[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 818 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 818

To reauthorize the Enhancing Education Through Technology Act of 2001, 
                        and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 2, 2009

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

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To reauthorize the Enhancing Education Through Technology Act of 2001, 
                        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. ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION.

    Part D of title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6751 et seq.) is amended to read as follows:

        ``PART D--ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

``SEC. 2401. SHORT TITLE.

    ``This part may be cited as the `Achievement Through Technology and 
Innovation Act of 2009' or the `ATTAIN Act'.

``SEC. 2402. FINDINGS, PURPOSES, AND GOALS.

    ``(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            ``(1) Learning technologies in our Nation's schools are 
        critical--
                    ``(A) to meet the goals of the No Child Left Behind 
                Act of 2001 of raising student achievement, closing the 
                achievement gap, and ensuring high-quality teaching; 
                and
                    ``(B) to ensure that our Nation's students are 
                prepared to compete in the 21st century knowledge-based 
                global economy.
            ``(2) Increased professional development opportunities are 
        needed if teachers are to be highly qualified and effective in 
        a 21st century classroom with today's digital native students, 
        including professional development opportunities--
                    ``(A) in the use of learning technologies to 
                deliver innovative instruction and curriculum; and
                    ``(B) to use data to inform instruction.
            ``(3) Scientifically based research, conducted with Federal 
        funding, demonstrates that systemic redesign initiatives 
        centered around technology have shown great promise in 
        improving teaching and learning, including the following:
                    ``(A) In Utah, Missouri, and Maine, the eMINTS 
                program provides schools and teachers with educational 
                technology tools, curriculum, and more than 200 hours 
                of professional development to change how teachers 
                teach and students learn. In classrooms in the same 
                school (1 with eMINTS and 1 without), the student 
                achievement of students in the eMINTS classroom was 
                repeatedly over 10 percent higher than the control 
                classroom.
                    ``(B) In West Virginia, students receiving access 
                to online foreign language courses performed at least 
                as well as students in face-to-face versions of the 
                classes, providing comparable high-quality instruction 
                for students in rural areas who otherwise would not 
                have access to such courses.
                    ``(C) In Michigan's Freedom to Learn technology 
                program, proficiency on Michigan Education Assessment 
                Program (MEAP) tests of 8th grade mathematics increased 
                from 31 percent in 2004 to 63 percent in 2005 in 1 
                middle school, and science achievement increased from 
                68 percent of students proficient in 2003 to 80 percent 
                in 2004.
                    ``(D) In Texas, the Technology Immersion Pilot 
                (TIP), implemented in middle schools, demonstrated that 
                discipline referrals went down by more than \1/2\ with 
                the changes in teaching and learning; while in 1 
                school, the percentage of 6th graders who passed the 
                reading portion of the 2006 State assessment (TAKS) 
                test was up 17 points from 2004, and the percentage of 
                7th graders who passed the mathematics portion of the 
                TAKS rose 13 points. The students participating in the 
                Technology Immersion Pilot have become more responsible 
                for their learning, more engaged in the classroom, and 
                much more knowledgeable about the role of technology in 
                problem solving and learning.
                    ``(E) In Iowa, after connecting teachers with 
                sustainable professional development and technology-
                based curriculum interventions, students taught by such 
                teachers had scores that increased by 14 points in 8th 
                grade mathematics, 16 points in 4th grade mathematics, 
                and 13 points in 4th grade reading compared with 
                control groups.
            ``(4) Technology and e-learning in our Nation's schools are 
        necessary to meet our Nation's science, technology, 
        engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education needs and to 
        provide students with 21st century skills, including technology 
        literacy, information literacy, communication skills, problem 
        solving skills, and the ability for self-directed life-long 
        learning.
            ``(5) A 2003 Department of Commerce report credits United 
        States industry's investments in information technology between 
        1989 and 2001 with `producing positive and probably lasting 
        changes in the Nation's economic potential', but finds United 
        States education last in intensity of information technology in 
        55 industry sectors.
            ``(6) Many of our Nation's schools lack the resources 
        necessary for the 21st century classroom and to meet the needs 
        and expectations of today's digital native students, 
        including--
                    ``(A) software, digital content, and broadband 
                resources; and
                    ``(B) other technologies.
            ``(7) According to the Department of Education's National 
        Educational Technology Trends Study (NETTS 2007), insufficient 
        or outdated technology presented a substantial barrier to 
        technology use for teaching and learning for more than 40 
        percent of students, while the lack of support specialists was 
        a barrier to technology use for more than 50 percent of 
        students.
            ``(8) Federal leadership and investment is needed to serve 
        as a catalyst for State and local education initiatives aimed 
        at school innovation and improved student achievement through 
        leveraging educational technologies. According to the 
        Department of Education's National Educational Technology 
        Trends Study (NETTS 2007), `Because funds generated locally 
        through bonds or taxes frequently have legal restrictions 
        requiring them to be spent on hardware and connectivity 
        purchases only, Federal and State funds supporting the use of 
        technology resources fill a critical gap.'.
    ``(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this part are the following:
            ``(1) To ensure that through technology every student has 
        access to individualized, rigorous, and relevant learning to 
        meet the goals of this part, and to prepare all students and 
        the United States for the 21st century.
            ``(2) To evaluate, build upon, and increase the use of 
        evidence-based and innovative systemic school redesigns that 
        center on the use of technology that leads to school 
        improvement and increased student achievement.
            ``(3) To increase ongoing, meaningful professional 
        development around technology that--
                    ``(A) leads to changes in teaching and curriculum;
                    ``(B) improves student achievement, including in 
                core academic subjects;
                    ``(C) improves student technology literacy; and
                    ``(D) is aligned with professional development 
                activities supported under section 2123.
    ``(c) Goals.--The goals of this part are the following:
            ``(1) To improve student academic achievement with respect 
        to State academic standards through the use of professional 
        development and systemic school redesigns that center on the 
        use of technology and the applications of technology.
            ``(2) To improve professional development to ensure every 
        school administrator--
                    ``(A) possesses the leadership skills necessary for 
                effective technology integration and every teacher 
                possesses the knowledge and skills to use technology 
                across the curriculum;
                    ``(B) uses technology and curriculum redesign as 
                key components of changing teaching and learning and 
                improving student achievement;
                    ``(C) uses technology for data analysis to enable 
                individualized instruction; and
                    ``(D) uses technology to improve student technology 
                literacy.
            ``(3) To ensure that every student is technologically 
        literate by the end of 8th grade, regardless of the student's 
        race, ethnicity, gender, family income, geographic location, or 
        disability.
            ``(4) To improve student engagement, opportunity, 
        attendance, graduation rates, and technology access through 
        enhanced or redesigned curriculum or instruction.
            ``(5) To more effectively use data to inform instruction, 
        address individualized student needs, and support school 
        decisionmaking.

``SEC. 2403. DEFINITION OF STUDENT TECHNOLOGY LITERACY.

    ``In this part:
            ``(1) Local educational agency.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `local educational 
                agency' includes a consortium of local educational 
                agencies.
                    ``(B) Implementing regulations.--The Secretary 
                shall promulgate regulations implementing subparagraph 
                (A).
            ``(2) Student technology literacy.--The term `student 
        technology literacy' means student knowledge and skills in 
        using contemporary information, communication, and learning 
        technologies in a manner necessary for successful employment, 
        life-long learning, and citizenship in the knowledge-based, 
        digital, and global 21st century, which includes, at a minimum, 
        the ability--
                    ``(A) to effectively communicate and collaborate;
                    ``(B) to analyze and solve problems;
                    ``(C) to access, evaluate, manage, and create 
                information and otherwise gain information literacy;
                    ``(D) to demonstrate creative thinking, construct 
                knowledge, and develop innovative products and 
                processes; and
                    ``(E) to do so in a safe and ethical manner.

``SEC. 2404. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry 
out this part, $1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, and such sums as 
may be necessary for each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years.
    ``(b) Allocation of Funds Between State and Local and National 
Initiatives.--Of the funds made available under subsection (a) for a 
fiscal year--
            ``(1) 3 percent or $10,000,000, whichever amount is less, 
        shall be available to carry out subpart 2, of which--
                    ``(A) $2,000,000 shall be available to carry out 
                section 2411(1); and
                    ``(B) 1.5 percent or $4,000,000, whichever amount 
                is less, shall be available to carry out section 2412; 
                and
            ``(2) the remainder of the funds made available under 
        subsection (a) shall be available to carry out subpart 1.
    ``(c) Limitation.--
            ``(1) Local administrative costs.--Of the funds made 
        available to a local educational agency under this part for a 
        fiscal year, not more than 3 percent may be used by the local 
        educational agency for administrative costs.
            ``(2) State administrative costs.--Of the funds made 
        available to a State educational agency under section 
        2406(a)(1), not more than 60 percent may be used by the State 
        educational agency for administrative costs.

                  ``Subpart 1--State and Local Grants

``SEC. 2405. ALLOTMENT AND REALLOTMENT.

    ``(a) Reservations and Allotment.--From the amount made available 
to carry out this subpart under section 2404(b)(2) for a fiscal year--
            ``(1) the Secretary shall reserve--
                    ``(A) \3/4\ of 1 percent for the Secretary of the 
                Interior for programs under this subpart for schools 
                operated or funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs; and
                    ``(B) \1/2\ of 1 percent to provide assistance 
                under this subpart to the outlying areas; and
            ``(2) subject to subsection (b), the Secretary shall use 
        the remainder to award grants by allotting to each State 
        educational agency an amount that bears the same relationship 
        to such remainder for such year as the amount received under 
        part A of title I for such year by such State educational 
        agency bears to the amount received under such part for such 
        year by all State educational agencies.
    ``(b) Minimum Allotment.--The amount of any State educational 
agency's allotment under subsection (a)(2) for any fiscal year shall 
not be less than \1/2\ of 1 percent of the amount made available for 
allotments to State educational agencies under this part for such year.
    ``(c) Reallotment of Unused Funds.--If any State educational agency 
does not apply for an allotment under this subpart for a fiscal year, 
or does not use the State educational agency's entire allotment under 
this subpart for that fiscal year, the Secretary shall reallot the 
amount of the State educational agency's allotment, or the unused 
portion of the allotment, to the remaining State educational agencies 
that use their entire allotments under this subpart in accordance with 
this section.
    ``(d) State Educational Agency Defined.--In this section, the term 
`State educational agency' does not include an agency of an outlying 
area or the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

``SEC. 2406. USE OF ALLOTMENT BY STATE.

    ``(a) In General.--Of the amount provided to a State educational 
agency under section 2405(a)(2) for a fiscal year--
            ``(1) the State educational agency may use not more than 5 
        percent of such amount or $100,000, whichever amount is 
        greater, to carry out activities under section 2408(a);
            ``(2) the State educational agency shall use 2.5 percent of 
        such amount or $50,000, whichever amount is greater, to carry 
        out activities under section 2408(b); and
            ``(3) the State educational agency shall distribute the 
        remainder as follows:
                    ``(A) The State educational agency shall use 60 
                percent of the remainder to award Improving Teaching 
                and Learning through Technology subgrants to local 
                educational agencies having applications approved under 
                section 2409(c) for the activities described in section 
                2410(b) by allotting to each such local educational 
                agency an amount that bears the same relationship to 60 
                percent of the remainder for such year as the amount 
                received under part A of title I for such year by such 
                local educational agency bears to the amount received 
                under such part for such year by all local educational 
                agencies within the State, subject to subsection 
                (b)(2).
                    ``(B) The State educational agency shall use 40 
                percent of the remainder to award Systemic School 
                Redesign through Technology Integration subgrants, 
                through a State-determined competitive process, to 
                local educational agencies having applications approved 
                under section 2409(b) for the activities described in 
                section 2410(a).
    ``(b) Sufficient Amounts.--
            ``(1) Special rule.--In awarding subgrants under subsection 
        (a)(3)(B), the State educational agency shall--
                    ``(A) ensure the subgrants are of sufficient size 
                and scope to be effective, consistent with the purposes 
                of this part;
                    ``(B) ensure subgrants are of sufficient duration 
                to be effective, consistent with the purposes of this 
                part, including by awarding subgrants for a period of 
                not less than 2 years that may be renewed for not more 
                than an additional 3 years;
                    ``(C) give preference in the awarding of subgrants 
                to local educational agencies that serve schools in 
                need of improvement, as identified under section 1116, 
                including those schools with high populations of--
                            ``(i) students with limited English 
                        proficiency;
                            ``(ii) students with disabilities; or
                            ``(iii) other subgroups of students who 
                        have not met the State's student academic 
                        achievement standards; and
                    ``(D) ensure an equitable distribution of subgrants 
                under subsection (a)(3)(B) among urban and rural areas 
                of the State, according to the demonstrated need for 
                assistance under this subpart of the local educational 
                agencies serving the areas.
            ``(2) Minimum subgrant.--The amount of any local 
        educational agency's subgrant under subsection (a)(3)(A) for 
        any fiscal year shall be not less than $3,000.
    ``(c) Reallotment of Unused Funds.--If any local educational agency 
does not apply for a subgrant under subsection (a)(3)(A) for a fiscal 
year, or does not use the local educational agency's entire allotment 
under this subpart for that fiscal year, the State shall reallot the 
amount of the local educational agency's allotment, or the unused 
portion of the allotment, to the remaining local educational agencies 
that use their entire allotments under this subpart in accordance with 
this section.

``SEC. 2407. STATE APPLICATIONS.

    ``(a) In General.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this 
subpart, a State educational agency shall submit to the Secretary, at 
such time and in such manner as the Secretary may specify, an 
application containing the contents described in subsection (b) and 
such other information as the Secretary may reasonably require.
    ``(b) Contents.--Each State educational agency application 
submitted under subsection (a) shall include each of the following:
            ``(1) A description of how the State educational agency 
        will support local educational agencies that receive subgrants 
        under this subpart in meeting, and help improve the local 
        educational agencies' capacity to meet, the purposes and goals 
        of this part and the requirements of this subpart, including 
        through technical assistance.
            ``(2) A description of the State educational agency's long-
        term goals and strategies for improving student academic 
        achievement, including in core academic subjects and in student 
        technology literacy, through the effective use of technology in 
        classrooms and schools throughout the State.
            ``(3) A description of the priority area upon which the 
        State educational agency will focus the State educational 
        agency's guidance, technical assistance, and other assistance 
        under this subpart, and other local support under this subpart, 
        such that the priority area shall be identified by the State 
        educational agency from among the core academic subjects, grade 
        levels, and student subgroup populations that may be causing 
        the most number of local educational agencies in the State to 
        not make adequate yearly progress, as defined in section 
        1111(b)(2)(C).
            ``(4) A description of how the State educational agency 
        will support local educational agencies that receive subgrants 
        under this subpart in implementing, and will help improve the 
        local educational agency's capacity to implement, professional 
        development programs pursuant to section 2410(b)(1)(A).
            ``(5) A description of how the State educational agency 
        will ensure that teachers, paraprofessionals, library and media 
        personnel, and administrators served by the State educational 
        agency possess the knowledge and skills--
                    ``(A) to use technology across the curriculum;
                    ``(B) to use technology and curriculum redesign as 
                key components of changing teaching and learning and 
                improving student achievement;
                    ``(C) to use technology for data analysis to enable 
                individualized instruction; and
                    ``(D) to use technology to improve student 
                technology literacy.
            ``(6) A description of the process, activities, and 
        performance measures that the State educational agency will use 
        to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of activities 
        described in section 2408(b).
            ``(7) Identification of the State challenging academic 
        content standards and challenging student academic achievement 
        standards that the State educational agency will use to ensure 
        that each student is technology literate by the end of the 8th 
        grade consistent with the definition of student technology 
        literacy, and a description of how the State educational agency 
        will assess, not less than once by the end of 8th grade, 
        student performance in gaining technology literacy only for the 
        purpose of tracking progress towards achieving the 8th grade 
        technology literacy goal but not for meeting adequate yearly 
        progress goals, including through embedding such assessment 
        items in other State tests or performance-based assessments 
        portfolios, or through other valid and reliable means, except 
        that nothing in this subpart shall be construed to require 
        States to develop a separate test to assess student technology 
        literacy.
            ``(8) An assurance that financial assistance provided under 
        this subpart will supplement, and not supplant, State and local 
        funds.
            ``(9) A description of how the State educational agency 
        will, in providing technical and other assistance to local 
        educational agencies, give priority to those local educational 
        agencies identified by the State educational agency as having 
        the highest need for assistance under this subpart, including 
        those local educational agencies with the highest percentage or 
        number--
                    ``(A) of students from families with incomes below 
                the poverty line;
                    ``(B) of students not achieving at the State 
                proficiency level;
                    ``(C) of student populations identified under 
                section 2406(b)(1)(C); or
                    ``(D) of schools identified as in need of 
                improvement under section 1116.
            ``(10) A description of how the State educational agency 
        will ensure that each subgrant awarded under section 
        2406(a)(3)(B) is of sufficient size, scope, and duration to be 
        effective as required under section 2406(b), and that such 
        subgrants are appropriately targeted and equitably distributed 
        as required under section 2406(b) to carry out the purposes of 
        this part effectively.
            ``(11) A description of how the State educational agency 
        consulted with local educational agencies in the development of 
        the State application.

``SEC. 2408. STATE ACTIVITIES.

    ``(a) Mandatory and Permissive Activities.--
            ``(1) Mandatory activities.--From funds made available 
        under section 2406(a)(1), a State educational agency shall 
        carry out each of the following activities:
                    ``(A) Identify the State challenging academic 
                content standards and challenging student academic 
                achievement standards that the State educational agency 
                will use to ensure that each student is technology 
                literate by the end of the 8th grade consistent with 
                the definition of student technology literacy.
                    ``(B) Assess not less than once by the end of the 
                8th grade student performance in gaining technology 
                literacy consistent with subparagraph (A), including 
                through embedding such assessment items in other State 
                tests, performance-based assessments, or portfolios, or 
                through other means, except that such assessments shall 
                be used only to track student technology literacy and 
                shall not be used to determine adequate yearly 
                progress.
                    ``(C) Publish the results of the State educational 
                agency's technology literacy assessment administered 
                under subparagraph (B) not less than 3 months after the 
                assessment is administered such that the results are 
                made widely available to local educational agencies, 
                parents, and citizens, including through presentation 
                on the Internet, and transmit such results to the 
                Secretary.
                    ``(D) Provide guidance, technical assistance, and 
                other assistance in the priority area identified by the 
                State pursuant to section 2407(b)(3) to local 
                educational agencies receiving subgrants of less than 
                $10,000 under section 2406(a)(3)(A) with a priority 
                given to those local educational agencies with the 
                highest need for assistance described in section 
                2407(b)(9).
                    ``(E) Provide technical assistance to local 
                educational agencies, with a priority given to those 
                local educational agencies identified by the State as 
                having the highest need for assistance under this 
                subpart, including those local educational agencies 
                with the highest percentage or number of (i) students 
                from families with incomes below the poverty line, (ii) 
                students not achieving at the State proficiency level, 
                (iii) student populations described in section 
                2406(b)(1)(C), and (iv) schools identified as in need 
                of improvement under section 1116, in the following 
                ways:
                            ``(i) Submitting applications for funding 
                        under this part.
                            ``(ii) Carrying out activities authorized 
                        under section 2410, including implementation of 
                        systemic school redesigns as described in 
                        section 2409(b).
                            ``(iii) Developing local educational 
                        technology plans and integrating such plans 
                        with the local educational agency's plans for 
                        improving student achievement under sections 
                        1111 and 1112, and, if applicable, section 
                        1116.
                    ``(F) Provide guidance, technical assistance, and 
                other assistance to local educational agencies 
                regarding the local educational agency's plans to 
                assess, and, as needed, update the computers, software, 
                servers, and other technologies throughout the local 
                educational agency in terms of the functional 
                capabilities, age, and other specifications of the 
                technology, including to ensure such technologies can 
                process, at scale, new applications and online services 
                such as video conferencing, video streaming, virtual 
                simulations, and distance learning.
            ``(2) Permissive activities.--From funds made available 
        under section 2406(a)(1), a State educational agency may carry 
        out 1 or more of the following activities:
                    ``(A) State leadership activities and technical 
                assistance that assist local educational agencies that 
                receive subgrants under this subpart in achieving the 
                purposes and goals of this part.
                    ``(B) Assist local educational agencies that 
                receive subgrants under this subpart in the development 
                and utilization of research-based or innovative 
                strategies for the delivery of specialized or rigorous 
                academic courses and curricula through the use of 
                technology, including distance learning technologies.
                    ``(C) Assisting local educational agencies that 
                receive subgrants under this subpart in providing 
                sustained and intensive, high-quality professional 
                development pursuant to section 2410(b)(1)(A), 
                including through assistance in a review of relevant 
                research.
    ``(b) Activities Relating to Research.--From funds made available 
under section 2406(a)(2), a State educational agency shall carry out 1 
or more of the following activities:
            ``(1) Conduct scientifically based or other rigorous 
        research to evaluate the impact of 1 or more programs or 
        activities carried out under subsection (a) in meeting the 
        purposes and goals of this part.
            ``(2) Provide technical assistance to local educational 
        agencies in carrying out evaluation research activities as 
        required under section 2410(a)(1).
            ``(3) Create 1 or more evaluation research protocols, 
        designs, performance measurement systems, or other tools to 
        assist local educational agencies in carrying out evaluation 
        activities as required under section 2410(a)(1).
            ``(4) Collect and disseminate the findings of the 
        evaluation research activities carried out by local educational 
        agencies under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3).

``SEC. 2409. LOCAL APPLICATIONS.

    ``(a) In General.--Each local educational agency desiring a 
subgrant from a State educational agency under this subpart shall 
submit to the State educational agency an application containing a new 
or updated local long-range strategic educational technology plan, and 
such other information as the State educational agency may reasonably 
require, at such time and in such manner as the State educational 
agency may require. The application shall contain each of the 
following:
            ``(1) A description of how the local educational agency 
        will align and coordinate the local educational agency's use of 
        funds under this subpart with--
                    ``(A) the school district technology plan;
                    ``(B) the school district plans and activities for 
                improving student achievement, including plans and 
                activities under sections 1111 and 1112, and sections 
                1116 and 2123, as applicable; and
                    ``(C) funds available from other Federal, State, 
                and local sources.
            ``(2) An assurance that financial assistance provided under 
        this subpart will supplement, and not supplant other funds 
        available to carry out activities assisted under this section.
            ``(3) A description of the process used to assess and, as 
        needed, update the computers, software, servers, and other 
        technologies throughout the local educational agency in terms 
        of their functional capabilities, age, and other 
        specifications, in order to ensure technologies can process, at 
        scale, new applications and online services, such as video 
        conferencing, video streaming, virtual simulations, and 
        distance learning courses.
            ``(4) Such other information as the State educational 
        agency may reasonably require.
    ``(b) Competitive Grants; Systemic School Redesign Through 
Technology Integration.--In addition to components included in 
subsection (a), a local educational agency submitting an application 
for a subgrant under section 2406(a)(3)(B) shall submit to the State 
educational agency an application containing each of the following:
            ``(1) A description of how the local educational agency 
        will use the subgrant funds to implement systemic school 
        redesign, which is a comprehensive set of programs, practices, 
        and technologies that--
                    ``(A) collectively lead to school or school 
                district change and improvement, including in the use 
                of technology and in improved student achievement; and
                    ``(B) incorporate all of the following elements:
                            ``(i) Reform or redesign of curriculum, 
                        instruction, assessment, use of data, or other 
                        standards-based school or classroom practices 
                        through the use of technology in order to 
                        increase student learning opportunity, student 
                        technology literacy, student access to 
                        technology, and student engagement in learning.
                            ``(ii) Improvement of educator quality, 
                        knowledge and skills through ongoing, 
                        sustainable, timely, and contextual 
                        professional development described in section 
                        2410(b)(1)(A).
                            ``(iii) Development of student technology 
                        literacy and other skills necessary for 21st 
                        century learning and success.
                            ``(iv) Ongoing use of formative assessments 
                        and other timely data sources and data systems 
                        to more effectively identify individual student 
                        learning needs and guide personalized 
                        instruction, learning, and appropriate 
                        interventions that address individual student 
                        learning needs.
                            ``(v) Engagement of school district 
                        leaders, school leaders, and classroom 
                        educators.
                            ``(vi) Programs, practices, and 
                        technologies that are research-based or 
                        innovative, such that research-based systemic 
                        redesigns are based on a review of the best 
                        available research evidence, and innovative 
                        systemic redesigns are based on development and 
                        use of new redesigns, programs, practices, and 
                        technologies.
            ``(2) An assurance that the local educational agency will 
        use not less than 25 percent of the subgrant funds to implement 
        a program of professional development described in section 
        2410(b)(1)(A).
            ``(3) A description of how the local educational agency 
        will evaluate the impact of 1 or more programs or activities 
        carried out under this subpart in meeting 1 or more of the 
        purposes or goals of this part.
    ``(c) Formula Grants; Improving Teaching and Learning Through 
Technology.--In addition to components included in subsection (a), a 
local educational agency that submits an application for a subgrant 
under section 2406(a)(3)(A) shall submit to the State educational 
agency an application containing each of the following:
            ``(1) An assurance that the local educational agency will 
        use not less than 40 percent of the subgrant funds for--
                    ``(A) professional development described in section 
                2410(b)(1)(A); and
                    ``(B) technology tools, applications, and other 
                resources related specifically to such professional 
                development activities.
            ``(2) A description of how the local educational agency 
        will implement a program of professional development required 
        under paragraph (1)(A).
            ``(3) A description of how the local educational agency 
        will employ technology tools, applications, and other resources 
        in professional development and to improve student learning and 
        achievement in the area of priority identified by the local 
        educational agency pursuant to paragraph (4).
            ``(4) A description of the priority area upon which the 
        local educational agency will focus the subgrant funds provided 
        under this subpart, such that such priority area shall be 
        identified from among the core academic subjects, grade levels, 
        and student subgroup populations in which the most number of 
        students served by the local educational agency are not 
        proficient.
    ``(d) Combined Applications.--A local educational agency that 
submits an application to the State educational agency for subgrant 
funds awarded under section 2406(a)(3)(B) may, upon notice to the State 
educational agency, submit a single application that will also be 
considered by the State educational agency as an application for 
subgrant funds awarded under section 2406(a)(3)(A), if the application 
addresses each application requirement under subsections (a), (b), and 
(c).
    ``(e) Consortium Applications.--For any fiscal year, a local 
educational agency applying for a subgrant described in section 
2406(a)(3) may apply as part of a consortium in which more than 1 local 
educational agency jointly submits a subgrant application under this 
subpart, except that no local educational agency may receive more than 
1 subgrant under this subpart.

``SEC. 2410. LOCAL ACTIVITIES.

    ``(a) Competitive Grants; Systemic School Redesign Through 
Technology Integration.--From subgrant funds made available to a local 
educational agency under section 2406(a)(3)(B), the local educational 
agency--
            ``(1) shall use not less than 5 percent of such subgrant 
        funds to evaluate the impact of 1 or more programs or 
        activities carried out under the subgrant in meeting 1 or more 
        of the purposes or goals of this part as approved by the State 
        educational agency as part of the local application described 
        in section 2409(b)(3); and
            ``(2) shall use the remaining funds to implement a plan for 
        systemic school redesign, which may take place in 1 or more 
        schools served by the local educational agency or across all 
        schools served by the local educational agency, in accordance 
        with section 2409(b)(1), including each of the following:
                    ``(A) Using not less than 25 percent of subgrant 
                funds to improve teacher quality and skills through 
                support for the following:
                            ``(i) Professional development activities, 
                        as described in subsection (b)(1)(A).
                            ``(ii) The acquisition and implementation 
                        of technology tools, applications, and other 
                        resources to be employed in the professional 
                        development activities described in clause (i).
                    ``(B) Acquiring and effectively implementing 
                technology tools, applications, and other resources in 
                conjunction with enhancing or redesigning the 
                curriculum or instruction in order to--
                            ``(i) increase student learning opportunity 
                        or access, student engagement in learning, or 
                        student attendance or graduation rates;
                            ``(ii) improve student achievement in 1 or 
                        more of the core academic subjects; and
                            ``(iii) improve student technology 
                        literacy.
                    ``(C) Acquiring and effectively implementing 
                technology tools, applications, and other resources 
                to--
                            ``(i) conduct ongoing formative assessments 
                        and use other timely data sources and data 
                        systems to more effectively identify individual 
                        student learning needs and guide personalized 
                        instruction, learning, and appropriate 
                        interventions that address those individualized 
                        student learning needs;
                            ``(ii) support individualized student 
                        learning, including through instructional 
                        software and digital content that supports the 
                        learning needs of each student, or through 
                        providing access to high-quality courses and 
                        instructors, including mathematics, science, 
                        and foreign language courses, often not 
                        available except through technology and online 
                        learning, especially in rural and high-poverty 
                        schools; and
                            ``(iii) conduct such other activities as 
                        appropriate consistent with the goals and 
                        purposes of research-based and innovative 
                        systemic school redesign, including activities 
                        that increase parental involvement through 
                        improved communication with teachers and access 
                        to student assignments and grades.
    ``(b) Formula Grants; Improving Teaching and Learning Through 
Technology.--From funds made available to a local educational agency 
under section 2406(a)(3)(A), the local educational agency shall carry 
out activities to improve student learning, student technology 
literacy, and achievement in the area of priority identified by the 
local educational agency under section 2409(c)(4), including each of 
the following:
            ``(1) The local educational agency shall use not less than 
        40 percent of subgrant funds for professional development 
        activities that are aligned with activities supported under 
        section 2123 to improve teacher quality and skills through 
        support for the following:
                    ``(A) Training of teachers, paraprofessionals, 
                library and media personnel, and administrators, 
                which--
                            ``(i) shall include the development, 
                        acquisition, or delivery of--
                                    ``(I) training that is ongoing, 
                                sustainable, timely, and directly 
                                related to up-to-date teaching content 
                                areas;
                                    ``(II) training in strategies and 
                                pedagogy in the core academic subjects 
                                that involve use of technology and 
                                curriculum redesign as key components 
                                of changing teaching and learning and 
                                improving student achievement;
                                    ``(III) training in the use of 
                                technology to ensure every educator is 
                                technologically literate, including 
                                possessing the knowledge and skills--
                                            ``(aa) to use technology 
                                        across the curriculum;
                                            ``(bb) to use technology 
                                        and curriculum redesign as key 
                                        components of innovating 
                                        teaching and learning and 
                                        improving student achievement;
                                            ``(cc) to use technology 
                                        for data analysis to enable 
                                        individualized instruction; and
                                            ``(dd) to use technology to 
                                        improve student technology 
                                        literacy; and
                                    ``(IV) training that includes 
                                ongoing communication and follow-up 
                                with instructors, facilitators, and 
                                peers; and
                            ``(ii) may include--
                                    ``(I) the use of instructional 
                                technology specialists, mentors, or 
                                coaches to work directly with teachers, 
                                including through the preparation of 1 
                                or more teachers as technology leaders 
                                or master teachers who are provided 
                                with the means to serve as experts and 
                                train other teachers in the effective 
                                use of technology; and
                                    ``(II) the use of technology, such 
                                as distance learning and online virtual 
                                educator-to-educator peer communities, 
                                as a means for delivering professional 
                                development.
                    ``(B) The acquisition and implementation of 
                technology tools, applications, and other resources to 
                be employed in the professional development activities 
                described in subparagraph (A).
            ``(2) The local educational agency shall use the funds that 
        remain after application of paragraph (1) to acquire or 
        implement technology tools, applications, and other resources 
        to improve student learning, student technology literacy, and 
        student achievement in the area of priority identified by the 
        local educational agency, including through 1 or more of the 
        following:
                    ``(A) Conducting ongoing formative assessment and 
                using other timely data sources and data systems to 
                more effectively identify individual student learning 
                needs and guide personalized instruction, learning, and 
                appropriate interventions that address those 
                individualized student learning needs.
                    ``(B) Supporting individualized student learning, 
                including through instructional software and digital 
                content that supports the learning needs of each 
                student served by the local educational agency under 
                the subgrant, or through providing access to high-
                quality courses and instructors, including mathematics, 
                science, and foreign language courses, often not 
                available except through technology such as online 
                learning, especially in rural and high-poverty schools.
                    ``(C) Increasing parental involvement through 
                improved communication with teachers and access to 
                student assignments and grades.
                    ``(D) Enhancing accountability, instruction, and 
                data-driven decisionmaking through data systems that 
                allow for management, analysis, and disaggregating of 
                student, teacher, and school data.
                    ``(E) Such other activities as are appropriate and 
                consistent with the goals and purposes of this part.
    ``(c) Multiple Grants.--A local educational agency that receives a 
grant under subparagraph (A) and subparagraph (B) of section 2406(a)(3) 
may use all such grant funds for activities authorized under subsection 
(a).

                    ``Subpart 2--National Activities

``SEC. 2411. NATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

    ``From the amount made available to carry out national activities 
under section 2404(b)(1) (other than the amounts made available to 
carry out subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 2404(b)(1)), the 
Secretary, working through and in coordination with the Director of the 
Office of Educational Technology and collaborating, as appropriate, 
with the National Center for Achievement Through Technology authorized 
under section 2412, shall carry out the following activities:
            ``(1) National report.--The Secretary shall annually 
        conduct and publish a national report on student technology 
        literacy to determine the extent to which students have gained 
        student technology literacy by the end of the 8th grade. In 
        conducting the study, the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) consult first with experts and stakeholders, 
                including educators and education leaders, education 
                technology experts from education and industry, and the 
                business and higher education communities seeking 
                secondary school graduates with student technology 
                literacy; and
                    ``(B) employ a random stratified sample methodology 
                of student technology literacy performance using a 
                cost-effective assessment that is a readily available, 
                valid, and reliable assessment instrument.
            ``(2) Student technology literacy.--The Secretary shall 
        publish each year the results of the State technology literacy 
        assessments carried out under section 2408(a)(1)(C).
            ``(3) National education technology plan.--Based on the 
        Nation's progress and an assessment by the Secretary of the 
        continuing and future needs of the Nation's schools in 
        effectively using technology to provide all students the 
        opportunity to meet challenging State academic content and 
        student academic achievement standards, the Secretary shall 
        update and publish, in a form readily accessible to the public, 
        a national long-range technology plan not less often than once 
        every 5 years, and shall implement such plan.
            ``(4) Other national activities.--From the funds remaining 
        after carrying out paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), the Secretary 
        shall carry out 1 or more of the following activities:
                    ``(A) Support efforts to increase student 
                technology literacy, including through outreach to 
                education, business, and elected leaders aimed at 
                building understanding of the knowledge and skills 
                students need to succeed in the 21st century through 
                the use of technology for life-long learning, 
                citizenship, and workplace success.
                    ``(B) Support the work of the National Center for 
                Achievement Through Technology in serving as a national 
                resource for the improvement of technology 
                implementation in education through identification and 
                dissemination of promising practices and exemplary 
                programs that effectively use educational technologies.
                    ``(C) Support efforts to increase the capacity of 
                State and local education officials to budget for 
                technology acquisition and implementation, including 
                taking into account the long-term costs of such 
                acquisition and implementation, how technology 
                investments may increase effectiveness and efficiencies 
                that ultimately save other educational costs or provide 
                improved outcomes, and how spending for technology in 
                education shall be considered in a comprehensive cost-
                benefit analysis and not simply as a supplemental 
                expense.
                    ``(D) Support staff at the Department and other 
                Federal agencies in their understanding of education 
                technology, the role of technology in Federal education 
                programs, and how Federal grantees can be supported in 
                integrating education technologies into the grantees' 
                programs as appropriate.
                    ``(E) Convene stakeholders in an effort to outline 
                and support a national research and development agenda 
                aimed at supporting public-private partnerships to 
                leverage evolving technologies to meet evolving 
                educational needs.
                    ``(F) Convene practitioners and leaders from local 
                and State education, business and industry, higher 
                education, or other stakeholder communities--
                            ``(i) to carry out the activities under 
                        this paragraph, including convening an annual 
                        forum on leadership and classroom technology 
                        best practices;
                            ``(ii) to otherwise address challenges and 
                        opportunities in the use of technology to 
                        improve teaching, learning, teacher quality, 
                        student achievement, student technology 
                        literacy, and the efficiency and productivity 
                        of the education enterprise; and
                            ``(iii) to otherwise support school 
                        innovation and our Nation's competitiveness.
                    ``(G) Support efforts to ensure teachers and other 
                educators have the knowledge and skills to teach in the 
                21st century through the use of technology, including 
                by providing assistance to and sharing information with 
                State accrediting agencies, colleges of teacher 
                education, and other educational institutions and 
                government entities involved in the preparation and 
                certification of teachers, to ensure such teachers 
                possess the knowledge and skills prior to entering the 
                teaching force.
                    ``(H) Support efforts to assist principals, 
                superintendents, and other senior school and school 
                district administrators in adapting to, and leading 
                their schools with, 21st century technology tools and 
                21st century knowledge and skills, including the 
                following:
                            ``(i) Developing a blueprint for the job 
                        skills required and the coursework and 
                        experience necessary to be prepared for school 
                        leadership.
                            ``(ii) Supporting the development of 
                        professional development and training programs 
                        that help education leaders obtain the 
                        knowledge and skills, including through 
                        collaborative efforts with up-to-date programs 
                        and institutions.
                            ``(iii) Developing materials, resources, 
                        self-assessments, and other tools to meet the 
                        activities described in clauses (i) and (ii).
                    ``(I) Undertake other activities that--
                            ``(i) lead to the improvement of--
                                    ``(I) our Nation's educational 
                                system in using educational 
                                technologies to improve teaching, 
                                learning, and student achievement; and
                                    ``(II) student technology literacy 
                                and related 21st century college 
                                preparedness and workforce 
                                competitiveness; and
                            ``(ii) complement other such efforts 
                        undertaken by public and private agencies and 
                        organizations.

``SEC. 2412. NATIONAL CENTER FOR ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH TECHNOLOGY.

    ``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to establish a 
National Center for Achievement Through Technology that--
            ``(1) provides national leadership regarding improvement in 
        the use of technology in education, with a focus on elementary 
        and secondary education, including technology's role in 
        improving--
                    ``(A) student achievement;
                    ``(B) student technology literacy; and
                    ``(C) teacher quality;
            ``(2) serves as a national resource for the improvement of 
        technology implementation in education through identification 
        and dissemination of promising practices and exemplary programs 
        that effectively use educational technologies to improve 
        teaching and learning, teacher quality, student engagement and 
        opportunity, student achievement and technology literacy, and 
        the efficiency and productivity of the education enterprise, 
        including serving as a national resource for the related 
        research and research on the conditions and practices that 
        support the effective use of technology in education; and
            ``(3) provides an annual report to Congress that--
                    ``(A) synthesizes the promising practices and 
                exemplary programs that effectively use educational 
                technologies to improve the teaching and learning 
                described in paragraph (2); and
                    ``(B) includes the related research and research on 
                the conditions and practices that support the effective 
                use of technology in education described in paragraph 
                (2).
    ``(b) Establishment.--
            ``(1) In general.--From amounts made available under 
        section 2404(b)(1)(B), the Director of the Office of 
        Educational Technology shall award a grant, on a competitive 
        basis, to an eligible entity to enable the eligible entity to 
        establish a National Center for Achievement Through Technology 
        (in this section referred to as the `Center').
            ``(2) Coordination with the institute.--The Director of the 
        Office of Educational Technology shall award the grant under 
        paragraph (1) in coordination with the Director of the 
        Institute of Education Sciences, but the Director of the Office 
        of Educational Technology shall administer the grant program 
        under this section.
            ``(3) Definition of eligible entity.--In this section the 
        term `eligible entity' means an entity that is--
                    ``(A) a research organization or research 
                institution with education technology as one of the 
                organization or institution's primary areas of focus; 
                or
                    ``(B) a partnership that consists of a research 
                organization or research institution described in 
                subparagraph (A) and 1 or more education institutions 
                or agencies, nonprofit organizations, or research 
                organizations or institutions.
            ``(4) Duration.--The grant awarded under this section shall 
        be not less than 2 years in duration, and shall be renewable at 
        the discretion of the Director of the Office of Educational 
        Technology for not more than an additional 3 years.
            ``(5) Peer review.--In awarding the grant under this 
        section, the Director of the Office of Educational Technology 
        shall consider the recommendations of a peer review panel, 
        which shall be composed of representatives of the following 
        stakeholder communities:
                    ``(A) Teachers and other educators who use 
                technologies.
                    ``(B) Local and State education leaders who 
                administer programs employing technologies.
                    ``(C) Businesses that develop educational 
                technologies.
                    ``(D) Researchers who study educational 
                technologies.
                    ``(E) Related education, educational technology, 
                and business organizations.
    ``(c) National Center for Achievement Through Technology 
Activities.--The Center shall carry out the following activities:
            ``(1) Promising practices, exemplary programs and 
        research.--The Center shall identify and compile promising 
        practices, exemplary programs, quantitative and qualitative 
        research, and other information and evidence demonstrating--
                    ``(A) the broad uses and positive impacts of 
                technology in elementary and secondary education; and
                    ``(B) the factors and steps important to 
                technology's improvement and to the effective use of 
                technology with students so that specific technologies 
                are considered in the context of the comprehensive 
                educational program or practice in which the 
                technologies are used--
                            ``(i) across a curriculum to improve 
                        teaching, learning, and student achievement, 
                        including in the core academic subjects;
                            ``(ii) to support the teaching and learning 
                        of student technology literacy;
                            ``(iii) for formative and summative 
                        assessment, including to inform instruction and 
                        data-driven decisionmaking, to individualize 
                        instruction, and for accountability purposes;
                            ``(iv) to improve student learning and 
                        achievement, including through--
                                    ``(I) improving student interest 
                                and engagement;
                                    ``(II) increasing student access to 
                                courses and instructors through 
                                distance learning and expanded student 
                                learning time; and
                                    ``(III) individualizing curriculum 
                                and instruction to meet unique student 
                                learning needs, learning styles, and 
                                pace;
                            ``(v) to improve teacher quality, including 
                        through professional development and timely and 
                        ongoing training and support; and
                            ``(vi) to improve the efficiency and 
                        productivity of the classroom and school 
                        enterprise, including through data management 
                        and analysis, resource management, and 
                        communications; and
                    ``(C) the policies, budgeting, technology 
                infrastructure, conditions, practices, teacher 
                training, school leadership, and other implementation 
                factors important to improving the effectiveness of 
                technology in elementary and secondary education as 
                outlined in subparagraph (B), including in--
                            ``(i) the knowledge and skills teachers and 
                        other educators need to teach in the 21st 
                        century through the use of technology, 
                        including knowledge and skills necessary--
                                    ``(I) to use technology and 
                                curriculum redesign as key components 
                                of changing teaching and learning;
                                    ``(II) to use technology for data 
                                analysis to enable individualized 
                                instruction; and
                                    ``(III) to use technology to 
                                improve student technology literacy;
                            ``(ii) the knowledge and skills principals, 
                        superintendents, and other senior school and 
                        school district administrators need to 
                        effectively lead in 21st century schools using 
                        technology, including the job skills required 
                        and the coursework and experience necessary to 
                        be prepared for school leadership; and
                            ``(iii) the budgeting for technology 
                        acquisition and implementation, including 
                        taking into account the long-term costs of such 
                        acquisition and implementation, how technology 
                        investments may increase effectiveness and 
                        efficiencies that ultimately save other 
                        educational costs or provide improved outcomes, 
                        and how spending for technology in education 
                        shall be considered in a comprehensive cost-
                        benefit analysis and not simply as a 
                        supplemental expense.
            ``(2) Original research.--The Center may conduct, directly 
        or through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements, 
        original research as necessary to fill important gaps in 
        research necessary to address the areas described in paragraph 
        (1) with a focus on the policies, budgeting, technology 
        infrastructure, conditions, practices, teacher training, school 
        leadership, and other implementation factors important to 
        improving the effectiveness of technology in elementary and 
        secondary education.
            ``(3) Outreach.--The Center shall consult with appropriate 
        stakeholders, including at least the stakeholders described in 
        subsection (b)(5), in determining priorities for the activities 
        described in paragraph (1), in gathering information pursuant 
        to paragraph (1), and in determining the need for original 
        research pursuant to paragraph (2). The Center shall establish 
        1 or more informal advisory groups to provide the consultation.
            ``(4) Dissemination.--The Center shall disseminate widely 
        the information identified and compiled pursuant to paragraph 
        (1) to teachers and other educators, local, regional, State, 
        and Federal education leaders, public and elected officials, 
        the network of federally funded educational resource centers 
        and labs, businesses that develop educational technologies, 
        colleges of teacher education and teacher accrediting agencies, 
        researchers who study educational technologies, other 
        interested stakeholders, and related educator, education 
        leader, and business organizations, including through--
                    ``(A) development and ongoing update of a database 
                accessed through the Internet;
                    ``(B) development, distribution, and delivery of 
                reports, tools, best practices, conference 
                presentations, and other publications; and
                    ``(C) partnerships with organizations representing 
                stakeholders, including educators, education leaders, 
                and technology providers.
    ``(d) Center Operations.--
            ``(1) Grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements.--As 
        appropriate, the Center shall award grants to, or enter into 
        contracts or cooperative agreements with, individuals, public 
        or private institutions, agencies, organizations, or consortia 
        of such institutions, agencies, or organizations to carry out 
        the activities of the Center, including awarding a grant or 
        entering into a contract or cooperative agreement to 
        disseminate the Center's findings pursuant to subsection 
        (c)(4).
            ``(2) Report.--The Center shall submit an annual report on 
        March 1 to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
        Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Education and Labor 
        of the House of Representatives that provides a summary 
        synthesis of promising and exemplary practices and programs, 
        and related research, that effectively use educational 
        technologies to improve teaching and learning as described in 
        subsection (c)(1), including the conditions and practices that 
        support the effective use of technology in education, in order 
        to inform Federal education policymaking and oversight.''.
                                 <all>