[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 99 (Wednesday, July 6, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4395-S4397]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
By Mr. REED (for himself, Mr. Cochran, Mrs. Murray, Mr.
Rockefeller, and Mr. Whitehouse):
S. 1328. A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
of 1965 regarding school libraries, and for other purposes; to the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I introduce with my colleagues
Senators Cochran, Murray, Rockefeller, and Whitehouse, the
Strengthening Kids' Interest in Learning and Libraries Act bill.
Our bipartisan legislation will reauthorize and strengthen the school
library program of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The key
improvements to the program include ensuring that elementary, middle,
and high school students are served; expanding professional development
to include digital literacy instruction and reading and writing
instruction across all grade levels; focusing on coordination and
shared planning time between teachers and librarians; awarding grants
for a period of three years; and ensuring that books and materials are
appropriate for and gain the interest of students with special learning
needs, including English learners.
The SKILLS Act will also strengthen Title I by asking state and
school district plans to address the development of effective school
library programs to help students develop digital literacy skills,
master the knowledge and skills in the challenging academic content
standards adopted by the state, and graduate from high school ready for
college and careers. Additionally, the legislation will broaden the
focus of training, professional development, and recruitment activities
under Title II to include school librarians.
Since 1965, more than 60 education and library studies have produced
clear evidence that school libraries staffed by qualified librarians
have a positive impact on student academic achievement. Knowing how to
find and use information are essential skills for college and careers.
A good school library, staffed by a trained school librarian, is where
students develop and hone these skills.
The SKILLS Act will build on the success of the Improving Literacy
through School Libraries programs that was part of the No Child Left
Behind Act and is the only Federal initiative solely dedicated to
supporting and enhancing our Nation's school libraries. The Department
of Education's January 2009 evaluation of the program found that it had
been successful in improving the quality of those school libraries
receiving the grants. Unfortunately, even in the face of all the
evidence of the role school libraries play in boosting student
achievement and the efficacy of the program itself, the Administration
opted not to use its authority to provide funding for the school
library program under the fiscal year 2011 continuing resolution.
This was a very short-sighted decision. Since its enactment in 2002,
the Improving Literacy through School Libraries program has been making
a difference for students across the country.
In Rhode Island, for instance, this program supported the Get READY,
Get Ready, Empowered And Determined Youth, project of the Woonsocket
school district, which encompassed a comprehensive strategy to improve
the reading skills and academic achievement of 6,296 students, in
grades K-12, by addressing critical elements of an effective school
library program. Grant funds allowed the district to replace outdated
library materials, add one to two books per student at each library,
extend library hours, and add new computers to connect students to
information at other libraries. The funds also increased resources for
professional development in technology training for teachers and
librarians.
Absent the Federal program, the libraries in many of our high poverty
schools will languish with outdated materials and technology. This is a
true equity issue, which is why I will continue to fight to sustain our
Federal investment in this area and why renewing and strengthening the
school library program is of critical importance.
I urge my colleagues to join in cosponsoring the Strengthening Kids'
Interest in Learning and Libraries Act.
Mr. President I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill 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. 1328
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 ``Strengthening Kids' Interest
in Learning and Libraries Act'' or the ``SKILLS Act''.
SEC. 2. REFERENCES.
Except as otherwise expressly provided, wherever in this
Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an
amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the
reference shall be considered to be made to a section or
other provision of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.).
TITLE I--IMPROVING EDUCATION THROUGH SCHOOL LIBRARIES
SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 1002(b)(4) (20 U.S.C. 6302(b)(4)) is amended to
read as follows:
``(4) Improving literacy through school libraries.--For the
purpose of carrying out subpart 4 of part B, there are
authorized to
[[Page S4396]]
be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year
2012 and for each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years.''.
SEC. 102. STATE PLANS.
Section 1111(b)(8) (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(8)) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting
``or include'' after ``describe'';
(2) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(3) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F);
and
(4) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:
``(E) an assurance that the State educational agency will
assist local educational agencies in developing effective
school library programs to provide students an opportunity to
develop digital literacy skills and the knowledge and skills
described in the challenging academic content standards
adopted by the State; and''.
SEC. 103. LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY PLANS.
Section 1112(c)(1) (20 U.S.C. 6312(c)(1)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (N), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(2) in subparagraph (O), by striking the period and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(P) assist each school served by the agency and assisted
under this part in developing effective school library
programs consistent with section 1111(b)(8)(E).''.
SEC. 104. SCHOOLWIDE PROGRAMS.
Section 1114(b)(1)(D) (20 U.S.C. 6314(b)(1)(D)) is amended
by inserting ``school librarians,'' after ``teachers,''.
SEC. 105. TARGETED ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.
Section 1115(c)(1)(F) (20 U.S.C. 6315(c)(1)(F)) is amended
by inserting ``school librarians,'' after ``teachers,''.
SEC. 106. IMPROVING LITERACY AND COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS
THROUGH EFFECTIVE SCHOOL LIBRARY PROGRAMS.
Subpart 4 of part B of title I (20 U.S.C. 6383) is amended
to read as follows:
``Subpart 4--Improving Literacy and College and Career Readiness
Through Effective School Library Programs
``SEC. 1251. IMPROVING LITERACY AND COLLEGE AND CAREER
READINESS THROUGH EFFECTIVE SCHOOL LIBRARY
PROGRAMS.
``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this subpart is to improve
students' literacy skills and readiness for higher education
and careers, by providing students with effective school
library programs.
``(b) Definition of Eligible Entity.--In this section, the
term `eligible entity' means--
``(1) a local educational agency in which 20 percent of the
students served by the local educational agency are from
families with incomes below the poverty line; or
``(2) a consortia of such local educational agencies.
``(c) Reservation.--From the funds appropriated under
section 1002(b)(4) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall
reserve--
``(1) one-half of 1 percent to award assistance under this
section to the Bureau of Indian Education to carry out
activities consistent with the purpose of this subpart; and
``(2) one-half of 1 percent to award assistance under this
section to the outlying areas according to their respective
needs for assistance under this subpart.
``(d) Grants to Local Educational Agencies.--
``(1) In general.--From amounts appropriated under section
1002(b)(4) and not reserved under subsection (c), the
Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to
eligible entities to enable such entities to carry out the
authorized activities described in subsection (e).
``(2) Sufficient size and scope.--The Secretary shall award
grants under this section of sufficient size and scope to
allow the eligible entities to carry out effective school
library programs for which the grant funds are provided.
``(3) Distribution.--The Secretary shall ensure that grants
under this section are equitably distributed among the
different geographic regions of the United States, and among
eligible entities serving urban and rural areas.
``(4) Duration.--The Secretary shall award grants under
this section for a period of 3 years.
``(5) Local applications.--An eligible entity desiring to
receive a grant under this section shall submit an
application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner,
and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
Such application shall include, for each school that the
eligible entity identifies as participating in a grant
program under this section, the following information:
``(A) a needs assessment relating to the need for literacy
improvement at all grade levels and the need for effective
school library programs, based on the age and condition of
school library resources, including--
``(i) book collections;
``(ii) access to advanced technology;
``(iii) the availability of well-trained, State certified
or licensed school librarians; and
``(iv) the current level of coordination and shared
planning time among school librarians and classroom teachers;
``(B) a description of which grade spans will be served,
and an assurance that funding will be distributed to serve
students in elementary, middle, and high schools;
``(C) how the eligible entity will extensively involve
school librarians, teachers, administrators, and parents in
the activities assisted under this section, and the manner in
which the eligible entity will carry out the activities
described in subsection (e) using programs and materials that
are grounded in scientifically valid research;
``(D) the manner in which the eligible entity will
effectively coordinate the funds and activities provided
under this section with Federal, State, and local funds and
activities under this subpart and other literacy, library,
technology, and professional development funds and
activities, including those funded through the Institute of
Museum and Library Services; and
``(E) the manner in which the eligible entity will collect
and analyze data on the quality and impact of activities
carried out under this section by schools served by the
eligible entity.
``(e) Local Activities.--Funds under this section may be
used to develop and enhance effective school library
programs, which may include activities to--
``(1) acquire up-to-date school library resources,
including books and reading materials that--
``(A) are appropriate for students in all grade levels to
be served and for students with special learning needs,
including students who are limited English proficient; and
``(B) engage the interest of readers at all reading levels;
``(2) acquire and use advanced technology, incorporated
into the curricula of the school, to develop and enhance the
digital literacy skills of students;
``(3) facilitate Internet links and other resource-sharing
networks among schools and school libraries, and public and
academic libraries, where possible;
``(4) provide--
``(A) professional development in the acquisition of
digital literacy skills and literacy instruction that is
appropriate for all grades, including the assessment of
student literacy needs, the coordination of reading and
writing instruction across content areas, and training in
literacy strategies in all content areas for school
librarians; and
``(B) activities that foster increased collaboration among
school librarians, teachers, and administrators; and
``(5) provide students with access to school libraries
during nonschool hours, including the hours before and after
school, during weekends, and during summer vacation periods.
``(f) Supplement Not Supplant.--Funds made available under
this section shall be used to supplement, and not supplant,
other Federal, State, and local funds expended to carry out
activities relating to library, technology, or professional
development activities.
``(g) Accountability and Reporting.--Each eligible entity
that receives funds under this section for a fiscal year
shall prepare and submit a report to the Secretary regarding
how the funding was used and the extent to which the
availability of, the access to, and the use of, up-to-date
school library resources in the elementary schools and
secondary schools served by the eligible entity was
increased.''.
TITLE II--PREPARING, TRAINING, AND RECRUITING HIGHLY EFFECTIVE
TEACHERS, SCHOOL LIBRARIANS, AND PRINCIPALS
SEC. 201. TEACHER, SCHOOL LIBRARIAN, AND PRINCIPAL TRAINING
AND RECRUITING FUND.
Title II (20 U.S.C. 6601 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in the title heading, by striking ``HIGH QUALITY
TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS'' and inserting ``HIGHLY EFFECTIVE
TEACHERS, SCHOOL LIBRARIANS, AND PRINCIPALS''; and
(2) in the part heading, by striking ``TEACHER AND
PRINCIPAL'' and inserting ``TEACHER, SCHOOL LIBRARIAN, AND
PRINCIPAL''.
SEC. 202. PURPOSE.
Section 2101(1) (20 U.S.C. 6601(1)) is amended to read as
follows:
``(1) increase student achievement through strategies such
as--
``(A) improving teacher, school librarian, and principal
quality; and
``(B) increasing the number of highly effective teachers in
the classroom, highly effective school librarians in the
library, and highly effective principals and assistant
principals in the school; and''.
SEC. 203. STATE APPLICATIONS.
Section 2112(b)(4) (20 U.S.C. 6612(b)(4)) is amended by
inserting ``, school librarians,'' before ``and principals''.
SEC. 204. STATE USE OF FUNDS.
Section 2113(c) (20 U.S.C. 6613(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (4)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``principals,'' and inserting ``highly effective school
librarians, and highly qualified principals and''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``, principals,'' and
inserting ``, highly effective school librarians, and highly
qualified principals''; and
(2) in paragraph (6), by striking ``teachers and
principals'' each place the term appears and inserting
``teachers, school librarians, and principals''.
SEC. 205. LOCAL USE OF FUNDS.
Section 2123(a) (20 U.S.C. 6623(a)) is amended by inserting
after paragraph (8) the following:
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``(9)(A) Developing and implementing strategies to assist
in recruiting and retaining highly effective school
librarians; and
``(B) providing appropriate professional development for
school librarians, particularly related to skills necessary
to assist students to improve the students' academic
achievement, including digital literacy skills and
preparation for higher education and careers.''.
TITLE III--GENERAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 301. DEFINITIONS.
Section 9101 (20 U.S.C. 7801) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (16), (17), and (18)
through (43) as paragraphs (17), (18), and (20) through (45),
respectively;
(2) by inserting after paragraph (15) the following:
``(15) Digital literacy skills.--The term `digital literacy
skills' has the meaning given the term in section 202 of the
Museum and Library Services Act.''; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (18) (as redesignated by
paragraph (1)) the following:
``(19) Effective school library program.--The term
`effective school library program' means a school library
program that--
``(A) is staffed by a State certified or licensed school
librarian;
``(B) has up-to-date books, materials, equipment, and
technology (including broadband);
``(C) includes regular collaboration between classroom
teachers and school librarians to assist with development and
implementation of the curriculum and other school reform
efforts; and
``(D) supports the development of digital literacy
skills.''.
SEC. 302. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
(a) Table of Contents.--The table of contents in section 2
of the Act is amended--
(1) by striking the items relating to subpart 4 of part B
of title I and inserting the following:
``subpart 4--improving literacy and college and career readiness
through effective school library programs
``Sec. 1251. Improving literacy and college and career readiness
through effective school library programs.'';
(2) by striking the item relating to title II and inserting
the following:
``TITLE II--PREPARING, TRAINING, AND RECRUITING HIGHLY EFFECTIVE
TEACHERS, SCHOOL LIBRARIANS, AND PRINCIPALS'';
and
(3) by striking the item relating to part A of title II and
inserting the following:
``PART A--Teacher, School Librarian, and Principal Training and
Recruiting Fund.''.
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