Short title

This Act may be cited as the

U.S.-China Language Engagement Act

Definitions

In this Act: (1)

Elementary school, local educational agency, secondary school, State educational agency

The terms elementary school, local educational agency, secondary school, and State educational agency have the meanings given such terms in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). (2)

Physical exchange

The term physical exchange means an academic, professional, or cultural exchange between the United States and the People’s Republic of China that requires international travel by one or more individuals involved in the exchange. (3)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Education. (4)

Virtual exchange

The term virtual exchange means an academic, professional, or cultural exchange between the United States and the People’s Republic of China that does not require international travel by one or more individuals involved in the exchange.

Programs for Chinese language and cultural studies instruction

(a)

Program authorized

(1)

In general

From amounts appropriated under subsection (e), the Secretary of Education shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to local educational agencies to carry out innovative model programs providing for the establishment, improvement, or expansion of Chinese language and cultural studies instruction for elementary school and secondary school students in the schools served by such local educational agencies. (2)

Duration

A grant under paragraph (1) shall be for a period of three years. (b)

Requirements

In awarding a grant under subsection (a) to a local educational agency, the Secretary shall support programs that— (1)demonstrate approaches that can be disseminated and duplicated in other local educational agencies; and (2)may include a professional development component. (c)

Reservation

The Secretary may reserve not more than .05 percent of funds appropriated under subsection (e) to evaluate the effectiveness of the programs funded under this section. (d)

Applications

(1)

In general

A local educational agency desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (2)

Special consideration

In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give special consideration to applications describing programs that— (A)include intensive summer Chinese language instruction programs for professional development, with particular regard to such programs that include physical exchanges; (B)link speakers in the community who are bilingual in English and Chinese with elementary and secondary schools in order to promote two-way language learning; (C)promote the sequential study of Chinese language for students, beginning in elementary school; (D)make effective use of technology, such as computer-assisted instruction, language laboratories, or distance learning, to promote Chinese language study; (E)promote innovative activities, such as Chinese language immersion, partial Chinese language immersion, or content-based instruction; and (F)promote a comprehensive approach to learning Chinese, which includes programs on the history and culture of China. (e)

Authorization of appropriations

(1)

In general

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary carry out this section $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, $25,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2009 through 2012, and such sums as are necessary for each succeeding fiscal year. (2)

Availability of funds

Amounts appropriated under this subsection are authorized to remain available until expended.

School language technology enhancement

(a)

Program authorized

From amounts appropriated under subsection (e) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall award grants to local educational agencies in order for such agencies to acquire communications technologies or equipment to improve Chinese language instruction in elementary schools and secondary schools through computer-assisted instruction, distance learning, and virtual exchanges. (b)

Application

Each local educational agency desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (c)

Priority

In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to local educational agencies that commit use the grant funds to acquire communications technologies or equipment for the purpose of conducting virtual exchanges involving elementary school students and secondary school students served by the local educational agencies. (d)

Use of funds

A local educational agency receiving a grant under this section shall use the grant to acquire communications technologies or equipment that— (1)may be used for collaborative ventures with— (A)foreign language and area or international studies centers supported under section 602(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1122(a)); or (B)national language resource and training centers supported under section 603 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1123); and (2)shall be used to conduct virtual exchanges with schools or other educational institutions in the People’s Republic of China. (e)

Authorization of appropriations

(1)

In general

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2011, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2012, and such sums as may be necessary for each succeeding fiscal year. (2)

Availability of funds

Amounts appropriated under this subsection are authorized to remain available until expended.

Sense of Congress regarding benefit of exposure to Chinese language and culture

It is the sense of Congress that an increase in the number of students who receive substantial exposure to Chinese language and cultural studies before graduating from secondary school will enhance the global economic competitiveness of the United States in the 21st century.