs; and
``(18) the introduction of education technology increases
parental involvement, which has been shown to improve student
achievement.''.
(b) Statement of Purpose.--Section 3112 (20 U.S.C. 6812) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (11), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (12), by striking the period and inserting
``; and''; and
(3) by adding after paragraph (12), the following:
``(13) development and support for technology and
technology programming that will enhance and facilitate
meaningful parental involvement.''.
(c) National Long-Range Technology Plan.--Section 3121(c)(4) (20
U.S.C. 6831(c)(4)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(2) in subparagraph (F), by inserting ``and'' after the
semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(G) increased parental involvement in schools
through the use of technology;''.
(d) Federal Leadership.--Section 3122(c) (20 U.S.C. 6832(c)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (15), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(2) by redesignating paragraph (16) as paragraph (17); and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (15) the following:
``(16) the development, demonstration, and evaluation of
model technology programs designed to improve parental
involvement; and''.
(e) Local Uses of Funds.--Section 3134 (20 U.S.C. 6844) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period and inserting
a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) utilizing technology to develop or expand efforts to
connect schools and teachers with parents to promote meaningful
parental involvement and foster increased communication about
curriculum, assignments, and assessments; and
``(8) providing support to help parents understand the
technology being applied in their child's education so that
parents are able to reinforce their child's learning.''.
(f) Local Applications.--Section 3135 (20 U.S.C. 6845) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(D)--
(A) in clause (i), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(B) in clause (ii), by inserting ``and'' after the
semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(iii) a description of how parents will be
informed of the use of technologies so that the parents
are able to reinforce at home the instruction their
child receives at school;'';
(2) in paragraph (3)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' after
the semicolon; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) improve parental involvement in schools;'';
(3) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking the period and
inserting ``; and''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) describe how the local educational agency will
effectively use technology to promote parental involvement and
increase communication with parents.''.
(g) National Challenge Grants.--Section 3136(c) (20 U.S.C. 6846(c))
is amended--
(1) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (5), by striking the period and inserting
``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) the project will enhance parental involvement by
providing parents the information needed to more fully
participate in their child's learning.''.
SEC. 7. DRUG-FREE SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES.
(a) State Applications.--Section 4112 (20 U.S.C. 7112) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``, including
how the agency will receive input from parents
regarding the use of such funds'' after ``4113(b)'';
and
(B) in paragraph (6), by inserting ``, and how such
review will include input from parents'' after
``4115''; and
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(B) in paragraph (6), by striking the period and
inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) a specific description of how input from parents will
be sought regarding the use of funds under section 4114(a).''.
(b) Evaluation and Reporting.--Section 4117 (20 U.S.C. 7117) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' after
the semicolon;
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period and
inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) on the State's efforts to inform parents of,
and include parents in, violence and drug prevention
efforts.''; and
(2) in the first sentence of subsection (c), by striking
the period and inserting ``and a description of how parents
were informed of, and participated in, violence and drug
prevention efforts.''.
SEC. 8. INNOVATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM STRATEGIES.
(a) Definition.--Section 6003 (20 U.S.C. 7303) is amended--
(1) by striking ``children, and (3)'' and inserting
``children, (3) adopting meaningful parental involvement
policies and practices, and (4)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(F) A climate that promotes meaningful parental
involvement in the classroom and in site-based
activities.''.
(b) State Applications.--Section 6202(a) (20 U.S.C. 7332(a)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (6), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (7), by striking the period and inserting
``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) provides information on the parental involvement
policies and practices promoted by the State.''.
(c) Targeted Uses of Funds.--Section 6301(b) (20 U.S.C. 7351(b)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (8), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (9), by striking the period and inserting
``; and''; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:
``(10) programs to promote the meaningful involvement of
parents.''.
(d) Local Applications.--Section 6303(a)(1)(A) (20 U.S.C.
7353(a)(1)(A)) is amended by inserting ``, including parental
involvement,'' before ``designed''.
SEC. 9. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(a) Definition.--Section 14101 (20 U.S.C. 8801) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (24) through (30) as
paragraphs (25) through (31), respectfully; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (23) the following:
``(24) Parental involvement.--The term `parental
involvement', when used with respect to a school, means--
``(A) the school engages parents in regular, two-
way, and meaningful communication;
``(B) parenting skills are promoted and supported
at the school;
``(C) parents play an integral role in assisting
student learning;
``(D) parents are welcome in the school;
``(E) parents are included in decision-making and
advisory committees at the school; and
``(F) parents are included in other activities
described in section 1118.''.
(b) Parental Involvement.--Title XIV (20 U.S.C. 8801 et seq.) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``PART H--PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
``SEC. 14901. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT.
``(a) State Parental Involvement Plan.--In order to receive Federal
funding for any program authorized under this Act, a State educational
agency shall (as part of a consolidated application, or other State
plan or application submitted under this Act) submit to the Secretary--
``(1) a description of the agency's parental involvement
policies, consistent with section 1118, including specific
details about--
``(A) how Federal funds will be used to implement
such policies; and
``(B) successful research-based practices in
schools throughout the State; and
``(2) a description of how such policies will be evaluated
with respect to increased parental involvement in the schools
throughout the State.
``(b) Parental Review of State Parental Involvement Plan.--Prior to
making the submission described in subsection (a), a State educational
agency shall involve parents in the development of the policies
described in such subsection by--
``(1) providing public notice of the policies in a manner
and language understandable to parents;
``(2) providing the opportunity for parents and other
interested individuals to comment on the policies; and
``(3) including the comments received with the submission.
``(c) Language Applicability.--Each State educational agency and
local educational agency that is required to establish a parental
involvement plan or policy under a program assisted under this Act
shall make available, to the parents of children eligible to
participate in the program, the plan or policy in the language most
familiar to the parents and in an easily understandable manner.
``(d) Report Cards.--
``(1) In general.--Each local educational agency that
receives assistance under this Act shall prepare and make
available to parents an annual report card that puts into
context various factors that affect student performance, such
as the socioeconomic status of families in the school
attendance area, the level of student mobility, and the
availability of other student support services, and includes,
at a minimum--
``(A) student achievement information as
demonstrated by how students within schools served by
the local educational agency perform on tests;
``(B) other measurements of student achievement;
``(C) teacher qualifications;
``(D) class size;
``(E) school safety;
``(F) dropout rates;
``(G) actions being taken by schools served by the
local educational agency to involve parents in school
activities and decision making; and
``(H) information concerning whether schools served
by the local educational agency have been identified
for school improvement, and if so, what technical
assistance, supports, and resources have been provided
to help the schools improve student achievement.
``(2) Student data.--Student data in each report card under
paragraph (1) shall contain disaggregated results for the
following categories:
``(A) Gender.
``(B) Racial and ethnic group.
``(C) Migrant status.
``(D) Students with disabilities, as compared with
students who are not disabled.
``(E) Economically disadvantaged students, as
compared with students who are not economically
disadvantaged.
``(F) Students with limited English proficiency, as
compared with students who are proficient in English.
``(3) Format.--School report cards under this subsection
shall--
``(A) be in a format that--
``(i) is informative to the parents and the
public;
``(ii) is easily understandable; and
``(iii) is in the language most familiar to
the parents; and
``(B) provide a clear description of statistical
data.
``(4) Other information.--A local educational agency may
include in the agency's report card under this subsection any
other appropriate information.
``(5) Public dissemination.--Beginning in the 2002-2003
school year, the local educational agency shall publicly report
the information described in paragraph (1) through such means
as posting on the Internet, distribution to the media, and
through public agencies.
``(6) Privacy.--Information collected under this section
shall be collected and disseminated in a manner that protects
the privacy of individuals.''.
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