21st Century Community Learning Centers Act

Summary: 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to rural and inner city schools or consortia for projects that benefit the educational, health, social security, cultural, and recreational needs of rural or inner city communities. 
Authorizes appropriations.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``21st Century Community Learning 
Centers Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds that--
            (1) a local public school often serves as a center for the 
        delivery of education and human resources for all members of a 
        community;
            (2) public schools, primarily in rural and inner city 
        communities, should collaborate with other public and nonprofit 
        agencies and organizations, local businesses, educational 
        entities (such as vocational and adult education programs, 
        school to work programs, community colleges, and universities), 
        recreational, cultural, and other community and human service 
        entities for the purpose of meeting the needs and expanding the 
        opportunities available to the residents of the communities 
        served by such schools;
            (3) by using school facilities, equipment, and resources, 
        communities can promote a more efficient use of public 
        education facilities, especially in rural and inner city areas 
        where limited financial resources have enhanced the necessity 
        for local public schools to become social service centers;
            (4) the high technology, global economy of the 21st century 
        will require lifelong learning to keep America's workforce 
        competitive and successful, local public schools should provide 
        centers for lifelong learning and educational opportunities for 
        individuals of all ages; and
            (5) 21st Century Community Learning Centers enable the 
        entire community to develop an education strategy that 
        addresses the educational needs of all members of local 
        communities.

SEC. 3. PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION AND DISTRIBUTION.

    (a) Grants by the Secretary.--The Secretary is authorized in 
accordance with the provisions of this subsection to make grants to 
rural and inner city schools or consortia thereof to plan, implement, 
or to expand projects that benefit the educational, health, social 
service, cultural, and recreational needs of a rural or inner city 
community.
            (1) No school or consortia thereof shall receive a grant 
        award of less than $50,000 in each fiscal year; and
            (2) such grant projects do not exceed a 3-year period.
    (b) Application.--To be eligible to receive funds under this Act, a 
school or consortia thereof shall submit an application to the 
Secretary of Education at such time and in such manner as the Secretary 
may reasonably prescribe, that shall include--
            (1) a comprehensive local plan that enables such school to 
        serve as a center for the delivery of education and human 
        resources for members of a community; and
            (2) an initial evaluation of needs, available resources, 
        and goals and objectives for the proposed community education 
        program to determine programs that will be developed to address 
        these needs:
                    (A) A mechanism to disseminate information in a 
                manner that is understandable and accessible to the 
                community.
                    (B) Identification of Federal, State, and local 
                programs to be merged or coordinated so that public 
                resources may be maximized.
                    (C) A description of the collaborative efforts of 
                community-based organizations, related public agencies, 
                businesses, or other appropriate organizations.
                    (D) A description of how the school will assist as 
                a delivery center for existing and new services, 
                especially inter-active telecommunication used for 
                education and professional training.
                    (E) The establishment of a facility utilization 
                policy that specifically states rules and regulations 
                for building and equipment use and supervision 
                guidelines.
    (c) Priority.--The Secretary shall give priority to applications 
that offer a broad selection of services that address the needs of the 
community.

SEC. 4. USES OF FUNDS.

    (a) Authorized Programs.--Grants awarded under this Act may be used 
to plan, implement, or expand community learning centers which shall 
include not less than 4 of the following activities:
            (1) Literacy education programs.
            (2) Senior citizen programs.
            (3) Children's day care services.
            (4) Integrated education, health, social service, 
        recreational, or cultural programs.
            (5) Summer and weekend school programs in conjunction with 
        summer recreation programs.
            (6) Nutrition, health, and/or physical therapy.
            (7) Expanded library service hours to serve community 
        needs.
            (8) Telecommunications and technology education programs 
        for all ages.
            (9) Parenting skills education programs.
            (10) Support and training for child day care providers.
            (11) Employment counseling, training, and placement.
            (12) Services for students who withdraw from school before 
        graduating high school, regardless of age.
            (13) Services for individuals who are either physically or 
        mentally challenged.

SEC. 5. AWARD OF GRANTS.

    (a) In General.--In approving grants under this part, the Secretary 
shall assure an equitable distribution of assistance among the States, 
among urban and rural areas of the United States, and among urban and 
rural areas of a State.
    (b) Grant Period--Grants may be awarded for a period not to exceed 
3 years.

SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act--
            (1) the term ``Community Learning Center'' means the 
        provision of educational, recreational, health, and social 
        service programs for residents of all ages of a local community 
        in public school buildings, primarily in rural and inner city 
        areas, operated by the local educational agency in conjunction 
        with local governmental agencies, businesses, vocational 
        education programs, community colleges, universities, and 
        cultural, recreational, and other community and human service 
        entities; and
            (2) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of 
        Education.

SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated $25,000,000 for fiscal year 
1995 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 
1996 through 1999.