First Tee Life Skills Program

Subpart 3 of part D of title V of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7247) is amended by adding at the end the following:

5432.

First Tee Life Skills Program

(a)

Grants authorized

(1)

General authority

In accordance with this section, the Secretary may make grants to eligible entities to design and implement youth development programs for the purpose of carrying out efforts to impact the lives of young people of all backgrounds by giving an opportunity to develop life-enhancing values such as confidence, perseverance, and judgment through sports such as golf and character education by providing learning facilities and educational programs. (2)

Eligible entity

In this section, the term eligible entity means— (A)a State educational agency; (B)a local educational agency or consortium of local educational agencies; (C)a nonprofit organization or entity, including an institution of higher education; or (D)a local educational agency in partnership with one or more entities described in subparagraph (C). (3)

Special consideration

In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give special consideration to applications from eligible entities that enhance and expand the delivery of— (A)a Life Skills Experience Program, to enable children to learn valuable lessons about— (i)the importance of maintaining a positive attitude; (ii)how to make decisions by thinking about the possible consequences; and (iii)how to define and set goals from the golf course to everyday life; (B)a National School Program, to establish a lifelong interest in golf by engaging children in a structured golf curriculum taught during physical education classes, while positively impacting their lives and helping to ensure the vitality of the game; and (C)such other initiatives as the Secretary finds appropriate to expand access to the First Tee program by minorities and historically underrepresented populations. (4)

Equitable distribution

In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall ensure an equitable geographic distribution among the regions of the United States and among eligible entities located in urban, rural, and suburban areas. (5)

Duration

A grant under this section shall be awarded for a period not to exceed 3 years. (b)

Contracts under program

(1)

Evaluation

An eligible entity receiving assistance under this section may contract with outside sources, including institutions of higher education and private and nonprofit organizations, for the purposes of— (A)evaluating the program for which the assistance is made available; (B)measuring the integration of such program into the curriculum and teaching methods of schools where the program is carried out; and (C)measuring the success of such program in fostering the elements of character selected by the recipient. (2)

Materials and program development

An eligible entity may contract with outside sources, including institutions of higher education and private and nonprofit organizations, for assistance in— (A)developing curricula, materials, teacher training, and other activities related to character education; and (B)integrating character education into the curricula and teaching methods of schools where the program is carried out. (c)

Use of funds by recipients

Of the total funds received in any fiscal year under this section by an eligible entity— (1)not more than 3 percent of such funds may be used for administrative purposes; and (2)the remainder of such funds may be used for— (A)the preparation or purchase of materials, and teacher training; (B)providing assistance to local educational agencies, schools, non-profits, or institutions of higher education; and (C)technical assistance and evaluation. (d)

Application

(1)

In general

Each eligible entity desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require. (2)

Required information

Each application for a grant under this section shall include (together with any other information that the Secretary may require) information that— (A)describes any partnerships or collaborative efforts among the organizations and entities of the eligible entity; (B)describes the activities that will be carried out with the grant funds, including— (i)how parents, students, students with disabilities (including those with mental or physical disabilities), and other members of the community, including members of private and nonprofit organizations, will be involved in the design and implementation of the program and how the eligible entity will work with the larger community to increase the reach and promise of the program; (ii)curriculum and instructional practices that will be used or developed; and (iii)methods of teacher training and parent education that will be used or developed; (C)in the case of an eligible entity that is a State educational agency, describes how the State educational agency— (i)will provide technical and professional assistance to its local educational agency partners in the development and implementation of character education programs; and (ii)will assist other interested local educational agencies that are not members of the original partnership in designing and establishing character education programs; (D)describes how the eligible entity will evaluate the success of its program based on the objectives described in subsection (a); and (E)assures that the eligible entity annually will provide to the Secretary such information as may be required to determine the effectiveness of the program. (e)

Selection of recipients

(1)

Selection criteria

Selection of an eligible entity shall be made on the basis of the quality of the application submitted, taking into consideration such factors as— (A)the extent to which the program fosters character in students and the potential for improved student academic achievement; (B)the extent and ongoing nature of parental, student, and community involvement; (C)the quality of the plan for measuring and assessing success; and (D)the likelihood that the objectives of the program will be achieved. (f)

Participation by private school children and teachers

Each eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall provide, to the extent feasible and appropriate, for the participation in programs and activities under this section of students and teachers in private elementary schools and secondary schools. (g)

Reporting and evaluation

Each eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary two reports containing a comprehensive evaluation of the program under this section. The first report shall be submitted not later than the end of the second year of the program, and the second report shall be submitted not later than one year after the completion of the grant period. Each report shall— (1)describe the progress in delivering the programs described in subsection (a)(3); (2)describe the research, development, dissemination, evaluation, and technical assistance carried out under this section; and (3)describe its impact on students, students with disabilities (including those with mental or physical disabilities), teachers, administrators, parents, and others.