[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6617 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 6617

To strengthen communities through English literacy, civics, education, 
                  and immigrant integration programs.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 24, 2008

 Mr. Honda (for himself, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. Hinojosa, Mr. Grijalva, 
 Mr. Ellison, Mr. Cuellar, Mr. Abercrombie, Ms. Bordallo, Ms. Hirono, 
Mr. Faleomavaega, Ms. Matsui, and Mr. Becerra) introduced the following 
 bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and 
  in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be 
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 
  of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
                               concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To strengthen communities through English literacy, civics, education, 
                  and immigrant integration programs.

    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 ``Strengthening Communities Through 
Education and Integration Act of 2008''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) According to the United States Census, over 23,000,000 
        United States residents do not speak English well.
            (2) According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy, 
        93,000,000 adults in the United States have limited reading, 
        writing, and mathematics skills, and 14 percent of adults in 
        the United States have below basic proficiency in prose 
        literacy.
            (3) Only three percent of the 93,000,000 adults who could 
        benefit from adult education services, English literacy, and 
        civics education programs actually participate in such services 
        and programs.
            (4) There is a growing and urgent need for additional 
        English literacy and civics education programs for adults in 
        the United States.
            (5) It is beneficial to new immigrants, host communities, 
        States, and the Nation for immigrants to timely adjust to life 
        in the United States, learn English, become citizens, buy 
        homes, start businesses, send their children to college, and 
        thrive economically.
            (6) A proactive policy for new Americans at the State and 
        local levels will maximize the benefits immigrants bring to 
        States and municipalities, while helping immigrants integrate 
        as quickly as possible.

        TITLE I--EXPANDING ENGLISH LITERACY AND CIVICS EDUCATION

SEC. 101. INCREASED INVESTMENT IN ENGLISH ACQUISITION UNDER THE ADULT 
              EDUCATION AND FAMILY LITERACY ACT.

    (a) Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education Program.--
Section 203 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (20 U.S.C. 
9202) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(19) Integrated english literacy and civics education 
        program.--The term `integrated English literacy and civics 
        education program' means a program of instruction designed to 
        help an English language learner achieve competence in English 
        through contextualized instruction on the rights and 
        responsibilities of citizenship, naturalization procedures, 
        civic participation, and United States history and government 
        to help such learner acquire the skills and knowledge to become 
        an active and informed parent, worker, and community member.''.
    (b) State Leadership Activities.--Section 223(a) of the such Act 
(20 U.S.C. 9223(a)) is amended by inserting after paragraph (11) the 
following:
            ``(12) Technical assistance for grant applications of faith 
        and community-based organizations.
            ``(13) The study of the effectiveness of distance learning 
        or self-study programs to assist the English language learner 
        population acquire English.''.
    (c) National Institute for Literacy.--Section 242(c)(1) of such Act 
(20 U.S.C. 9252(c)(1)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A)--
                    (A) by redesignating clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv) 
                as clauses (iii), (iv), and (v), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after clause (i) the following new 
                clause:
                            ``(ii) effective practices in the provision 
                        of integrated English literacy and civics 
                        education programs;'';
            (2) by redesignating subparagraphs (G), (H), and (I) as 
        subparagraphs (H), (I), and (J), respectively; and
            (3) by inserting after subparagraph (F) the following new 
        subparagraph:
                    ``(G) to coordinate and share information with 
                national organizations and associations that are 
                interested in integrated English literacy and civics 
                education programs;''.
    (d) Report.--Section 242(k) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 9252(k)) is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(3) a separate analysis of--
                    ``(A) national and State adult English instruction 
                needs;
                    ``(B) data on the composition of recent immigration 
                flows and immigration settlement patterns across the 
                United States; and
                    ``(C) estimated instructional needs based on the 
                English ability and educational attainment of English 
                language learners under recent migration patterns; 
                and''.
    (e) National Leadership Activities.--Section 243 of such Act (20 
U.S.C. 9253) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``and 
                integrated English literacy and civics education 
                programs'' before the semicolon at the end; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``and 
                integrated English literacy and civics education 
                programs'' before ``, based on scientific evidence''; 
                and
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``and 
                integrated English literacy and civics education 
                programs'' before the semicolon at the end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (D)(ii), by inserting 
                ``integrated English literacy and civics education 
                programs,'' before ``and workplace literacy programs''; 
                and
                    (C) in subparagraph (E)--
                            (i) in clause (i), by inserting ``and 
                        integrated English literacy and civics 
                        education programs'' before the semicolon at 
                        the end;
                            (ii) in clause (iii), by striking ``and'' 
                        at the end;
                            (iii) in clause (iv)--
                                    (I) by striking ``section 231'' and 
                                inserting ``sections 231 and 244''; and
                                    (II) by inserting ``and'' after the 
                                semicolon; and
                            (iv) by adding at the end the following new 
                        clause:
                            ``(v) the extent to which integrated 
                        English literacy and civics education programs 
                        carried out under section 244 lead participants 
                        in such programs to increase their civic 
                        participation and, if applicable, lead such 
                        participants to become United States 
                        citizens.''.
    (f) Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education.--Chapter 4 of 
subtitle A of such Act (20 U.S.C. 9251 et seq.) is amended by adding at 
the end the following new section:

``SEC. 244. INTEGRATED ENGLISH LITERACY AND CIVICS EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

    ``(a) Program Authorized.--
            ``(1) In general.--From funds appropriated to carry out 
        this section, the Secretary shall award grants to States, from 
        allocations under subsection (b), for integrated English 
        literacy and civics education programs.
            ``(2) Definition of state.--In this section the term 
        `State' means each of the several States of the United States 
        and the District of Columbia.
    ``(b) Allocations.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2) and with 
        respect to funds described in subsection (a), the Secretary 
        shall allocate--
                    ``(A) 65 percent to States on the basis of a 
                State's need for integrated English and civics 
                education programs, as determined by calculating each 
                State's share of a ten-year average of the data 
                compiled by the Office of Immigration Statistics of the 
                Department of Homeland Security, for immigrants 
                admitted for lawful permanent residence for the ten 
                most recent years; and
                    ``(B) 35 percent to the States on the basis of 
                whether the State experienced growth, as measured by 
                the average of the three most recent years for which 
                data compiled by the Office of Immigration Statistics 
                of the Department of Homeland Security are available, 
                for immigrants admitted for lawful permanent residence.
            ``(2) Minimum.--No State shall receive an allocation under 
        paragraph (1) in an amount that is less than $60,000.
    ``(c) Authorization of Appropriation.--For the purpose of carrying 
out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated $200,000,000 
for fiscal year 2009, $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, and 
$300,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.''.

SEC. 102. EXPANSION AND EVALUATION OF THE EVEN START FAMILY LITERACY 
              PROGRAM.

    (a) Expansion of Program.--Section 1002(b)(3) of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6302(b)(3)) is amended to 
read as follows:
            ``(3) Even start.--For the purpose of carrying out subpart 
        3 of part B, there are authorized to be appropriated 
        $350,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 and each of the 5 succeeding 
        fiscal years.''.
    (b) Even Start Research and Evaluation.--Subpart 3 of part B of 
title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 6381 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 1243. RESEARCH.

    ``(a) In General.--In order to provide rigorous research utilizing 
appropriate, scientifically based research standards, the Director of 
the National Institute for Literacy shall design a plan (approved by 
the Secretary) to carry out, through a grant or contract, research into 
the components of successful family literacy services to inform the 
field and improve practice and increase program quality, in order to--
            ``(1) improve the quality of existing programs assisted 
        under this subpart or other family literacy programs; and
            ``(2) develop models for new programs to be carried out 
        under this subpart.
    ``(b) Consultation.--In conducting the research described in 
subsection (a), the entity with which the Director of the National 
Institute for Literacy contracts or awards a grant shall consult with--
            ``(1) Even Start coordinators and practitioners, including 
        individuals from migrant or tribal Even Start programs;
            ``(2) individuals who are researchers and experts in family 
        literacy, including early childhood and adult literacy;
            ``(3) individuals who are experts in literacy services for 
        English language learners and the learners' families; and
            ``(4) individuals who are representatives from other 
        national organizations involved in family literacy.
    ``(c) Scientifically Based Research on Family Literacy.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director of the National Institute 
        for Literacy, in consultation with the Secretary, shall carry 
        out research that--
                    ``(A) is scientifically based reading research; and
                    ``(B) determines--
                            ``(i) the most effective ways of improving 
                        the literacy skills of adults with reading 
                        difficulties; and
                            ``(ii) how family literacy services can 
                        best provide parents with the knowledge and 
                        skills the parents need to support the parents' 
                        children's literacy development.
            ``(2) Use of expert entity.--The Director of the National 
        Institute for Literacy, in consultation with the Secretary, 
        shall carry out the research under paragraph (1) through an 
        entity, including a Federal agency, that has expertise in 
        carrying out longitudinal studies of the development of 
        literacy skills in children and adults and has developed 
        effective interventions to help children with reading 
        difficulties.
    ``(d) Dissemination.--The Director of the National Institute for 
Literacy shall disseminate, pursuant to section 1207, the results of 
research described in subsections (a) and (b) to State educational 
agencies and recipients of subgrants under this subpart.
    ``(e) Report to Congress.--Not later than 6 months after the date 
of completion of research under this section, the Director of the 
National Institute for Literacy shall--
            ``(1) submit a report on the research to the Secretary, the 
        Committee on Education and Labor of the House of 
        Representatives, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
        and Pensions of the Senate; and
            ``(2) make such report publicly available.

``SEC. 1244. LONGITUDINAL EVALUATION.

    ``(a) National William F. Goodling Even Start Evaluation.--The 
Director of the National Institute for Literacy shall review, make 
recommendations on, design, and plan for a longitudinal evaluation of 
the Even Start program under this subpart, as approved by the 
Secretary.
    ``(b) Considerations.--In conducting the evaluation described in 
subsection (a), the Director of the National Institute for Literacy 
shall consider--
            ``(1) the extent to which programs under this subpart--
                    ``(A) provide family literacy services to adults 
                and children not otherwise available or accessible to 
                such children or adults, or that supplement child 
                development or adult education services provided by 
                other programs;
                    ``(B) strengthen parents' knowledge and skills that 
                support parent-child relationships, parental 
                involvement in schools, and family literacy and other 
                educational activities in the home;
                    ``(C) improve adult participants' basic skill 
                levels in reading, writing, speaking the English 
                language, and basic mathematics; and
                    ``(D) increase adult participants' ability to 
                maintain and retain employment; and
            ``(2) the extent to which programs under this subpart link 
        families to needed community services and how differences in 
        the type, length, mix, and intensity of services affect the 
        desired program goals.''.

SEC. 103. EXPANDED LEARNING TIME FOR MIDDLE AND SECONDARY SCHOOL 
              ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS.

    (a) Definitions.--
            (1) In general.--Unless otherwise specified, the terms used 
        in this section have the meanings given the terms in section 
        9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 7801).
            (2) Other definitions.--In this section:
                    (A) Expanded learning time program.--The term 
                ``expanded learning time program'' means--
                            (i) a summer learning semester at a school 
                        served by a local educational agency;
                            (ii) a consolidated school district 
                        program;
                            (iii) an extended day program that adds not 
                        less than one hour to the school day, if the 
                        additional learning time--
                                    (I) focuses on English language 
                                acquisition and core academics; and
                                    (II) allows for enrichment 
                                opportunities that support learning; or
                            (iv) a semester or program described in 
                        clause (i), (ii), or (iii) that is operated 
                        by--
                                    (I) a local educational agency or a 
                                public school; or
                                    (II) a local educational agency or 
                                a public school in a partnership with--
                                            (aa) a nonprofit 
                                        organization;
                                            (bb) a faith-based 
                                        organization; or
                                            (cc) any other entity that 
                                        meets State quality assurance 
                                        guidelines.
                    (B) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the 
                several States of the United States and the District of 
                Columbia.
    (b) Program Authorized.--From amounts appropriated under subsection 
(h), the Secretary of Education shall award grants under this section 
to each State educational agency served by a State to enable the State 
educational agency to provide subgrants, on a competitive basis, to 
local educational agencies to enable the local educational agencies to 
provide high quality expanded learning time programs for middle and 
secondary school students who are English language learners.
    (c) Grant Requirements.--
            (1) Approved applications.--The Secretary shall only award 
        a grant under this section to a State educational agency for 
        which the Secretary has approved an application under this 
        section.
            (2) Matching requirement.--To be eligible to receive a 
        grant under this section, a State educational agency shall 
        provide matching funds, from non-Federal sources, in an amount 
        that is not less than 25 percent of the total amount of funds 
        received under the grant.
            (3) In-kind contributions.--In-kind contributions from 
        private funding sources may be used to meet the matching 
        requirement described in paragraph (2).
            (4) State application.--
                    (A) In general.--In order to receive a grant under 
                this section, a State educational agency shall submit 
                an application, that was developed collaboratively with 
                community-based organizations that serve English 
                language learner communities, teachers, a statewide 
                organization of teachers, a representative from public 
                libraries, and other educators, to the Secretary at 
                such time and in such form as the Secretary may 
                require.
                    (B) Contents.--The application shall include a 
                State plan for providing high quality expanded learning 
                time programs for middle and secondary school students 
                who are English language learners. The State plan shall 
                include--
                            (i) a description of the State needs 
                        regarding the English language learner student 
                        population;
                            (ii) an outline for an accountability 
                        standard to ensure the use of high quality 
                        expanded learning time programs;
                            (iii) any other requirement determined to 
                        be necessary by the Secretary; and
                            (iv) guidelines on--
                                    (I) which expanded learning time 
                                programs are determined to be high 
                                quality; and
                                    (II) how the State educational 
                                agency will ensure that the State 
                                educational agency will meet the 
                                requirements of subsection (e).
    (d) Competitive Subgrants.--
            (1) In general.--A State educational agency receiving a 
        grant under this section shall use the grant funds to award 
        subgrants, on a competitive basis, to local educational 
        agencies to enable the local educational agencies to provide 
        expanded learning time programs to middle and secondary school 
        students who are English language learners in order to provide 
        such students with additional language and civics education.
            (2) Priority.--A State educational agency receiving a grant 
        under this section shall give priority in awarding subgrants 
        under this section to local educational agencies that 
        demonstrate a need for expanded learning time programs for 
        English language learner middle and secondary school students.
            (3) Need determination.--A State educational agency shall 
        determine a local educational agency's need under paragraph (2) 
        on the basis of--
                    (A) increases in the number of students who are 
                English language learners and served by the local 
                educational agency;
                    (B) substantial increases in the local immigrant 
                population served by the local educational agency; and
                    (C) evidence that expanded learning time programs 
                are necessary to ensure that schools served by the 
                local educational agency will reach accountability 
                standards under the Elementary and Secondary Education 
                Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.).
            (4) Application.--In order to receive a subgrant under this 
        section, a local educational agency shall submit an application 
        to the State educational agency at such time and in such form 
        as the State educational agency may require. The application 
        shall--
                    (A) describe the needs of the middle and secondary 
                school English language learner student population 
                served by the local educational agency;
                    (B) describe the types of expanded learning time 
                programs to be offered to middle and secondary school 
                students who are English language learners;
                    (C) describe how the subgrant will be used;
                    (D) include guidelines on--
                            (i) which expanded learning time programs 
                        are considered to be high quality; and
                            (ii) how the local educational agency will 
                        meet the requirements of subsection (e);
                    (E) contain an assurance that the local educational 
                agency will meet the requirements of subsection (e);
                    (F) include an outline for an accountability 
                standard to ensure high quality expanded learning time 
                programs;
                    (G) contain evidence of an agreement, between the 
                governing body of the local educational agency and the 
                employees of the local educational agency, including 
                teachers, at participating schools or their recognized 
                representatives, to work the expanded schedule;
                    (H) describe the process by which the local 
                educational agency will ensure the meaningful 
                involvement of teachers, union representatives, 
                parents, public libraries, and school partners in the 
                planning and implementation of the expanded learning 
                time program; and
                    (I) contain any other requirement determined 
                necessary by the State educational agency.
            (5) Matching requirement.--To be eligible to receive a 
        subgrant under this section, a local educational agency shall 
        provide matching funds, from non-Federal sources, in an amount 
        that is not less than 15 percent of the total amount of funds 
        received under the subgrant.
    (e) Supplement, Not Supplant.--A State educational agency and a 
local educational agency shall use Federal funds received under this 
section only to supplement the funds that would, in the absence of such 
Federal funds, be made available from non-Federal sources for the 
education of students participating in expanded learning time programs 
assisted under this section, and not to supplant such funds.
    (f) Duration and Renewal.--
            (1) Duration of grants and subgrants.--Grants and subgrants 
        under this section shall be awarded for a period that does not 
        exceed 3 years in duration.
            (2) Renewal of grants and subgrants.--
                    (A) In general.--Grants and subgrants under this 
                section may be renewed in 2-year increments.
                    (B) Conditions for renewal.--In order to be 
                eligible to renew a grant or subgrant under this 
                paragraph, the State educational agency or local 
                educational agency shall demonstrate to the 
                satisfaction of the Secretary or State educational 
                agency, respectively, that the State educational agency 
                or local educational agency, respectively, has complied 
                with the terms of the grant or subgrant, respectively.
    (g) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to alter or otherwise affect the rights, remedies, and 
procedures afforded to the employees of local educational agencies 
under Federal, State, or local laws (including applicable regulations 
or court orders) or under the terms of collective bargaining 
agreements, memoranda of understanding, or other agreements between 
such employees and their employers, including the right of employees of 
local educational agencies to engage in good faith collective 
bargaining with their employers regarding their terms and conditions of 
employment, and the procedures used to determine such terms and 
conditions.
    (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying 
out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated $50,000,000 
for fiscal year 2009 and each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years.

SEC. 104. DEFINITIONS OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER.

    (a) Adult Education and Family Literacy Act.--The Adult Education 
and Family Literacy Act (20 U.S.C. 9201 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) in section 203(6) (20 U.S.C. 9202(6)), by striking 
        ``individuals of limited English proficiency'' and inserting 
        ``English language learners'';
            (2) in section 203(10) (20 U.S.C. 9202(10))--
                    (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking 
                ``Individual of limited english proficiency'' and 
                inserting ``English language learner''; and
                    (B) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
                striking ``individual of limited English proficiency'' 
                and inserting ``English language learner'';
            (3) in section 224(b)(10)(D) (20 U.S.C. 9224(b)(10)(D)), by 
        striking ``individuals with limited English proficiency'' and 
        inserting ``English language learners''; and
            (4) in section 243(2)(D)(ii) (as amended by section 
        101(e)(2)(B)) (20 U.S.C. 9253(2)(D)(ii)), by striking 
        ``individuals with limited English proficiency who are adults'' 
        and inserting ``adult English language learners''.
    (b) Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.--
            (1) Amendment.--Section 9101(25) of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801(25)) is amended 
        by striking the matter preceding subparagraph (A) and inserting 
        the following:
            ``(25) English language learner.--The term `English 
        language learner' means an individual--''.
            (2) References.--Any reference in the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) to an 
        individual who is limited English proficient shall be construed 
        to refer to an English language learner.

SEC. 105. CREDITS FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS.

    (a) In General.--Subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to nonrefundable 
personal credits) is amended by inserting after section 25D the 
following new section:

``SEC. 25E. TEACHERS OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS.

    ``(a) In General.--In the case of an eligible teacher, there shall 
be allowed a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the 
taxable year an amount equal to--
            ``(1) $1,500, for each of the first 5 taxable years for 
        which the taxpayer is allowed a credit under this section, and
            ``(2) $1,000, for any other taxable year.
    ``(b) Credit Allowed Only for 10 Taxable Years.--No credit shall be 
allowed under this section with respect to a taxpayer for any taxable 
year after the 10th taxable year for which such taxpayer is allowed a 
credit under this section.
    ``(c) Eligible Teacher.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) In general.--The term `eligible teacher' means, with 
        respect to a taxable year, any individual who is a full-time 
        teacher in an academic subject, has received training in 
        delivering academic instruction to English language learner 
        students, and is employed in any English languae learner school 
        for the academic year ending in such taxable year.
            ``(2) English language learner school.--The term `English 
        language learner school' means any school--
                    ``(A) which provides elementary education or 
                secondary education, as determined under State law, and
                    ``(B) in which 10 percent or more of the students 
                enrolled are limited English proficient (as defined in 
                section 9901 of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
                Act of 1965).''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for such subpart is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 25D the 
following new item:

``Sec. 25E. Teachers in English language learner schools.''.
    (c) Teacher Certification Expenses.--Part VII of subchapter B of 
chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to additional 
itemized deductions for individuals) is amended by redesignating 
section 224 as section 225 and by inserting after section 223 the 
following new section:

``SEC. 224. TEACHER CERTIFICATION EXPENSES.

    ``(a) In General.--In the case of an individual, there shall be 
allowed as a deduction for teacher certification expenses paid or 
incurred by the taxpayer for the taxable year.
    ``(b) Teacher Certification Expenses.--
            ``(1) TESL certification expenses.--For purposes of this 
        section, the term `TESL certification expenses' means tuition 
        and fees required for the enrollment or attendance of the 
        taxpayer or the taxpayer's spouse at an eligible educational 
        institution (as defined in section 25A) for a course which is 
        required for certification of such individual as qualified to 
        teach English to elementary or secondary school students who 
        are limited English proficient (as defined in section 9901 of 
        the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965).
            ``(2) State bilingual education certification expenses.--
        For purposes of this section, the term `State bilingual 
        education certification expenses' means tuition and fees 
        required for the enrollment or attendance of the taxpayer or 
        the taxpayer's spouse at an eligible educational institution 
        (as defined in section 25A) for a course which is required for 
        certification of such individual as qualified to teach 
        bilingual courses to elementary or secondary school students 
        who are limited English proficient (as defined in section 9901 
        of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965).
            ``(3) Exceptions.--Such term shall not include any amounts 
        to the extent such amounts--
                    ``(A) are for a course that is part of the 
                individual's degree program, or
                    ``(B) are funded by another person (or any 
                governmental entity).
    ``(c) Denial of Double Benefit.--No deduction shall be allowed 
under this section for any expense for which a deduction or credit is 
allowed under any other provision of this chapter.''.
    (d) Certification Deduction Allowed Whether or Not Taxpayer 
Itemizes Other Deductions.--Subsection (a) of section 62 of such Code 
is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(22) Teacher certification expenses.--The deduction 
        allowed by section 224.''.
    (e) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for part VII of 
subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by striking the last 
item and inserting the following new items:

``Sec. 224. Teacher certification expenses.
``Sec. 225. Cross reference.''.
    (f) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to amounts paid or incurred in taxable years beginning after 
December 31, 2008.

SEC. 106. RESEARCH IN ADULT EDUCATION.

    (a) In General.--Section 133(c)(A) of the Education Sciences Reform 
Act of 2002 (20 U.S.C. 9533(c)(A)) is amended by inserting ``education 
and'' before ``literacy''.
    (b) National Research and Development Center.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Education shall direct 
        the Commissioner for Education Research of the National Center 
        for Education Research established pursuant to section 131 of 
        the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (20 U.S.C. 9531) to 
        establish a national research and development center for adult 
        education and literacy as described in section 133(c)(A) of 
        such Act (22 U.S.C. 9533(c)(A)) (as amended by subsection (a)).
            (2) Provision for expansion of research.--If, as of the 
        date of the enactment of this Act, the Commissioner has 
        established a center for adult literacy in accordance with 
        section 133(c)(A) of the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002, 
        the Commissioner shall expand the topic of research of such 
        center to include adult education, in accordance with the 
        amendment made by subsection (a).

 TITLE II--SUPPORTING ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACQUISITION AND ADULT EDUCATION 
                            IN THE WORKFORCE

SEC. 201. CREDIT FOR EMPLOYER PROVIDED ADULT ENGLISH LITERACY AND BASIC 
              EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--Subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to business related 
credits) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 45Q. EMPLOYER-PROVIDED ADULT ENGLISH LITERACY AND BASIC 
              EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

    ``(a) In General.--For the purposes of section 38, the credit 
determined under this section with respect to any employer for the 
taxable year is an amount equal to 20 percent of qualified education 
program expenses, or no more than $1,000 per full-time employee 
participating in the qualified education program.
    ``(b) Qualified Education Program Expenses.--For purposes of this 
section--
            ``(1) In general.--The term `qualified education program 
        expenses' means expenses paid or incurred by an employer to 
        make available qualified education to employees of the 
        employer, who are English language learners or have not 
        received a secondary school diploma, or its recognized 
        equivalent, or who lack sufficient mastery of basic educational 
        skills to enable the individuals to function effectively in 
        society.
            ``(2) Qualified education.--The term `qualified education' 
        means adult education and literacy activities provided--
                    ``(A) by an eligible provider which for the fiscal 
                year ending during the employer's taxable year receives 
                Federal funds under section 231 of the Adult Education 
                and Family Literacy Act for adult education and 
                literacy activities, or
                    ``(B) in curriculum approved by the Department of 
                Education, the Employment and Training Administration 
                of the Department of Labor, or in current use by a 
                Federal agency.
            ``(3) Eligible provider; adult education and literacy 
        activities.--The terms `eligible provider', and `adult 
        education and literacy activities' shall have the respective 
        meanings given to such terms in section 203 of the Adult 
        Education and Family Literacy Act.
            ``(4) English language learner.--The term `English language 
        learner' shall have the same meaning given to such term in 
        section 9101(25) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
        of 1965.
    ``(c) Special Rules.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) Full-time employment.--An employee shall be 
        considered full-time if such employee is employed at least 30 
        hours per week for 25 or more calendar weeks in the taxable 
        year.
            ``(2) Aggregation rule.--All persons treated as a single 
        employer under subsection (a) or (b) or section 52, or 
        subsection (m) or (o) of section 414, shall be treated as one 
        person.
    ``(d) Denial of Double Benefit.--No deduction or credit shall be 
allowed under any other provision of this chapter for any amount taken 
into account in determining the credit under this section.
    ``(e) Election To Have Credit Not Apply.--A taxpayer may elect (at 
such time and in such manner as the Secretary may by regulations 
prescribe) to have this section not apply for any taxable year.''.
    (b) Credit To Be Part of General Business Credit.--Subsection (b) 
of section 38 of such Code (relating to current year business credit) 
is amended by striking ``plus'' at the end of paragraph (32), by 
striking the period at the end of paragraph (33) and inserting ``, 
plus'', and by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(34) the adult English literacy and basic education 
        programs credit determined under section 45Q.''.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for subpart D of 
part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the such Code is amended by 
adding at the end the following new item:

``45O. Employer-provided adult English literacy and basic education 
                            programs.''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008.

        TITLE III--INTEGRATING AND BUILDING STRONGER COMMUNITIES

SEC. 301. OFFICE OF CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRANT INTEGRATION.

    (a) Renaming of the Office of Citizenship and Immigrant 
Integration.--
            (1) In general.--The Office of Citizenship within U.S. 
        Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the Department of 
        Homeland Security shall be renamed the ``Office of Citizenship 
        and Immigrant Integration''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Subsection (f) of section 451 of 
        the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 271) is amended--
                    (A) in the heading, by striking ``Citizenship.'' 
                and inserting ``Citizenship and Immigrant 
                Integration.'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and Immigrant 
                Integration'' after ``Office of Citizenship''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and Immigrant 
                Integration'' after ``Office of Citizenship''.
            (3) References.--Any reference in a law, regulation, 
        document, paper, or other record of the United States to the 
        Office of Citizenship within U.S. Immigration and Customs 
        Enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security shall be 
        deemed to be a reference to the ``Office of Citizenship and 
        Immigrant Integration''.
    (b) Functions.--Paragraph (2) of section 451(f) of the Homeland 
Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 271(f)), as amended by subsection 
(a)(2)(C), is further amended by striking ``for promoting'' and all 
that follows through the end and inserting ``for--
                    ``(A) establishing national goals for integrating 
                new communities into the United States and measuring 
                the degree to which such goals are met;
                    ``(B) assessing and coordinating Federal policies, 
                regulations, task forces, and commissions related to 
                integration of immigrants into the United States;
                    ``(C) serving as a liaison and intermediary with 
                State and local governments and other entities to 
                assist in establishing local integration goals, task 
                forces, and integration councils to assist immigrants 
                to the United States;
                    ``(D) providing research on, and policy analysis 
                of, the demand for English acquisition programs carried 
                out by the Federal Government and for other services 
                for aliens who have recently arrived in the United 
                States;
                    ``(E) assisting States in coordinating alien 
                integration and refugee resettlement programs with the 
                grant program carried out under title III of the 
                Strengthening Communities Through English and 
                Integration Act of 2008; and
                    ``(F) promoting instruction and training on 
                citizenship responsibilities for aliens interested in 
                becoming naturalized citizens of the United States, 
                including the development of educational materials for 
                such aliens.''.

SEC. 302. GRANTS TO STATES.

    (a) Authority To Provide Grants.--Subject to subsections (c) and 
(d), the Chief of the Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration 
is authorized to provide grants to States to form State New American 
Councils as described in subsection (b) to carry out activities 
described in section 303.
    (b) State New American Councils.--A State New American Council 
shall consist of not less than 15 and not more than 19 individuals from 
the State and shall include, to the extent practicable, representatives 
from the following sectors:
            (1) Business.
            (2) Faith-based organizations.
            (3) Civic organizations.
            (4) Philanthropic leaders.
            (5) Nonprofit organizations with experience working with 
        immigrant communities.
            (6) Education organizations, including organizations 
        representing teachers and other employees.
            (7) Representatives of State adult education offices.
            (8) Representatives of State or local public libraries.
            (9) Representatives of statewide or local elected office 
        holders.
    (c) Waiver of Requirement.--
            (1) Authority to grant.--The Chief of the Office of 
        Citizenship and Immigrant Integration may award a grant under 
        subsection (a) to a State without requiring the State to form a 
        State New American Council if the Chief determines that the 
        State is carrying out statewide initiatives to integrate 
        immigrants into the State and into the United States.
            (2) Guidelines.--The Chief shall establish guidelines for 
        awarding grants to States described in paragraph (1).
    (d) Grants to Local Governments.--The Chief of the Office of 
Citizenship and Immigrant Integration may provide a grant under 
subsection (a) to a local government if the Chief determines that the 
State in which the local government is located is unable or unwilling 
to apply for such a grant.
    (e) Application.--An applicant for a grant under subsection (a) 
shall submit an application to the Chief of the Office of Citizenship 
and Immigrant Integration. Such application shall include--
            (1) if the applicant is a State seeking to form a State New 
        American Council, an assurance that such State New American 
        Council will meet the requirements of subsection (b);
            (2) the number of immigrants in the State in which the 
        applicant is located;
            (3) a description of the challenges immigrants face in 
        effectively integrating into such State and local communities; 
        and
            (4) any other information that the Chief may reasonably 
        require.
    (f) Duration.--A grant awarded under subsection (a) shall be for a 
period of 5 years.
    (g) Grant Amount.--The amount of a grant awarded under subsection 
(a) shall be not less than $500,000 and not more than $5,000,000 for 
each fiscal year.
    (h) Reservations.--
            (1) National.--The Chief of the Office of Citizenship and 
        Immigrant Integration shall reserve not more than 1 percent of 
        the amount appropriated to carry out this title for such 
        Office, including the evaluation of funds distributed.
            (2) States.--A State awarded a grant under subsection (a) 
        may reserve not more than 10 percent of such grant amount for 
        the creation and operation of the State New American Council.

SEC. 303. AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.

    (a) Mandatory Activities.--A grant awarded under section 302(a) 
shall be used--
            (1) to develop, implement, expand, or enhance a 
        comprehensive integration plan;
            (2) to provide subgrants to local communities as described 
        in subsection (c);
            (3) if the grant is awarded to a State to form a State New 
        American Council, to convene meetings of the State New American 
        Council not less frequently than once each quarter; and
            (4) to convene public hearings not less frequently than 
        once each year to report on the activities carried out by with 
        such grant.
    (b) Permissible Activities.--A grant awarded under section 302(a) 
may be used--
            (1) to examine the status of immigrants in the State or 
        municipality which was awarded the grant;
            (2) to provide technical assistance or training for State 
        or local agencies to improve services to immigrants;
            (3) to review and develop strategies to expand distance 
        learning as a method of instruction for language and civics 
        education and available technological programs that may 
        supplement or supplant quality classroom instruction; and
            (4) to coordinate with entities of other States engaged in 
        immigrant integration or refugee resettlement activities.
    (c) Subgrants to Local Communities.--
            (1) Requirement to award.--A grant under section 302(a) 
        shall be used to award subgrants to entities of local 
        governments to assist communities with local efforts to 
        integrate populations of immigrants and address community 
        concerns related to such populations.
            (2) Authorized activities.--Subgrants shall be awarded 
        under paragraph (1) to entities of local governments for use to 
        carry out activities in accordance with--
                    (A) a comprehensive integration plan described in 
                subsection (a)(1); and
                    (B) any guidance provided by the Chief of the 
                Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration.
            (3) Subgrant amount.--The amount of a subgrant awarded 
        under this subsection shall be not less than $100,000 and not 
        more than $600,000 for a fiscal year.

SEC. 304. ACCOUNTABILITY AND EVALUATION.

    (a) Accountability System.--Each entity awarded a grant under 
section 302(a) or a subgrant under section 303(c) shall establish an 
accountability system to measure the outcomes of the activities carried 
out with such grant or subgrant and assess the effectiveness of such 
entity in achieving the integration goals of--
            (1) the Chief of the Office of Citizenship and Immigrant 
        Integration; and
            (2) any applicable comprehensive integration plan described 
        in subsection 303(a)(1).
    (b) System Requirements.--The accountability system required by 
subsection (a) shall consist of methods to measure the success of 
activities carried out with a grant awarded under section 302(a) or a 
subgrant awarded under section 303(c) in producing--
            (1) gains in the integration of immigrants into the United 
        States, including increases--
                    (A) in the understanding of the history and form of 
                government of the United States and of the 
                responsibilities of United States citizenship;
                    (B) in obtaining the skills needed to meet the 
                requirements of section 312(a) of the Immigration and 
                Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1423(a));
                    (C) in the participation of such immigrants in 
                volunteer or other community involvement activities; 
                and
                    (D) in the participation of such immigrants who are 
                parents in education of their children;
            (2) gains in the education levels of immigrants to the 
        United States, including increases in--
                    (A) the English language proficiency of such 
                immigrants;
                    (B) the literacy skills of such immigrants; and
                    (C) the rates of such immigrants in obtaining a 
                high school diploma or its recognized equivalent; or
            (3) gains in the employment status of immigrants to the 
        United States, including increases in--
                    (A) the level of job skills of such immigrants, 
                including workplace English; and
                    (B) the ability of such immigrants to obtain and 
                retain full-time employment.
    (c) Annual Evaluation.--The Chief of the Office of Citizenship and 
Immigrant Integration shall conduct an annual evaluation of the grant 
program established under this title. Such evaluation shall be used by 
the Chief--
            (1) to improve the effectiveness of programs carried out by 
        the Chief;
            (2) to assess future needs of immigrants and of State and 
        local governments related to immigrants; and
            (3) to determine the effectiveness of such grant program.

SEC. 305. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated $100,000,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2009 through 2014 to carry out this title.
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