[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 611 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 611

    To provide for secondary school reform, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           February 15, 2007

  Mrs. Murray introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
  referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
    To provide for secondary school reform, 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 ``Pathways for All Students to Succeed 
Act''.

          TITLE I--READING AND MATHEMATICS SKILLS FOR SUCCESS

SEC. 101. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) While the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
        1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), as amended by the No Child Left 
        Behind Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110, 115 Stat. 1425), 
        provides a strong framework for helping children in the early 
        grades, our Nation still needs a comprehensive strategy to 
        address the literacy problems and learning gaps of students in 
        middle school and secondary school.
            (2) Approximately 60 percent of students in the poorest 
        communities fail to graduate from secondary school on time, in 
        large part because of severe reading deficits that contribute 
        to academic failure.
            (3) Forty percent of students attending high minority 
        enrollment secondary schools enroll in remedial reading 
        coursework when entering higher education, in an effort to gain 
        the skills their secondary education failed to provide.
            (4) While 33 percent of all low-income students are 
        enrolled in secondary schools, only 15 percent of the funding 
        targeted to disadvantaged students goes to secondary schools.
            (5) Data from the 1998 National Assessment of Educational 
        Progress show that 32 percent of boys and 19 percent of girls 
        in eighth grade cannot read at a basic level. These numbers do 
        not change significantly in the secondary school years and are 
        even more dramatic when students are identified by minority 
        status.
            (6) The 2002 National Assessment of Educational Progress 
        writing scores indicate that while the percentage of fourth and 
        eighth graders writing at or above a basic level increased 
        between 1998 and 2002, the percentage of 12th graders writing 
        at or above a basic level decreased. These numbers show that 
        our concentrated efforts for elementary school students have 
        improved their writing skills, but by neglecting the needs of 
        secondary school students, we are squandering these gains.
            (7) The United States cannot maintain its position as the 
        world's strongest economy if we continue to ignore the literacy 
        needs of adolescents in middle school and secondary school.
            (8) The achievement gap between White and Asian students 
        and Black and Hispanic students remains wide in the area of 
        mathematics.
            (9) The 2003 National Assessment of Educational Progress 
        shows that the achievement gap between the mathematics scores 
        of eighth grade Black and Hispanic students and White students 
        is the same in 2003 as in 1990.
            (10) The 2003 National Assessment of Educational Progress 
        shows that eighth grade students eligible for a free or 
        reduced-price school lunch did not meet the basic mathematics 
        score, unlike non-eligible students.
            (11) According to the latest results from international 
        assessments, 15-year-olds from the United States performed 
        below the international average in mathematics literacy and 
        problem-solving, placing 27th out of 39 countries.
            (12) Only \1/3\ of the United States workforce has any 
        post-secondary education, yet 60 percent of new jobs in the 
        21st century will require post-secondary education.

SEC. 102. PURPOSES.

    The purposes of this title are--
            (1) to provide assistance to State educational agencies and 
        local educational agencies in establishing effective research-
        based reading, writing, and mathematics programs for students 
        in middle schools and secondary schools, including students 
        with disabilities and students with limited English 
        proficiency;
            (2) to provide adequate resources to schools to hire and to 
        provide in-service training for not less than 1 literacy coach 
        per 20 teachers who can assist middle school and secondary 
        school teachers to incorporate research-based reading and 
        writing instruction into the teachers' teaching of mathematics, 
        science, history, civics, geography, literature, language arts, 
        and other core academic subjects;
            (3) to provide assistance to State educational agencies and 
        local educational agencies--
                    (A) in strengthening reading and writing 
                instruction in middle schools and secondary schools; 
                and
                    (B) in procuring high-quality diagnostic reading 
                and writing assessments and comprehensive research-
                based programs and instructional materials that will 
                improve reading and writing performance among students 
                in middle school and secondary school; and
            (4) to provide adequate resources to schools to hire and to 
        provide in-service training for not less than 1 mathematics 
        coach per 20 teachers who can assist middle school and 
        secondary school teachers to utilize research-based mathematics 
        instruction to develop students' mathematical abilities and 
        knowledge, and assist teachers in assessing student learning.

SEC. 103. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title:
            (1) In general.--The terms ``local educational agency'', 
        ``Secretary'', and ``State educational agency'' have the 
        meaning given the terms in section 9101 of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
            (2) Eligible local educational agency.--The term ``eligible 
        local educational agency'' means a local educational agency who 
        is eligible to receive funds under part A of title I of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 
        et seq.).
            (3) Literacy coach.--The term ``literacy coach'' means a 
        certified or licensed teacher with a demonstrated effectiveness 
        in teaching reading and writing to students with specialized 
        reading and writing needs, and the ability to work with 
        classroom teachers to improve the teachers' instructional 
        techniques to support reading and writing improvement, who 
        works on site at a school--
                    (A) to train teachers from across the curriculum to 
                incorporate the teaching of reading and writing skills 
                into their instruction of content;
                    (B) to train teachers to assess students' reading 
                and writing skills and identify students requiring 
                remediation; and
                    (C) to provide or assess remedial literacy 
                instruction, including for--
                            (i) students in after school and summer 
                        school programs;
                            (ii) students requiring additional 
                        instruction;
                            (iii) students with disabilities; and
                            (iv) students with limited English 
                        proficiency.
            (4) Mathematics coach.--The term ``mathematics coach'' 
        means a certified or licensed teacher, with a demonstrated 
        effectiveness in teaching mathematics to students with 
        specialized needs in mathematics, a command of mathematical 
        content knowledge, and the ability to work with classroom 
        teachers to improve the teachers' instructional techniques to 
        support mathematics improvement, who works on site at a 
        school--
                    (A) to train teachers to better assess student 
                learning in mathematics;
                    (B) to train teachers to assess students' 
                mathematics skills and identify students requiring 
                remediation; and
                    (C) to provide or assess remedial mathematics 
                instruction, including for--
                            (i) students in after school and summer 
                        school programs;
                            (ii) students requiring additional 
                        instruction;
                            (iii) students with disabilities; and
                            (iv) students with limited English 
                        proficiency.
            (5) Middle school.--The term ``middle school'' means a 
        school that provides middle school education, as determined 
        under State law.
            (6) Secondary school.--The term ``secondary school'' means 
        a school that provides secondary education, as determined under 
        State law.
            (7) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the 50 States, 
        the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the 
        United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the 
        Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

SEC. 104. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) Literacy Grants.--For the purposes of carrying out subtitle A, 
there are authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 
2008 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 5 succeeding 
fiscal years.
    (b) Mathematics Grants.--For the purposes of carrying out subtitle 
B, there are authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000,000 for fiscal 
year 2008 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 5 
succeeding fiscal years.

                  Subtitle A--Literacy Skills Programs

SEC. 111. LITERACY SKILLS PROGRAMS.

    (a) Grants Authorized.--
            (1) In general.--From funds appropriated under section 
        104(a) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall establish a 
        program, in accordance with the requirements of this subtitle, 
        that will provide grants to State educational agencies, and 
        grants or subgrants to eligible local educational agencies, to 
        establish reading and writing programs to improve the overall 
        reading and writing performance of students in middle school 
        and secondary school.
            (2) Length of grant.--A grant to a State educational agency 
        under this subtitle shall be awarded for a period of 6 years.
    (b) Reservation of Funds by the Secretary.--From amounts 
appropriated under section 104(a) for a fiscal year, the Secretary 
shall reserve--
            (1) 3 percent of such amounts to fund national activities 
        in support of the programs assisted under this subtitle, such 
        as research and dissemination of best practices, except that 
        the Secretary may not use the reserved funds to award grants 
        directly to local educational agencies; and
            (2) 2 percent of such amounts for the Bureau of Indian 
        Affairs to carry out the services and activities described in 
        section 112(c) for Indian children.
    (c) Grant Formulas.--
            (1) Formula grants to state educational agencies.--If the 
        amounts appropriated under section 104(a) for a fiscal year are 
        equal to or greater than $500,000,000, then the Secretary shall 
        award grants, from allotments under paragraph (3), to State 
        educational agencies to enable the State educational agencies 
        to provide subgrants to eligible local educational agencies to 
        establish reading and writing programs to improve overall 
        reading and writing performance among students in middle school 
        and secondary school.
            (2) Direct grants to eligible local educational agencies.--
                    (A) In general.--If the amounts appropriated under 
                section 104(a) for a fiscal year are less than 
                $500,000,000, then the Secretary shall award grants, on 
                a competitive basis, directly to eligible local 
                educational agencies to establish reading and writing 
                programs to improve overall reading and writing 
                performance among students in middle school and 
                secondary school.
                    (B) Priority.--The Secretary shall give priority in 
                awarding grants under this paragraph to eligible local 
                educational agencies that--
                            (i) are among the local educational 
                        agencies in the State with the lowest 
                        graduation rates, as described in section 
                        1111(b)(2)(C)(vi) of the Elementary and 
                        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                        6311(b)(2)(C)(vi)); and
                            (ii) have the highest number or percentage 
                        of students who are counted under section 
                        1124(c) of the Elementary and Secondary 
                        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6333(c)).
            (3) Allotments to states.--
                    (A) In general.--From funds appropriated under 
                section 104(a) and not reserved under subsection (b) 
                for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall make an 
                allotment to each State educational agency having an 
                application approved under subsection (d) in an amount 
                that bears the same relation to the funds as the amount 
                the State received under part A of title I of the 
                Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 6311 et seq.) bears to the amount received under 
                such part by all States.
                    (B) Minimum allotment.--Notwithstanding 
                subparagraph (A), no State educational agency shall 
                receive an allotment under this paragraph for a fiscal 
                year in an amount that is less than 0.25 percent of the 
                funds allotted to all State educational agencies under 
                subparagraph (A) for the fiscal year.
            (4) Reallotment.--If a State educational agency does not 
        apply for a grant under this subtitle, the Secretary shall 
        reallot the State educational agency's allotment to the 
        remaining States.
    (d) Applications.--
            (1) In general.--In order to receive a grant under this 
        subtitle, a State educational agency shall submit an 
        application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
        accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require. 
        Each such application shall meet the following conditions:
                    (A) A State educational agency shall not include 
                the application for assistance under this subtitle in a 
                consolidated application submitted under section 9302 
                of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
                (20 U.S.C. 7842).
                    (B) The State educational agency's application 
                shall include an assurance that--
                            (i) the State educational agency has 
                        established a reading and writing partnership 
                        that--
                                    (I) coordinated the development of 
                                the application for a grant under this 
                                subtitle; and
                                    (II) will assist in designing and 
                                administering the State educational 
                                agency's program under this subtitle; 
                                and
                            (ii) the State educational agency will 
                        participate, if requested, in any evaluation of 
                        the State educational agency's program under 
                        this subtitle.
                    (C) The State educational agency's application 
                shall include a program plan that contains a 
                description of the following:
                            (i) How the State educational agency will 
                        assist eligible local educational agencies in 
                        implementing subgrants, including providing 
                        ongoing professional development for literacy 
                        coaches, teachers, paraprofessionals, and 
                        administrators.
                            (ii) How the State educational agency will 
                        help eligible local educational agencies 
                        identify high-quality screening, diagnostic, 
                        and classroom-based instructional reading and 
                        writing assessments.
                            (iii) How the State educational agency will 
                        help eligible local educational agencies 
                        identify high-quality research-based materials 
                        and programs.
                            (iv) How the State educational agency will 
                        help eligible local educational agencies 
                        identify appropriate and effective materials, 
                        programs, and assessments for students with 
                        disabilities and students with limited English 
                        proficiency.
                            (v) How the State educational agency will 
                        ensure that professional development funded 
                        under this subtitle--
                                    (I) is based on reading and writing 
                                research;
                                    (II) will effectively improve 
                                instructional practices for reading and 
                                writing for middle school and secondary 
                                school students; and
                                    (III) is coordinated with 
                                professional development activities 
                                funded through other programs 
                                (including federally funded programs 
                                such as programs funded under the Adult 
                                Education and Family Literacy Act (20 
                                U.S.C. 9201 et seq.), the Individuals 
                                with Disabilities Education Act (20 
                                U.S.C. 1400 et seq.), and the 
                                Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
                                of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.)).
                            (vi) How funded activities will help 
                        teachers and other instructional staff to 
                        implement research-based components of reading 
                        and writing instruction.
                            (vii) The subgrant process the State 
                        educational agency will use to ensure that 
                        eligible local educational agencies receiving 
                        subgrants implement programs and practices 
                        based on reading and writing research.
                            (viii) How the State educational agency 
                        will build on and promote coordination among 
                        reading and writing programs in the State to 
                        increase overall effectiveness in improving 
                        reading and writing instruction, including for 
                        students with disabilities and students with 
                        limited English proficiency.
                            (ix) How the State educational agency will 
                        regularly assess and evaluate the effectiveness 
                        of the eligible local educational agency 
                        activities funded under this subtitle.
            (2) Review of applications.--The Secretary shall review 
        applications from State educational agencies under this 
        subsection as the applications are received.
    (e) State Use of Funds.--Each State educational agency receiving a 
grant under this subtitle shall--
            (1) establish a reading and writing partnership, which may 
        be the same as the partnership established under section 
        1203(d) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
        (20 U.S.C. 6363(d)), that will provide guidance to eligible 
        local educational agencies in selecting or developing and 
        implementing appropriate, research-based reading and writing 
        programs for middle school and secondary school students;
            (2) use 80 percent of the grant funds received under this 
        subtitle for a fiscal year to award subgrants to eligible local 
        educational agencies having applications approved under section 
        112(a); and
            (3) use 20 percent of the grant funds received under this 
        subtitle--
                    (A) to carry out State-level activities described 
                in the application submitted under subsection (d);
                    (B) to provide--
                            (i) technical assistance to eligible local 
                        educational agencies; and
                            (ii) high-quality professional development 
                        to teachers and literacy coaches;
                    (C) to oversee and evaluate subgrant services and 
                activities undertaken by the eligible local educational 
                agencies as described in section 112(c); and
                    (D) for administrative costs,
        of which not more than 10 percent of the grant funds may be 
        used for planning, administration, and reporting.
    (f) Notice to Eligible Local Educational Agencies.--Each State 
educational agency receiving a grant under this subtitle shall provide 
notice to all eligible local educational agencies in the State about 
the availability of subgrants under this subtitle.
    (g) Supplement Not Supplant.--Each State educational agency 
receiving a grant under this subtitle shall use the grant funds to 
supplement, not supplant, State funding for activities authorized under 
this subtitle or for other educational activities.
    (h) New Services and Activities.--Grant funds provided under this 
subtitle may be used only to provide services and activities authorized 
under this subtitle that were not provided on the day before the date 
of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 112. SUBGRANTS TO ELIGIBLE LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES.

    (a) Application.--
            (1) In general.--Each eligible local educational agency 
        desiring a subgrant under this subtitle shall submit an 
        application to the State educational agency in the form and 
        according to the schedule established by the State educational 
        agency.
            (2) Contents.--In addition to any information required by 
        the State educational agency, each application under paragraph 
        (1) shall demonstrate how the eligible local educational agency 
        will carry out the following required activities:
                    (A) Development or selection and implementation of 
                research-based reading and writing assessments.
                    (B) Development or selection and implementation of 
                research-based reading and writing programs, including 
                programs for students with disabilities and students 
                with limited English proficiency.
                    (C) Selection of instructional materials based on 
                reading and writing research.
                    (D) High-quality professional development for 
                literacy coaches and teachers based on reading and 
                writing research.
                    (E) Evaluation strategies.
                    (F) Reporting.
                    (G) Providing access to research-based reading and 
                writing materials.
            (3) Consortia.--An eligible local educational agency may 
        apply to the State educational agency for a subgrant as a 
        member of a consortium, if each member of the consortium is an 
        eligible local educational agency.
    (b) Award Basis.--
            (1) Minimum subgrant amount.--Each eligible local 
        educational agency receiving a subgrant under this subtitle for 
        a fiscal year shall receive a minimum subgrant amount that 
        bears the same relation to the amount of funds made available 
        to the State educational agency under section 111(e)(2) as the 
        amount the eligible local educational agency received under 
        part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
        of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.) for the preceding fiscal year 
        bears to the amount received by all eligible local educational 
        agencies in the State under such part for the preceding fiscal 
        year.
            (2) Sufficient size and scope.--Subgrants under this 
        section shall be of sufficient size and scope to enable 
        eligible local educational agencies to fully implement 
        activities assisted under this subtitle.
    (c) Local Use of Funds.--Each eligible local educational agency 
receiving a subgrant under this subtitle shall use the subgrant funds 
to carry out, at the middle school and secondary school level, the 
following services and activities:
            (1) Hiring literacy coaches, at a ratio of not less than 1 
        literacy coach for every 20 teachers, and providing 
        professional development for literacy coaches--
                    (A) to work with classroom teachers to incorporate 
                reading and writing instruction within all subject 
                areas, during regular classroom periods, after school, 
                and during summer school programs, for all students;
                    (B) to work with classroom teachers to identify 
                students with reading and writing problems and, where 
                appropriate, refer students to available programs for 
                remediation and additional services;
                    (C) to work with classroom teachers to diagnose and 
                remediate reading and writing difficulties of the 
                lowest-performing students, by providing intensive, 
                research-based instruction, including during after 
                school and summer sessions, geared toward ensuring that 
                the students can access and be successful in rigorous 
                academic coursework; and
                    (D) to assess and organize student data on literacy 
                and communicate that data to school administrators to 
                inform school reform efforts.
            (2) Reviewing, analyzing, developing, and, where possible, 
        adapting curricula to make sure literacy skills are taught 
        within the content area subjects.
            (3) Providing reading and writing professional development 
        for all teachers in middle school and secondary school that 
        addresses both remedial and higher level literacy skills for 
        students in the applicable curriculum.
            (4) Providing professional development for teachers, 
        administrators, and paraprofessionals serving middle schools 
        and secondary schools to help the teachers, administrators, and 
        paraprofessionals meet literacy needs.
            (5) Procuring and implementing programs and instructional 
        materials based on reading and writing research, including 
        software and other education technology related to reading and 
        writing instruction.
            (6) Building on and promoting coordination among reading 
        and writing programs in the eligible local educational agency 
        to increase overall effectiveness in improving reading and 
        writing instruction, including for students with disabilities 
        and students with limited English proficiency.
            (7) Evaluating the effectiveness of the instructional 
        strategies, teacher professional development programs, and 
        other interventions that are implemented under the subgrant.
    (d) Supplement Not Supplant.--Each eligible local educational 
agency receiving a subgrant under this subtitle shall use the subgrant 
funds to supplement, not supplant, the eligible local educational 
agency funding for activities authorized under this subtitle or for 
other educational activities.
    (e) New Services and Activities.--Subgrant funds provided under 
this subtitle may be used only to provide services and activities 
authorized under this subtitle that were not provided on the day before 
the date of enactment of this Act.
    (f) Evaluations.--Each eligible local educational agency receiving 
a grant under this subtitle shall participate, as requested by the 
State educational agency or the Secretary, in reviews and evaluations 
of the programs of the eligible local educational agency and the 
effectiveness of such programs, and shall provide such reports as are 
requested by the State educational agency and the Secretary.

                Subtitle B--Mathematics Skills Programs

SEC. 121. MATHEMATICS SKILLS PROGRAMS.

    (a) Grants Authorized.--
            (1) In general.--From funds appropriated under section 
        104(b) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall establish a 
        program, in accordance with the requirements of this subtitle, 
        that will provide grants to State educational agencies, and 
        grants and subgrants to eligible local educational agencies, to 
        establish mathematics programs to improve the overall 
        mathematics performance of students in middle school and 
        secondary school.
            (2) Length of grant.--A grant to a State educational agency 
        under this subtitle shall be awarded for a period of 6 years.
    (b) Reservation of Funds by the Secretary.--From amounts 
appropriated under section 104(b) for a fiscal year, the Secretary 
shall reserve--
            (1) 3 percent of such amounts to fund national activities 
        in support of the programs assisted under this subtitle, such 
        as research and dissemination of best practices, except that 
        the Secretary may not use the reserved funds to award grants 
        directly to local educational agencies; and
            (2) 2 percent of such amounts for the Bureau of Indian 
        Affairs to carry out the services and activities described in 
        section 122(c) for Indian children.
    (c) Grant Formulas.--
            (1) Formula grants to state educational agencies.--If the 
        amounts appropriated under section 104(b) for a fiscal year are 
        equal to or greater than $500,000,000, then the Secretary shall 
        award grants, from allotments under paragraph (3), to State 
        educational agencies to enable the State educational agencies 
        to provide subgrants to eligible local educational agencies to 
        establish mathematics programs to improve overall mathematics 
        performance among students in middle school and secondary 
        school.
            (2) Direct grants to eligible local educational agencies.--
                    (A) In general.--If the amounts appropriated under 
                section 104(b) for a fiscal year are less than 
                $500,000,000, then the Secretary shall award grants, on 
                a competitive basis, directly to eligible local 
                educational agencies to establish mathematics programs 
                to improve overall mathematics performance among 
                students in middle school and secondary school.
                    (B) Priority.--The Secretary shall give priority in 
                awarding grants under this paragraph to eligible local 
                educational agencies that--
                            (i) are among the local educational 
                        agencies in the State with the lowest 
                        graduation rates, as described in section 
                        1111(b)(2)(C)(vi) of the Elementary and 
                        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                        6311(b)(2)(C)(vi)); and
                            (ii) have the highest number or percentage 
                        of students who are counted under section 
                        1124(c) of the Elementary and Secondary 
                        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6333(c)).
            (3) Allotments to states.--
                    (A) In general.--From funds appropriated under 
                section 104(b) and not reserved under subsection (b) 
                for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall make an 
                allotment to each State educational agency having an 
                application approved under subsection (d) in an amount 
                that bears the same relation to the funds as the amount 
                the State received under part A of title I of the 
                Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 6311 et seq.) bears to the amount received under 
                such part by all States.
                    (B) Minimum allotment.--Notwithstanding 
                subparagraph (A), no State educational agency shall 
                receive an allotment under this paragraph for a fiscal 
                year in an amount that is less than 0.25 percent of the 
                funds allotted to all State educational agencies under 
                subparagraph (A) for the fiscal year.
            (4) Reallotment.--If a State educational agency does not 
        apply for a grant under this subtitle, the Secretary shall 
        reallot the State educational agency's allotment to the 
        remaining States.
    (d) Applications.--
            (1) In general.--In order to receive a grant under this 
        subtitle, a State educational agency shall submit an 
        application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
        accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require. 
        Each such application shall meet the following conditions:
                    (A) A State educational agency shall not include 
                the application for assistance under this subtitle in a 
                consolidated application submitted under section 9302 
                of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
                (20 U.S.C. 7842).
                    (B) The State educational agency's application 
                shall include an assurance that--
                            (i) the State educational agency has 
                        established a mathematics partnership that--
                                    (I) coordinated the development of 
                                the application for a grant under this 
                                subtitle; and
                                    (II) will assist in designing and 
                                administering the State educational 
                                agency's program under this subtitle; 
                                and
                            (ii) the State educational agency will 
                        participate, if requested, in any evaluation of 
                        the State educational agency's program under 
                        this subtitle.
                    (C) The State educational agency's application 
                shall include a program plan that contains a 
                description of the following:
                            (i) How the State educational agency will 
                        assist eligible local educational agencies in 
                        implementing subgrants, including providing 
                        ongoing professional development for 
                        mathematics coaches, teachers, 
                        paraprofessionals, and administrators.
                            (ii) How the State educational agency will 
                        help eligible local educational agencies 
                        identify high-quality screening, diagnostic, 
                        and classroom-based instructional mathematics 
                        assessments.
                            (iii) How the State educational agency will 
                        help eligible local educational agencies 
                        identify high-quality research-based 
                        mathematics materials and programs.
                            (iv) How the State educational agency will 
                        help eligible local educational agencies 
                        identify appropriate and effective materials, 
                        programs, and assessments for students with 
                        disabilities and students with limited English 
                        proficiency.
                            (v) How the State educational agency will 
                        ensure that professional development funded 
                        under this subtitle--
                                    (I) is based on mathematics 
                                research;
                                    (II) will effectively improve 
                                instructional practices for mathematics 
                                for middle school and secondary school 
                                students; and
                                    (III) is coordinated with 
                                professional development activities 
                                funded through other programs.
                            (vi) How funded activities will help 
                        teachers and other instructional staff to 
                        implement research-based components of 
                        mathematics instruction.
                            (vii) The subgrant process the State 
                        educational agency will use to ensure that 
                        eligible local educational agencies receiving 
                        subgrants implement programs and practices 
                        based on mathematics research.
                            (viii) How the State educational agency 
                        will build on and promote coordination among 
                        mathematics programs in the State to increase 
                        overall effectiveness in improving mathematics 
                        instruction, including for students with 
                        disabilities and students with limited English 
                        proficiency.
                            (ix) How the State educational agency will 
                        regularly assess and evaluate the effectiveness 
                        of the eligible local educational agency 
                        activities funded under this subtitle.
            (2) Review of applications.--The Secretary shall review 
        applications from State educational agencies under this 
        subsection as the applications are received.
    (e) State Use of Funds.--Each State educational agency receiving a 
grant under this subtitle shall--
            (1) establish a mathematics partnership that will provide 
        guidance to eligible local educational agencies in selecting or 
        developing and implementing appropriate, research-based 
        mathematics programs for middle school and secondary school 
        students;
            (2) use 80 percent of the grant funds received under this 
        subtitle for a fiscal year to approve high-quality applications 
        for subgrants to eligible local educational agencies having 
        applications approved under section 122(a); and
            (3) use 20 percent of the grant funds received under this 
        subtitle--
                    (A) to carry out State-level activities described 
                in the application submitted under subsection (d);
                    (B) to provide--
                            (i) technical assistance to eligible local 
                        educational agencies; and
                            (ii) high-quality professional development 
                        to teachers and mathematics coaches;
                    (C) to oversee and evaluate subgrant services and 
                activities undertaken by the eligible local educational 
                agencies as described in section 122(c); and
                    (D) for administrative costs,
        of which not more than 10 percent of the grant funds may be 
        used for planning, administration, and reporting.
    (f) Notice to Eligible Local Educational Agencies.--Each State 
educational agency receiving a grant under this subtitle shall provide 
notice to all eligible local educational agencies in the State about 
the availability of subgrants under this subtitle.
    (g) Supplement Not Supplant.--Each State educational agency 
receiving a grant under this subtitle shall use the grant funds to 
supplement, not supplant, State funding for activities authorized under 
this subtitle or for other educational activities.
    (h) New Services and Activities.--Grant funds provided under this 
subtitle may be used only to provide services and activities authorized 
under this subtitle that were not provided on the day before the date 
of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 122. SUBGRANTS TO ELIGIBLE LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES.

    (a) Application.--
            (1) In general.--Each eligible local educational agency 
        desiring a subgrant under this subtitle shall submit an 
        application to the State educational agency in the form and 
        according to the schedule established by the State educational 
        agency.
            (2) Contents.--In addition to any information required by 
        the State educational agency, each application under paragraph 
        (1) shall demonstrate how the eligible local educational agency 
        will carry out the following required activities:
                    (A) Development or selection and implementation of 
                research-based mathematics assessments.
                    (B) Development or selection and implementation of 
                research-based mathematics programs, including programs 
                for students with disabilities and students with 
                limited English proficiency.
                    (C) Selection of instructional materials based on 
                mathematics research.
                    (D) High-quality professional development for 
                mathematics coaches and teachers based on mathematics 
                research.
                    (E) Evaluation strategies.
                    (F) Reporting.
                    (G) Providing access to research-based mathematics 
                materials.
            (3) Consortia.--An eligible local educational agency may 
        apply to the State educational agency for a subgrant as a 
        member of a consortium if each member of the consortium is an 
        eligible local educational agency.
    (b) Award Basis.--
            (1) Minimum subgrant amount.--Each eligible local 
        educational agency receiving a subgrant under this subtitle for 
        a fiscal year shall receive a minimum subgrant amount that 
        bears the same relation to the amount of funds made available 
        to the State educational agency under section 121(e)(2) as the 
        amount the eligible local educational agency received under 
        part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
        of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.) for the preceding fiscal year 
        bears to the amount received by all eligible local educational 
        agencies under such part for the preceding fiscal year.
            (2) Sufficient size and scope.--Subgrants under this 
        section shall be of sufficient size and scope to enable 
        eligible local educational agencies to fully implement 
        activities assisted under this subtitle.
    (c) Local Use of Funds.--Each eligible local educational agency 
receiving a subgrant under this subtitle shall use the subgrant funds 
to carry out, at the middle school and secondary school level, the 
following services and activities:
            (1) Hiring mathematics coaches, at a ratio of not less than 
        1 mathematics coach for every 20 teachers, and providing 
        professional development for mathematics coaches--
                    (A) to work with classroom teachers to better 
                assess student learning in mathematics;
                    (B) to work with classroom teachers to identify 
                students with mathematics problems and, where 
                appropriate, refer students to available programs for 
                remediation and additional services;
                    (C) to work with classroom teachers to diagnose and 
                remediate mathematics difficulties of the lowest-
                performing students, by providing intensive, research-
                based instruction, including during after school and 
                summer sessions, geared toward ensuring that those 
                students can access and be successful in rigorous 
                academic coursework; and
                    (D) to assess and organize student data on 
                mathematics and communicate that data to school 
                administrators to inform school reform efforts.
            (2) Reviewing, analyzing, developing, and, where possible, 
        adapting curricula to make sure mathematics skills are taught 
        within the content area subjects.
            (3) Providing mathematics professional development for all 
        teachers in middle school and secondary school that addresses 
        both remedial and higher level mathematics skills for students 
        in the applicable curriculum.
            (4) Providing professional development for teachers, 
        administrators, and paraprofessionals serving middle schools 
        and secondary schools to help the teachers, administrators, and 
        paraprofessionals meet mathematics needs.
            (5) Procuring and implementing programs and instructional 
        materials based on mathematics research, including software and 
        other education technology related to mathematics instruction.
            (6) Building on and promoting coordination among 
        mathematics programs in the eligible local educational agency 
        to increase overall effectiveness in improving mathematics 
        instruction, including for students with disabilities and 
        students with limited English proficiency.
            (7) Evaluating the effectiveness of the instructional 
        strategies, teacher professional development programs, and 
        other interventions that are implemented under the subgrant.
    (d) Supplement Not Supplant.--Each eligible local educational 
agency receiving a subgrant under this subtitle shall use the subgrant 
funds to supplement, not supplant, the eligible local educational 
agency funding for activities authorized under this subtitle or for 
other educational activities.
    (e) New Services and Activities.--Subgrant funds provided under 
this subtitle may be used only to provide services and activities 
authorized under this subtitle that were not provided on the day before 
the date of enactment of this Act.
    (f) Evaluations.--Each eligible local educational agency receiving 
a grant under this subtitle shall participate, as requested by the 
State educational agency or the Secretary, in reviews and evaluations 
of the programs of the eligible local educational agency and the 
effectiveness of such programs, and shall provide such reports as are 
requested by the State educational agency and the Secretary.

                     TITLE II--PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS

SEC. 201. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) In 2003, approximately 60 percent of students in the 
        poorest communities failed to graduate from secondary school on 
        time.
            (2) All ninth grade students should have a plan that 
        assesses the student's instructional needs and outlines the 
        coursework the student must complete to graduate on time, 
        properly prepared for college and career.
            (3) Research shows that 1 of the most important factors 
        behind student success in secondary school is a close 
        connection with at least 1 adult who demonstrates concern for 
        the student's advancement.
            (4) Secondary school counselors can help students receive 
        the instructional, tutorial, and social supports that 
        contribute to academic success.
            (5) Model programs around the Nation have demonstrated that 
        effective academic and support plans for students, developed by 
        counselors serving as academic coaches, in cooperation with 
        students and parents, result in a higher percentage of students 
        graduating from secondary school well prepared for college 
        study.

SEC. 202. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title:
            (1) In general.--The terms ``local educational agency'', 
        ``poverty line'', ``secondary school'', ``Secretary'', and 
        ``State educational agency'' have the meaning given the terms 
        in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
        of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
            (2) Academic counselor.--The term ``academic counselor'' 
        means a highly qualified professional who has received 
        professional development appropriate to perform the services 
        described in section 205(c).
            (3) Eligible local educational agency.--The term ``eligible 
        local educational agency'' means a local educational agency who 
        has jurisdiction over not less than 1 secondary school 
        receiving assistance under part A of title I of the Elementary 
        and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.).
            (4) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the 50 States, 
        the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the 
        United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the 
        Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

SEC. 203. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.

    The Secretary is authorized to establish a program, in accordance 
with the requirements of this title, that--
            (1) enables a secondary school that receives assistance 
        under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
        1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), to hire a sufficient number of 
        academic counselors, in a ratio of not less than 1 counselor to 
        150 students, to develop personal plans for each student at the 
        school, including students with limited English proficiency;
            (2) involves parents in the development and implementation 
        of the personal plans; and
            (3) provides academic counselors and staff at the schools 
        receiving grants under this title the opportunity to coordinate 
        with other programs and services, including those supported by 
        Federal funds, to ensure that students have access to the 
        resources and services necessary to fulfill the students' 
        personal plans.

SEC. 204. GRANTS TO STATES.

    (a) Grants Authorized.--From amounts made available under section 
206 and not reserved under subsection (i), the Secretary shall award 
grants, from allotments under subsection (b), to State educational 
agencies to enable the State educational agencies to provide subgrants 
to eligible local educational agencies to implement programs in 
secondary schools in accordance with this title.
    (b) Allotments to States.--
            (1) In general.--From funds appropriated under section 206 
        and not reserved under subsection (i) for a fiscal year, the 
        Secretary shall make an allotment to each State educational 
        agency having an application approved under subsection (d) in 
        an amount that bears the same relation to the funds as the 
        amount the State received under part A of title I of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 
        et seq.) bears to the amount received under such part by all 
        States.
            (2) Minimum allotment.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), no 
        State educational agency shall receive an allotment under this 
        subsection for a fiscal year in an amount that is less than 
        0.25 percent of the funds allotted to all State educational 
        agencies under paragraph (1) for the fiscal year.
            (3) Ratable reductions.--If the amount appropriated to 
        carry out this title for any fiscal year is less than 
        $2,000,000,000, then the Secretary shall ratably reduce the 
        allotment made to each State educational agency under this 
        subsection in proportion to the relative number of children who 
        are counted under section 1124(c) of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6333(c)), in the 
        State compared to such number for all States.
    (c) Length of Grants.--A grant to a State educational agency under 
this title shall be awarded for a period of 6 years.
    (d) Applications.--In order to receive a grant under this title, a 
State educational agency shall submit an application to the Secretary 
in the form and according to the schedule established by the Secretary 
by regulation.
    (e) State Use of Funds.--Each State educational agency receiving a 
grant under this title shall use--
            (1) 80 percent of the grant funds to award subgrants to 
        eligible local educational agencies under section 205; and
            (2) 20 percent of the grant funds to provide professional 
        development to academic counselors and technical assistance to 
        local educational agencies, and to pay for administrative 
        costs, of which not more than 10 percent of such 20 percent may 
        be used for planning, administration, and reporting.
    (f) Supplement Not Supplant.--Grant funds provided to State 
educational agencies under this title shall be used to supplement, not 
supplant, funding provided by the State for activities authorized under 
this title or for other educational activities.
    (g) New Services and Activities.--Grant funds provided under this 
title may be used only to provide services and activities authorized 
under this title that were not provided on the day before the date of 
enactment of this Act.
    (h) Reallotment.--If a State educational agency does not apply for 
funding under this title, the Secretary shall reallot the State 
educational agency's allotment to the remaining eligible State 
educational agencies.
    (i) Reservations.--Of the funds appropriated under section 206 for 
each fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve--
            (1) 2 percent for the Bureau of Indian Affairs to carry out 
        the authorized activities described in section 205(c); and
            (2) 3 percent for national activities that support the 
        programs assisted under this title, except that the Secretary 
        shall not use such reserved funds to award grants directly to 
        local educational agencies.

SEC. 205. SUBGRANTS TO ELIGIBLE LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES.

    (a) Subgrants Authorized.--From amounts made available under 
section 204(e)(1), a State educational agency shall award subgrants to 
eligible local educational agencies having applications approved under 
subsection (b) to enable the eligible local educational agencies to 
carry out the authorized activities described in subsection (c).
    (b) Applications.--
            (1) In general.--Each eligible local educational agency 
        desiring a subgrant under this title shall submit an 
        application to the State educational agency in the form and 
        according to the schedule established by the State educational 
        agency. Each such application shall describe how the eligible 
        local educational agency will--
                    (A) hire a sufficient number of highly qualified 
                academic counselors to develop personal plans for all 
                students in such students' first year of secondary 
                school, with a ratio of 1 academic counselor to not 
                more than 150 students in each secondary school served 
                under the subgrant;
                    (B) provide adequate resources to each such school 
                to offer the supplemental and other support services 
                that the implementation of students' personal plans 
                require, and provide such supplemental services, where 
                possible, through coordination with Federal TRIO 
                programs under chapter 1 of subpart 2 of part A of 
                title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                1070a-11 et seq.), Gear Up programs under chapter 2 of 
                such subpart (20 U.S.C. 1070a-21 et seq.), programs 
                under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
                Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), 21st Century 
                Community Learning Centers under part B of title IV of 
                the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 7171 et seq.), programs under the Individuals 
                with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et 
                seq.) (in accordance with students' individualized 
                education programs), and programs under the Carl D. 
                Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 
                U.S.C. 2301 et seq.);
                    (C) include parents in the development and 
                implementation of students' personal plans; and
                    (D) provide staff at each such school with 
                opportunities for appropriate professional development 
                and coordination to help the staff support students in 
                implementing the students' personal plans.
            (2) Consortia.--An eligible local educational agency may 
        apply to the State educational agency for a subgrant as a 
        consortium, if each member of the consortium is an eligible 
        local educational agency.
    (c) Authorized Activities.--Each eligible local educational agency 
receiving a subgrant under this title shall use the subgrant funds to 
provide the following services:
            (1) Hiring academic counselors (at a ratio of not less than 
        1 counselor per 150 students) to develop the 6-year personal 
        plans for all students in such students' first year of 
        secondary school and coordinate the services required to 
        implement such personal plans. Such academic counselors shall--
                    (A) work with students and their families to 
                develop an individual plan that will define such 
                students' career and education goals, assure enrollment 
                in the coursework necessary for on-time graduation and 
                preparation for career development or postsecondary 
                education, and identify the courses and supplemental 
                services necessary to meet those goals;
                    (B) advocate for students, helping the students to 
                access the services and supports necessary to achieve 
                the goals laid out in the personal plan for the 
                student;
                    (C) assure student access to services, both 
                academic and nonacademic, needed to lower barriers to 
                succeed as needed;
                    (D) assess student progress on a regular basis;
                    (E) work with school and eligible local educational 
                agency administrators to promote reforms based on 
                student needs and performance data;
                    (F) involve parents or caregivers, including those 
                parents or caregivers who are limited English 
                proficient, and teachers, in the development of 
                students' personal plans to ensure the support and 
                assistance of the parents, caregivers, and teachers in 
                meeting the goals outlined in such personal plans; and
                    (G) communicate to students and their families the 
                importance of implementing the 2 years of the personal 
                plan following secondary school graduation, and work 
                with institutions of higher education to help students 
                transition successfully and fully implement the 
                students' personal plans.
            (2) Determining the academic needs of all students entering 
        grade 9 and identifying barriers to success.
            (3) Ensuring availability of the services necessary for the 
        implementation of students' personal plans, including access to 
        a college preparatory curriculum and advanced placement or 
        international baccalaureate courses.
            (4) Where appropriate, modifying the curriculum at a 
        secondary school receiving subgrant funds under this title to 
        address the instructional requirements of students' personal 
        plans.
            (5) Providing for the ongoing assessment of students for 
        whom personal plans have been developed and modifying such 
        personal plans as necessary.
            (6) Coordinating the services offered with subgrant funds 
        received under this title with other Federal, State, and local 
        funds, including programs authorized under title I of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 
        et seq.), sections 402A and 404A of the Higher Education Act of 
        1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 and 1070a-21), the Individuals with 
        Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.) (in 
        accordance with students' individualized education programs), 
        and the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 
        2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.).
    (d) Eligible Local Educational Agency Priority.--In awarding 
subgrants to eligible local educational agencies, a State educational 
agency shall give priority to eligible local educational agencies 
with--
            (1) the largest number or percentage of students in grades 
        6 through 12 reading below grade level; or
            (2) the lowest graduation rates as described in section 
        1111(b)(2)(C)(vi) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
        of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(C)(vi)).
    (e) School Priority.--In awarding subgrant funds to secondary 
schools, an eligible local educational agency shall give priority to 
secondary schools that--
            (1) have the highest percentages or numbers of students in 
        grades 6 through 12 reading below grade level;
            (2) have the highest percentages or numbers of children 
        living below the poverty line according to census figures; or
            (3) have the lowest graduation rates as described in 
        section 1111(b)(2)(C)(vi) of the Elementary and Secondary 
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(C)(vi)).
    (f) Minimum Subgrant Amount.--Each eligible local educational 
agency receiving a subgrant under this title for a fiscal year shall 
receive a minimum subgrant amount that bears the same relation to the 
amount of funds made available to the State educational agency under 
section 204(e)(1) as the amount the eligible local educational agency 
received under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.) for the preceding fiscal 
year bears to the amount received by all eligible local educational 
agencies in the State under such part for the preceding fiscal year.
    (g) Sufficient Size and Scope.--Subgrants under this section shall 
be of sufficient size and scope to enable eligible local educational 
agencies to fully implement activities assisted under this title.
    (h) Supplement Not Supplant.--Each eligible local educational 
agency receiving a subgrant under this section shall use the subgrant 
funds to supplement, not supplant, funding for activities authorized 
under this title or for other educational activities.
    (i) New Services and Activities.--Subgrant funds provided under 
this section may be used only to provide services and activities 
authorized under this section that were not provided on the day before 
the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 206. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    For the purposes of carrying out this title, there are authorized 
to be appropriated $2,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and such sums as 
may be necessary for each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years.

           TITLE III--FOSTERING SUCCESSFUL SECONDARY SCHOOLS

SEC. 301. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Personalization of the school environment has been 
        proven to be an essential factor in helping low-performing 
        secondary school students succeed.
            (2) Effective schools provide ongoing, high-quality 
        professional development for teachers and administrators to 
        improve instruction.
            (3) Student success is dependent upon alignment of 
        curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
            (4) Successful schools adapt instruction to the unique 
        interests and talents of each student.
            (5) Successful schools have high expectations for all 
        students and offer a rigorous curriculum for the entire student 
        body.
            (6) Ongoing assessment is the best way to measure how each 
        student is learning and responding to the teacher's 
        instructional methods.
            (7) Effective secondary schools have access to, and 
        utilize, data related to student performance prior to, and 
        following, secondary school enrollment.
            (8) Despite significant increases to the program, only 
        about 7 percent of funding for title I of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) goes 
        to secondary schools.
            (9) Every year, 1,300,000 students do not graduate with 
        their peers, which means every school day, our Nation loses 
        7,000 students.
            (10) Nationally, of 100 ninth-graders, only 68 will 
        graduate from high school on time, only 38 will directly enter 
        college, only 26 will still be enrolled for the sophomore year, 
        and only 18 will end up graduating from college. The numbers 
        for minority students are even lower.
            (11) Even secondary school graduates going on to college 
        are struggling with basic literacy skills, with 40 percent of 
        all 4-year college students taking a remedial course and 63 
        percent of all community college students assigned to at least 
        1 remedial course.

SEC. 302. PURPOSES.

    It is the purpose of this title to implement research-based 
programs, practices, and models that will improve student achievement 
in low performing secondary schools.

SEC. 303. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title:
            (1) In general.--The terms ``institution of higher 
        education'', ``local educational agency'', ``secondary 
        school'', ``Secretary'', and ``State educational agency'' have 
        the meanings given the terms in section 9101 of the Elementary 
        and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
            (2) Eligible local educational agency.--The term ``eligible 
        local educational agency'' means a local educational agency 
        that has jurisdiction over not less than 1 eligible secondary 
        school.
            (3) Eligible partnership.--The term ``eligible 
        partnership'' means--
                    (A) an eligible local educational agency in 
                partnership with a regional educational laboratory, an 
                institution of higher education, or another nonprofit 
                institution with significant experience in implementing 
                and evaluating education reforms; or
                    (B) a consortium of eligible secondary schools or 
                eligible local educational agencies, each of which is 
                in a partnership.
            (4) Eligible secondary school.--The term ``eligible 
        secondary school'' means a secondary school identified for 
        school improvement under section 1116(b) of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6316(b)), as of the 
        day preceding the date of enactment of the Pathways for All 
        Students to Succeed Act.
            (5) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several 
        States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the 
        Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, 
        Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern 
        Mariana Islands.

SEC. 304. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED; AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) Program Authorized.--The Secretary is authorized to award 
grants to State educational agencies, from allotments under section 
305(b), to enable the State educational agencies to award subgrants to 
eligible local educational agencies, from allocations under section 
305(c)(2), to promote secondary school improvement and student 
achievement.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this title $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 
and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 5 succeeding fiscal 
years.

SEC. 305. RESERVATIONS, STATE ALLOTMENTS, AND LOCAL ALLOCATIONS.

    (a) Reservations.--From funds appropriated under section 304(b) for 
a fiscal year the Secretary shall reserve--
            (1) 2 percent for schools funded or supported by the Bureau 
        of Indian Affairs to carry out the purposes of this title for 
        Indian children;
            (2) 3 percent to carry out national activities in support 
        of the purposes of this title; and
            (3) 95 percent for allotment to the States in accordance 
        with subsection (b).
    (b) Allotment to States.--
            (1) In general.--From funds reserved under subsection 
        (a)(3) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall make an allotment 
        to each State educational agency in an amount that bears the 
        same relationship to the funds as the number of schools in that 
        State that have been identified for school improvement under 
        section 1116(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
        of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6316(b)), bears to the number of schools in 
        all States that have been identified for school improvement 
        under such section 1116(b).
            (2) Reallotment.--The portion of any State educational 
        agency's allotment that is not used by the State educational 
        agency shall be reallotted among the remaining State 
        educational agencies on the same basis as the original 
        allotments were made under paragraph (1).
    (c) Allocations to Eligible Local Educational Agencies.--
            (1) Reservations.--Each State educational agency receiving 
        a grant under this title shall reserve--
                    (A) not more than 10 percent of the grant funds--
                            (i) for State-level activities to provide 
                        high-quality professional development and 
                        technical assistance to eligible local 
                        educational agencies receiving funds under this 
                        title and to other local educational agencies 
                        as appropriate, including the dissemination and 
                        implementation of research-based programs, 
                        practices, and models for secondary school 
                        improvement; and
                            (ii) to contract for the evaluation of all 
                        programs and activities in the State that are 
                        assisted under this title; and
                    (B) not less than 90 percent of the grant funds to 
                award subgrants to eligible local educational agencies 
                to enable the eligible local educational agencies to 
                carry out the activities described in section 306.
            (2) Local allocation.--From funds reserved under paragraph 
        (1)(B), the State educational agency shall allocate to each 
        eligible local educational agency in the State an amount that 
        bears the same relation to such funds as the number of 
        secondary schools that have been identified for school 
        improvement under section 1116(b) of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6316(b)), that are 
        served by the eligible local educational agency, bears to the 
        number of such schools served by all eligible local educational 
        agencies in the State.

SEC. 306. LOCAL USES OF FUNDS.

    Each eligible local educational agency receiving a subgrant under 
this title shall use the subgrant funds for activities to improve 
secondary schools that have been identified for school improvement 
under section 1116(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6316(b)), such as--
            (1) developing and implementing research-based programs or 
        models that have been shown to raise achievement among 
        secondary school students, including smaller learning 
        communities, adolescent literacy programs, block scheduling, 
        whole school reforms, individualized learning plans, 
        personalized learning environments, and strategies to target 
        students making the transition from middle school to secondary 
        school;
            (2) promoting community investment in school quality by 
        engaging parents, businesses, and community-based organizations 
        in the development of reform plans for eligible secondary 
        schools;
            (3) researching, developing, and implementing a school 
        district strategy to create smaller learning communities for 
        secondary school students, both by creating smaller learning 
        communities within existing secondary schools, and by 
        developing new, smaller, and more personalized secondary 
        schools;
            (4) providing professional development for school staff in 
        research-based practices, such as interactive instructional 
        strategies and opportunities to connect learning with 
        experience; and
            (5) providing professional development and leadership 
        training for principals and other school leaders in the best 
        practices of instructional leadership and implementing school 
        reforms to raise student achievement.

SEC. 307. APPLICATIONS.

    (a) States.--Each State educational agency desiring a grant under 
this title shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, 
in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may 
require to ensure compliance with the requirements of this title.
    (b) Eligible Local Educational Agencies.--Each eligible local 
educational agency desiring a subgrant under this title shall submit to 
the State educational agency an application at such time, in such 
manner, and containing such information as the State educational agency 
may require to ensure compliance with the requirements of this title. 
Each such application shall describe how the eligible local educational 
agency will form an eligible partnership to carry out the activities 
assisted under this title.

SEC. 308. EVALUATIONS.

    In cooperation with the State educational agencies receiving funds 
under this title, the Secretary shall undertake or contract for a 
rigorous evaluation of the effectiveness and success of activities 
conducted under this title.

                        TITLE IV--DATA CAPACITY

SEC. 401. GRANTS FOR INCREASING DATA CAPACITY FOR PURPOSES OF 
              ASSESSMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

    (a) Program Authorized.--From funds appropriated under subsection 
(e) for a fiscal year, the Secretary may award grants, on a competitive 
basis, to State educational agencies to enable the State educational 
agencies to develop or increase the capacity of data systems for 
assessment and accountability purposes, including the collection of 
graduation rates.
    (b) Application.--Each State 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) Use of Funds.--Each State educational agency that receives a 
grant under this section shall use the grant funds for the purpose of--
            (1) increasing the capacity of, or creating, State 
        databases to collect, disaggregate, and report information 
        related to student achievement, enrollment, and graduation 
        rates for assessment and accountability purposes; and
            (2) reporting, on an annual basis, for the elementary 
        schools and secondary schools within the State, on--
                    (A) the enrollment data from the beginning of the 
                academic year;
                    (B) the enrollment data from the end of the 
                academic year; and
                    (C) the twelfth grade graduation rates.
    (d) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Graduation rate.--The term ``graduation rate'' means 
        the percentage that--
                    (A) the total number of students who--
                            (i) graduate from a secondary school with a 
                        regular diploma (which shall not include the 
                        recognized equivalent of a secondary school 
                        diploma or an alternative degree) in an 
                        academic year; and
                            (ii) graduated on time by progressing 1 
                        grade per academic year; represents of
                    (B) the total number of students who entered the 
                secondary school in the entry level academic year 
                applicable to the graduating students.
            (2) State educational agency.--The term ``State educational 
        agency'' has the meaning given such term in section 9101 of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        7801).
            (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Education.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for fiscal year 
2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 2 succeeding 
fiscal years.
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