[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 941 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 941

 To strengthen families' engagement in the education of their children.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 10, 2011

 Mr. Reed (for himself, Mr. Coons, and Mr. Whitehouse) introduced the 
 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on 
                 Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To strengthen families' engagement in the education of their children.

    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 ``Family Engagement in Education Act 
of 2011''.

SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
Sec. 3. Findings; purpose.
Sec. 4. Amendment references.
Sec. 5. Family engagement in education.
Sec. 6. State plans.
Sec. 7. Local educational agency plans.
Sec. 8. Family engagement in education policy.
Sec. 9. Prevention and intervention programs for children and youth who 
                            are neglected, delinquent, or at risk.
Sec. 10. High-quality teachers and principals.
Sec. 11. Family engagement in education programs.
Sec. 12. Definitions.
Sec. 13. Conforming amendments.
Sec. 14. Government Accountability Office study and report.
Sec. 15. Federal coordination of family engagement in education 
                            programming.

SEC. 3. FINDINGS; PURPOSE.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) Family engagement in a child's education raises student 
        achievement, improves behavior and attendance, decreases drop-
        out rates, and improves the emotional and physical well-being 
        of children.
            (2) Families are critical determinants of children's school 
        readiness as well as of students' decision to pursue higher 
        education.
            (3) Effective family engagement is a great equalizer for 
        students, contributing to their increased academic achievement, 
        regardless of parents' education level, ethnicity, or 
        socioeconomic background.
            (4) Family engagement can raise student academic 
        achievement so substantially that schools would need to 
        increase spending by more than $1,000 per pupil to gain the 
        same results.
            (5) Positive benefits for children, youth, families, and 
        schools are maximized through effective family engagement 
        that--
                    (A) is a shared responsibility in which schools and 
                other community agencies and organizations are 
                committed to reaching out to engage families in 
                meaningful ways and families are committed to actively 
                supporting their children's learning and development;
                    (B) is continuous across a child's life from birth 
                to young adulthood; and
                    (C) reinforces learning that takes place in all 
                settings.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to strengthen families' 
engagement in the education of their children.

SEC. 4. AMENDMENT REFERENCES.

    Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an 
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal 
of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to 
be made to a section or other provision of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.).

SEC. 5. FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IN EDUCATION.

    (a) Family Engagement and Responsibility Fund.--Title I (20 U.S.C. 
6301 et seq.) is amended by adding after section 1004 the following:

``SEC. 1005. FAMILY ENGAGEMENT AND RESPONSIBILITY FUND.

    ``(a) In General.--Each State educational agency may reserve not 
more than 1 percent of such agency's allocated funds under section 1122 
for each fiscal year for use as provided in subsection (b).
    ``(b) Use of Reserved Funds.--From the amounts reserved for each 
fiscal year under subsection (a), each State educational agency shall--
            ``(1) reserve not less than 85 percent for Local Family 
        Engagement Centers under section 1006; and
            ``(2) reserve not more than 15 percent for State 
        educational agency capacity for family engagement activities 
        under section 1007.''.
    (b) Local Family Engagement Centers Program.--Title I (20 U.S.C. 
6301 et seq.) is amended by adding after section 1005, as added by 
subsection (a), the following:

``SEC. 1006. LOCAL FAMILY ENGAGEMENT CENTERS PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to establish and 
operate Local Family Engagement Centers and to evaluate the usefulness 
and effectiveness of innovative approaches demonstrated by these 
centers in engaging families in their children's education by providing 
training, services, supports, and opportunities that meet families' 
needs and remove barriers to their engagement in their children's 
education to improve student achievement.
    ``(b) Grants Authorized.--From the funds reserved to carry out this 
section under section 1005(b)(1), a State educational agency shall 
award grants or enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with 
eligible entities to establish and operate Local Family Engagement 
Centers.
    ``(c) Eligible Entity.--In this section, the term `eligible entity' 
means a private, nonprofit organization that--
            ``(1) has a demonstrated record of working with low-income 
        parents and families in the community;
            ``(2) is located in a community with elementary schools and 
        secondary schools that receive funds under part A and is 
        accessible to families of students in those schools; and
            ``(3) is partnering with 1 or more local educational 
        agencies or 1 or more schools that receive funds under part A.
    ``(d) Application for Grants.--To receive a grant under this 
section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the State 
educational agency at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by 
such information as the State educational agency may require, 
including--
            ``(1) a description of the entity's approach on family 
        engagement in education, including its use of strength-based 
        strategies;
            ``(2) information demonstrating that the applicant meets 
        the definition of an eligible entity;
            ``(3) information that the applicant has the capacity to 
        operate a center capable of conducting the training, services, 
        and support activities to fulfill the purposes of a Local 
        Family Engagement Center;
            ``(4) information that the applicant will structure and 
        operate a center of sufficient scope and quality adequate to 
        serve the needs of the local area in which it is located;
            ``(5) a description of the entity's experience in providing 
        training, services, and support to low-income parents and 
        families, English language learners, minorities, parents of 
        students with disabilities, parents of homeless students, 
        foster parents, and parents of migrant students;
            ``(6) a description of the collaboration with the local 
        educational agency or school personnel in the geographic area 
        to be served by the center;
            ``(7) a description of the steering committee, a majority 
        of whose members are parents of students in schools that 
        receive funds under part A, that will direct and implement the 
        activities of the Local Family Engagement Center;
            ``(8) a description of how the entity will coordinate its 
        efforts with the Statewide Family Engagement Centers under 
        subpart 16 of part D of title V in the State;
            ``(9) information that the applicant is capable of meeting 
        milestones or deadlines as the State educational agency may 
        prescribe; and
            ``(10) such other information as the State educational 
        agency determines necessary.
    ``(e) Uses of Funds.--An eligible entity that receives a grant 
under this section shall establish and operate a Local Family 
Engagement Center and use the grant funds to provide training, 
services, and supports to engage families in their children's education 
and to build the school-family partnerships necessary to ensure that 
all children are on track to graduate from high school ready for 
college and careers, such as through--
            ``(1) assisting parents and families in understanding how 
        they can improve student achievement, including how to access 
        ongoing student performance data and related information to 
        support learning in the classroom with activities at home, and 
        in afterschool and extracurricular activities;
            ``(2) training parents and families on effective ongoing 
        communication with their children, teachers, principals, 
        counselors, administrators, and other school personnel;
            ``(3) providing direct services to families, such as home 
        visitation, family literacy programs, and health and behavioral 
        health services to meet the needs of families and remove 
        barriers for engaging in the education of their children;
            ``(4) providing advocacy services to ensure that families 
        can fully participate in their children's education;
            ``(5) providing supports such as transportation, childcare, 
        and meals to facilitate families' engagement in programs 
        implemented or assisted by the Center;
            ``(6) assisting parents and families in understanding how 
        they can prepare their children academically, socially, and 
        financially for postsecondary education, including early 
        awareness of the availability of student financial assistance; 
        and
            ``(7) improving the coordination, availability, and 
        effectiveness of integrated services and comprehensive supports 
        for children and families.
    ``(f) Evaluation and Annual Report.--A State educational agency 
shall--
            ``(1) evaluate the effectiveness of the grants funded under 
        this section; and
            ``(2) issue an annual report on the implementation of such 
        grants, describing any practices the State determines to be 
        most effective or innovative for fulfilling the purposes of the 
        Local Family Engagement Centers.''.
    (c) State Family Engagement Coordinating Councils.--Title I (20 
U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) is amended by adding after section 1006, as added 
by subsection (b), the following:

``SEC. 1007. STATE EDUCATIONAL AGENCY CAPACITY FOR FAMILY ENGAGEMENT 
              ACTIVITIES.

    ``(a) In General.--Each State educational agency shall administer 
and expend funds reserved under section 1005(b)(2) to--
            ``(1) provide for the establishment of a statewide family 
        engagement coordinating council; and
            ``(2) support the development and implementation of a 
        statewide family engagement in education plan.
    ``(b) State Family Engagement Coordinating Councils.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each State educational agency that 
        receives funds under part A shall establish a State Family 
        Engagement Coordinating Council (referred to in this section as 
        a `Council') to ensure coordination and integration of family 
        engagement in education activities across the education 
        spectrum.
            ``(2) Reporting responsibility.--Each Council shall report 
        to the Governor and the Chief State School Officer of the State 
        on the Council's findings and recommendations regarding family 
        engagement in education and such other information as the 
        Governor may request.
            ``(3) Appointment of members.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Governor of the State, in 
                consultation with the State educational agency, shall 
                determine the number of members to serve on the Council 
                and their term of office, and shall appoint such 
                members, initially, for a full term or for a period of 
                less than a full term, as the Governor determines 
                appropriate. Such members shall include representatives 
                of--
                            ``(i) State educational agency programs, 
                        Statewide Family Engagement Centers under 
                        subpart 16 of part D of title V, and Local 
                        Family Engagement Centers under section 1006 
                        operating in the State;
                            ``(ii) parent training and information 
                        centers and community parent resource centers 
                        assisted under sections 671 and 672 of the 
                        Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 
                        operating in the State;
                            ``(iii) the State parent teacher 
                        association and other parent groups;
                            ``(iv) family members, students, teachers, 
                        and school administrators;
                            ``(v) the State's advisory council on early 
                        childhood education and care;
                            ``(vi) colleges and universities; and
                            ``(vii) nonprofit organizations and State 
                        governmental agencies serving children and 
                        families.
                    ``(B) Restriction on government employees.--Not 
                more than 50 percent of the Council members shall be 
                employees of a State or local unit of government.
            ``(4) Duties of the council.--Duties of the Council shall 
        include any duties the Governor may specify and the following 
        duties:
                    ``(A) Establish a statewide vision of family 
                engagement in education that is consistent with, and 
                leverages, Federal family engagement in education 
                resources and initiatives.
                    ``(B) Encourage consistency in family engagement in 
                education policies and practices across learning 
                settings along the child and youth life span.
                    ``(C) Coordinate Federal, State, and local family 
                engagement in education programs and activities.
                    ``(D) Coordinate family engagement in education 
                programs and activities across early childhood, school-
                age, vocational and technical, and higher education 
                programs.
                    ``(E) Identify opportunities for family engagement 
                in education collaboration and resource sharing among 
                State educational agencies, local educational agencies, 
                and organizations that support family-school 
                partnerships.
                    ``(F) Review the family engagement in education 
                component of the State plan prepared under section 
                1111(d) and submit to the State educational agency and 
                to the Governor any recommendations of the Council for 
                modifications to the plan.
                    ``(G) Visit local educational agencies, schools, 
                and other learning settings to support the 
                implementation and monitoring of family engagement in 
                education policies, practices, and uses of funds.
    ``(c) Uses of Funds.--Each State may use funds reserved under 
section 1005(b)(2) to support the development and implementation of the 
statewide family engagement in education plan described in section 
1111(d) through activities such as--
            ``(1) supporting an office or staff positions within the 
        agency dedicated to family engagement;
            ``(2) carrying out the State's responsibilities under the 
        Local Family Engagement Centers Program under section 1006;
            ``(3) developing and implementing a statewide data 
        collection and evaluation system on family engagement metrics 
        to identify schools that would benefit from training and 
        support related to family engagement in education;
            ``(4) reviewing local educational agencies' family 
        engagement policies and practices as provided by sections 
        1112(b)(1)(P) and 1118(i), and evaluating the use of funds 
        under this subsection;
            ``(5) coordinating technical assistance and support to 
        local educational agencies with schools that would benefit from 
        training and support related to family engagement in education 
        with the Statewide Family Engagement Centers;
            ``(6) developing curricula for professional development for 
        teachers, principals, school librarians, and other school 
        leaders on improving family engagement in education;
            ``(7) developing standards and curricula for family 
        engagement in education for teacher and principal preparation 
        programs; and
            ``(8) coordinating statewide services related to early 
        education, higher education, child health and welfare, after-
        school programs, community service-learning programs, and other 
        programs to develop coordinated family engagement in education 
        policies, practices, and services.''.
    (d) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents in section 2 of 
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 is amended by 
inserting after the item relating to section 1004 the following:

``Sec. 1005. Family engagement and responsibility fund.
``Sec. 1006. Local Family Engagement Centers Program.
``Sec. 1007. State educational agency capacity for family engagement 
                            activities.''.

SEC. 6. STATE PLANS.

    (a) In General.--Section 1111(d) (20 U.S.C. 6311(d)) is amended to 
read as follows:
    ``(d) Family Engagement.--Each State plan shall include a plan for 
strengthening family engagement in education. Each such plan shall, at 
a minimum, include--
            ``(1) a description of the State's criteria and schedule 
        for review and approval of local educational agency engagement 
        policies and practices pursuant to sections 1112(e)(3) and 
        1118(i);
            ``(2) a description of the State's system and process for 
        assessing local educational agency implementation of section 
        1118 responsibilities;
            ``(3) a description of the State's criteria for identifying 
        local educational agencies that would benefit from training and 
        support related to family engagement in education;
            ``(4) a description of the State's statewide system of 
        technical assistance and support for local educational agencies 
        and schools on family engagement in education;
            ``(5) an assurance that the State will refer to Statewide 
        Family Engagement Centers those local educational agencies that 
        would benefit from training and support related to family 
        engagement in education;
            ``(6) a plan for using funds received under section 1005;
            ``(7) a description of the relationship between the State 
        educational agency and Statewide and Local Family Engagement 
        Centers, parent training and information centers, and community 
        parent resource centers in the State established under sections 
        671 and 672 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; 
        and
            ``(8) a plan for establishing a State Family Engagement 
        Coordinating Council or, if a similar entity exists, a 
        description of the composition and activities of such similar 
        entity.''.
    (b) Reports.--
            (1) Annual state report.--Section 1111(h)(4) (20 U.S.C. 
        6311(h)(4)) is amended--
                    (A) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``and'' after 
                the semicolon;
                    (B) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period at 
                the end and inserting a semicolon; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(H) the number of schools and the name of each 
                school that would benefit from training and support 
                related to family engagement in education, the reason 
                why such school was so identified, and the measures 
                taken to address the need for training and support; and
                    ``(I) information on the State educational agency's 
                family engagement in education programs and 
                activities.''.
            (2) Technical assistance.--Section 1111(j) (20 U.S.C. 
        6311(j)) is amended by inserting ``the development and 
        implementation of policies and procedures for family engagement 
        in education,'' after ``reliable,''.

SEC. 7. LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY PLANS.

    (a) In General.--Section 1112(b)(1)(P) (20 U.S.C. 6312(b)(1)(P)) is 
amended to read as follows:
                    ``(P) a description of the strategy the local 
                educational agency will use to implement and assess 
                family engagement in education under section 1118;''.
    (b) Engagement in Developing Plans.--Section 1112(b)(1) (20 U.S.C. 
6312(b)(1)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraph (Q) as subparagraph (S);
            (2) in subparagraph (P), by striking ``and'' after the 
        semicolon; and
            (3) by inserting after subparagraph (P) the following:
                    ``(Q) a description of how the local educational 
                agency will engage families in the development, 
                implementation, and assessment of local educational 
                agency plans;
                    ``(R) a description of how the local education 
                agency will improve teacher and principal knowledge and 
                skills in effectively engaging parents in their 
                children's education; and''.

SEC. 8. FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IN EDUCATION POLICY.

    (a) Local Educational Agency Development of Policies and 
Practices.--Section 1118 (20 U.S.C. 6318) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsections (a) through (h) as 
        subsections (b) through (i), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting before subsection (b), as redesignated by 
        paragraph (1), the following:
    ``(a) In General.--Each local educational agency and each school 
receiving funds under this part shall develop policies and practices 
for family engagement in education that meet the following principles 
and standards for family-school partnerships:
            ``(1) Welcome all families to be active participants in the 
        life of the school, so that they feel valued, connected to each 
        other and to school staff and to what students are learning in 
        class.
            ``(2) Communicate effectively by ensuring regular two-way, 
        meaningful communication between family members and local 
        educational agency and school staff in a manner, language, and 
        with technology that family members can understand and access.
            ``(3) Support student success by fostering continuous 
        collaboration between family members and local educational 
        agency and school staff to support student learning and healthy 
        development at school and at home.
            ``(4) Speak up for every child and empower family members 
        to be advocates for all students within the school.
            ``(5) Ensure that family members, local educational 
        agencies, and school staff are equal partners in family 
        engagement in education decisionmaking.
            ``(6) Collaborate with community organizations and groups 
        to turn the school into a hub of community life.
            ``(7) Create a continuum of family engagement in education 
        in student learning and development from birth to young 
        adulthood.
            ``(8) Train and support superintendents, principals, and 
        teachers to fully engage families in the education of their 
        children.''.
    (b) Written Policy.--Section 1118(b)(2), as redesignated by 
subsection (a), is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``(e)'' and inserting 
        ``(f)'';
            (2) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``and'' after the 
        semicolon;
            (3) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting a semicolon; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(G) participate in evaluations of the 
                effectiveness of family engagement in education 
                strategies and policies; and
                    ``(H) participate in developing recommendations for 
                creating a positive school climate and safe and healthy 
                schools.''.
    (c) Reservation.--Section 1118(b)(3)(A), as redesignated by 
subsection (a), is amended to read as follows:
                    ``(A) In general.--Each local educational agency 
                shall reserve not less than 2 percent of its allocation 
                under subpart 2 to carry out this section.''.
    (d) Reserved Funds.--Section 1118(b)(3), as redesignated by 
subsection (a), is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as 
        subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
                    ``(B) Use of funds.--Funds reserved under 
                subparagraph (A) may be used for purposes including the 
                following:
                            ``(i) Increasing capacity through 
                        establishment of a dedicated office or 
                        dedicated personnel within the local 
                        educational agency or at the school level for 
                        family engagement in education.
                            ``(ii) Supporting schools and nonprofit 
                        organizations in providing professional 
                        development on family engagement in education 
                        for school staff, parent leadership training, 
                        family literacy and numeracy programs, home 
                        visitation programs, family volunteerism 
                        programs, and other innovative programs that 
                        meaningfully engage families.
                            ``(iii) Developing and implementing local 
                        educational agency family engagement in 
                        education data-collection systems and 
                        indicators.
                            ``(iv) Assessing and providing 
                        recommendations on school family engagement in 
                        education policies, practices, and use of 
                        funds.
                            ``(v) Providing technical assistance and 
                        training to schools on the implementation and 
                        assessment of family engagement in education 
                        policies and practices.
                            ``(vi) Providing additional support to 
                        schools that have been identified for 
                        improvement under section 1116(b) to assist in 
                        their implementation of family engagement in 
                        education, including the hiring and maintenance 
                        of family engagement coordinators.
                            ``(vii) Partnering with Local Family 
                        Engagement Centers or community-based 
                        organizations to identify community resources, 
                        services, and supports to remove economic 
                        obstacles to family engagement in education by 
                        meeting families' needs.
                            ``(viii) Supporting schools and eligible 
                        entities in the development of early childhood 
                        programs that promote family engagement in 
                        education and school readiness.
                            ``(ix) Establishing and supporting an 
                        advisory group comprised of families, 
                        educators, and nonprofit organizations to 
                        develop recommendations to strengthen family 
                        engagement in education from birth to young 
                        adulthood.
                            ``(x) Assisting schools in the development, 
                        implementation, and assessment of family 
                        engagement in education plans.
                            ``(xi) Monitoring and evaluating the family 
                        engagement in education policies and practices 
                        funded under this section.
                            ``(xii) Partnering with Local Family 
                        Engagement Centers or Statewide Family 
                        Engagement Centers to assist the local 
                        educational agency and participating schools in 
                        the implementation of this section.
                            ``(xiii) Supporting other activities 
                        approved in the local education agency's plan 
                        for improving family engagement.''.
    (e) School Parental Involvement Policy.--Section 1118(c)(1), as 
redesignated by subsection (a), is amended in the first sentence by 
striking ``(c) through (f)'' and inserting ``(d) through (g)''.
    (f) Shared Responsibility for High Student Academic Achievement.--
Section 1118(e), as redesignated by subsection (a), is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
        ``subsection (b)'' and inserting ``subsection (c)''; and
            (2) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
            ``(1) describe the school's responsibility to--
                    ``(A) provide high-quality curriculum and 
                instruction in a supportive and effective learning 
                environment that enables the children served under this 
                part to meet the State's student academic achievement 
                standards, and the ways in which each parent will 
                support their children's learning, such as--
                            ``(i) monitoring attendance and homework 
                        completion;
                            ``(ii) volunteering in their child's 
                        classroom or school; and
                            ``(iii) participating, as appropriate, in 
                        decisions relating to the education of their 
                        children and positive use of extracurricular 
                        time; and
                    ``(B) engage family members in the development of 
                recommendations for student attendance, expectations, 
                behavior, and school safety, including the development 
                of reasonable disciplinary policies and behavioral 
                interventions, such as the implementation of school-
                wide positive behavior interventions and supports and 
                the phase-out of out-of-school suspension and 
                expulsion; and''.

SEC. 9. PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH WHO 
              ARE NEGLECTED, DELINQUENT, OR AT RISK.

    (a) State Plan and State Agency Applications.--Section 1414 (20 
U.S.C. 6434) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' after 
                the semicolon;
                    (B) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as 
                subparagraph (D); and
                    (C) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the 
                following:
                    ``(C) that contains an assurance that each child or 
                youth serviced by the program will have a transition 
                plan developed in partnership with families and 
                aftercare providers that will place the child or youth 
                on a path to career and college readiness; and''; and
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (15) through (19) 
                as paragraphs (17) through (21), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (14) the 
                following:
            ``(15) describes how the State agency will implement family 
        engagement in education policies and practices that align with 
        section 1118;
            ``(16) includes an assurance that the State agency will 
        establish, for each child or youth served under this subpart, 
        an educational services and transition plan that is developed 
        in consultation with the child or youth, family members of the 
        child or youth, and the local educational agency or alternative 
        education program that will receive the child or youth 
        following their period of service under this subpart;''.
    (b) Local Educational Agency Applications.--Section 1423 (20 U.S.C. 
6453) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (9) through (13) as 
        paragraphs (11) through (15), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following:
            ``(9) a description of how schools will implement family 
        engagement in education policies and practices that align with 
        the provisions of section 1118;
            ``(10) an assurance that the local educational agency will 
        establish for each child or youth served under this subpart an 
        educational services plan that is developed in consultation 
        with the child or youth, family members of the child or youth, 
        and the local educational agency or alternative education 
        program receiving the child or youth following their period of 
        service under this subpart;''.
    (c) Program Requirements for Correctional Facilities Receiving 
Funds Under This Section.--Section 1425 (20 U.S.C. 6455) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (10), by striking ``and'' after the 
        semicolon;
            (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (11) and 
        inserting a semicolon; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(12) prepare an educational services and transition plan 
        for each child or youth served by the program, in partnership 
        with families and aftercare providers, consistent with section 
        1414(a)(1)(C); and
            ``(13) establish for each child or youth residing in the 
        facility and serviced by this subpart an educational services 
        and transition plan that is developed in consultation with the 
        child or youth, family members of the child or youth, and the 
        local educational agency or alternative education program 
        receiving the child or youth following their period of service 
        under this subpart.''.

SEC. 10. HIGH-QUALITY TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS.

    (a) State Application Contents.--Section 2112(b) (20 U.S.C. 
6612(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(13) A description of how the State educational agency 
        will improve teacher and principal knowledge and skill in 
        effectively engaging families in their children's education.''.
    (b) State Activities.--Section 2113(c) (20 U.S.C. 6613(c)) is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (12) through (18) as 
        paragraphs (13) through (19), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (11) the following:
            ``(12) Training of teachers and principals on how to 
        effectively engage families in their children's education.''.

SEC. 11. FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

    (a) Heading.--The heading for subpart 16 of part D of title V is 
amended to read as follows:

        ``Subpart 16--Family Engagement in Education Programs''.

    (b) Family Engagement.--Section 5561 (20 U.S.C. 7273) is amended to 
read as follows:

``SEC. 5561. PURPOSES.

    ``The purposes of this subpart are the following:
            ``(1) To provide financial support to nonprofit 
        organizations to build the capacity of and provide technical 
        assistance and training to States and local educational 
        agencies in the implementation and enhancement of successful 
        systemic and effective family engagement policies, programs, 
        and activities that lead to improvements in student development 
        and academic achievement.
            ``(2) To assist State educational agencies, local 
        educational agencies, and community-based organizations in 
        strengthening partnerships among parents (including parents of 
        children under the age of 6), teachers, principals, 
        administrators, and other school personnel in meeting the 
        educational needs of children.
            ``(3) To support State educational agencies and local 
        educational agencies in developing and strengthening the 
        relationship between parents and their children's school in 
        order to further the developmental progress of children.
            ``(4) To coordinate activities funded under this subpart 
        with engagement in education initiatives funded under section 
        1118 and other provisions of this Act.
            ``(5) To assist the Secretary, State educational agencies, 
        and local educational agencies in the coordination and 
        integration of Federal, State, and local services and programs 
        to engage families in education.''.
    (c) Grants Authorized.--Section 5562 (20 U.S.C. 7273a) is amended 
to read as follows:

``SEC. 5562. GRANTS AUTHORIZED.

    ``(a) Statewide Family Engagement Centers.--The Secretary is 
authorized to award grants for each fiscal year to statewide nonprofit 
organizations (and consortia of such organizations and State 
educational agencies), to establish Statewide Family Engagement Centers 
that provide comprehensive training, technical assistance, and capacity 
building to State educational agencies, local educational agencies, 
schools identified by State educational agencies and local educational 
agencies, organizations that support family-school partnerships (such 
as parent-teacher associations and Parents as Teachers organizations), 
and other organizations that carry out parent education and family 
engagement in education programs.
    ``(b) Geographic Distribution.--In awarding grants under this 
section, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, ensure that a 
grant is--
            ``(1) awarded for a Statewide Family Engagement Center in 
        each State and outlying area; and
            ``(2) in an amount of not less than $500,000.''.
    (d) Applications.--Section 5563 (20 U.S.C. 7273b) is amended to 
read as follows:

``SEC. 5563. APPLICATIONS.

    ``(a) Submissions.--Each statewide nonprofit organization, or a 
consortium of such an organization and a State educational agency, that 
desires a grant under section 5562 shall submit an application to the 
Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such 
information as the Secretary may require.
    ``(b) Contents.--Each application submitted under paragraph (1) 
shall include, at a minimum, the following:
            ``(1) A description of the applicant's approach to family 
        engagement in education, including the use of strength-based 
        strategies.
            ``(2) A description of the applicant's plan for building a 
        statewide infrastructure for family engagement in education, 
        that includes--
                    ``(A) management capacity and governance;
                    ``(B) statewide leadership;
                    ``(C) systemic services for family engagement in 
                education;
                    ``(D) capacity building for State educational 
                agencies, local educational agencies, and schools;
                    ``(E) alignment with title I; and
                    ``(F) learning and improvement.
            ``(3) A description of the applicant's experience in 
        providing training, information, and support to State 
        educational agencies, local educational agencies, schools, and 
        nonprofit organizations on family engagement in education 
        polices and practices that are effective for low-income parents 
        and families, English language learners, minorities, parents of 
        students with disabilities, parents of homeless students, 
        foster parents and students, and parents of migrant students.
            ``(4) An assurance that the applicant will--
                    ``(A) be--
                            ``(i) governed by a board of directors, the 
                        membership of which includes parents of school-
                        aged children; or
                            ``(ii) an organization or consortium that 
                        represents the interests of parents;
                    ``(B) establish a special advisory committee, the 
                membership of which includes--
                            ``(i) parents of children from birth 
                        through young adulthood, who shall constitute a 
                        majority of the members of the special advisory 
                        committee;
                            ``(ii) representatives of the State parent 
                        teacher association;
                            ``(iii) representatives of education 
                        professionals with expertise in improving 
                        services for disadvantaged children;
                            ``(iv) representatives of local elementary 
                        schools and secondary schools, including 
                        students, disadvantaged youth, and 
                        representatives from local youth organizations; 
                        and
                            ``(v) representatives of State educational 
                        agencies and local educational agencies;
                    ``(C) use not less than 65 percent of the funds 
                received under this subpart in each fiscal year to 
                serve local educational agencies, schools, and 
                community-based organizations that serve high 
                concentrations of low-income families and disadvantaged 
                children and youth, including English language 
                learners, minorities, parents of students with 
                disabilities, parents of homeless students, foster 
                parents and students, and parents of migrant students;
                    ``(D) operate a center of sufficient size, scope, 
                and quality to ensure that the center is adequate to 
                serve the State educational agencies, local educational 
                agencies, and community-based organizations;
                    ``(E) serve urban, suburban, and rural local 
                educational agencies and schools;
                    ``(F) work with--
                            ``(i) State educational agencies and local 
                        educational agencies and schools;
                            ``(ii) other Statewide Family Engagement 
                        Centers assisted under this subpart;
                            ``(iii) Local Family Engagement Centers 
                        assisted under section 1006;
                            ``(iv) parent training and information 
                        centers and community parent resource centers 
                        assisted under sections 671 and 672 of the 
                        Individuals with Disabilities Education Act;
                            ``(v) clearinghouses; and
                            ``(vi) other organizations and agencies;
                    ``(G) use not less than 30 percent of the funds 
                received under this section in each fiscal year to 
                establish or expand technical assistance for evidence-
                based early childhood parent education programs;
                    ``(H) provide assistance to State educational 
                agencies and local educational agencies and community-
                based organizations that support family members in 
                areas such as assistance in understanding State and 
                local standards and measures of student and school 
                academic achievement and strategies for supporting 
                school academic achievement; and
                    ``(I) work with State educational agencies, local 
                educational agencies, and schools to determine parental 
                needs and the best means for delivery of services to 
                address such needs.''.
    (e) Uses of Funds.--Section 5564 (20 U.S.C. 7273c) is amended to 
read as follows:

``SEC. 5564. USES OF FUNDS.

    ``Grantees shall use grant funds received under section 5562 to 
provide training, technical assistance, and capacity building to State 
educational agencies, local educational agencies, and organizations 
that support family-school partnerships, to enable those agencies and 
organizations--
            ``(1) to assist parents in participating effectively in 
        their children's education and to help their children meet 
        State and local standards, such as assisting parents--
                    ``(A) to engage in activities that will improve 
                student academic achievement, including understanding 
                how they can support learning in the classroom with 
                activities at home and in afterschool and 
                extracurricular programs;
                    ``(B) to communicate effectively with their 
                children, teachers, principals, counselors, 
                administrators, and other school personnel;
                    ``(C) to become active participants in the 
                development, implementation, and review of school-
                parent compacts, family engagement in education 
                policies, and school planning and improvement;
                    ``(D) to participate in the design and provision of 
                assistance to students who are not making adequate 
                academic progress;
                    ``(E) to participate in State and local 
                decisionmaking;
                    ``(F) to train other parents; and
                    ``(G) to help the parents learn and use technology 
                applied in their children's education;
            ``(2) to develop and implement, in partnership with the 
        State educational agency, a statewide family engagement in 
        education policy and systemic initiatives that will provide for 
        a continuum of services to remove barriers for family 
        engagement in education and support school reform efforts; and
            ``(3) to develop, implement, and assess family engagement 
        in education policies and plans under sections 1112 and 
        1118.''.
    (f) Administrative Provisions.--Section 5565 (20 U.S.C. 7273d) is 
amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 5565. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

    ``(a) Matching Funds for Grant Renewal.--For each fiscal year after 
the first fiscal year for which an organization or consortium receives 
assistance under this subpart, the organization or consortium shall 
demonstrate in the application that a portion of the services provided 
by the organization or consortium is supported through non-Federal 
contributions, which may be in cash or in-kind.
    ``(b) Submission of Information.--Each organization or consortium 
receiving assistance under this subpart shall submit to the Secretary, 
on an annual basis, information on the activities it has carried out 
using grant funds received under section 5562, including reporting on 
metrics developed under section 5567.
    ``(c) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall reserve not more 
than 5 percent of the funds appropriated to carry out this subpart to 
provide technical assistance, by grant or contract, for the 
establishment, development, and coordination of Statewide Family 
Engagement Centers, including their establishment of statewide 
infrastructures for family engagement in education.
    ``(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this subpart shall be 
construed to prohibit a Statewide Family Engagement Center from--
            ``(1) having its employees or agents meet with a parent at 
        a site that is not on school grounds; or
            ``(2) working with another agency that serves children.
    ``(e) Parental Rights.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
subpart--
            ``(1) no person (including a parent who educates a child at 
        home, a public school parent, or a private school parent) shall 
        be required to participate in any program of parent education 
        or developmental screening under this subpart; and
            ``(2) no program or center assisted under this subpart 
        shall take any action that infringes in any manner on the right 
        of a parent to direct the education of their children.''.
    (g) Family Engagement in Indian Schools.--Section 5566 (20 U.S.C. 
7273e) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 5566. FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IN INDIAN SCHOOL.

    ``The Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary 
of Education, shall establish, or enter into contracts and cooperative 
agreements with local Indian nonprofit parent organizations to 
establish and operate, Local Family Engagement Centers and shall 
establish a national Indian Family Engagement Coordinating Council 
modeled on the State Family Engagement Coordinating Council as 
described in section 1007.''.
    (h) Research and Evaluation for Effective Family Engagement in 
Education.--Subpart 16 of part D of title V (20 U.S.C. 7273 et seq.) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 5567. RESEARCH AND EVALUATION FOR FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IN 
              EDUCATION.

    ``(a) Development of Metrics for Family Engagement.--Not later than 
1 year after the date of enactment of the Family Engagement in 
Education Act of 2011, the Director of the Institute of Education 
Sciences, after consultation with the advisory committee established 
under subsection (b), shall develop recommended metrics on family 
engagement in education for State educational agencies and local 
educational agencies that receive funds under section 1118 and provide 
recommendations on the integration of metrics into State accountability 
and longitudinal data systems.
    ``(b) Advisory Committee.--The Secretary shall appoint an advisory 
committee, including researchers and representatives from national 
nonprofit organizations with expertise in family engagement in 
education, to make data-driven recommendations regarding metrics 
required under subsection (a).
    ``(c) Research for Effective Family Engagement in Education.--The 
Secretary shall reserve not more than 5 percent of funds appropriated 
to carry out this subpart to conduct research on effective family 
engagement in education, including through awarding grants and entering 
into contracts with eligible entities. Such research may include--
            ``(1) exploratory research to discover the underlying 
        processes or components of family engagement programs that are 
        associated with improved education outcomes for students;
            ``(2) research to--
                    ``(A) develop culturally sensitive strategies or 
                programs for improving family engagement in education; 
                and
                    ``(B) rigorously evaluate the impact of such 
                strategies or programs on students' education outcomes; 
                and
            ``(3) research to--
                    ``(A) develop professional development programs 
                intended to enable school personnel to support parental 
                involvement in education; and
                    ``(B) rigorously evaluate the impact of such 
                programs on students' education outcomes.''.

SEC. 12. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 9101 (20 U.S.C. 7801) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (32);
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (20) through (31) as 
        paragraphs (21) through (32), respectively;
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (19) the following:
            ``(20) Family engagement in education.--The term `family 
        engagement in education' means a shared responsibility--
                    ``(A) of families and schools for student success, 
                in which schools and community-based organizations are 
                committed to reaching out to engage families in 
                meaningful ways and families are committed to actively 
                supporting their children's learning and development; 
                and
                    ``(B) that is continuous from birth through young 
                adulthood and reinforces learning that takes place in 
                the home, school, and community.''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(44) Tribally controlled schools.--The term `tribally 
        controlled schools' means schools administered by Indian tribes 
        or their delegates pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination 
        and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.).''.

SEC. 13. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

    The Act (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) is amended by striking--
            (1) ``parental involvement'' and ``parent involvement'' 
        each place the terms appear and inserting ``family 
        engagement'';
            (2) ``involvement of parents'' each place the term appears 
        and inserting ``engagement of families'';
            (3) ``parental information and resource center'' each place 
        the term appears and inserting ``Statewide Family Engagement 
        Center'';
            (4) ``parental information and resource centers'' each 
        place the term appears and inserting ``Statewide Family 
        Engagement Centers''; and
            (5) ``involve parents'' each place the term appears and 
        inserting ``engage families''.

SEC. 14. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE STUDY AND REPORT.

    (a) Study.--
            (1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United 
        States shall conduct a study, and make findings and 
        recommendations relating to compliance with, and use of funds 
        made available for, section 1118 of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6318), including 
        matters specified in paragraph (2).
            (2) Inclusions.--The study shall include a review and 
        analysis of--
                    (A) the use of funds reserved by local educational 
                agencies for family engagement under such section 1118;
                    (B) the innovative, effective, replicable, or model 
                family engagement in education policies, practices, and 
                uses of funds of State educational agencies and local 
                educational agencies determined by the Secretary of 
                Education to be in alignment with section 1118;
                    (C) any barriers to State educational agencies and 
                local educational agencies in implementing section 
                1118;
                    (D) any barriers to Indian tribes and 
                organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and 
                Alaska Native organizations in developing, 
                implementing, and assessing family engagement in 
                education policies and practices; and
                    (E) the use of data collection and reporting and 
                outcome and assessment systems of State educational 
                agencies and local educational agencies to determine 
                the extent to which family engagement in education is 
                implemented as described in section 1118.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall prepare 
and submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 
of the Senate and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of 
Representatives a report containing the findings and recommendations 
resulting from the study conducted under this section.

SEC. 15. FEDERAL COORDINATION OF FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IN EDUCATION 
              PROGRAMMING.

    (a) Staffing.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, there shall be established in the Department of Education 
dedicated staff, including a Director, for family and community 
engagement.
    (b) Duties.--The duties of the Director shall include the 
following:
            (1) Articulating a national vision of family engagement in 
        education.
            (2) Coordinating and integrating activities related to 
        family engagement strategies, services, and programs within the 
        Department and across Federal agencies.
            (3) Providing guidance to Department offices and units on 
        the administration of family engagement in education programs, 
        community school programs, and other related initiatives, such 
        as Promise Neighborhoods.
            (4) Ensuring consistency in family engagement in education 
        policies and programs within the Department.
            (5) Ensuring consistency in family engagement in education 
        policies and programs with family engagement policies and 
        practices of the programs and activities of other Federal 
        agencies.
            (6) Administering the Statewide Family Engagement Centers 
        under subpart 16 of part D of title V of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 and the Full Service Community 
        Schools program.
            (7) Developing, in consultation with the public through an 
        invitation for public comment in the Federal Register, a plan 
        for innovation, research, and evaluation of family engagement 
        in education, including impact, implementation, and replication 
        studies.
            (8) Conducting, by arrangement with the Department's 
        Institute of Education Sciences, by contract, or by 
        competition, innovation, research and evaluation on family 
        engagement in education consistent with the requirement of 
        section 5567(c) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
        of 1965.
            (9) Disseminating effective and innovative practices on 
        family engagement to State educational agencies, Statewide 
        Family Engagement Centers and Local Family Engagement Centers, 
        parent training and information centers and community parent 
        resource centers assisted under sections 671 and 672 of the 
        Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, administrators of 
        title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
        (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), and others.
            (10) Coordinating innovation, research, training, and 
        technical assistance activities among Statewide Family 
        Engagement Centers, Local Family Engagement Centers, and 
        regional educational laboratories.
            (11) Identifying opportunities for family engagement in 
        education collaboration and resource sharing among State 
        educational agencies, local educational agencies, and 
        organizations that support family-school partnerships.
            (12) Preparing a biennial report to Congress on family 
        engagement in education, including a summary of activities, 
        performance, and outcomes under sections 1006, 1008, 1112, and 
        1118, and subpart 16 of part D of title V of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965.
            (13) Publishing State educational agency family engagement 
        in education plans and reports prepared as required by section 
        1111 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 on 
        the website of the Department.
            (14) Carrying out such other duties as may be designated by 
        the Secretary.
    (c) Federal Department and Agency Cooperation.--Each department or 
agency of the Federal Government providing programs related to family 
and community engagement in education shall--
            (1) cooperate with the efforts of the Director described in 
        subsection (a);
            (2) provide such assistance, statistics, studies, reports, 
        information, and advice as the Director may request, to the 
        extent permitted by law;
            (3) adjust department or agency staff job descriptions to 
        support collaboration and implementation of the vision and 
        strategy; and
            (4) assign department or agency liaisons to the office to 
        oversee and implement interagency coordination.
                                 <all>