[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 40 (Thursday, March 8, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2900-S2904]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. LANDRIEU (for herself, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Reid, Mr. Obama, 
        and Mrs. Clinton):
  S. 808. A bill to provide grants to recruit new teachers, principals, 
and other school leaders to, and retain and support current and 
returning teachers, principals, and other school leaders employed in, 
public elementary and public secondary schools, and to help higher 
education, in areas impacted by Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita, 
and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
and Pensions.
  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, as my State and the rest of the Gulf 
Coast work to get back on their feet and rebuild their lives and their 
communities, we look to the future. We look forward to stronger levees, 
a more responsive FEMA, a better medical system, and a better school 
system. We look to our children--because they are the future--and we 
are striving to build the best school system in the country. We are in 
the middle of a remarkable period in Louisiana--and our schools are at 
the center. Our schools are re-opening and developing in new and 
innovative ways. There is a wonderful partnership with our institutions 
of higher learning, who are throwing themselves into not only 
rebuilding themselves but into standing up this new school system.
  But key to this new school system are the people who make it work day 
after day--our teachers, our principals, our aides--and it is vital 
that we recruit, retain, and maintain all of the excellent individuals 
who are dedicated to our children and the future.
  That is why, today, I am so very proud to introduce the Landrieu-
Kennedy-Reid RENEWAAL Act of 2007.
  Hurricanes Katrina and Rita not only damaged or destroyed 840 schools 
in Louisiana, but dozens more throughout the Gulf Coast. As the 176,000 
displaced elementary and secondary school students and their families 
begin to return, what was a need to rebuild these schools and bring in 
new teachers has become an emergency. The RENEWAAL Act will help solve 
a significant crisis in New Orleans--there are simply not enough 
talented teachers in the city to educate the 29,000 children the system 
must serve. In January, the New Orleans Recovery School District was 
forced to ``wait-list'' 300 students, in large part because they simply 
could not find or encourage enough teachers to come to the region to 
teach them.
  As the region continues to struggle and to grow, so will the need to 
bring more teachers to the Gulf Coast. The Louisiana Recovery Authority 
estimates that 12,000 teachers were displaced by Hurricane Katrina. 
Public

[[Page S2901]]

schools in New Orleans will need an additional 750 teachers by fall 
2007 to accommodate the daily surge in enrollment. Some of the 
district's high schools have student-to-teacher ratios surpassing 36 to 
1. Jefferson Parish currently has a shortage of about 60 teachers. 
Parishes like St. Bernard and Cameron have managed to hold down 
student-to-teacher ratios only because they've increased the local tax 
burden on an already stretched population to the breaking point, even 
though just a small portion of their schools have reopened. The future 
of the Gulf Coast lies in the rebuilding of its middle class; the 
future of the middle class in any community is in its schools.
  The RENEWAAL Act provides up to $254 million over 5 years in salary 
supplements, housing assistance and loan forgiveness for certified 
elementary and secondary school teachers and leaders who commit to 
serving the Hurricane Katrina and Rita affected areas for a minimum of 
3 years. The Act provides annual salary bonuses starting at $7,000 per 
year for teachers and leaders, increasing with experience, a proven 
track record of success in an urban district or use the opportunity to 
return to their home district to help. RENEWAAL also provides student 
loan forgiveness of up to $7000 per year and housing assistance of up 
to $750 per month.

  These incentives are necessary to help offset the dramatic cost of 
living increases that are a reality in the Gulf region right now. The 
starting salary for a Recovery School District teacher is $35,400 per 
year, slightly below the state's median income of $37,400. The average 
rent in New Orleans parish has increased more than 40 percent in 1 
year--so much so that, currently, a Recovery School District teacher in 
New Orleans would spend 40-50 percent of his or her monthly pre-tax 
income on rent. The average student loan debt of the 60 percent of 
Louisiana students who graduate with student loan debt is over $17,000. 
The combination of these financial burdens and the increased cost of 
living make it impossible for some young people to put their 
considerable time and energy into rebuilding the Gulf Coast, even if 
they once called it home. The incentives provided in the RENEWAAL Act 
would give them the support they need to serve.
  The bill also recognizes the unique role and the unique challenges 
Hurricane Katrina and Rita impacted colleges and universities have in 
rebuilding our Gulf communities. Over 84,000 students were displaced in 
Louisiana as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. RENEWAAL provides 
$500 million of funds to attract additional students to and retain 
faculty at Louisiana's institutions of higher education. Colleges and 
universities suffering significant revenue gaps from decreased 
enrollment and repair costs would receive the help they need continue 
their missions. Our higher education system has long been the creative 
and professional life blood of New Orleans and the region, as the 
institutions directly impacted by the storms have trained hundreds of 
thousands of young professionals and entrepreneurs who use their skills 
to strengthen cities and towns along the Gulf Coast and nationwide.
  I'd like to thank Congressman Charles Melancon and Congressman George 
Miller and their staffs for their hard work with us on this bill, 
culminating in its introduction as companion legislation in the House 
of Representatives. This bill is the latest example of their tireless 
dedication to supporting the children, families and students of the 
Gulf Coast as we continue to work together to bring the people of 
Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas home.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the legislation be printed 
in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 808

       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 ``Revitalizing New Orleans by 
     Attracting America's Leaders Act of 2007'' or the ``RENEWAAL 
     Act of 2007''.

              TITLE I--ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

     SEC. 101. GRANTS TO STATE EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES AFFECTED BY 
                   HURRICANE KATRINA OR HURRICANE RITA; SUBGRANTS 
                   TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES.

       (a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b) and section 
     102(d), from amounts appropriated under section 105, the 
     Secretary of Education shall award grants to each of the 
     States of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The Secretary 
     shall base allocations for States that submit an application 
     under subsection (b)(1) on the number of schools in each 
     State that were closed for 60 days or more during the period 
     beginning on August 29, 2005, and ending on December 31, 
     2005, due to Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita.
       (b) Applications.--
       (1) In general.--For a State to be eligible to receive a 
     grant under subsection (a), the State educational agency for 
     the State shall submit an application to the Secretary, at 
     such time as the Secretary may require, that contains such 
     information and assurances as the Secretary may require.
       (2) Specific assurances.--The assurances under paragraph 
     (1) shall include an assurance that--
       (A) subject to subsection (d), the State educational agency 
     will distribute the funds received under the grant as 
     subgrants to local educational agencies;
       (B) the State educational agency, in consultation with 
     local education agencies, local teachers and their union, the 
     State's board of education, and the local organization 
     representing charter schools, will establish and implement a 
     plan to strengthen the recruitment, retention, professional 
     development, and success of teachers and school leaders in 
     schools that are served under the grant; and
       (C) funds provided shall be used at schools that are--
       (i) open to all eligible students, including students with 
     disabilities and English language learners; and
       (ii) in compliance with all applicable Federal laws, 
     including civil rights laws, and State and local health and 
     safety laws.
       (3) Oversight.--The Secretary shall, on a semi-annual 
     basis--
       (A) review the State educational agencies receiving funds 
     under this title to determine whether each such agency is in 
     compliance with the assurances referred to in paragraph (2); 
     and
       (B) submit to the Committee on Education and Labor of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, 
     Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report on the 
     results of such review, the first of which reports shall be 
     made not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act.
       (c) Subgrants to Local Educational Agencies.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to subsection (d), from amounts 
     made available to a State educational agency under this 
     title, the agency shall make subgrants, on a competitive 
     basis, to local educational agencies in the State that serve 
     an area with respect to which a major disaster was declared 
     under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
     and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S. C. 5170) by reason of 
     Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita. Funds received under the 
     subgrant shall be used to carry out the authorized activities 
     described in sections 102 and 103.
       (2) Application.--To be eligible to receive a subgrant 
     under this subsection, a local educational agency shall 
     submit an application to the State educational agency at such 
     time, in such manner, and containing such information as the 
     State educational agency may reasonably require.
       (3) Timing.--Subgrants under this subsection shall be made 
     not later than 60 days after the date on which the State 
     educational agency first receives funds from the Secretary 
     under this title.
       (4) Determination of allocations.--In allocating funds 
     among local educational agencies under this subsection, State 
     educational agencies shall give priority to local educational 
     agencies with the following:
       (A) The highest percentages of schools that are closed as a 
     result of Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita, as of the date 
     of the enactment of this Act.
       (B) The highest percentages of schools with a student-
     teacher ratio of at least 25 to 1.
       (d) Management, Administration, and Evaluation.--
       (1) In general.--A State educational agency that 
     distributes funds under this title may reserve up to one half 
     of one percent for management, administrative, and evaluation 
     purposes.
       (2) Charter school costs included.--Amounts reserved under 
     paragraph (1) shall include all management, administrative, 
     and evaluation costs related to charter schools.
       (3) Allocation to other local educational agencies.--Of the 
     amounts reserved by a State educational agency under 
     paragraph (1), any funds that remain after expenditure for 
     the costs described in paragraphs (1) and (2) may be 
     allocated by the State educational agency to other local 
     educational agencies adversely affected by Hurricane Katrina 
     or Hurricane Rita.
       (e) Evaluation.--The Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall review the implementation of section 102 and 
     shall provide the Committee on Education and Labor of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, 
     Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate with an analysis 
     of the effectiveness of the implementation of such section 
     not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act.

[[Page S2902]]

     SEC. 102. ANNUAL BONUSES FOR TEACHERS AND OTHER SCHOOL 
                   LEADERS.

       (a) Annual Bonuses for Teachers.--A local educational 
     agency that receives a subgrant under section 101 shall use a 
     portion of the subgrant funds specified by the Secretary to 
     provide annual pensionable bonuses, in addition to base 
     salary and benefits, to teachers in each of 3 consecutive 
     full school years (beginning with the first full school year 
     that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act), 
     calculated as follows:
       (1) $7,000 per year for all teachers employed by the local 
     educational agency during the school year in which this Act 
     is enacted, if the teacher commits to continue to work during 
     each of the 3 succeeding school years in a public elementary 
     or public secondary school served by the agency.
       (2) $10,000 per year for all teachers described in 
     paragraph (1) who also have a demonstrated track record of 
     success in improving student academic achievement, based on 
     an evaluation from the multiple measures of success rating 
     system described in subsection (d), except that such teachers 
     may not receive a bonus under paragraph (1).
       (3) $12,500 per year for all teachers described in 
     paragraph (1) who also have a demonstrated track record of 
     success in improving student academic achievement, based on 
     an evaluation from the multiple measures of success rating 
     system described in subsection (d), and who teach a subject 
     for which there is a documented teacher shortage, except that 
     such teachers may not receive a bonus under paragraph (1) or 
     (2).
       (b) Annual Bonuses for School Leaders.--A local educational 
     agency that receives a subgrant under section 101 shall use a 
     portion of the subgrant funds specified by the Secretary to 
     provide annual bonuses to school leaders in each of 3 
     consecutive full school years (beginning with the first full 
     school year that begins after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act), calculated as follows:
       (1) $7,000 per year for all school leaders employed by the 
     local educational agency during the school year in which this 
     Act is enacted, if the school leader commits to continue to 
     work during each of the 3 succeeding school years in a public 
     elementary or public secondary school served by the agency.
       (2) $15,000 per year for all school leaders described in 
     paragraph (1) who also are designated by the local 
     educational agency as outstanding or have a demonstrated 
     track record of success in improving student academic 
     achievement on a school-wide basis in a low-performing school 
     (as determined through a performance-based system that 
     includes analysis of academic achievement gains), except that 
     such school leaders may not receive a bonus under paragraph 
     (1).
       (c) Supplements for Personnel Returning From 
     Displacement.--In the case of a teacher or school leader who 
     was displaced from, or lost employment in, a geographic area 
     described in section 101(a) by reason of Hurricane Katrina or 
     Hurricane Rita, and who returns to such an area following 
     such displacement and is rehired, the bonus described in 
     subsection (a) or (b) shall be increased by $1,500 in each of 
     the 3 years.
       (d) Multiple Measures of Success Rating System.--The 
     Secretary of Education may make a grant to a State under this 
     title only if the State educational agency, in its 
     application under section 101(b), agrees to use the following 
     process to develop a multiple measures of success rating 
     system:
       (1) Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act, the State educational agency, in cooperation 
     with local educational agencies, the teachers unions, local 
     principals' organization, local parents' organizations, local 
     business organizations, and local charter schools 
     organizations, shall develop a plan for such a system.
       (2) If the State educational agency has failed to reach an 
     agreement pursuant to paragraph (1) that is satisfactory to 
     all consulting entities by such deadline, the State 
     educational agency shall immediately notify the Congress of 
     such failure and the reasons for it and shall, not later than 
     30 days after such notification, establish and implement a 
     rating system that shall be--
       (A) based on strong learning gains for students and growth 
     in student achievement;
       (B) based on classroom observation and feedback at least 4 
     times annually;
       (C) conducted by multiple sources, including principals and 
     master teachers; and
       (D) evaluated against research-validated rubrics that use 
     planning, instructional, and learning environment standards 
     to measure teaching performance.
       (e) Timing of Payment.--A local educational agency 
     providing an annual bonus to a teacher or school leader under 
     subsection (a) or (b) shall pay the bonus according to a 
     schedule that--
       (1) is designed to attract such educators;
       (2) commences payment of the first of such bonuses not 
     later than 60 days after the later of--
       (A) the first day of the first full school year that begins 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act; and
       (B) the date on which the local educational agency first 
     receives funds from the State educational agency under this 
     title; and
       (3) only completes payment at the end of the period of 
     required service.
       (f) Grant Period.--Funds allocated by the Secretary for use 
     under this section may be expended by a State educational 
     agency or local educational agency over a 3-year period.

     SEC. 103. RELOCATION COSTS, HOUSING COSTS, EDUCATOR 
                   RECRUITMENT COSTS, AND PROMOTION OF BEST 
                   PRACTICES AND CAPACITY-BUILDING.

       (a) Relocation Costs.--A local educational agency that 
     receives a subgrant under section 101 shall use a portion of 
     the subgrant funds specified by the Secretary to provide one-
     time payments of up to $2,500 each to educators (including 
     teachers, school leaders, school guidance counselors, school 
     social workers, school nurses and other school-based health 
     personnel, and paraprofessionals) who commit to work in a 
     public elementary or public secondary school served by the 
     agency to assist such educators with costs associated with 
     relocation. In providing such payments, a local educational 
     agency shall give priority to teachers with a prior 
     connection to the State, either through previous employment 
     as a teacher in the State or graduation from a public or 
     private institution of higher education located in the State.
       (b) Housing Costs.--A local educational agency that 
     receives a subgrant under section 101 shall use a portion of 
     the subgrant funds specified by the Secretary to provide up 
     to 36 monthly payments of--
       (1) $700 each to educators (including teachers, school 
     leaders, school guidance counselors, school social workers, 
     school nurses and other school-based health personnel, and 
     paraprofessionals) who commit to work in a public elementary 
     or public secondary school served by the agency, and who 
     previously resided or worked in the geographical area served 
     by the agency, to assist such educators with housing costs; 
     and
       (2) $500 each to all other educators (including teachers, 
     school leaders, school guidance counselors, school social 
     workers, school nurses and other school-based health 
     personnel, and paraprofessionals) who commit to work in a 
     public elementary or public secondary school served by the 
     agency, to assist such educators with housing costs.
       (c) Educator Recruitment Costs.--A local educational agency 
     that receives a subgrant under section 101 shall use a 
     portion of the subgrant funds specified by the Secretary for 
     the purpose of establishing partnerships with non-profit 
     entities that have a demonstrated track record in recruiting 
     and retaining outstanding teachers and school leaders who 
     commit to teach or lead in schools where there is a 
     documented teacher shortage. These entities shall consult 
     with teachers and the local teachers' union in their work.
       (d) Promoting Best Practices and Capacity-Building.--
       (1) In general.--A local educational agency that receives a 
     subgrant under section 101 shall use a portion of the 
     subgrant funds specified by the Secretary for the purpose of 
     building the capacity and knowledge of principals and 
     teachers and providing teachers with paid release time to 
     collaborate with each other, to engage in classroom 
     observation, and to participate in professional development. 
     Such paid release time shall be used to facilitate the 
     identification and replication of best practices from the 
     highest-performing and fastest-improving schools, to bring in 
     outstanding educators to provide on-site professional 
     development and coaching, and to support the design, 
     adaptation, and implementation of high-quality formative 
     assessments aligned to the State's academic standards.
       (2) Administrative costs.--A local educational agency 
     receiving a subgrant under section 101 may use up to 5 
     percent of the portion of the subgrant funds specified by the 
     Secretary under paragraph (1) for management and 
     administration related to carrying out activities under such 
     paragraph.

     SEC. 104. DEFINITIONS.

       For purposes of this title:
       (1) The term ``documented teacher shortage''--
       (A) means a shortage of teachers documented in the needs 
     assessment conducted under section 2122(c) of the Elementary 
     and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6622(c)) by 
     the local educational agency involved or some other official 
     demonstration of shortage by the local educational agency; 
     and
       (B) may include such a shortage in math, science, reading, 
     special education, a foreign language, high school core 
     subjects, instruction for limited English proficient 
     children, and other subjects, as designated by the local 
     educational agency.
       (2) The term ``elementary school'' has the meaning given 
     such term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
       (3) The term ``local educational agency'' has the meaning 
     given such term in section 9101 of the Elementary and 
     Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801) and shall 
     also include the Recovery School District in Louisiana and 
     New Orleans Public Schools.
       (4) The term ``public school'' means any public school that 
     is operated or chartered by a State educational agency or 
     local educational agency.
       (5) The term ``school leader'' means a school principal, 
     assistant principal, principal resident director, or 
     assistant director.
       (6) The term ``secondary school'' has the meaning given 
     such term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
       (7) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of 
     Education.
       (8) The term ``teacher'', when used with respect to an 
     individual teaching in a State, means that the individual has 
     obtained full State certification as a teacher or is 
     satisfactorily participating in an alternative

[[Page S2903]]

     route to certification program that leads to certification 
     within 3 years, except that--
       (A) an individual teaching in a public charter school is 
     included in this definition if the individual satisfies the 
     requirements set forth in the State's public charter school 
     law with respect to State certification; and
       (B) a special education teacher is included in this 
     definition only if fully certified by the State.

     SEC. 105. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out this title $45,500,000 for fiscal year 2007, 
     $45,500,000 for fiscal year 2008, and $46,000,000 for each of 
     fiscal years 2009, 2010, and 2011.
       (b) Annual Bonuses for Teachers.--Of the total amounts 
     authorized under subsection (a), there are authorized to be 
     appropriated $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 
     through 2011 to carry out section 102(a).
       (c) Annual Bonuses for School Leaders.--Of the total 
     amounts authorized under subsection (a), the following 
     amounts are authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
     section 102(b):
       (1) $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 and 2008.
       (2) $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009, 2010, and 
     2011.
       (d) Relocation Costs.--Of the total amounts authorized 
     under subsection (a), there are authorized to be appropriated 
     $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011 to 
     carry out section 103(a).
       (e) Housing Costs.--Of the total amounts authorized under 
     subsection (a), there are authorized to be appropriated 
     $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011 to 
     carry out section 103(b).
       (f) Educator Recruitment Costs.--Of the total amounts 
     authorized under subsection (a), there are authorized to be 
     appropriated $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 
     2011 to carry out section 103(c).
       (g) Promoting Best Practices and Capacity-Building.--Of the 
     total amounts authorized under subsection (a), there are 
     authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each of fiscal 
     years 2007 through 2011 to carry out section 103(d).
       (h) Availability.--Any funds authorized to be appropriated 
     under this section are authorized to be available for fiscal 
     years 2007 through 2011.

     SEC. 106. CONSTRUCTION.

       Nothing in this title shall be construed to alter or 
     otherwise affect the rights, remedies, and procedures 
     afforded school or local educational agency employees under 
     Federal, State, or local laws (including applicable 
     regulations or court orders) or under the terms of collective 
     bargaining agreements, memoranda of understanding, or other 
     agreements between such employees and their employers.

                       TITLE II--HIGHER EDUCATION

     SEC. 201. HIGHER EDUCATION RECOVERY AND SUSTAINABILITY 
                   PROGRAM.

       (a) Program Established.--Subject to the availability of 
     funds appropriated to carry out this section, the Secretary 
     shall provide funds made available under this section, in 
     accordance with subsection (b), to postsecondary educational 
     institutions--
       (1) that were closed on any of their physical campuses, or 
     that temporarily relocated their campus, as a result of the 
     impact of a Gulf hurricane disaster;
       (2) the enrollments of which have not recovered to the 
     level of enrollments that existed before a Gulf hurricane 
     disaster; and
       (3) that continue to sustain a loss of revenue as a result 
     of the impact of a Gulf hurricane disaster.
       (b) Use of Funds.--The Secretary shall use funds made 
     available to carry out this section to compensate the 
     institutions described in subsection (a) for direct or 
     indirect losses incurred by such institutions resulting from 
     the impact of a Gulf hurricane disaster, and for the recovery 
     initiatives of such institutions. Such funds may be used 
     for--
       (1) faculty salaries and incentives for retaining faculty;
       (2) costs associated with the loss of lost tuition, 
     revenue, and enrollment;
       (3) construction and maintenance needs;
       (4) grants to students to attend institutions described in 
     subsection (a) for academic years beginning on or after July 
     1, 2006, with priority given to students demonstrating 
     financial need; and
       (5) any recruitment activities related to increasing 
     enrollment to the level of enrollment that existed before a 
     Gulf hurricane disaster.
       (c) Application for Assistance.--A postsecondary 
     educational institution that desires to receive assistance 
     under this section shall--
       (1) submit a sworn financial statement and other 
     appropriate data, documentation, or other evidence requested 
     by the Secretary that indicates that the institution incurred 
     losses resulting from the impact of a Gulf hurricane 
     disaster, and the monetary amount of such losses;
       (2) demonstrate that the institution attempted to minimize 
     the cost of any losses by pursuing collateral source 
     compensation from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 
     the Small Business Administration, any other relevant 
     government agencies, and insurance prior to seeking 
     assistance under this section;
       (3) demonstrate that the institution has not been able to 
     fully operate at the level of operation that existed before a 
     Gulf hurricane disaster; and
       (4) provide an assurance that, with respect to any funds 
     provided under this section for construction, the institution 
     will only use such funds for construction that has been or 
     will be conducted in compliance with the wage requirements 
     under section 439 of the General Education Provisions Act (20 
     U.S.C. 1232b).
       (d) Regulations Required.--Within a reasonable time after 
     the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall 
     issue regulations setting forth--
       (1) procedures for an application for assistance under this 
     section; and
       (2) minimum requirements for receiving assistance under 
     this section, including the following:
       (A) Online forms to be used in submitting request for 
     assistance.
       (B) Information to be included in such forms.
       (C) Procedures to assist in filing and pursing assistance.
       (e) Definition.--In this section, the term ``postsecondary 
     educational institution'' means--
       (1) an institution of higher education, as such term is 
     defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 1001); or
       (2) a public or private teaching hospital wholly or partly 
     owned or operated by such an institution of higher education.
       (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $500,000,000 for 
     the period beginning in fiscal year 2007 through fiscal year 
     2011.

     SEC. 202. LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR CERTAIN TEACHERS.

       (a) Program Authorized.--
       (1) In general.--From the amounts appropriated under 
     subsection (e), the Secretary shall carry out a program of 
     providing loan forgiveness to qualifying teachers. To provide 
     such loan forgiveness, the Secretary is authorized to carry 
     out a program--
       (A) through the holder of the loan, to assume the 
     obligation to repay a qualified loan amount for a loan made 
     under part B of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 1071 et seq.); and
       (B) to cancel a qualified loan amount (as so determined) 
     for a loan made under part D of such title (20 U.S.C. 1087a 
     et seq.).
       (2) Treatment of consolidation loans.--A loan amount for a 
     loan made under section 428C of the Higher Education Act of 
     1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078-3) or a Federal Direct Consolidation 
     Loan may be a qualified loan amount for the purposes of this 
     subsection only to the extent that such loan amount was used 
     to repay a Federal Direct Stafford Loan, a Federal Direct 
     Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, or a loan made under section 428 
     or 428H of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1078 or 1078-8, respectively), 
     as determined in accordance with regulations prescribed by 
     the Secretary.
       (b) Qualifying Teachers.--For the purposes of this section, 
     a qualifying teacher is an individual who is not in default 
     on a loan for which the individual seeks forgiveness and--
       (1) who--
       (A) first commenced employment as a full-time teacher in a 
     public or private elementary or secondary school in an area 
     affected by a Gulf hurricane disaster after such disaster; 
     and
       (B) is not described in paragraph (2);
       (2) who graduated from a public or private institution of 
     higher education located in an area affected by a Gulf 
     hurricane disaster and first commenced employment as a full-
     time teacher in a public or private elementary or secondary 
     school in such area after such disaster; or
       (3) who returned to employment as a full-time teacher in a 
     public or private elementary or secondary school in an area 
     affected by a Gulf hurricane disaster such after such 
     disaster.
       (c) Qualifying Amounts.--The Secretary shall forgive not 
     more than the following amount for a qualifying teacher:
       (1) $5,000 per year for a qualifying teacher described in 
     paragraph (1) of subsection (b), for each year of service 
     described in such paragraph.
       (2) $7,000 per year for a qualifying teacher described in 
     paragraph (2) or (3) of subsection (b), for each year of 
     service described in such paragraph.
       (d) Regulations.--The Secretary may prescribe such 
     regulations as may be necessary to carry out this section.
       (e) Authorization.--There is authorized to be appropriated 
     to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of the fiscal 
     years 2007 through 2011.

     SEC. 203. DEFINITIONS.

       For the purposes of this title:
       (1) Affected state.--The term ``affected State'' means the 
     State of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, or Texas.
       (2) Area affected by a gulf hurricane disaster.--The term 
     ``area affected by a Gulf hurricane disaster'' means a county 
     or parish, in an affected State, that has been designated by 
     the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster 
     assistance for individuals and households as a result of 
     Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita.
       (3) Gulf hurricane disaster.--The term ``Gulf hurricane 
     disaster'' means a major disaster that the President declared 
     to exist, in accordance 6 with section 401 of the Robert T. 
     Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, and 
     that was caused by Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita.
       (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Education.

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