Family Literacy Improvement Act of 1998

Summary: TABLE OF CONTENTS: 
     Title I:  Amendments to Even Start Family Literacy Programs 
     Title II:  Amendments to the Head Start Act 
Family Literacy Improvement Act of 1998 - 
Title I:  Amendments to Even Start Family Literacy Programs
 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to revise requirements for Even Start Family Literacy Programs (Even Start). 
(Sec. 101) Directs the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to States for the planning and implementation of statewide family literacy initiatives, including specified services. 
Requires a State, as a prerequisite to receiving a grant, to form a consortium of State-level programs under ESEA, the Head Start Act, the Adult Education Act, and all other related, State-funded programs.  Requires such consortium to create a plan to use a portion of the State's resources to strengthen and expand family literacy services. 
(Sec. 102) Sets forth definitions of:  (1) family literacy services; (2) reading; and (3) reliable, replicable research. 
(Sec. 103) Requires Even Start program elements to include a dedicated period of time for parents and their children to interact for the specific purpose of enhancing the childrens' development of a relationship of reciprocal learning and teaching. 
(Sec. 104) Increases from seven to 18 the maximum age for eligibility to participate in Even Start programs. 
(Sec. 105) Provides for technical assistance for the evaluation of subgrant recipient local programs. 
(Sec. 106) Requires States receiving such grants to develop indicators of program quality. 
(Sec. 107) Directs the Secretary to research, through grant or contract, successful family literacy services to improve the quality of existing programs and to develop models for new programs.  Requires the National Institute for Literacy to disseminate such research results to States and Even Start subgrant recipients. 
Title II:  Amendments to the Head Start Act
 - Amends the Head Start Act to reauthorize Head Start programs and to provide for grants and other assistance for family literacy services. 
(Sec. 201) Revises the definition of family literacy services. 
Extends through FY 2003 the authorization of appropriations for Head Start program activities.  Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make available certain amounts for such program activities, transition activities, impact studies, other research and evaluation activities, and family literacy services. 
Establishes a program of grants and other assistance for family literacy services under the Head Start Act.  Directs the Secretary of HHS to make competitive grants for up to 100 Head Start agencies to initiate provision of family literacy services through collaborative partnerships with entities that provide:  (1) adult education services; (2) Even Start programs under ESEA; or (3) other services deemed necessary for providing family literacy services. 
Authorizes the Secretary of HHS to provide:  (1) training and technical assistance to Head Start agencies that already provide family literacy services; (2) financial assistance to designated mentor Head Start agencies that demonstrate effective implementation of family literacy services, in order to provide training and technical assistance to other agencies; and (3) grants or other assistance to facilitate training and technical assistance to programs for the development of collaboration agreements with other service providers.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Family Literacy Improvement Act of 
1998''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds as follows:
            (1) Family literacy programs provide important literacy 
        assistance to families.
            (2) Family literacy programs assist parents in improving 
        their literacy skills, attaining self-sufficiency, and helping 
        their children succeed in school.
            (3) Family literacy programs empower parents by providing 
        them with the skills to interact positively with their 
        children, with respect to their children's education.
            (4) Family literacy programs encourage parents to read to 
        their children, which is a key component of children's academic 
        success.
            (5) Existing family literacy programs should be 
        strengthened in order to ensure that they are as effective as 
        possible in serving the literacy needs of at-risk families in 
        the United States.

       TITLE I--AMENDMENTS TO EVEN START FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAMS

SEC. 101. RESERVATION FOR GRANTS.

    Section 1202(c) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6362(c)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(c) Reservation for Grants.--
            ``(1) Grants authorized.--In any fiscal year in which the 
        amount appropriated to carry out this part exceeds the amount 
        appropriated to carry out this part for the preceding fiscal 
        year, the Secretary shall reserve such funds in excess of the 
        amount appropriated for such preceding fiscal years as do not 
        exceed $1,000,000 to award grants, on a competitive basis, to 
        States to enable such States to plan and implement, statewide 
        family literacy initiatives to coordinate and integrate 
        existing Federal, State, and local literacy resources 
        consistent with the purposes of this part. Such coordination 
        and integration shall include funds available under the Adult 
        Education Act, Head Start, this part, part A of this title, and 
        part A of title IV of the Social Security Act.
            ``(2) Consortia.--
                    ``(A) Establishment.--To receive a grant under this 
                subsection, a State shall establish a consortium of the 
                following State-level programs:
                            ``(i) Programs under this title.
                            ``(ii) Programs under the Head Start Act.
                            ``(iii) Programs under the Adult Education 
                        Act.
                            ``(iv) All other State-funded preschool 
                        programs and programs providing literacy 
                        services to adults.
                    ``(B) Plan.--To receive a grant under this 
                subsection, the consortium established by a State shall 
                create a plan to use a portion of the State's 
                resources, derived from the programs referred to in 
                subparagraph (A), to strengthen and expand family 
                literacy services in such State.
            ``(3) Reading instruction.--Statewide family literacy 
        initiatives implemented under this subsection shall base 
        reading instruction on reliable, replicable research on 
        reading.
            ``(4) Technical assistance.--The Secretary shall provide, 
        directly or through a grant or contract with an organization 
        with experience in the development and operation of successful 
        family literacy services, technical assistance to States 
        receiving a grant under this subsection.
            ``(5) Matching requirement.--The Secretary shall not make a 
        grant to a State under this subsection unless the State agrees 
        that, with respect to the costs to be incurred by the eligible 
        consortium in carrying out the activities for which the grant 
        was awarded, the State will make available non-Federal 
        contributions in an amount equal to not less than the Federal 
        funds provided under the grant.''.

SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 1202(e) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6362(e)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs 
        (4) and (7), respectively;
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
            ``(3) the term `family literacy services' means services 
        provided to participants on a voluntary basis that are of 
        sufficient intensity in terms of hours, and of sufficient 
        duration, to make sustainable changes in a family (such as 
        eliminating or reducing welfare dependency) and that 
        integrate--
                    ``(A) interactive literacy activities between 
                parents and their children;
                    ``(B) activities equipping parents to motivate, 
                teach, and otherwise partner with their children in 
                learning;
                    ``(C) parent literacy training, including training 
                that contributes to economic self-sufficiency; and
                    ``(D) appropriate instruction for children of 
                parents receiving parent literacy services;''; and
            (4) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
            ``(5) the term `reading' means the process of comprehending 
        the meaning of written text by depending on--
                    ``(A) the ability to use phonics skills, that is, 
                knowledge of letters and sounds, to decode printed 
                words quickly and effortlessly, both silently and 
                aloud;
                    ``(B) the ability to use previously learned 
                strategies for reading comprehension; and
                    ``(C) the ability to think critically about the 
                meaning, message, and aesthetic value of the text;
            ``(6) the term `reliable, replicable research' means 
        objective, valid, scientific studies that--
                    ``(A) include rigorously defined samples of 
                subjects that are sufficiently large and representative 
                to support the general conclusions drawn;
                    ``(B) rely on measurements that meet established 
                standards of reliability and validity;
                    ``(C) test competing theories, where multiple 
                theories exist;
                    ``(D) are subjected to peer review before their 
                results are published; and
                    ``(E) discover effective strategies for improving 
                reading skills; and''.

SEC. 103. PROGRAM ELEMENTS.

    Section 1205 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 6365) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (9), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in paragraph (10), by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(11) include a dedicated period of time for parents and 
        their children to interact for the specific purposes of 
        enhancing the childrens' learning and developing a relationship 
        of reciprocal learning and teaching.''.

SEC. 104. ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS.

    Section 1206(a)(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6366(a)(2)) is amended by striking ``seven,'' and 
inserting ``18,''.

SEC. 105. EVALUATION.

    Section 1209 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 6369) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) to provide States and eligible entities receiving a 
        subgrant under this part, directly or through a grant or 
        contract with an organization with experience in the 
        development and operation of successful family literacy 
        services, technical assistance to ensure local evaluations 
        undertaken under section 1205(10) provide accurate information 
        on the effectiveness of programs assisted under this part.''.

SEC. 106. INDICATORS OF PROGRAM QUALITY.

    (a) In General.--The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
is amended--
            (1) by redesignating section 1210 as section 1212; and
            (2) by inserting after section 1209 the following:

``SEC. 1210. INDICATORS OF PROGRAM QUALITY.

    ``Each State receiving funds under this part shall develop, based 
on the best available research and evaluation data, indicators of 
program quality for programs assisted under this part. Such indicators 
shall be used to monitor, evaluate, and improve such programs within 
the State. Such indicators shall include the following:
            ``(1) With respect to eligible participants in a program 
        who are adults--
                    ``(A) achievement in the areas of reading, writing, 
                English language acquisition, problem solving, and 
                numeracy;
                    ``(B) receipt of a high school diploma or a general 
                equivalency diploma;
                    ``(C) entry into a postsecondary school, job 
                retraining program, or employment or career 
                advancement, including the military; and
                    ``(D) such other indicators as the State may 
                develop.
            ``(2) With respect to eligible participants in a program 
        who are children--
                    ``(A) improvement in ability to read on grade level 
                or reading readiness;
                    ``(B) school attendance;
                    ``(C) grade retention and promotion; and
                    ``(D) such other indicators as the State may 
                develop.''.
    (b) State Level Activities.--Section 1203(a) of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6363(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) carrying out section 1210.''.
    (c) Award of Subgrants.--Paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 1208(b) 
of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6368) 
are amended to read as follows:
            ``(3) Continuing eligibility.--In awarding subgrant funds 
        to continue a program under this part for the second, third, or 
        fourth year, the State educational agency shall evaluate the 
        program based on the indicators of program quality developed by 
        the State under section 1210. Such evaluation shall take place 
        after the conclusion of the startup period, if any.
            ``(4) Insufficient progress.--The State educational agency 
        may refuse to award subgrant funds if such agency finds that 
        the eligible entity has not sufficiently improved the 
        performance of the program, as evaluated based on the 
        indicators of program quality developed by the State under 
        section 1210, after--
                    ``(A) providing technical assistance to the 
                eligible entity; and
                    ``(B) affording the eligible entity notice and an 
                opportunity for a hearing.''.

SEC. 107. RESEARCH.

    The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by 
section 106 of this Act, is further amended by inserting after section 
1210 the following:

``SEC. 1211. RESEARCH.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall carry out, through grant or 
contract, research into the components of successful family literacy 
services, to be used--
            ``(1) to improve the quality of existing programs assisted 
        under this part or other family literacy programs carried out 
        under this Act or the Adult Education Act; and
            ``(2) to develop models for new programs to be carried out 
        under this Act or the Adult Education Act.
    ``(b) Dissemination.--The National Institute for Literacy shall 
disseminate the results of the research described in subsection (a) to 
States and recipients of subgrants under this part.''.

               TITLE II--AMENDMENTS TO THE HEAD START ACT

SEC. 201. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO FAMILY LITERACY.

    The Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831-9852) is amended--
            (1) in section 637(4) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(4) The term `family literacy services' means services 
        that--
                    ``(A) are provided to participants who receive the 
                services on a voluntary basis;
                    ``(B) are of sufficient intensity, and of 
                sufficient duration, to make sustainable changes in a 
                family (such as eliminating or reducing dependence on 
                income-based public assistance); and
                    ``(C) integrate each of--
                            ``(i) interactive literacy activities 
                        between parents and their children;
                            ``(ii) training for parents on being 
                        partners with their children in learning;
                            ``(iii) parent literacy training, including 
                        training that contributes to economic self-
                        sufficiency; and
                            ``(iv) appropriate instruction for children 
                        of parents receiving the parent literacy 
                        training.'',
            (2) in section 639--
                    (A) in subsection (a) by striking ``1998'' and 
                inserting ``2003'',
                    (B) in subsection (b)--
                            (i) in paragraph (1)--
                                    (I) by striking ``1998'' and 
                                inserting ``2003'', and
                                    (II) by striking ``and'' at the 
                                end,
                            (ii) in paragraph (2)--
                                    (I) by striking ``1998'' and 
                                inserting ``2003'', and
                                    (II) by striking the period at the 
                                end and inserting ``; and'', and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) not less than $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, and 
        such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2000 through 
        2003, to carry out section 648B.'', and
            (3) by inserting after section 648A the following:

``SEC. 648B. FAMILY LITERACY SERVICES.

    ``From funds reserved under section 639(b)(3), the Secretary--
            ``(1) shall provide grants through a competitive process, 
        based upon the quality of the family literacy service proposal 
        and taking into consideration geographic and urban/rural 
        representation, for not more than 100 Head Start agencies to 
        initiate provision of family literacy services through 
        collaborative partnerships with entities that provide adult 
        education services, entities carrying out Even Start programs 
        under part B of chapter 1 of title 1 of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 274 et seq.), or 
        entities that provide other services deemed necessary for the 
        provision of family literacy services; and
            ``(2) may--
                    ``(A) provide training and technical assistance to 
                Head Start agencies that already provide family 
                literacy services;
                    ``(B) designate as mentor programs, and provide 
                financial assistance to, Head Start agencies that 
                demonstrate effective implementation of family literacy 
                services, based on improved outcomes of children and 
                their parents, to enable such agencies to provide 
                training and technical assistance to other agencies 
                that seek to implement, or improve implementation of, 
                family literacy services; and
                    ``(C) award grants or make other assistance 
                available to facilitate training and technical 
                assistance to programs for development of collaboration 
                agreements with other service providers.
In awarding such grants or assistance, the Secretary shall give special 
consideration to an organization that has experience in the development 
and operation of successful family literacy services.''.