[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 778 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 778

To amend title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
 in order to authorize the Secretary of Education to award competitive 
  grants to eligible entities to recruit, select, train, and support 
    Expanded Learning and After-School Fellows that will strengthen 
 expanded learning initiatives, 21st century community learning center 
      programs, and after-school programs, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 6, 2007

    Mr. Kennedy (for himself, Mr. Burr, Mr. Kerry, and Mr. Sanders) 
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the 
          Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To amend title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
 in order to authorize the Secretary of Education to award competitive 
  grants to eligible entities to recruit, select, train, and support 
    Expanded Learning and After-School Fellows that will strengthen 
 expanded learning initiatives, 21st century community learning center 
      programs, and after-school programs, 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 ``Teaching Fellows for Expanded 
Learning and After-School Act of 2007'' or the ``T-FELAS Act''.

SEC. 2. EXPANDED LEARNING AND AFTER-SCHOOL FELLOWS.

    (a) Expanded Learning and After-School Fellows.--Title IV of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.) 
is amended by adding at the end the following:

          ``PART D--EXPANDED LEARNING AND AFTER-SCHOOL FELLOWS

``SEC. 4401. PURPOSES.

    ``The purposes of this part are--
            ``(1) to recruit and select fellows, who shall be exemplary 
        recent graduates of 4-year institutions of higher education or 
        of accredited youth development programs from 2-year 
        institutions of higher education, with demonstrated academic 
        achievement, leadership skills, and community service 
        experience, to strengthen the quality of staff in expanded 
        learning initiatives, 21st century community learning center 
        programs, and other high-quality after-school programs;
            ``(2) to advance student engagement and achievement in 
        high-need schools through--
                    ``(A) effective tutoring, mentoring, small group 
                instruction, service-learning, and enrichment; and
                    ``(B) an emphasis on motivation, perseverance, 
                teamwork, youth development, and other values that are 
                critical to school success;
            ``(3) to provide intensive, comprehensive, and experiential 
        training to the Expanded Learning and After-School Fellows that 
        will--
                    ``(A) prepare the Fellows to administer and improve 
                expanded learning initiatives, 21st century community 
                learning center programs, or after-school programs; and
                    ``(B) offer the Fellows a promising career path in 
                public education and youth development; and
            ``(4) to enable the Expanded Learning and After-School 
        Fellows to pursue baccalaureate or graduate level education 
        during the Fellows' service under this part, which will 
        increase the Fellows' knowledge and skills and expand the 
        Fellows' opportunities for future involvement in public 
        education and youth development.

``SEC. 4402. DEFINITIONS.

    ``In this part:
            ``(1) 21st century community learning center program.--The 
        term `21st century community learning center program' means a 
        program that receives assistance under part B of this title.
            ``(2) After-school program.--The term `after-school 
        program' means a program that carries out a broad array of 
        before- and after-school activities (including activities 
        during summer recess periods and other vacations) that advance 
        student academic achievement and youth development.
            ``(3) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a 
        partnership that includes--
                    ``(A) 1 or more local educational agencies; and
                    ``(B) 1 or more of any of the following:
                            ``(i) A community-based organization, such 
                        as an organization focused on after-school 
                        learning, alternative learning, or dropout 
                        prevention.
                            ``(ii) An institution of higher education.
                            ``(iii) A community learning center, as 
                        defined in section 4201(b), that receives 
                        assistance under part B of this title.
                            ``(iv) Any other public or private entity.
            ``(4) Expanded learning initiative.--The term `expanded 
        learning initiative' means a program at a school that--
                    ``(A) has a school day or school year significantly 
                longer than is standard in the State in which the 
                school is located;
                    ``(B) requires all students at the school to 
                participate in the expanded school schedule, as 
                described in subparagraph (A), on a mandatory basis; 
                and
                    ``(C) uses the expanded school schedule to 
                restructure the school's academic program in a manner 
                that--
                            ``(i) shall include providing more time for 
                        core academics; and
                            ``(ii) may include providing more time for 
                        enrichment programs, tutoring, or teacher 
                        planning and professional development.
            ``(5) High-need school.--The term `high-need school' means 
        an elementary school or secondary school that--
                    ``(A) is eligible to receive assistance under part 
                A of title I; and
                    ``(B)(i) is served by a local educational agency 
                that is a member of an eligible entity, or is located 
                in an area served by an entity that is a member of an 
                eligible entity; and
                    ``(ii) participates in an expanded learning 
                initiative, 21st century community learning center 
                program, or after-school program supported by such 
                eligible entity under this part.

``SEC. 4403. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.

    ``(a) In General.--From amounts appropriated under section 4409 for 
a fiscal year, the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive 
basis, to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to recruit, 
select, train, and support Expanded Learning and After-School Fellows 
who shall--
            ``(1) establish, expand, or improve expanded learning 
        initiatives, 21st century community learning center programs, 
        or after-school programs in high-need schools; and
            ``(2) provide additional support during the school day to 
        teachers in such high-need schools.
    ``(b) Fiscal Agent.--An eligible entity receiving a grant under 
this part shall designate a local educational agency, or a community-
based organization, participating in the eligible entity as the fiscal 
agent for purposes of the grant.
    ``(c) Minimum Grant.--A grant awarded under this part shall be, for 
each year of the grant, in an amount of not less than the product of 
$15,000 multiplied by the number of Expanded Learning and After-School 
Fellows that the eligible entity intends to support for the year, based 
on the eligible entity's application under section 4404 for the first 
year of the grant and updated for each subsequent year of the grant.
    ``(d) Length of Grant.--A grant awarded under this part shall be 
for a period of 3 years.
    ``(e) Broad Geographic Distribution.--The Secretary shall ensure 
that grants awarded under this part are distributed among diverse 
geographical regions, including rural, suburban, and urban areas.
    ``(f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this part shall be 
construed to prohibit an eligible entity that has received a grant 
under this part from applying for subsequent grants under this part.

``SEC. 4404. APPLICATION.

    ``(a) In General.--An eligible entity desiring to receive a grant 
under this part shall submit an application to the Secretary at such 
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary 
may require.
    ``(b) Application Contents.--The application described in 
subsection (a) shall include the following:
            ``(1) A description of the process through which the 
        eligible entity will recruit and select exemplary recent 
        graduates of 4-year institutions of higher education or of 
        accredited youth development programs from 2-year institutions 
        of higher education, to serve as Expanded Learning and After-
        School Fellows in high-need schools, using--
                    ``(A) a national recruitment strategy, in the case 
                of an eligible entity that submits an application to 
                serve multiple schools in 2 or more States; or
                    ``(B) a robust local recruitment strategy, in the 
                case of an eligible entity not described in 
                subparagraph (A).
            ``(2) A description of how the eligible entity, in 
        assigning Expanded Learning and After-School Fellows to high-
        need schools, will give priority to high-need schools with the 
        highest proportion of students from low-income families.
            ``(3) A description of how the eligible entity will ensure 
        that each Expanded Learning and After-School Fellow will be 
        placed in a full-time position that meets the requirements of 
        section 4407(a).
            ``(4) A description of the high-need schools in which the 
        Expanded Learning and After-School Fellows will be placed.
            ``(5) A description of how the eligible entity will--
                    ``(A) provide intensive, comprehensive, and 
                experiential preservice training to the Expanded 
                Learning and After-School Fellows supported by the 
                eligible entity under this part;
                    ``(B) support the Fellows; and
                    ``(C) provide ongoing professional development 
                activities for the Fellows, including--
                            ``(i) regular observations of, and feedback 
                        on, the Fellows' performance; and
                            ``(ii) ongoing training and support.
            ``(6) A description of how the eligible entity will meet 
        any matching requirement under section 4406(b).
            ``(7)(A) A description of the minimum number of hours per 
        day, per week, and per year, that each expanded learning 
        initiative, 21st century community learning center program, or 
        after-school program supported by the eligible entity under 
        this part will be open to students; and
            ``(B) a daily, weekly, and annual calendar showing the 
        typical schedule and hours of operation of each such initiative 
        or program.
            ``(8) A description of the alignment between a high-need 
        school's curriculum and each such initiative or program.
            ``(9) A description of the self-evaluation plan the 
        eligible entity will use to evaluate the quality and impact of 
        each such initiative or program.

``SEC. 4405. PRIORITY.

    ``In awarding a grant under this part, the Secretary shall give 
priority to an eligible entity that--
            ``(1) agrees to recruit and engage community mentors and 
        volunteers to participate in an expanded learning initiative, 
        21st century community learning center program, or after-school 
        program supported by the eligible entity under this part;
            ``(2) has a demonstrated record of effectiveness in the 
        administration of expanded learning initiatives, 21st century 
        community learning center programs, or after-school programs, 
        which record shall, to the extent practicable, include 
        documented evidence of a positive impact on--
                    ``(A) student academic achievement, promotion, and 
                attendance;
                    ``(B) character and the social skills necessary for 
                future employment; and
                    ``(C) other measures of student success;
            ``(3) offers skill development and applied learning to 
        students attending an expanded learning initiative, 21st 
        century community learning center program, or after-school 
        program supported by the eligible entity under this part 
        through relevant, real-world experiences emphasizing hands-on 
        projects and small group activities;
            ``(4) offers academic support and assistance to help such 
        students meet grade level academic achievement standards;
            ``(5) engages Expanded Learning and After-School Fellows 
        under this part to serve for full-time, 2-year terms;
            ``(6) will ensure that each school, participating in such 
        initiative or program, makes the program available to all 
        students who are in the grades targeted by the initiative or 
        program;
            ``(7) demonstrates capacity to manage a grant under this 
        part and to recruit, retain, and develop the skills of Expanded 
        Learning and After-School Teaching Fellows; and
            ``(8) coordinates with an institution of higher education 
        to provide a baccalaureate or master's degree program in 
        education to the Expanded Learning and After-School Fellows 
        supported by the eligible entity under this part during the 
        period of the Fellows' service.

``SEC. 4406. AGREEMENT.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary and each eligible entity receiving 
a grant under this part shall enter into an agreement under which the 
eligible entity shall agree--
            ``(1) to use grant funds under this part--
                    ``(A) to recruit and select exemplary recent 
                graduates of 4-year institutions of higher education or 
                of accredited youth development programs from 2-year 
                institutions of higher education, who have demonstrated 
                academic achievement, leadership skills, and community 
                service experience to serve as Expanded Learning and 
                After-School Fellows in accordance with this part;
                    ``(B) to place and support each Expanded Learning 
                and After-School Fellow in a full-time position that 
                meets the requirements of section 4407(a);
                    ``(C) to provide intensive, comprehensive, and 
                experiential training to the Expanded Learning and 
                After-School Fellows that will--
                            ``(i) train and prepare the Fellows in 
                        methods of youth development that include--
                                    ``(I) skills to build positive 
                                relationships with youth;
                                    ``(II) methods that involve and 
                                empower youth; and
                                    ``(III) ways to interact with and 
                                relate to youth, to support 
                                developmental asset building;
                            ``(ii) prepare the Fellows to administer an 
                        expanded learning initiative, 21st century 
                        community learning center program, or after-
                        school program; and
                            ``(iii) offer the Fellows a promising 
                        career path in public education and youth 
                        development;
                    ``(D) to serve a substantial number and percentage 
                of students from low-income families through the 
                expanded learning initiatives, 21st century community 
                learning center programs, or after-school programs 
                supported by the eligible entity under this part; and
                    ``(E) to administer the program activities 
                described in the grant application under section 4404; 
                and
            ``(2) to satisfy any matching requirement under subsection 
        (b).
    ``(b) Matching Requirement.--
            ``(1) In general.--As part of the agreement described in 
        subsection (a), the Secretary may require an eligible entity to 
        agree to provide an amount of non-Federal funds, not to exceed 
        100 percent of the grant award under this part, to aid in 
        carrying out the eligible entity's activities under this part, 
        which amount shall be determined in accordance with paragraph 
        (2).
            ``(2) Sliding scale of matching funds.--The Secretary shall 
        determine the amount of the matching funds to be provided by 
        the eligible entity under this subsection based on a sliding 
        scale that takes into account--
                    ``(A) the relative poverty of the population to be 
                served by the eligible entity; and
                    ``(B) the eligible entity's ability to obtain 
                matching funds.
            ``(3) In-kind contributions.--The Secretary shall allow an 
        eligible entity subject to a matching requirement under this 
        subsection to provide not more than \1/2\ of the amount of the 
        matching funds through in-kind contributions.

``SEC. 4407. EXPANDED LEARNING AND AFTER-SCHOOL FELLOWS.

    ``(a) Position Requirements.--An Expanded Learning and After-School 
Fellow under this part shall serve in a full-time position in a high-
need school that meets the following requirements:
            ``(1)(A) Not less than 50 percent, nor more than 70 
        percent, of the Fellow's working hours shall be dedicated to 
        establishing, expanding, improving, or administering an 
        expanded learning initiative, 21st century community learning 
        center program, or after-school program in the high-need school 
        supported by the eligible entity under this part; and
            ``(B) not less than 30 percent, nor more than 50 percent, 
        of the Fellow's working hours shall be dedicated to providing 
        additional support or assistance to teachers of the grades 
        targeted by the initiative or program in the high-need school 
        during the school day.
            ``(2) Not less than 10 of the Fellow's working hours per 
        week shall be dedicated to directly serving such initiative or 
        program in the high-need school during times when the school is 
        not in session, such as before or after school or during 
        vacation days or the summer recess.
            ``(3) The Fellow shall serve in the position for not less 
        than 30 weeks per year, and the term of service of the position 
        shall be sufficient to qualify the Fellow for a national 
        service educational award for part-time or full-time national 
        service, as applicable, described in subtitle D of title I of 
        the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12601 
        et seq.), consistent with sections 139(b) and 146(b) of such 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 12593(b), 12602(b)).
    ``(b) Educational Award for Fellows.--An Expanded Learning and 
After-School Fellow under this part shall be eligible for the national 
service educational award if the Fellow meets the requirements of such 
sections 139(b) and 146(b).

``SEC. 4408. EVALUATION.

    ``(a) Annual Report.--An eligible entity receiving a grant under 
this part shall prepare and submit to the Secretary an annual report 
that includes--
            ``(1) data on the number and quality of the Expanded 
        Learning and After-School Fellows in each expanded learning 
        initiative, 21st century community learning center program, or 
        after-school program supported by the eligible entity under 
        this part;
            ``(2) comprehensive data on--
                    ``(A) the background of the Expanded Learning and 
                After-School Fellows chosen by the eligible entity 
                under this part;
                    ``(B) the training the Fellows received;
                    ``(C) the high-need schools in which the Fellows 
                were placed;
                    ``(D) the professional development provided to the 
                Fellows;
                    ``(E) the rate of retention of the Fellows in the 
                expanded learning initiatives, 21st century community 
                learning center programs, or after-school programs in 
                which the Fellows are placed and in the field of public 
                education; and
                    ``(F) the achievement levels and academic progress 
                of the students served by an expanded learning 
                initiative, 21st century community learning center 
                program, or after-school program supported by the 
                eligible entity under this part, including indicators 
                such as school and program attendance, school grades, 
                and the number and type of disciplinary infractions 
                during the regular school day; and
            ``(3) an evaluation of the satisfaction of the initiative 
        or program providers and the principals, teachers, parents, and 
        students served by each such initiative or program.
    ``(b) Study.--Not less often than once every 3 years, the Secretary 
shall provide for an external study of the grants awarded under this 
part that shall--
            ``(1) include multiple high-need schools served by expanded 
        learning initiatives, 21st century community learning center 
        programs, and after-school programs supported by a grant under 
        this part; and
            ``(2) examine the achievement levels and academic progress 
        of the students served by such initiatives and programs.
    ``(c) Best Practices.--The Secretary shall provide to the Federal 
Youth Development Council established under the Tom Osborne Federal 
Youth Coordination Act (Public Law 109-365; 120 Stat. 2594), the best 
practices of eligible entities receiving grants under this part 
regarding expanded learning initiatives, 21st century community 
learning center programs, and after-school programs, and the Federal 
Youth Development Council shall make the best practices available to 
the public through the Internet.

``SEC. 4409. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part 
$50,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, $70,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, 
$90,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, $110,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, 
$130,000,000 for fiscal year 2012, and $150,000,000 for fiscal year 
2013.''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section 4304 the following:

          ``Part D--Expanded Learning and After-School Fellows

``Sec. 4401. Purposes.
``Sec. 4402. Definitions.
``Sec. 4403. Program authorized.
``Sec. 4404. Application.
``Sec. 4405. Priority.
``Sec. 4406. Agreement.
``Sec. 4407. Expanded Learning and After-School Fellows.
``Sec. 4408. Evaluation.
``Sec. 4409. Authorization of appropriations.''.

SEC. 3. EDUCATIONAL AWARDS.

    (a) Authority To Provide Approved National Service Positions.--
Section 121(a) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 
U.S.C. 12571(a)) is amended by inserting ``(and, for the purpose of 
providing national service positions under subsection (c), eligible 
entities under part D of title IV of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965)'' before ``for the purpose of''.
    (b) National Service Position Eligible for National Service 
Educational Award.--Section 123 of the National and Community Service 
Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12573) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and
            (2) by inserting before paragraph (8) the following:
            ``(7) A position involving service as an Expanded Learning 
        and After-School Fellow under part D of title IV of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.''.
    (c) Reservation of Approved Positions.--Section 129 of the National 
and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12581) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by striking ``The Corporation'' and inserting 
                the following:
            ``(1) VISTA volunteers and civilian community corps 
        participants.--The Corporation''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Fellows.--The Corporation shall ensure that each 
        individual selected by an eligible entity during a fiscal year 
        as an Expanded Learning and After-School Fellow under part D of 
        title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
        shall receive the national service educational award described 
        in subtitle D if the individual satisfies the eligibility 
        requirements for the award. Funds for approved national service 
        positions required by this paragraph for a fiscal year shall be 
        deducted from the funds appropriated under section 
        501(a)(2)(B).''; and
            (2) in subsection (f)--
                    (A) by inserting before ``The Corporation'' the 
                following:
            ``(1) In general.--''; and
                    (B) by striking the second sentence and inserting 
                the following:
            ``(2) Adjustments.--The Corporation is authorized to make 
        necessary and reasonable adjustments to the program rules--
                    ``(A) relating to Fellows described in subsection 
                (b)(2), if appropriations under section 501(a)(2)(B) 
                are insufficient to provide the maximum allowable 
                national service educational awards under subtitle D 
                for all those Fellows who are eligible for such an 
                award; and
                    ``(B) relating to participants (other than such 
                Fellows), if appropriations under section 501(a)(2)(A) 
                are insufficient to provide the maximum allowable 
                national service educational awards under subtitle D 
                for all those participants who are eligible for such an 
                award.''.
    (d) Term of Service.--Section 139(b) of the National and Community 
Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12593(b)) is amended by adding at the 
end the following:
            ``(4) Multiple terms of service.--An individual who serves 
        for a term of 2 years as an Expanded Learning and After-School 
        Fellow under part D of title IV of the Elementary and Secondary 
        Education Act of 1965 and satisfies the eligibility 
        requirements described in paragraph (1) or (2) for each year of 
        the term shall--
                    ``(A) for purposes of this subsection, be 
                considered to have served for 2 terms of 1 year; and
                    ``(B) receive a national service educational award 
                under subsection (a) or (b), as appropriate, of section 
                147 for each of the 2 terms of service.''.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 501(a)(2) of the 
National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12681(a)(2)) is 
amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``(except as provided 
        in subparagraph (B))'' after ``subtitle D of title I'';
            (2) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C); 
        and
            (3) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
                    ``(B) National service positions for expanded 
                learning and after-school fellows.--There are 
                authorized to be appropriated to provide national 
                service educational awards under subtitle D of title 
                I--
                            ``(i) for 3,333 Expanded Learning and 
                        After-School Fellows under part D of title IV 
                        of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
                        of 1965, such sums as may be necessary for 
                        fiscal year 2008;
                            ``(ii) for 4,667 of those Fellows, such 
                        sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2009;
                            ``(iii) for 6,000 of those Fellows, such 
                        sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2010;
                            ``(iv) for 7,333 of those Fellows, such 
                        sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2011;
                            ``(v) for 8,667 of those Fellows, such sums 
                        as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012; and
                            ``(vi) for 10,000 of those Fellows, such 
                        sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 
                        2013.''.
    (f) Recording of Obligations and Placement of Funds in Reserve 
Account.--Section 1 of the Strengthen AmeriCorps Program Act (42 U.S.C. 
12605) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(1)(A)--
                    (A) in clause (i), by striking ``or'' at the end;
                    (B) in clause (ii), by striking ``and'' at the end 
                and inserting ``or''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(iii) approves a position involving 
                        service as an Expanded Learning and After-
                        School Fellow under part D of title IV of the 
                        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, 
                        as an approved service position under such 
                        section 123; and''; and
            (2) in subsection (c)(1)(B)(ii), by inserting ``(including 
        section 501(a)(2)(B))'' after ``section 501(a)(2)''.

SEC. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    (a) In General.--It is the sense of Congress that Congress should 
appropriate sufficient funds--
            (1) under section 4409 of the Elementary and Secondary 
        Education Act of 1965 (as added by section 2) for a fiscal 
        year, to enable the number of fellows described in subsection 
        (b) to serve in the program established in part D of title IV 
        of such Act (as so added) for that fiscal year; and
            (2) under section 501(a)(2)(B) of the National and 
        Community Service Act of 1990 (as added by section 3) for that 
        fiscal year, to provide national service educational awards 
        described in that section for those fellows for that service.
    (b) Number of Fellows.--For purposes of subsection (a), the number 
of fellows described in this subsection is--
            (1) for fiscal year 2008, 3,333 fellows;
            (2) for fiscal year 2009, 4,667 fellows;
            (3) for fiscal year 2010, 6,000 fellows;
            (4) for fiscal year 2011, 7,333 fellows;
            (5) for fiscal year 2012, 8,667 fellows; and
            (6) for fiscal year 2013, 10,000 fellows.
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