[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 521 Introduced in House (IH)]

113th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 521

    To award grants to encourage State educational agencies, local 
  educational agencies, and schools to utilize technology to improve 
  student achievement and college-and-career readiness, the skills of 
  teachers and school leaders, and the efficiency and productivity of 
                    education systems at all levels.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 6, 2013

 Mr. George Miller of California introduced the following bill; which 
      was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
    To award grants to encourage State educational agencies, local 
  educational agencies, and schools to utilize technology to improve 
  student achievement and college-and-career readiness, the skills of 
  teachers and school leaders, and the efficiency and productivity of 
                    education systems at all levels.

    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 ``Transforming Education through 
Technology Act''.

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.
Sec. 4. Purposes.
Sec. 5. E-rate restriction.
Sec. 6. Rule of construction regarding purchasing.
Sec. 7. Definitions.
                TITLE I--TECHNOLOGY READINESS AND ACCESS

Sec. 101. Technology grants program authorized.
Sec. 102. State applications.
Sec. 103. State use of grant funds.
Sec. 104. Local subgrants.
Sec. 105. Reporting.
Sec. 106. Authorization.
                 TITLE II--TECHNOLOGY FOR TOMORROW FUND

Sec. 201. Short title.
Sec. 202. Technology for tomorrow fund.
Sec. 203. Application.
Sec. 204. Use of funds.
Sec. 205. Data collection and reporting.
Sec. 206. Performance measurement and evaluation and dissemination.
Sec. 207. Authorization of appropriations.

SEC. 3. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) There is growing opportunity provided by technology in 
        classrooms, for every grade, in every subject, and for all 
        types of learners, to--
                    (A) ensure that students are college-and-career 
                ready; and
                    (B) access the accelerating roll-out of online 
                assessments.
            (2) Comprehensive education technology programs have shown 
        great success in improving student achievement, reducing 
        secondary school dropout rates, and improving graduation and 
        college enrollment rates.
            (3) Mooresville Graded School District in the State of 
        North Carolina has implemented an integrated education 
        technology initiative, which has led to its ranking as the 
        third highest achieving district in the State, with 21 percent 
        composite achievement rate increases and 25 percent graduation 
        rate increases over 5 years.
            (4) At Manor New Tech High School in the State of Texas, 
        where 65 percent of students receive free or reduced price 
        lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) and 75 percent are students of color, 
        a project-based learning focus on science, technology, 
        engineering and mathematics, has led to 62 percent of students 
        being the first generation in their families to enroll in an 
        institution of higher education and a near zero secondary 
        school dropout rate.
            (5) At the City Arts and Technology High School Envisions 
        in San Francisco, California, which emphasizes personalized 
        learning environments, integration of arts and technology in 
        project-based learning, and development of deeper learning 
        skills, 98 percent of the graduates enrolled at an institution 
        of higher education, 91 percent remained enrolled at such an 
        institution, and 100 percent met the course requirements for 
        entrance to the University of California.
            (6) The Federal Government placed a strong emphasis on 
        technology professional development in the past decade, but no 
        longer provides any funding support for such activities. Annual 
        appropriations for grants awarded under the Enhancing Education 
        through Technology Act of 2001 under subpart D of title II of 
        the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        6751 et seq.) ended in 2010 and all funds appropriated by the 
        American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-
        5) for such grants were to have been spent by September 2011.
            (7) Online professional development courses offer excellent 
        opportunities for educators to receive the training that they 
        need 24 hours each day, 7 days each week. However, a recent 
        survey indicates that only 25 percent of teachers make use of 
        online professional development courses.
            (8) For technology to be fully integrated into classrooms 
        and to ensure that students are college-and-career ready, it is 
        critical that school administrators are confident in their 
        abilities to use technology and thereby lead change in their 
        schools and local educational agencies. The Federal Government 
        must invest in building leadership skills and capacity for 
        technology to truly take hold in our Nation's schools.

SEC. 4. PURPOSES.

    The purposes of this Act are to--
            (1) improve the achievement, academic growth, and college-
        and-career readiness of students who have developed the ability 
        to think critically, apply knowledge to solve complex problems, 
        work collaboratively, communicate effectively, be self-
        directed, and be responsible digital citizens;
            (2) ensure all students have access to individualized, 
        rigorous, and engaging digital learning experiences;
            (3) ensure that educators have the knowledge and skills to 
        develop and implement digital learning curriculum, use 
        technology effectively in order to personalize and strengthen 
        instruction, and effectively deliver and utilize assessments to 
        measure student outcomes and support student success;
            (4) ensure that administrators have the leadership, 
        management, knowledge, and skills to design, develop, and 
        implement a school or local educational agency-wide digital age 
        learning environment;
            (5) improve the efficiency and productivity of education 
        through technology;
            (6) address the connectivity needs of local educational 
        agencies and educational service agencies that are eligible for 
        support under the E-rate program without duplicating the 
        support available under such program; and
            (7) ensure that State educational agencies, local 
        educational agencies, and elementary schools and secondary 
        schools have the technological capacity and infrastructure to 
        meet purposes described in paragraphs (1) through (6).

SEC. 5. E-RATE RESTRICTION.

    Funds awarded under this Act may be used to address the networking 
needs of a recipient of such funds for which the recipient is eligible 
to receive support under the E-rate program, except that such funds may 
not be duplicative of support received by the recipient under the E-
rate program.

SEC. 6. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION REGARDING PURCHASING.

    Nothing in this Act shall be construed to permit a recipient of 
funds under this Act to purchase goods or services using such funds 
without ensuring that the purchase is free of any conflict of interest 
between such recipient, or any partner of such recipient, and the 
person or entity receiving such funds.

SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this Act, 
        any term that is defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801) has the 
        meaning given the term in such section.
            (2) Digital learning.--The term ``digital learning'' means 
        any instructional practice that effectively uses technology to 
        strengthen a student's learning experience and encompasses a 
        wide spectrum of tools and practices, including--
                    (A) interactive learning resources that engage 
                students in academic content;
                    (B) access to online databases and other primary 
                source documents;
                    (C) the use of data to personalize learning and 
                provide targeted supplementary instruction;
                    (D) student collaboration with content experts and 
                peers;
                    (E) online and computer-based assessments;
                    (F) digital content, adaptive, and simulation 
                software or courseware,
                    (G) online courses, online instruction, or digital 
                learning platforms;
                    (H) mobile and wireless technologies for learning 
                in school and at home;
                    (I) learning environments that allow for rich 
                collaboration and communication;
                    (J) authentic audiences for learning in a relevant, 
                real world experience;
                    (K) teacher participation in virtual professional 
                communities of practice; and
                    (L) hybrid or blended learning, which occurs under 
                direct instructor supervision at a school or other 
                location away from home and, at least in part, through 
                online delivery of instruction with some element of 
                student control over time, place, path, or pace.
            (3) Eligible partnership.--The term ``eligible 
        partnership'' means a partnership that includes--
                    (A) not less than 1--
                            (i) State educational agency; or
                            (ii) local educational agency or consortium 
                        of local educational agencies; and
                    (B) not less than 1--
                            (i) local educational agency, educational 
                        service agency, consortium of local educational 
                        agencies, or consortium of educational service 
                        agencies;
                            (ii) institution of higher education;
                            (iii) nonprofit or community-based 
                        organization; or
                            (iv) business or for-profit organization.
            (4) Eligible technology.--The term ``eligible technology'' 
        means modern information, computer, and communication 
        technology hardware, software, services, or tools, including 
        computer or mobile hardware devices and other computer and 
        communications hardware, software applications, systems and 
        platforms, and digital and online content, courseware, and 
        online instruction and other online services and supports.
            (5) E-rate program.--The term ``E-rate program'' means the 
        Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism.
            (6) Professional development.--The term ``professional 
        development'' is a process of continuous improvement for 
        teachers and school leaders that improves educator knowledge, 
        skills, and practice toward the goal of increased student 
        achievement and--
                    (A) is intensive, ongoing, connected to practice, 
                and on-site where allowable;
                    (B) is focused on student learning and addresses 
                the teaching of specific curriculum content;
                    (C) is aligned with school improvement priorities 
                and goals of the school and local educational agency; 
                and
                    (D) builds strong working relationships among 
                teachers and school leaders that--
                            (i) may be built around active professional 
                        learning communities; and
                            (ii) may contain on-demand components, such 
                        as instructional videos, training documents, or 
                        learning modules.
            (7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Education.
            (8) 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, 
        lifelong learning, and citizenship in the knowledge-based, 
        digital, and global 21st century, including, at a minimum, the 
        ability to--
                    (A) effectively communicate and collaborate;
                    (B) analyze and solve problems;
                    (C) access, evaluate, manage, and create 
                information and otherwise gain information literacy;
                    (D) demonstrate creative thinking, construct 
                knowledge, and develop innovative products and 
                processes; and
                    (E) carry out the activities described in 
                subparagraphs (A) through (D) in a safe and ethical 
                manner.
            (9) Technology readiness survey.--The term ``technology 
        readiness survey'' means a survey completed by a local 
        educational agency that provides standardized information 
        comparable to the information collected through the technology 
        readiness survey administered under the Race to the Top 
        Assessment program under section 14006 of division A of the 
        American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-
        5) on the quantity and types of technology infrastructure and 
        access available to the students served by the local 
        educational agency, including computer devices, Internet 
        connectivity, operating systems, related network 
        infrastructure, data systems, and--
                    (A) requiring--
                            (i) an internal review of the degree to 
                        which instruction, additional student support, 
                        and professional development is delivered in 
                        digital formats, media, and platforms and is 
                        available to students and educators at any 
                        time;
                            (ii) an internal review of the ability of 
                        educators to use assessments and other student 
                        data to personalize and strengthen instruction 
                        and identify professional development needs and 
                        priorities; and
                            (iii) any other information required by the 
                        State educational agency serving the local 
                        educational agency; and
                    (B) may include an assessment of local community 
                needs to ensure students have adequate on-line access 
                and access to devices for school-related work during 
                out-of-school time.
            (10) Universal design for learning.--The term ``universal 
        design for learning'' has the meaning given the term in section 
        103 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003).

                TITLE I--TECHNOLOGY READINESS AND ACCESS

SEC. 101. TECHNOLOGY GRANTS PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.

    (a) In General.--From the amounts appropriated under section 106, 
the Secretary shall award State Grants for Technology Readiness and 
Access (in this title referred to as ``grants'') to State educational 
agencies to strengthen State and local technological infrastructure and 
professional development that supports digital learning through State 
activities under section 103(c) and local activities under section 
104(c).
    (b) Grants to State Educational Agencies.--
            (1) Reservations.--From the amounts appropriated under 
        section 106 for any fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve--
                    (A) three-fourths of 1 percent for the Secretary of 
                Interior to provide assistance under this title for 
                schools operated or funded by the Bureau of Indian 
                Education; and
                    (B) 1 percent to provide assistance under this 
                title to the outlying areas; and
            (2) Grants.--From the amounts appropriated under section 
        106 for any fiscal year and remaining after the Secretary makes 
        reservations under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall make a 
        grant for the fiscal year to each State educational agency with 
        an approved application under section 102 in an amount that 
        bears the same relationship to such remainder as the amount the 
        State educational agency received under part A of title I of 
        the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        6311 et seq.) for such year bears to the amount all State 
        educational agencies with an approved application under section 
        102 received under such part (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.) for such 
        year.
    (c) Minimum.--The amount of a grant to a State educational agency 
under subsection (b)(2) for a fiscal year may not be less than one-half 
of 1 percent of the total amount made available for grants to all State 
educational agencies under such subsection for such year.
    (d) Reallotment of Unused Funds.--If any State educational agency 
does not apply for a grant under subsection (b)(2) for a fiscal year, 
or does not use its entire grant under subsection (b)(2) for such year, 
the Secretary shall reallot the amount of the State educational 
agency's grant, or the unused portion of the grant, to the remaining 
State educational agencies that use their entire grant amounts under 
subsection (b)(2) for such year.
    (e) Matching Funds.--
            (1) In general.--A State educational agency that receives a 
        grant under subsection (b)(2) shall provide matching funds, 
        from non-Federal sources, in an amount equal to 20 percent of 
        the amount of grant funds provided to the State educational 
        agency to carry out the activities supported by the grant. Such 
        matching funds may be provided in cash or in-kind, except that 
        any such in-kind contributions shall be provided for the 
        purpose of supporting the State educational agency's activities 
        under section 104(c).
            (2) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the matching 
        requirement under paragraph (1) for a State educational agency 
        that demonstrates that such requirement imposes an undue 
        financial hardship on the State educational agency.

SEC. 102. STATE APPLICATIONS.

    (a) Application.--To receive a grant under section 101(b)(2), a 
State educational agency shall submit to the Secretary an application 
at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require and 
containing the information described in subsection (b).
    (b) Contents.--Each application submitted under subsection (a) 
shall include the following:
            (1) A description of how the State educational agency will 
        meet the following goals:
                    (A) Use technology to ensure all students achieve 
                college-and-career readiness and technology literacy, 
                including by providing high-quality education 
                opportunities to economically or geographically 
                isolated student populations.
                    (B) Provide educators with the tools, devices, 
                content, and resources to--
                            (i) significantly improve teaching and 
                        learning, including support to increase 
                        personalization for and engagement of students 
                        in pursuit of college-and-career readiness and 
                        technology literacy; and
                            (ii) develop and use assessments to improve 
                        instruction consistent with the principles of 
                        universal design for learning, including for 
                        students with disabilities and English-language 
                        learners.
                    (C) Ensure administrators and school leaders have 
                the flexibility and capacity to develop and manage 
                systems to carry out activities described in 
                subparagraphs (A) and (B), and support administrators 
                and school leaders in utilizing technology to promote 
                equity and increase efficiency and productivity.
                    (D) Enable local educational agencies to build the 
                technological capacity and infrastructure (including 
                through local purchasing of eligible technology), 
                necessary for the full implementation of on-line 
                assessments for all students, (including students with 
                disabilities and English-language learners) and to--
                            (i) ensure the interoperability of data 
                        systems and eligible technology; and
                            (ii) carry out subparagraphs (A) through 
                        (C).
            (2) A description of the results of the technology 
        readiness in the State as determined by local educational 
        agency responses to the technology readiness survey, 
        including--
                    (A) the status of the ability of each local 
                educational agency served by the State educational 
                agency to meet the goals described in section 
                104(b)(1);
                    (B) an assurance that not less 90 percent of the 
                local educational agencies served by the State 
                educational agency have completed and submitted the 
                technology readiness survey to the State educational 
                agency; and
                    (C) an assurance that the results of the technology 
                readiness survey for each such local educational agency 
                are made available to the Secretary and the public 
                through the Website of the local educational agency.
            (3) A description of the plan for the State educational 
        agency to support each local educational agency served by the 
        State educational agency in meeting the goals described in 
        section 104(b)(1) not later than 3 years after the local 
        educational agency completes the technology readiness survey by 
        addressing the readiness gaps identified in such survey.
            (4) A description of the State's process for the adoption, 
        acquisition, distribution, and use of content, how the State 
        will ensure integrity of such processes, and how such processes 
        support the goals under paragraph (1) or how a State will 
        change such processes to support such goals, and how the State 
        will ensure content quality.
            (5) A description of how the State educational agency will 
        ensure its data systems and eligible technology are 
        interoperable.
            (6) An assurance that the State educational will consider 
        making content widely available through open educational 
        resources when making purchasing decisions with funds received 
        under this title.
            (7) A description of the State's student technology 
        literacy standards and the technology standards for teachers 
        and administrators, and an assurance that the State's student 
        technology literacy standards meet the requirements of section 
        7(8).
            (8) An assurance that subgrant awards under section 104 
        will be carried out by the State educational agency staff with 
        responsibility for leadership, coordination, and implementation 
        of instructional and other classroom technologies.
            (9) A description of how the State educational agency will 
        award subgrants to local educational agencies under section 
        104.
            (10) A description of the process, activities, and 
        performance measures, that the State educational agency will 
        use to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the grant and 
        subgrants funds awarded under this title across the State and 
        in each local educational agency.
            (11) A description of how the State educational agency 
        will, in providing technical and other assistance to local 
        educational agencies, give priority to the local educational 
        agencies proposing to target services to--
                    (A) students in schools in need of improvement and 
                persistently low-achieving schools; and
                    (B) schools with a high percentage of students that 
                are eligible for free or reduced price lunch under the 
                Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 
                1751 et seq.).
            (12) A description of how the State educational agency 
        consulted with local educational agencies in the development of 
        the State educational agency's application under this 
        subsection.
            (13) An assurance that the State educational agency will 
        provide matching funds as required under section 101(e).
            (14) A description of how the State educational agency will 
        ensure that funds received under this title is not duplicative 
        of support received under the E-rate program.
            (15) An assurance that the State educational agency will 
        protect the privacy and safety of students and teachers, 
        consistent with requirements of section 444 of the General 
        Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g) (commonly known as 
        the ``Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974'') and 
        section 2441(a) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
        of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6777(a)).

SEC. 103. STATE USE OF GRANT FUNDS.

    (a) Reservation for Subgrants To Support Technology 
Infrastructure.--Each State educational agency that receives a grant 
under section 101(b)(2) shall expend not less 90 percent of the grant 
amount for each fiscal year to award subgrants to local educational 
agencies in accordance with section 104.
    (b) Reservation for State Activities.--
            (1) In general.--A State educational agency shall reserve 
        not more than 10 percent of the grant received under section 
        101(b)(2) for the State activities described in subsection (c).
            (2) Grant administration.--Of the amount reserved by a 
        State educational agency under paragraph (1), the State 
        educational agency may reserve not more than 1 percent or 3 
        percent, in the case of a State educational agency awarding 
        subgrants under section 104(a)(2), for the administration of 
        the grant under this title, except that a State educational 
        agency that forms a State purchasing consortium under 
        subsection (d)--
                    (A) may reserve an additional 1 percent to carry 
                out the activities described in subsection (d)(1); and
                    (B) shall receive direct approval from the local 
                educational agencies receiving subgrants under section 
                104(a) from the State educational agency prior to 
                reserving more than the additional percentage 
                authorized under subparagraph (A) to carry out the 
                activities described in subsection (d)(1).
    (c) State Activities.--A State educational agency shall use funds 
described in subsection (b) to carry out each of the following:
            (1) Except for the awarding of subgrants in accordance with 
        section 104, activities described in the State educational 
        agency's application under section 102(b).
            (2) Providing technical assistance to local educational 
        agencies to--
                    (A) identify and address technology readiness 
                needs;
                    (B) redesign curriculum and instruction, improve 
                educational productivity, and deliver computer-based 
                and online assessment;
                    (C) use technology, consistent with the principles 
                of universal design for learning, to support the 
                learning needs of all students including students with 
                disabilities and English-language learners;
                    (D) support principals to have the expertise to 
                evaluate teachers' proficiency in implementing digital 
                tools for teaching and learning; and
                    (E) build capacity for individual school and local 
                educational agency leaders.
            (3) Developing or utilizing research-based or innovative 
        strategies for the delivery of specialized or rigorous academic 
        courses and curricula through the use of technology, including 
        digital learning technologies and assistive technology.
            (4) Integrating and coordinating activities under this 
        title with other educational resources and programs across the 
        State.
            (5) Disseminating information, including making publicly 
        available on the Websites of the State educational agency 
        promising practices to improve technology instruction, and 
        acquiring and implementing technology tools and applications.
            (6) Ensuring that teachers, paraprofessionals, library and 
        media personnel, specialized instructional support personnel, 
        and administrators possess the knowledge and skills to use 
        technology--
                    (A) for curriculum redesign to change teaching and 
                learning and improve student achievement;
                    (B) for formative and summative assessment 
                administration, data analysis, and to personalize 
                learning;
                    (C) to improve student technology literacy;
                    (D) to expand the range of supports and 
                accommodations available to English-language learners 
                and students with disabilities; and
                    (E) for their own ongoing professional development 
                and for access to teaching resources and tools.
            (7) Coordinating with teacher and school leader preparation 
        programs to--
                    (A) align digital learning teaching standards; and
                    (B) provide ongoing professional development for 
                teachers and school leaders that is aligned to State 
                student technology standards and activities promoting 
                college-and-career readiness.
    (d) Purchasing Consortia.--
            (1) In general.--A State educational agency receiving a 
        grant under section 101(b)(2) may--
                    (A) form a State purchasing consortium with 1 or 
                more State educational agencies receiving such a grant 
                to carry out the State activities described in 
                subsection (c), including purchasing eligible 
                technology;
                    (B) encourage local educational agencies to form 
                local purchasing consortia under section 104(c)(4); and
                    (C) promote pricing opportunities to local 
                educational agencies for the purchase of eligible 
                technology that are--
                            (i) negotiated by the State educational 
                        agency or the State purchasing consortium of 
                        the State educational agency; and
                            (ii) available to such local educational 
                        agencies.
            (2) Restrictions.--A State educational agency receiving a 
        grant under section 101(b)(2) may not--
                    (A) except for promoting the pricing opportunities 
                described in paragraph (1)(C), make recommendations to 
                local educational agencies for or require use of any 
                specific commercial products and services by local 
                educational agencies;
                    (B) require local educational agencies to 
                participate in a State purchasing consortia or local 
                purchasing consortia; or
                    (C) use more than the reservation amount authorized 
                for the administration of the grant under subsection 
                (b) to carry out the activities described in paragraph 
                (1), unless the State educational agency receives 
                approval in accordance with subsection (b)(2)(B).

SEC. 104. LOCAL SUBGRANTS.

    (a) Subgrants.--
            (1) Grants to local educational agencies.--From the grant 
        funds provided under section 101(b)(2) to a State educational 
        agency that are remaining after the State educational agency 
        makes reservations under section 104(b) for any fiscal year and 
        subject to paragraph (2), the State educational agency shall 
        award subgrants for the fiscal year to local educational 
        agencies served by the State educational agency and with an 
        approved application under subsection (b) by allotting to each 
        such local educational agency an amount that bears the same 
        relationship to the remainder as the amount received by the 
        local educational agency under part A of title I of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 
        et seq.) for such year bears to the amount received by all such 
        local educational agencies under such part for such year, 
        except that no local educational agency may receive less than 
        $5,000.
            (2) Competitive grants to local educational agencies.--If 
        the amount of funds appropriated under section 106 is less than 
        $500,000,000 for any fiscal year, a State educational agency--
                    (A) shall not award subgrants under paragraph (1); 
                and
                    (B) shall--
                            (i) award subgrants, on a competitive 
                        basis, to local educational agencies based on 
                        the quality of applications submitted under 
                        (b), including--
                                    (I) the level of technology 
                                readiness as determined by the 
                                technology readiness surveys completed 
                                by local educational agencies 
                                submitting such applications; and
                                    (II) the technology plans described 
                                in subsection (b)(3) and how the local 
                                educational agencies with such plans 
                                will carry out the alignment and 
                                coordination described in such 
                                subsection; and
                            (ii) ensure that such subgrants are of 
                        sufficient size and scope to carry out the 
                        local activities described in subsection (c).
            (3) Definition of local educational agency for certain 
        fiscal years.--For purposes of awarding subgrants under 
        paragraph (2), the term ``local educational agency'' means--
                    (A) a local educational agency;
                    (B) an educational service agency; or
                    (C) a local educational agency and an educational 
                service agency.
    (b) Application.--A local educational agency that desires to 
receive a subgrant under subsection (a) shall submit an application to 
the State at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such 
information as the State educational agency may require, including--
            (1) a description of how the local educational agency 
        will--
                    (A) carry out the goals described in subparagraphs 
                (A) through (C) of section 101(b)(1); and
                    (B) enable schools served by the agency to build 
                the technological capacity and infrastructure 
                (including through local purchasing of eligible 
                technology), necessary for the full implementation of 
                on-line assessments for all students (including 
                students with disabilities and English-language 
                learners) and to--
                            (i) ensure the interoperability of data 
                        systems and eligible technology; and
                            (ii) carry out the goals described in 
                        subparagraphs (A) through (C) of section 
                        101(b)(1);
            (2) a description of the results of the technology 
        readiness survey completed by the local educational agency and 
        a description of the plan for the local educational agency to 
        meet the goals described in paragraph (1) within 3 years of 
        completing the survey;
            (3) a description of the local educational agency's student 
        technology literacy standards, and its goals for the technology 
        skills for teachers and administrators, and an assurance that 
        the student technology literacy standards meet the requirements 
        of section 7(8);
            (4) a description of the local educational agency's 
        technology plan to carry out paragraphs (1) and (3) and how the 
        agency will align and coordinate the activities under this 
        section with other activities across the local educational 
        agency;
            (5) a description of the team of educators that will 
        coordinate and carry out the activities under this section, 
        including individuals with responsibility and expertise in 
        instructional technology, teachers that specialize in 
        supporting students with disabilities and English-language 
        learners, school leaders, technology officers, and staff 
        responsible for assessments and data analysis;
            (6) a description of how the local educational agency will 
        evaluate teachers' proficiency and progress in implementing 
        technology for teaching and learning;
            (7) a description of how the local educational agency will 
        ensure that principals have the expertise to evaluate teachers' 
        proficiency and progress in implementing technology for 
        teaching and learning and the interoperability of data systems 
        and eligible technology;
            (8) a description of the local educational agency's 
        procurement process and process for the creation, acquisition, 
        distribution, and use of content, how the local educational 
        agency will ensure integrity of such processes, and how such 
        processes support the goals described in paragraph (1) or how a 
        local educational agency will change such processes to support 
        such goals, and how the local educational agency will ensure 
        content quality;
            (9) a description of how the local educational agency will 
        carry out activities under subsection (c);
            (10) a description of how the subgrant funds received under 
        subsection (a) will be coordinated with and supported by other 
        Federal, State, and local funds to support activities under 
        this title;
            (11) a description of how the local educational agency will 
        ensure that the subgrant received under subsection (a) is not 
        duplicative of support received under the E-rate program; and
            (12) an assurance that the local educational agency will 
        protect the privacy and safety of students and teachers, 
        consistent with requirements section 444 of the General 
        Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g) (commonly known as 
        the ``Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974'') and 
        section 2441(a) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
        of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6777(a)).
    (c) Use of Funds.--
            (1) Technology infrastructure.--Subject to paragraph (3), a 
        local educational agency receiving a subgrant under subsection 
        (a) shall use not less than 40 percent of such funds to support 
        activities for the acquisition of eligible technology needed 
        to--
                    (A) except for the activities described in 
                paragraph (2), carry out activities described in the 
                application submitted under subsection (b), including 
                purchasing devices, equipment, and software 
                applications, and improving connectivity to and within 
                schools; and
                    (B) address readiness shortfalls identified under 
                the technology readiness survey completed by the local 
                educational agency.
            (2) Professional development for digital learning.--Subject 
        to paragraph (3), a local educational agency receiving a 
        subgrant under subsection (a)--
                    (A) shall use not less than 35 percent of such 
                funds to carry out--
                            (i) digital age professional development 
                        opportunities for teachers, paraprofessionals, 
                        library and media personnel, specialized 
                        instructional support personnel, technology 
                        coordinators, and administrators in the 
                        effective use of modern information and 
                        communication technology tools and digital 
                        resources to deliver instruction, curriculum 
                        and school classroom management, including for 
                        classroom teachers to assess, support, and 
                        provide engaging student learning 
                        opportunities, including professional 
                        development that--
                                    (I) is ongoing, sustainable, and 
                                scalable;
                                    (II) is participatory;
                                    (III) includes communication and 
                                regular interactions with instructors, 
                                facilitators, and peers and is directly 
                                related to up-to-date teaching methods 
                                in content areas;
                                    (IV) includes strategies and tools 
                                for improving communication with 
                                parents and family engagement;
                                    (V) may be built around active 
                                professional learning communities or 
                                online communities of practice or other 
                                tools that increase collaboration among 
                                teachers across schools, local 
                                educational agencies, or States; and
                                    (VI) may contain on-demand 
                                components, such as instructional 
                                videos, training documents, or learning 
                                modules;
                            (ii) ongoing professional development in 
                        strategies and pedagogy in the core academic 
                        subjects that involve the use of technology and 
                        curriculum redesign as key components of 
                        supporting effective, innovative teaching and 
                        learning, and improving student achievement;
                            (iii) ongoing professional development in 
                        the use of educational technologies to ensure 
                        every educator achieves and maintains 
                        technology literacy, including possessing and 
                        maintaining the knowledge and skills to use 
                        technology--
                                    (I) across the curriculum for 
                                student learning;
                                    (II) for real-time data analysis 
                                and online or digital assessment to 
                                enable individualized instruction; and
                                    (III) to develop and maintain 
                                student technology literacy;
                            (iv) ongoing professional development for 
                        school leaders to provide and promote 
                        leadership in the use of--
                                    (I) educational technology to 
                                ensure a digital-age learning 
                                environment, including the capacity to 
                                lead the reform or redesign of 
                                curriculum, instruction, assessment; 
                                and
                                    (II) data through the use of 
                                technology in order to increase student 
                                learning opportunity, student 
                                technology literacy, student access to 
                                technology, and student engagement in 
                                learning; and
                            (v) a review of the effectiveness of the 
                        professional development and regular intervals 
                        of learner feedback and data; and
                    (B) may use such funds for--
                            (i) the use of technology coaches to work 
                        directly with teachers, including through the 
                        preparation of teachers as technology leaders 
                        or master teachers--
                                    (I) who are provided with the means 
                                to serve as experts and to create 
                                professional development opportunities 
                                for other teachers in the effective use 
                                of technology; and
                                    (II) who may leverage technologies, 
                                such as distance learning and online 
                                virtual educator-to-educator peer 
                                communities, as a means to support 
                                ongoing, participatory professional 
                                growth around the integration of 
                                effective educational technologies;
                            (ii) innovative approaches to ongoing 
                        professional development such as non-standard 
                        achievement recognition strategies, including 
                        digital badging, gamification elements, use of 
                        learner-created learning objects, integration 
                        of social and professional networking tools, 
                        rating and commenting on learning artifacts, 
                        and personalization of professional 
                        development; and
                            (iii) any other activities required to 
                        carry out the local educational agency's 
                        technology plan described in subsection (b)(4).
            (3) Modification of funding allocations.--A State 
        educational agency may authorize a local educational agency to 
        modify the percentage of the local educational agency's 
        subgrant funds required to carry out the activities described 
        in paragraphs (1) or (2) if the local educational agency 
        demonstrates that such modification will assist the local 
        educational agency in more effectively carrying out such 
        activities.
            (4) Purchasing consortia.--Local educational agencies 
        receiving subgrants under subsection (a) may--
                    (A) form a local purchasing consortia with other 
                such local educational agencies to carry out the 
                activities described in this subsection, including 
                purchasing eligible technology; and
                    (B) use such funds for purchasing eligible 
                technology through a State purchasing consortia under 
                section 103(d).

SEC. 105. REPORTING.

    (a) Local Educational Agencies.--Each local educational agency 
receiving a subgrant under section 104 shall submit to the State 
educational agency that awarded such subgrant an annual report the 
meets the requirements of subsection (c).
    (b) State Educational Agencies.--Each State educational agency 
receiving a grant under section 101(b)(2) shall submit to the Secretary 
an annual report that meets the requirements of subsection (c).
    (c) Report Requirements.--A report submitted under subsection (a) 
or (b) shall include, at a minimum, a description of--
            (1) the status of the State education agency's plan 
        described in section 102(b)(3) or local education agency's 
        technology plan under section 104(b)(4), as applicable;
            (2) the categories eligible technology acquired with funds 
        under this title and how such technology is being used;
            (3) the professional development activities funded under 
        this title, including types of activities and entities involved 
        in providing such professional development to classroom 
        teachers and other staff, such as school librarians;
            (4) the instruction, strategies, activities, and curricula 
        used in the programs funded under this title; and
            (5) the types of programs funded under this title.

SEC. 106. AUTHORIZATION.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act 
$500,000,000 for fiscal year 2014 and such sums as may be necessary for 
each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.

                 TITLE II--TECHNOLOGY FOR TOMORROW FUND

SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Technology for Tomorrow Fund''.

SEC. 202. TECHNOLOGY FOR TOMORROW FUND.

    (a) Grants to Eligible Partnerships.--From the amounts appropriated 
under section 207 and not reserved under subsection (b), the Secretary 
shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible partnerships to 
enable the eligible partnerships to carry out activities described in 
section 204 to improve student achievement, academic growth, and 
college-and-career readiness through the use of technology and digital 
learning.
    (b) Reservation of Funds.--The Secretary may reserve up to 5 
percent of the amounts appropriated under section 207 for a fiscal year 
for--
            (1) the administration of this title; and
            (2) the evaluation and dissemination activities described 
        in section 204(b).
    (c) Duration of Grant Period.--A grant under subsection (a) shall 
be awarded to an eligible partnership for at least a 2-year period and 
not longer than a 3-year period, except that the Secretary may award 
the eligible partnership an additional 2-year grant if the eligible 
partnership demonstrates satisfactory progress on the performance 
measures described in section 206(a).

SEC. 203. APPLICATION.

    (a) In General.--To receive a grant under section 202, an eligible 
partnership shall submit an application at such time and in such manner 
as the Secretary may require, and containing the information described 
in subsection (b).
    (b) Contents.--An application submitted under subsection (a) shall 
include--
            (1) a description of the eligible partnership, the partners 
        forming the eligible partnership, and the roles and 
        responsibilities of each partner;
            (2) a demonstration of each partner's capacity and 
        commitment to fulfill its role and responsibilities to ensure 
        the successful completion of activities described in section 
        204;
            (3) a description of how the grant funds will be used to 
        improve the achievement, academic growth, and college-and-
        career readiness of students, particularly at-risk, low-income, 
        and low-performing students;
            (4) a description of how the activities funded by the grant 
        will be innovative, systemic, or evidence-based by ensuring 
        such activities--
                    (A) are based on strong or promising evidence or a 
                review of the best available research evidence; and
                    (B) may contribute to the development and use of 
                new models;
            (5) a description of how such activities will utilize 
        technology and digital learning to--
                    (A) promote personalized, individualized 
                instruction that improves student achievement, academic 
                growth, and college-and-career readiness;
                    (B) improve teacher and school leader preparation, 
                training, knowledge, skills, practice, and professional 
                capacity;
                    (C) ensure all students, particularly at-risk and 
                historically disadvantaged students, including students 
                with disabilities and English-language learners, have 
                equitable access to high-quality curriculum, 
                instruction, assessments, technology, and digital 
                learning; or
                    (D) improve the efficiency and productivity of 
                education;
            (6) a description of how the eligible partnership will 
        measure and report data on the effectiveness of such activities 
        under section 205(a);
            (7) an assurance that the grant funds will not solely be 
        used--
                    (A) to purchase materials, hardware, or technology-
                based tools; or
                    (B) to implement online learning to the exclusion 
                of other activities;
            (8) a description of how the eligible partnership will 
        ensure that a grant received under this title is not 
        duplicative of support received under the E-rate program; and
            (9) such other information as the Secretary may require.
    (c) Application Review and Award.--
            (1) Application review and approval.--The Secretary shall--
                    (A) establish a peer review process to assist in 
                the review of the grant applications and approval of 
                the grants under this section;
                    (B) appoint to the peer review process individuals 
                who are educators and experts in--
                            (i) technology and digital learning;
                            (ii) classroom instruction and teaching 
                        practice;
                            (iii) school improvement, redesign, or 
                        turnaround;
                            (iv) teacher and school leader training or 
                        professional development; and
                            (v) education efficiency and productivity; 
                        and
                    (C) ensure that each grant is of sufficient size 
                and scope to carry out the activities described in the 
                grant application under subsection (b), including the 
                activities described in section 204 and measuring and 
                reporting data under section 205(a).
            (2) Grant award.--In awarding grants under this title, the 
        Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, ensure--
                    (A) diversity in the type of activities funded 
                under the grants, including statewide and local 
                initiatives;
                    (B) equitable geographic distribution of the 
                grants, including urban and rural areas and small and 
                large local educational agencies; and
                    (C) that eligible partnerships receiving such 
                grants--
                            (i) demonstrate that activities funded by 
                        the grant will be carried out based on strong 
                        or promising evidence; and
                            (ii) are committed to and capable of 
                        successfully carrying out the activities 
                        described in the grant application submitted 
                        under subsection (b), including the activities 
                        described in section 204 and measuring and 
                        reporting data under section 205(a).

SEC. 204. USE OF FUNDS.

    (a) Requirements.--An eligible partnership receiving a grant under 
this title shall use grant funds to carry out 1 or more of the 
following activities that utilize technology and digital learning to 
promote:
            (1) Personalized, individualized instruction that improves 
        student achievement, academic growth, and college-and-career 
        readiness, such as--
                    (A) hybrid, blended, or other digital-learning 
                opportunities that combine online and teacher-based 
                instruction to improve student outcomes;
                    (B) gaming or other personalized digital or 
                technology-based tools that individualize instruction 
                and promote self-directed learning and higher order 
                thinking skills, including giving students control over 
                the place, pace, or time of learning;
                    (C) online platforms or opportunities that provide 
                students opportunities for credit recovery or advanced 
                credit accumulation; and
                    (D) expanding the accommodations available to 
                students with disabilities and English-language 
                learners.
            (2) Improving teacher and school leader preparation, 
        professional development, knowledge, skills, practice, and 
        professional capacity, such as--
                    (A) tools or programs that equip teachers to 
                differentiate instruction, conduct ongoing formative 
                assessments, and use real-time data or data systems to 
                identify individual student learning needs and guide 
                personalized instruction, learning, and appropriate 
                interventions that address those individualized student 
                learning needs;
                    (B) on-demand professional development, online 
                communities of practice, or other technology-based 
                tools that improve teaching and leadership;
                    (C) pre-service training in the use of technology 
                and digital learning to improve student outcomes; and
                    (D) technology-based tools to improve the 
                administration and implementation of teacher evaluation 
                systems or other human capital systems.
            (3) Ensuring all students, particularly at-risk and low-
        performing students, have equitable access to high-quality 
        curriculum, instruction, assessments, technology, and digital 
        learning by effectively implementing technology tools 
        consistent with principals of universal design for learning, 
        such as--
                    (A) using tools or programs to teach students 
                higher order thinking skills;
                    (B) improving the education of students with 
                disabilities through assessment accommodations, 
                including assistive technology;
                    (C) improving the education of English-language 
                learners, including language proficiency and academic 
                content, through intuitive games and interfaces, web-
                based interventions, or technology-based assessments 
                and assessment accommodations;
                    (D) technology-based tools or digital learning 
                opportunities that enhance high-quality early learning 
                or early childhood education programs;
                    (E) expanding learning opportunities, particularly 
                for students who are low-performing or live in rural 
                areas, that increase access to high-quality curriculum 
                and instruction, advanced placement or international 
                baccalaureate courses, science, technology, 
                engineering, and mathematics education, or enrichment 
                activities; and
                    (F) enhancing the quality, depth, or administration 
                of student assessments, including summative, formative, 
                and classroom-based assessments.
            (4) Improving the efficiency and productivity of education, 
        such as--
                    (A) extending the reach of high-quality materials, 
                tools, curriculum, instruction, or teachers through 
                such means as open educational resources or blended 
                learning;
                    (B) making student learning or school improvement 
                more effective and cost-efficient through online or 
                digital platforms; and
                    (C) use of laptops, personal devices, or 
                technology-infused instruction to reduce cost and 
                improve delivery of instruction.
    (b) Limitations on Uses of Funds.--An eligible partnership may not 
use the total amount of a grant received under this title for a fiscal 
year--
            (1) on materials, hardware, or technology-based tools; or
            (2) to implement online learning to the exclusion of other 
        activities.

SEC. 205. DATA COLLECTION AND REPORTING.

    (a) Reporting.--Each eligible partnership receiving a grant under 
this title shall collect and report to the Secretary, on at least an 
annual basis, such information on the progress, outcomes, and best 
practices learned from activities under the grant as the Secretary may 
require, which--
            (1) shall include information on the impact of the grant on 
        student outcomes, such as--
                    (A) the number of and demographic information about 
                students who are served by the eligible partnership 
                under this title;
                    (B) student achievement, student growth, and 
                graduation rates of such students;
                    (C) college-and-career readiness data about 
                students of such students, such as rates of credit 
                accumulation, course taking and completion, and college 
                enrollment and persistence;
                    (D) student attendance and participation rates; and
                    (E) such other information the Secretary may 
                require or other information the eligible partnership 
                proposes to include and approved by the Secretary; and
            (2) may include data on--
                    (A) student engagement and discipline;
                    (B) school climate and teacher working conditions; 
                and
                    (C) increases in inclusion of students with 
                disabilities and English-language learners.
    (b) Disaggregation.--Each eligible partnership receiving a grant 
under this title shall disaggregate the information required under 
subsection (a) in the same manner as information is disaggregated under 
section 1111(h)(1)(C)(i) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(h)(1)(C)(i)).

SEC. 206. PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION AND DISSEMINATION.

    (a) Performance Measures.--Prior to the reviewing and awarding of 
grants under this title, the Secretary shall establish performance 
measures used to evaluate the progress and performance of each eligible 
partnership that--
            (1) shall include, at a minimum, information on the impact 
        of the grants on student outcomes as reported under section 
        205(a); and
            (2) may include such other information as the Secretary may 
        reasonably require.
    (b) Evaluation and Dissemination.--From amounts reserved under 
section 202(b), the Secretary shall--
            (1) conduct or enter into a contract with an outside 
        evaluator to conduct--
                    (A) a comprehensive evaluation after the third year 
                that the grant program is carried under this title on 
                the effectiveness of all grants awarded under this 
                title; and
                    (B) a final evaluation following the final year of 
                the grant program under this title--
                            (i) that focuses on the improvement in 
                        student outcomes reported under paragraphs (1) 
                        through (3) of section 205(a);
                            (ii) that compares the relative 
                        effectiveness of different types of programs 
                        carried under this title and compares the 
                        relative effectiveness of variations in 
                        implementation within such programs; and
                            (iii) identifies the conditions and 
                        practices needed for the effective use of 
                        technology and digital learning, including 
                        issues related to teacher professional 
                        development, educational leadership, classroom 
                        and school practices and implementation and 
                        support;
            (2) disseminate and provide technical assistance to local 
        educational agencies and State educational agencies on best 
        practices in utilizing technology and digital learning to 
        improve student achievement, academic growth, and college-and-
        career readiness; and
            (3) ensure that the Department of Education applies the 
        best practices described in paragraph (2) in carrying out other 
        innovation funds.

SEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title 
$250,000,000 for fiscal year 2014 and such sums as may be necessary for 
each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.
                                 <all>