A bill to encourage the development of research-proven programs funded under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.

Summary: Education Research & Development To Improve Achievement Act of 2007 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to award grants to research and development entities to develop, evaluate, and encourage the replication of innovations in core activities under title I (Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged) of the Act, including: (1) instruction in mathematics, reading or language arts, and science; (2) school improvement and restructuring; (3) supplemental educational services; and (4) the Reading First program.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Education Research & Development To 
Improve Achievement Act of 2007''.

SEC. 2. EDUCATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

    Subpart 1 of part D of title V of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7243 et seq.) is amended by adding at 
the end the following:

``SEC. 5415. STUDIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CORE PROGRAMS.

    ``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to develop 
replicable, research-proven activities for core title I programs, 
including the following programs and areas:
            ``(1) Targeted areas of instruction.
            ``(2) School improvement and restructuring under section 
        1116.
            ``(3) Supplemental educational services under section 
        1116(e).
            ``(4) Reading First under subpart 1 of part B of title I.
            ``(5) Other programs as determined by the Secretary to be 
        in need of further development.
    ``(b) Awarding of Grants.--The Secretary shall award grants to 
research and development entities to enable such entities to carry out 
the activities described in this section.
    ``(c) Application.--
            ``(1) In general.--A research and development entity that 
        desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit an 
        application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
        accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require.
            ``(2) Contents.--Each application submitted under paragraph 
        (1) shall--
                    ``(A) demonstrate a record of development of 
                successful educational programs or conduct of large-
                scale, peer-reviewed research, or both, as appropriate;
                    ``(B) establish clear objectives;
                    ``(C) establish annual benchmarks for progress;
                    ``(D) describe plans to develop or evaluate 
                programs likely to enhance student achievement; and
                    ``(E) describe plans to disseminate findings and 
                products of the research and development.
    ``(d) Use of Funds.--A research and development entity that 
receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds for the 
following:
            ``(1) Creating and evaluating new approaches in 1 or more 
        of the following areas:
                    ``(A) Each of the targeted areas of instruction 
                under section 1111(b)(1)(C).
                    ``(B) School improvement and restructuring under 
                section 1116.
                    ``(C) Supplemental educational services under 
                section 1116(e).
                    ``(D) Reading First under subpart 1 of part B of 
                title I.
            ``(2) Carrying out large-scale randomized evaluations of 
        activities that have proven promising in small-scale 
        evaluations.
            ``(3) Carrying out large-scale randomized evaluations of 
        existing programs.
            ``(4) Supporting nonprofit developers of research-proven 
        activities in the creation of capacity for training, material 
        production, and other needs to scale up programs rapidly.
            ``(5) Disseminating information about effective activities 
        and providing incentives for schools to adopt such activities.
    ``(e) Minimum Grant.--The minimum amount for each grant awarded 
under this section shall be $500,000 annually.
    ``(f) Continuation of Grants.--In determining whether to continue a 
grant awarded under this section, the Secretary shall consider--
            ``(1) if the grantee was reasonably on track with the 
        objectives and benchmarks stated in the application; and
            ``(2) if the grantee has shown promise in the creation and 
        evaluation of an effective program.
    ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section--
            ``(1) for fiscal year 2008, $100,000,000 or one fifth the 
        amount appropriated to carry out this part for such fiscal 
        year, whichever amount is greater;
            ``(2) for fiscal year 2009, $110,000,000 or one fifth the 
        amount appropriated to carry out this part for such fiscal 
        year, whichever amount is greater;
            ``(3) for fiscal year 2010, $120,000,000 or one fifth the 
        amount appropriated to carry out this part for such fiscal 
        year, whichever amount is greater;
            ``(4) for fiscal year 2011, $130,000,000 or one fifth the 
        amount appropriated to carry out this part for such fiscal 
        year, whichever amount is greater;
            ``(5) for fiscal year 2012, $140,000,000 or one fifth the 
        amount appropriated to carry out this part for such fiscal 
        year, whichever amount is greater; and
            ``(6) for fiscal year 2013, $150,000,000 or one fifth the 
        amount appropriated to carry out this part for such fiscal 
        year, whichever amount is greater.''.