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[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1150 Placed on Calendar Senate (PCS)]

                                                       Calendar No. 106

103d CONGRESS

  1st Session

                                S. 1150

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

To improve learning and teaching by providing a national framework for 
  education reform; to promote the research, consensus building, and 
 systemic changes needed to ensure equitable educational opportunities 
 and high levels of educational achievement for all American students; 
  to provide a framework for reauthorization of all Federal education 
   programs; to promote the development and adoption of a voluntary 
 national system of skill standards and certifications; and for other 
                               purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                June 23 (legislative day, June 22), 1993

                 Read twice and placed on the calendar

                                                       Calendar No. 106
103d CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1150

To improve learning and teaching by providing a national framework for 
  education reform; to promote the research, consensus building, and 
 systemic changes needed to ensure equitable educational opportunities 
 and high levels of educational achievement for all American students; 
  to provide a framework for reauthorization of all Federal education 
   programs; to promote the development and adoption of a voluntary 
 national system of skill standards and certifications; and for other 
                               purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                June 23 (legislative day, June 22), 1993

Mr. Kennedy, from the Committee on Labor and Human Resources, reported 
  the following original bill; which was read twice and placed on the 
                                calendar

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
To improve learning and teaching by providing a national framework for 
  education reform; to promote the research, consensus building, and 
 systemic changes needed to ensure equitable educational opportunities 
 and high levels of educational achievement for all American students; 
  to provide a framework for reauthorization of all Federal education 
   programs; to promote the development and adoption of a voluntary 
 national system of skill standards and certifications; and for other 
                               purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--Titles I through IV of this Act may be cited as 
the ``Goals 2000: Educate America Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Purpose.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
                   TITLE I--NATIONAL EDUCATION GOALS

Sec. 101. Purpose.
Sec. 102. National education goals.
    TITLE II--NATIONAL EDUCATION REFORM LEADERSHIP, STANDARDS, AND 
                              ASSESSMENTS

                 Part A--National Education Goals Panel

Sec. 201. Purpose.
Sec. 202. National education goals panel.
Sec. 203. Duties.
Sec. 204. Powers of the goals panel.
Sec. 205. Administrative provisions.
Sec. 206. Director and staff; experts and consultants.
      Part B--National Education Standards and Improvement Council

Sec. 211. Purpose.
Sec. 212. National Education Standards and Improvement Council.
Sec. 213. Duties.
Sec. 214. Annual reports.
Sec. 215. Powers of the council.
Sec. 216. Administrative provisions.
Sec. 217. Director and staff; experts and consultants.
Sec. 218. Opportunity-to-learn development grant.
                Part C--Authorization of Appropriations

Sec. 221. Authorization of appropriations.
       TITLE III--STATE AND LOCAL EDUCATION SYSTEMIC IMPROVEMENT

Sec. 301. Findings.
Sec. 302. Purpose.
Sec. 303. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 304. Allotment of funds.
Sec. 305. State applications.
Sec. 306. State improvement plans.
Sec. 307. Secretary's review of applications; payments.
Sec. 308. State use of funds.
Sec. 309. Subgrants for local reform and professional development.
Sec. 310. Availability of information and training.
Sec. 311. Waivers of statutory and regulatory requirements.
Sec. 312. Progress reports.
Sec. 313. National leadership.
Sec. 314. Assistance to the outlying areas and to the Secretary of the 
                            Interior.
                           TITLE IV--SCHOOLS

Sec. 401. Public schools.
                TITLE V--NATIONAL SKILL STANDARDS BOARD

Sec. 501. Short title.
Sec. 502. Purpose.
Sec. 503. Establishment of National Board.
Sec. 504. Functions of the National Board.
Sec. 505. Deadlines.
Sec. 506. Reports.
Sec. 507. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 508. Definitions.

SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

    It is the purpose of this Act to provide a framework for meeting 
the National Education Goals described in title I of this Act by--
            (1) promoting coherent, nationwide, systemic education 
        reform;
            (2) improving the quality of teaching and learning in the 
        classroom;
            (3) defining appropriate and coherent Federal, State, and 
        local roles and responsibilities for education reform;
            (4) establishing valid, reliable, and fair mechanisms for--
                    (A) building a broad national consensus on United 
                States education reform;
                    (B) assisting in the development and certification 
                of high-quality, internationally competitive content 
                and student performance standards;
                    (C) assisting in the development and certification 
                of opportunity-to-learn standards; and
                    (D) assisting in the development and certification 
                of high-quality assessment measures that reflect the 
                internationally competitive content and student 
                performance standards;
            (5) supporting new initiatives at the Federal, State, 
        local, and school levels to provide equal educational 
        opportunity for all students to meet high standards; and
            (6) providing a framework for the reauthorization of all 
        Federal education programs by--
                    (A) creating a vision of excellence and equity that 
                will guide all Federal education and related programs;
                    (B) providing for the establishment of high-
                quality, internationally competitive content and 
                student performance standards that all students, 
                including disadvantaged students, students with diverse 
                racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, students with 
                disabilities, students with limited-English 
                proficiency, and academically talented students, will 
                be expected to achieve;
                    (C) providing for the establishment of high 
                quality, internationally competitive opportunity-to-
                learn standards that all States, local educational 
                agencies, and schools should achieve;
                    (D) encouraging and enabling all State educational 
                agencies and local educational agencies to develop 
                comprehensive improvement plans that will provide a 
                coherent framework for the implementation of 
                reauthorized Federal education and related programs in 
                an integrated fashion that effectively educates all 
                children; and
                    (E) providing resources to help individual schools, 
                including schools serving students with high needs, 
                develop and implement comprehensive improvement plans.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    As used in this Act--
            (1) the term ``all students'' means students from a broad 
        range of backgrounds and circumstances, including disadvantaged 
        students, students with diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural 
        backgrounds, students with disabilities, students with limited-
        English proficiency, students who have dropped out of school, 
        and academically talented students;
            (2) the term ``assessment'' means the overall process and 
        form of instrument used to measure student attainment of 
        content standards, except that such term need not include the 
        discrete items that comprise each assessment;
            (3) the term ``content standards'' means broad descriptions 
        of the knowledge and skills students should acquire in a 
        particular subject area;
            (4) the term ``Governor'' means the chief executive of the 
        State;
            (5) the term ``local educational agency'' has the meaning 
        given such term in section 1471(12) of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965, except that such term may 
        include a public school council if such council is mandated by 
        State law;
            (6) the term ``opportunity-to-learn standards'' means the 
        conditions of teaching and learning necessary for all students 
        to have a fair opportunity to learn, including ways of 
        measuring the extent to which such standards are being met;
            (7) the term ``outlying areas'' means Guam, American Samoa, 
        the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
        Islands, Palau (until the effective date of the Compact of Free 
        Association with the Government of Palau), and the Freely 
        Associated States;
            (8) the term ``performance standards'' means concrete 
        examples and explicit definitions of what students have to know 
        and be able to do to demonstrate that such students are 
        proficient in the skills and knowledge framed by content 
        standards;
            (9) the term ``related services'' includes the types of 
        services described in section 602(17) of the Individuals with 
        Disabilities Education Act;
            (10) the term ``school'' means a public school that is 
        under the authority of the State educational agency or a local 
        educational agency or, for the purpose of carrying out section 
        314(b), a school that is operated or funded by the Bureau of 
        Indian Affairs;
            (11) the term ``Secretary'', unless otherwise specified, 
        means the Secretary of Education;
            (12) the term ``State'' means each of the 50 States, the 
        District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and
            (13) the term ``State educational agency'' has the same 
        meaning given such term in section 1471(23) of the Elementary 
        and Secondary Education Act of 1965.

                   TITLE I--NATIONAL EDUCATION GOALS

SEC. 101. PURPOSE.

    It is the purpose of this title to establish National Education 
Goals.

SEC. 102. NATIONAL EDUCATION GOALS.

    The Congress declares the National Education Goals are as follows:
            (1) School readiness.--
                    (A) Goal.--By the year 2000, all children in 
                America will start school ready to learn.
                    (B) Objectives.--The objectives for the goal 
                described in subparagraph (A) are that--
                            (i) all disadvantaged and disabled children 
                        will have access to high-quality and 
                        developmentally appropriate preschool programs 
                        that help prepare children for school;
                            (ii) every parent in the United States will 
                        be a child's first teacher and devote time each 
                        day to helping such parent's preschool child 
                        learn, and parents will have access to the 
                        training and support parents need; and
                            (iii) children will receive the nutrition 
                        and health care needed to arrive at school with 
                        healthy minds and bodies, and the number of 
                        low-birthweight babies will be significantly 
                        reduced through enhanced prenatal health 
                        systems.
            (2) School completion.--
                    (A) Goal.--By the year 2000, the high school 
                graduation rate will increase to at least 90 percent.
                    (B) Objectives.--The objectives for the goal 
                described in subparagraph (A) are that--
                            (i) the Nation must dramatically reduce its 
                        high school dropout rate, and 75 percent of 
                        high school students who do drop out of school 
                        will successfully complete a high school degree 
                        or its equivalent; and
                            (ii) the gap in high school graduation 
                        rates between United States students from 
                        minority backgrounds and their nonminority 
                        counterparts will be eliminated.
            (3) Student achievement and citizenship.--
                    (A) Goal.--By the year 2000, United States students 
                will leave grades 4, 8, and 12 having demonstrated 
                competency over challenging subject matter including 
                English, mathematics, science, foreign languages, 
                civics and government, arts, history, and geography, 
                and every school in the United States will ensure that 
                all students learn to use their minds well, so students 
                may be prepared for responsible citizenship, further 
                learning, and productive employment in our Nation's 
                modern economy.
                    (B) Objectives.--The objectives for the goal 
                described in subparagraph (A) are that--
                            (i) the academic performance of elementary 
                        and secondary students will increase 
                        significantly in every quartile, and the 
                        distribution of minority students in each 
                        quartile will more closely reflect the student 
                        population as a whole;
                            (ii) the percentage of students who 
                        demonstrate the ability to reason, solve 
                        problems, apply knowledge, and write and 
                        communicate effectively will increase 
                        substantially;
                            (iii) all students will be involved in 
                        activities that promote and demonstrate good 
                        citizenship, community service, and personal 
                        responsibility;
                            (iv) the percentage of students who are 
                        competent in more than one language will 
                        substantially increase; and
                            (v) all students will be knowledgeable 
                        about the diverse cultural heritage of our 
                        Nation and about the world community.
            (4) Mathematics and science.--
                    (A) Goal.--By the year 2000, United States students 
                will be first in the world in mathematics and science 
                achievement.
                    (B) Objectives.--The objectives for the goal 
                described in subparagraph (A) are that--
                            (i) mathematics and science education will 
                        be strengthened throughout the educational 
                        system, especially in the early grades;
                            (ii) the number of teachers with a 
                        substantive background in mathematics and 
                        science will increase by 50 percent from the 
                        number of such teachers in 1992; and
                            (iii) the number of United States 
                        undergraduate and graduate students, especially 
                        women and minorities, who complete degrees in 
                        mathematics, science, and engineering will 
                        increase significantly.
            (5) Adult literacy and lifelong learning.--
                    (A) Goal.--By the year 2000, every adult United 
                States citizen will be literate and will possess the 
                knowledge and skills necessary to compete in a global 
                economy and exercise the rights and responsibilities of 
                citizenship.
                    (B) Objectives.--The objectives for the goal 
                described in subparagraph (A) are that--
                            (i) every major United States business will 
                        be involved in strengthening the connection 
                        between education and work;
                            (ii) all workers will have the opportunity 
                        to acquire the knowledge and skills, from basic 
                        to highly technical, needed to adapt to 
                        emerging new technologies, work methods, and 
                        markets through public and private educational, 
                        vocational, technical, workplace, or other 
                        programs;
                            (iii) the number of quality programs, 
                        including programs at libraries, that are 
                        designed to serve more effectively the needs of 
                        the growing number of part-time and mid-career 
                        students, will increase substantially;
                            (iv) the proportion of qualified students, 
                        especially minorities, who enter college, who 
                        complete at least 2 years of college, and who 
                        complete their degree programs, will increase 
                        substantially; and
                            (v) the proportion of college graduates who 
                        demonstrate an advanced ability to think 
                        critically, communicate effectively, and solve 
                        problems will increase substantially.
            (6) Safe, disciplined, and drug-free schools.--
                    (A) Goal.--By the year 2000, every school in the 
                United States will be free of drugs and violence and 
                will offer a disciplined environment conducive to 
                learning.
                    (B) Objectives.--The objectives for the goal 
                described in subparagraph (A) are that--
                            (i) every school will implement a firm and 
                        fair policy on use, possession, and 
                        distribution of drugs and alcohol;
                            (ii) parents, businesses, governmental and 
                        community organizations will work together to 
                        ensure that schools are a safe haven for all 
                        children;
                            (iii) every school district will develop a 
                        comprehensive kindergarten through twelfth 
                        grade drug and alcohol prevention education 
                        program;
                            (iv) drug and alcohol curriculum should be 
                        taught as an integral part of health education; 
                        and
                            (v) community-based teams should be 
                        organized to provide students and teachers with 
                        needed support.

    TITLE II--NATIONAL EDUCATION REFORM LEADERSHIP, STANDARDS, AND 
                              ASSESSMENTS

                 PART A--NATIONAL EDUCATION GOALS PANEL

SEC. 201. PURPOSE.

    It is the purpose of this part to establish a bipartisan mechanism 
for--
            (1) building a national consensus for education 
        improvement;
            (2) reporting on progress toward achieving the National 
        Education Goals;
            (3) periodically reviewing the goals and objectives 
        described in title I and recommending adjustments to such goals 
        and objectives, as needed, in order to guarantee education 
        reform that continues to provide guidance for quality, world 
        class education for all students; and
            (4) reviewing and approving the voluntary national content 
        standards, voluntary national student performance standards and 
        voluntary national opportunity-to-learn standards certified by 
        the National Education Standards and Improvement Council, as 
        well as the criteria for the certification of such standards, 
        and the criteria for the certification of State assessments or 
        systems of assessments certified by such Council.

SEC. 202. NATIONAL EDUCATION GOALS PANEL.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established in the executive branch a 
National Education Goals Panel (hereafter in this title referred to as 
the ``Goals Panel'').
    (b) Composition.--The Goals Panel shall be composed of 18 members 
(hereafter in this part referred to as ``members''), including--
            (1) two members appointed by the President;
            (2) eight members who are Governors, 3 of whom shall be 
        from the same political party as the President and 5 of whom 
        shall be of the opposite political party of the President, 
        appointed by the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the 
        National Governors' Association, with the Chairperson and Vice 
        Chairperson each appointing representatives of such 
        Chairperson's or Vice Chairperson's respective political party, 
        in consultation with each other;
            (3) four Members of the Congress, of whom--
                    (A) one member shall be appointed by the Majority 
                Leader of the Senate from among the Members of the 
                Senate;
                    (B) one member shall be appointed by the Minority 
                Leader of the Senate from among the Members of the 
                Senate;
                    (C) one member shall be appointed by the Majority 
                Leader of the House of Representatives from among the 
                Members of the House of Representatives; and
                    (D) one member shall be appointed by the Minority 
                Leader of the House of Representatives from among the 
                Members of the House of Representatives; and
            (4) four members of State legislatures appointed by the 
        President of the National Conference of State Legislatures, of 
        whom not more than 2 may be of the same political party as the 
        President of the United States.
    (c) Special Appointment Rules.--
            (1) In general.--The members appointed pursuant to 
        subsection (b)(2) shall be appointed as follows:
                    (A) If the Chairperson of the National Governors' 
                Association is from the same political party as the 
                President, the Chairperson shall appoint 3 individuals 
                and the Vice Chairperson of such association shall 
                appoint 5 individuals.
                    (B) If the Chairperson of the National Governors' 
                Association is from the opposite political party as the 
                President, the Chairperson shall appoint 5 individuals 
                and the Vice Chairperson of such association shall 
                appoint 3 individuals.
            (2) Special rule.--If the National Governors' Association 
        has appointed a panel that meets the requirements of 
        subsections (b) and (c), except for the requirements of 
        paragraph (4) of subsection (b), prior to the date of enactment 
        of this Act, then the members serving on such panel shall be 
        deemed to be in compliance with the provisions of such 
        subsections and shall not be required to be reappointed 
        pursuant to such subsections.
    (d) Terms.--The terms of service of members shall be as follows:
            (1) Presidential appointees.--Members appointed under 
        subsection (b)(1) shall serve at the pleasure of the President.
            (2) Governors.--Members appointed under paragraph (2) of 
        subsection (b) shall serve a 2-year term, except that the 
        initial appointments under such paragraph shall be made to 
        ensure staggered terms with one-half of such members' terms 
        concluding every 2 years.
            (3) Congressional appointees and state legislators.--
        Members appointed under paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection 
        (b) shall serve for 2-year terms.
    (e) Date of Appointment.--The initial members shall be appointed 
not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
    (f) Initiation.--The Goals Panel may begin to carry out its duties 
under this part when 10 members of the Goals Panel have been appointed.
    (g) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Goals Panel shall not affect the 
powers of the Goals Panel, but shall be filled in the same manner as 
the original appointment.
    (h) Travel.--Each member may be allowed travel expenses, including 
per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 
5, United States Code, for each day the member is engaged in the 
performance of duties for the Goals Panel away from the home or regular 
place of business of the member.
    (i) Chairperson.--
            (1) In general.--The members shall select a Chairperson 
        from among the members described in paragraph (2) of subsection 
        (b).
            (2) Term and political affiliation.--The Chairperson of the 
        Goals Panel shall serve a 1-year term and shall alternate 
        between political parties.

SEC. 203. DUTIES.

    (a) In General.--The Goals Panel shall--
            (1) report on the progress the Nation and the States are 
        making toward achieving the National Education Goals described 
        in title I, including issuing an annual national report card;
            (2) submit to the President nominations for appointment to 
        the National Education Standards and Improvement Council in 
        accordance with subsections (b) and (c) of section 212;
            (3) review and approve (or explain why approval is 
        withheld) the--
                    (A) criteria developed by the National Education 
                Standards and Improvement Council for the certification 
                of content and student performance standards, 
                assessments or systems of assessments, and opportunity-
                to-learn standards; and
                    (B) voluntary national content standards, voluntary 
                national student performance standards and voluntary 
                national opportunity-to-learn standards certified by 
                such Council;
            (4) report on promising or effective actions being taken at 
        the national, State, and local levels, and in the public and 
        private sectors, to achieve the National Education Goals; and
            (5) help build a nationwide, bipartisan consensus for the 
        reforms necessary to achieve the National Education Goals.
    (b) National Report Card.--
            (1) In general.--The Goals Panel shall annually prepare and 
        submit to the President, the Secretary, the appropriate 
        committees of the Congress, and the Governor of each State a 
        national report card that shall--
                    (A) report on the progress of the United States 
                toward achieving the National Education Goals; and
                    (B) identify actions that should be taken by 
                Federal, State, and local governments to enhance 
                progress toward achieving the National Education Goals.
            (2) Form; data.--National report cards shall be presented 
        in a form, and include data, that is understandable to parents 
        and the general public.

SEC. 204. POWERS OF THE GOALS PANEL.

    (a) Hearings.--
            (1) In general.--The Goals Panel shall, for the purpose of 
        carrying out this part, conduct such hearings, sit and act at 
        such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such 
        evidence, as the Goals Panel considers appropriate.
            (2) Representation.--In carrying out this part, the Goals 
        Panel shall conduct hearings to receive reports, views, and 
        analyses of a broad spectrum of experts and the public on the 
        establishment of voluntary national content, voluntary national 
        student performance standards, voluntary national opportunity-
        to-learn standards, and State assessments or systems of 
        assessments described in section 213(e).
    (b) Information.--The Goals Panel may secure directly from any 
department or agency of the Federal Government information necessary to 
enable the Goals Panel to carry out this part. Upon request of the 
Chairperson of the Goals Panel, the head of any such department or 
agency shall furnish such information to the Goals Panel to the extent 
permitted by law.
    (c) Postal Services.--The Goals Panel may use the United States 
mail in the same manner and under the same conditions as departments 
and agencies of the Federal Government.
    (d) Gifts; Use of Facilities.--The Goals Panel may--
            (1) accept, administer, and utilize gifts or donations of 
        services, money, or property, whether real or personal, 
        tangible or intangible; and
            (2) with their consent, use the research, equipment, 
        services, and facilities of any department, agency or 
        instrumentality of the Federal Government, or of any State or 
        political subdivision thereof.
    (e) Administrative Arrangements and Support.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide to the Goals 
        Panel, on a reimbursable basis, such administrative support 
        services as the Goals Panel may request.
            (2) Contracts and other arrangements.--The Secretary shall, 
        to the extent appropriate, and on a reimbursable basis, make 
        contracts and other arrangements that are requested by the 
        Goals Panel to help the Goals Panel compile and analyze data or 
        carry out other functions necessary to the performance of the 
        Goals Panel's responsibilities.

SEC. 205. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

    (a) Meetings.--The Goals Panel shall meet on a regular basis, as 
necessary, at the call of the Chairperson of the Goals Panel or a 
majority of the members of the Goals Panel.
    (b) Quorum.--A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum 
for the transaction of business.
    (c) Voting.--No individual may vote, or exercise any of the powers 
of a member, by proxy.
    (d) Public Access.--The Goals Panel shall ensure public access to 
the proceedings of the Goals Panel (other than proceedings, or portions 
of proceedings, relating to internal personnel and management matters) 
and shall make available to the public, at reasonable cost, transcripts 
of such proceedings.

SEC. 206. DIRECTOR AND STAFF; EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.

    (a) Director.--The Chairperson of the Goals Panel, without regard 
to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, relating to the 
appointment and compensation of officers or employees of the United 
States, shall appoint a Director to be paid at a rate not to exceed the 
rate of basic pay payable for level V of the Executive Schedule.
    (b) Appointment and Pay of Employees.--
            (1) In general.--(A) The Director may appoint not more than 
        4 additional employees to serve as staff to the Goals Panel 
        without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States 
        Code, governing appointments in the competitive service.
            (B) The employees appointed under subparagraph (A) may be 
        paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and 
        subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title relating to 
        classification and General Schedule pay rates, but shall not be 
        paid a rate that exceeds the maximum rate of basic pay payable 
        for GS-15 of the General Schedule.
            (2) Additional employees.--The Director may appoint 
        additional employees to serve as staff to the Goals Panel in 
        accordance with title 5, United States Code.
    (c) Experts and Consultants.--The Goals Panel may procure temporary 
and intermittent services of experts and consultants under section 
3109(b) of title 5, United States Code.
    (d) Staff of Federal Agencies.--Upon the request of the Goals 
Panel, the head of any department or agency of the United States may 
detail any of the personnel of such department to the Goals Panel to 
assist the Goals Panel in carrying out its responsibilities under this 
part.

      PART B--NATIONAL EDUCATION STANDARDS AND IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL

SEC. 211. PURPOSE.

    It is the purpose of this part to establish a mechanism to--
            (1) certify voluntary national content standards and 
        voluntary national student performance standards that define 
        what all students should know and be able to do;
            (2) certify content and student performance standards 
        submitted by States on a voluntary basis, if such standards are 
        comparable in rigor and quality to the voluntary national 
        content standards and voluntary national student performance 
        standards certified by the National Education Standards and 
        Improvement Council;
            (3) certify voluntary national opportunity-to-learn 
        standards that describe the conditions of teaching and learning 
        necessary for all students to have a fair opportunity to 
        achieve the knowledge and skills described in the voluntary 
        national content standards and the voluntary national student 
        performance standards certified by the National Education 
        Standards and Improvement Council;
            (4) certify opportunity-to-learn standards submitted by 
        States on a voluntary basis that--
                    (A) describe the conditions of teaching and 
                learning necessary for all students to have a fair 
                opportunity to learn; and
                    (B) address the elements described in section 
                213(c)(3); and
            (5) certify assessments or systems of assessments submitted 
        by States on a voluntary basis, if such assessments or 
        systems--
                    (A) are aligned with and support State content 
                standards certified by such Council; and
                    (B) are valid, reliable, and fair when used for 
                their intended purposes.

SEC. 212. NATIONAL EDUCATION STANDARDS AND IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established in the executive branch a 
National Education Standards and Improvement Council (hereafter in this 
part referred to as the ``Council'').
    (b) Composition.--The Council shall be composed of 19 members 
(hereafter in this part referred to as ``members'') appointed by the 
President from nominations submitted by the Goals Panel.
    (c) Qualifications.--
            (1) In general.--The members of the Council shall include--
                    (A) five professional educators appointed from 
                among elementary and secondary classroom teachers, 
                preschool educators, related services personnel, and 
                other school-based professionals, State or local 
                educational agency administrators, or other educators;
                    (B) four representatives of business and industry 
                or postsecondary educational institutions, including at 
                least 1 representative of business and industry who is 
                also a member of the National Skill Standards Board 
                established pursuant to title V;
                    (C) five representatives of the public, appointed 
                from among representatives of advocacy, civil rights, 
                and disability groups, parents, civic leaders, or State 
                or local education policymakers (including members of 
                State or local school boards); and
                    (D) five education experts, appointed from among 
                experts in measurement and assessment, curriculum, 
                school finance and equity, or school reform.
            (2) Nominations.--The Goals Panel shall submit to the 
        President at least 15 nominations for each of the 4 categories 
        of appointment described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of 
        paragraph (1).
            (3) Representation.--To the extent feasible, the membership 
        of the Council shall--
                    (A) be geographically representative of the United 
                States and reflect the diversity of the United States 
                with respect to race, ethnicity, gender and disability 
                characteristics; and
                    (B) include persons from each of the 4 categories 
                described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of paragraph 
                (1) who have expertise in the education of subgroups of 
                students who are at risk of school failure.
    (d) Terms.--
            (1) In general.--Members shall be appointed for 3-year 
        terms, with no member serving more than 2 consecutive terms.
            (2) Initial terms.--The President shall establish initial 
        terms for members of 1, 2, or 3 years in order to establish a 
        rotation in which one-third of the members are selected each 
        year.
    (e) Date of Appointment.--The initial members shall be appointed 
not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
    (f) Initiation.--The Council shall begin to carry out the duties of 
the Council under this part when all 19 members have been appointed.
    (g) Retention.--In order to retain an appointment to the Council, a 
member shall attend at least two-thirds of the scheduled meetings of 
the Council in any given year.
    (h) Vacancy.--A vacancy on the Council shall not affect the powers 
of the Council, but shall be filled in the same manner as the original 
appointment.
    (i) Compensation.--Members who are not regular full-time employees 
of the United States, while attending meetings or hearings of the 
Council, may be provided compensation at a rate fixed by the Secretary, 
but not exceeding the maximum rate of basic pay payable for GS-15 of 
the General Schedule.
    (j) Travel.--Each member of the Council may be allowed travel 
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by 
section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, for each day the member is 
engaged in the performance of duties for the Council away from the home 
or regular place of business of the member.
    (k) Officers.--The members shall select officers of the Council 
from among the members. The officers of the Council shall serve for 1-
year terms.
    (l) Conflict of Interest.--No member, staff, expert, or consultant 
assisting the Council shall be appointed to the Council--
            (1) if such member, staff, expert, or consultant has a 
        fiduciary interest in an educational assessment; and
            (2) unless such member, staff, expert, or consultant agrees 
        that such member, staff, expert, or consultant, respectively, 
        will not obtain such an interest for a period of 2 years from 
        the date of termination of such member's service on the 
        Council.

SEC. 213. DUTIES.

    (a) Voluntary National Content Standards.--
            (1) In general.--The Council, upon recommendation from a 
        working group on voluntary national content standards, shall--
                    (A) identify areas in which voluntary national 
                content standards need to be developed;
                    (B) certify voluntary national content standards 
                and voluntary national student performance standards 
                that define what all students should know and be able 
                to do; and
                    (C) forward such voluntary national content 
                standards and voluntary national student performance 
                standards to the Goals Panel for approval.
            (2) Criteria.--(A) The Council, upon recommendation from a 
        working group on voluntary national content standards, shall--
                    (i) identify and develop criteria to be used for 
                certifying the voluntary national content standards and 
                voluntary national student performance standards; and
                    (ii) before applying such criteria, forward such 
                criteria to the Goals Panel for approval.
            (B) The criteria developed by the Council shall address--
                    (i) the extent to which the proposed standards are 
                internationally competitive and comparable to the best 
                standards in the world;
                    (ii) the extent to which the proposed voluntary 
                national content standards and voluntary national 
                student performance standards reflect the best 
                available knowledge about how all students learn and 
                about how a content area can be most effectively 
                taught;
                    (iii) the extent to which the proposed voluntary 
                national content standards and voluntary national 
                student performance standards have been developed 
                through an open and public process that provides for 
                input and involvement of all relevant parties, 
                including teachers, related services personnel, and 
                other professional educators, employers and 
                postsecondary education institutions, curriculum and 
                subject matter specialists, parents, secondary school 
                students, and the public; and
                    (iv) other factors that the Council deems 
                appropriate.
            (C) In developing the criteria, the Council shall work with 
        entities that are developing, or have already developed, 
        content standards, and any other entities that the Council 
        deems appropriate, to identify appropriate certification 
        criteria.
    (b) Voluntary State Content Standards.--The Council may certify 
content and student performance standards presented on a voluntary 
basis by States, if such standards are comparable in rigor and quality 
to the voluntary national content standards and voluntary national 
student performance standards certified by the Council.
    (c) Voluntary National Opportunity-To-Learn Standards.--
            (1) In general.--The Council, upon recommendation from a 
        working group on voluntary national opportunity-to-learn 
        standards, shall certify exemplary, voluntary national 
        opportunity-to-learn standards that will establish a basis for 
        providing all students a fair opportunity to achieve the 
        knowledge and skills described in the voluntary national 
        content standards certified by the Council.
            (2) Requirement.--The voluntary national opportunity-to-
        learn standards shall be sufficiently general to be used by any 
        State without unduly restricting State and local prerogatives 
        regarding instructional methods to be employed.
            (3) Elements addressed.--The voluntary national 
        opportunity-to-learn standards certified by the Council shall 
        address--
                    (A) the quality and availability of curricula, 
                instructional materials, and technologies;
                    (B) the capability of teachers to provide high-
                quality instruction to meet diverse learning needs in 
                each content area;
                    (C) the extent to which teachers and administrators 
                have ready and continuing access to professional 
                development, including the best knowledge about 
                teaching, learning, and school improvement;
                    (D) the extent to which curriculum, instructional 
                practices, and assessments are aligned to content 
                standards; and
                    (E) other factors that the Council deems 
                appropriate to ensure that all students receive a fair 
                opportunity to achieve the knowledge and skills 
                described in the voluntary national content standards 
                and the voluntary national student performance 
                standards certified by the Council.
            (4) Additional duties.--In carrying out this subsection, 
        the Council shall--
                    (A) identify what other countries with rigorous 
                content standards do to--
                            (i) provide their children with 
                        opportunities to learn;
                            (ii) prepare their teachers; and
                            (iii) provide continuing professional 
                        development opportunities for their teachers; 
                        and
                    (B) develop criteria to be used for certifying the 
                voluntary national opportunity-to-learn standards and, 
                before applying such criteria, forward such criteria to 
                the Goals Panel for approval.
            (5) Recommendations and coordination.--The Council shall 
        assist in the development of the voluntary national 
        opportunity-to-learn standards by--
                    (A) making recommendations to the Secretary 
                regarding priorities and selection criteria for each 
                grant awarded under section 218; and
                    (B) coordinating with each consortium receiving a 
                grant under section 218 to ensure that the opportunity-
                to-learn standards the consortium develops for all 
                students are of high quality and are consistent with 
                the criteria developed by the Council for the 
                certification of such standards.
            (6) Approval.--The Council shall forward the voluntary 
        national opportunity-to-learn standards that the Council 
        certifies to the Goals Panel for approval.
    (d) Voluntary State Opportunity-To-Learn Standards.--The Council 
may certify voluntary opportunity-to-learn standards presented on a 
voluntary basis by a State that--
            (1) describe the conditions of teaching and learning 
        necessary for all students to have a fair opportunity to learn; 
        and
            (2) address the elements described in section 213(c)(3).
    (e) Assessments.--
            (1) In general.--(A) The Council shall certify, for a 
        period not to exceed 5 years, an assessment of a single subject 
        area or a system of assessments involving several subject areas 
        presented on a voluntary basis by a State if such assessment or 
        system of assessment--
                    (i) is aligned with such State's voluntary State 
                content standards, if such State has voluntary State 
                content standards that have been certified by the 
                Council;
                    (ii) involves multiple measures of student 
                performance; and
                    (iii) provides for--
                            (I) the participation of all students with 
                        diverse learning needs in such assessment or 
                        system; and
                            (II) the adaptations and accommodations 
                        necessary to permit such participation.
            (B) Assessments or systems of assessments shall be 
        certified for the purpose of--
                    (i) exemplifying for students, parents, and 
                teachers the kinds and levels of achievement that 
                should be expected, including the identification of 
                student performance standards;
                    (ii) improving classroom instruction and improving 
                the learning outcomes for all students;
                    (iii) informing students, parents, and teachers 
                about student progress toward such standards;
                    (iv) measuring and motivating individual students, 
                schools, districts, States, and the Nation to improve 
                educational performance; and
                    (v) assisting education policymakers in making 
                decisions about education programs.
            (2) Implementation.--(A)(i) The Council shall develop, and 
        not sooner than 3 years nor later than 4 years after the date 
        of enactment of this Act, begin utilizing, criteria for the 
        certification of such an assessment or a system of assessments 
        in accordance with this subsection, including an assessment or 
        system that is used to make decisions regarding graduation, 
        grade promotion, or retention of students.
            (ii) Before utilizing the criteria described in clause (i), 
        the Council shall forward such criteria to the Goals Panel for 
        approval.
            (B) The certification criteria described in this paragraph 
        shall address the extent to which an assessment or a system of 
        assessments--
                    (i)(I) is aligned with a State's voluntary State 
                content standards, if such State has voluntary State 
                content standards that have been certified by the 
                Council; and
                    (II) will support effective curriculum and 
                instruction;
                    (ii) is to be used for a purpose for which such 
                assessment or system is valid, reliable, fair, and free 
                of discrimination; and
                    (iii) includes all students, especially students 
                with disabilities or with limited-English proficiency.
            (C) In determining appropriate certification criteria under 
        this paragraph, the Council shall--
                    (i) consider standards and criteria being developed 
                by other national organizations and recent research on 
                assessment;
                    (ii) recommend needed research;
                    (iii) encourage the development and field testing 
                of assessments or systems of assessments; and
                    (iv) provide a public forum for discussing, 
                debating, and building consensus for the criteria to be 
                used for the certification of assessments or systems of 
                assessments.
            (D) Prior to determining the certification criteria 
        described in this paragraph, the Council shall take public 
        comment on its proposed certification criteria.
    (f) Performance of Duties.--In carrying out its responsibilities 
under this title, the Council shall--
            (1) work with Federal and non-Federal departments, 
        agencies, or organizations that are conducting research, 
        studies, or demonstration projects to determine internationally 
        competitive education standards and assessments, and may 
        establish subject matter and other panels to advise the Council 
        on particular content, student performance, and opportunity-to-
        learn standards and on assessments or systems of assessments;
            (2) establish cooperative arrangements with the National 
        Skill Standards Board to promote the coordination of the 
        development of content and student performance standards under 
        this title with the development of skill standards described in 
        title V;
            (3) recommend studies to the Secretary that are necessary 
        to carry out the Council's responsibilities;
            (4) inform the public about what constitutes high quality, 
        internationally competitive, content, student performance, and 
        opportunity-to-learn standards, and assessments or systems of 
        assessments;
            (5) on a regular basis, review and update criteria for 
        certifying content, student performance, and opportunity-to-
        learn standards, and assessments or systems of assessments; and
            (6) periodically recertify, as appropriate, the voluntary 
        national content standards, the voluntary national student 
        performance standards, and the voluntary national opportunity-
        to-learn standards.

SEC. 214. ANNUAL REPORTS.

    Not later than 1 year after the date the Council concludes its 
first meeting, and each year thereafter, the Council shall prepare and 
submit a report regarding its work to the President, the Secretary, the 
appropriate committees of the Congress, the Governor of each State, and 
the Goals Panel.

SEC. 215. POWERS OF THE COUNCIL.

    (a) Hearings.--
            (1) In general.--The Council shall, for the purpose of 
        carrying out its responsibilities, conduct such hearings, sit 
        and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and 
        receive such evidence, as the Council considers appropriate.
            (2) Location.--In carrying out this part, the Council shall 
        conduct public hearings in different geographic areas of the 
        United States, both urban and rural, to receive the reports, 
        views, and analyses of a broad spectrum of experts and the 
        public on the establishment of voluntary national content 
        standards, voluntary national student performance standards, 
        voluntary national opportunity-to-learn standards, and 
        assessments or systems of assessments described in section 
        213(e).
    (b) Information.--The Council may secure directly from any 
department or agency of the Federal Government information necessary to 
enable the Council to carry out this part. Upon request of the 
Chairperson of the Council, the head of such department or agency shall 
furnish such information to the Council to the extent permitted by law.
    (c) Postal Services.--The Council may use the United States mail in 
the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and 
agencies of the Federal Government.
    (d) Gifts; Use of Facilities.--The Council may--
            (1) accept, administer, and utilize gifts or donations of 
        services, money, or property, whether real or personal, 
        tangible or intangible; and
            (2) with their consent, use the research, equipment, 
        services, and facilities of any department, agency, or 
        instrumentality of the United States, or of any State or 
        political subdivision thereof.
    (e) Administrative Arrangements and Support.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide to the 
        Council, on a reimbursable basis, such administrative support 
        services as the Council may request.
            (2) Contracts and other arrangements.--The Secretary, to 
        the extent appropriate and on a reimbursable basis, shall enter 
        into contracts and other arrangements that are requested by the 
        Council to help the Council compile and analyze data or carry 
        out other functions necessary to the performance of the 
        Council's responsibilities.

SEC. 216. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

    (a) Meetings.--The Council shall meet on a regular basis, as 
necessary, at the call of the Chairperson of the Council or a majority 
of its members.
    (b) Quorum.--A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum 
for the transaction of business.
    (c) Voting.--The Council shall take all action of the Council by a 
majority vote of the total membership of the Council, ensuring the 
right of the minority to issue written views. No individual may vote or 
exercise any of the powers of a member by proxy.
    (d) Public Access.--The Council shall ensure public access to its 
proceedings (other than proceedings, or portions of proceedings, 
relating to internal personnel and management matters) and shall make 
available to the public, at reasonable cost, transcripts of such 
proceedings.

SEC. 217. DIRECTOR AND STAFF; EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.

    (a) Director.--The Chairperson of the Council, without regard to 
the provisions of title 5, United States Code, relating to the 
appointment and compensation of officers or employees of the United 
States, shall appoint a Director to be paid at a rate not to exceed the 
rate of basic pay payable for level V of the Executive Schedule.
    (b) Appointment and Pay of Employees.--
            (1) In general.--(A) The Director may appoint not more than 
        4 additional employees to serve as staff to the Council without 
        regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, 
        governing appointments in the competitive service.
            (B) The employees appointed under subparagraph (A) may be 
        paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and 
        subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title relating to 
        classification and General Schedule pay rates, but shall not be 
        paid a rate that exceeds the maximum rate of basic pay payable 
        for GS-15 of the General Schedule.
            (2) Additional employees.--The Director may appoint 
        additional employees to serve as staff of the Council 
        consistent with title 5, United States Code.
    (c) Experts and Consultants.--The Council may procure temporary and 
intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States 
Code.
    (d) Staff of Federal Agencies.--Upon the request of the Council, 
the head of any department or agency of the Federal Government may 
detail any of the personnel of such department or agency to the Council 
to assist the Council in carrying out its duties under this part.

SEC. 218. OPPORTUNITY-TO-LEARN DEVELOPMENT GRANT.

    (a) Opportunity-To-Learn Development Grant.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to award a 
        grant or grants, on a competitive basis, to a consortium or 
        consortia of individuals and organizations to enable such 
        consortium or consortia to develop voluntary national 
        opportunity-to-learn standards.
            (2) Composition of consortium.--To the extent possible, 
        each consortium described in paragraph (1) shall include the 
        participation of--
                    (A) Governors (other than Governors serving on the 
                Goals Panel);
                    (B) chief State school officers;
                    (C) teachers, especially teachers involved in the 
                development of content standards, and related services 
                personnel;
                    (D) principals;
                    (E) superintendents;
                    (F) State and local school board members;
                    (G) curriculum and school reform experts;
                    (H) parents;
                    (I) State legislators;
                    (J) representatives of businesses;
                    (K) representatives of higher education;
                    (L) representatives of regional accrediting 
                associations;
                    (M) advocacy groups; and
                    (N) secondary school students.
    (b) Applications.--Each consortium that desires to receive a grant 
under this subsection shall submit an application to the Secretary at 
such time, in such manner, and containing such information and 
assurances as the Secretary may require.
    (c) Award Consideration.--In establishing priorities and selection 
criteria for awarding a grant or grants under this section, the 
Secretary shall give serious consideration to the recommendations made 
by the Council pursuant to section 213(c)(5)(A).

                PART C--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

SEC. 221. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) National Education Goals Panel.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $3,000,000 for fiscal year 1994, and such sums as may be 
necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years, to carry out part 
A.
    (b) National Education Standards and Improvement Council.--There 
are authorized to be appropriated $3,000,000 for fiscal year 1994, and 
such sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal 
years, to carry out part B.
    (c) Opportunity-To-Learn Development Grants.--There are authorized 
to be appropriated $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1994, and such sums as 
may be necessary for fiscal year 1995, to carry out section 218.

       TITLE III--STATE AND LOCAL EDUCATION SYSTEMIC IMPROVEMENT

SEC. 301. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds that--
            (1) all students can learn to high standards and must 
        realize their potential if the United States is to prosper;
            (2) the reforms in education from 1977 through 1992 have 
        achieved some good results, but such reform efforts often have 
        been limited to a few schools or to a single part of the 
        educational system;
            (3) leadership must come from teachers, related services 
        personnel, principals, and parents in individual schools, and 
        from policymakers at the local, State, tribal, and national 
        levels, in order for lasting improvements in student 
        performance to occur;
            (4) simultaneous top-down and bottom-up education reform is 
        necessary to spur creative and innovative approaches by 
        individual schools to help all students achieve internationally 
        competitive standards;
            (5) strategies must be developed by communities and States 
        to support the revitalization of all local public schools by 
        fundamentally changing the entire system of public education 
        through comprehensive, coherent, and coordinated improvement;
            (6) parents, teachers and other local educators, and 
        business, community, and tribal leaders, must be involved in 
        developing system-wide improvement strategies that reflect the 
        needs of their individual communities;
            (7) all students are entitled to teaching practices that 
        are in accordance with accepted standards of professional 
        practice and that hold the greatest promise of improving 
        student performance;
            (8) all students are entitled to participate in a broad and 
        challenging curriculum and to have access to resources 
        sufficient to address other education needs;
            (9) State and local education improvement efforts must 
        incorporate strategies for providing students and families with 
        coordinated access to appropriate social services, health care, 
        nutrition, early childhood education, and child care to remove 
        preventable barriers to learning and enhance school readiness 
        for all students;
            (10) States and local educational agencies, working 
        together, must immediately set about developing and 
        implementing such system-wide improvement strategies if our 
        Nation is to educate all children to meet their full potential 
        and achieve the National Education Goals described in title I;
            (11) State and local systemic improvement strategies must 
        provide all students with effective mechanisms and appropriate 
        paths to the work force as well as to higher education;
            (12) businesses should be encouraged--
                    (A) to enter into partnerships with schools;
                    (B) to provide information and guidance to schools 
                based on the needs of area businesses for properly 
                educated graduates in general and on the need for 
                particular workplace skills that the schools may 
                provide;
                    (C) to provide necessary education and training 
                materials and support; and
                    (D) to continue the lifelong learning process 
                throughout the employment years of an individual;
            (13) the appropriate and innovative use of technology can 
        be very effective in helping to provide all students with the 
        opportunity to learn and meet high standards; and
            (14) Federal funds should be targeted to support State and 
        local initiatives, and to leverage State and local resources 
        for designing and implementing system-wide education 
        improvement plans.

SEC. 302. PURPOSE.

    It is the purpose of this title to--
            (1) improve the quality of education for all students by 
        supporting a long-term, broad-based effort to provide coherent 
        and coordinated improvements in the system of education 
        throughout our Nation at the State and local levels;
            (2) provide new authorities and funding for our Nation's 
        school systems;
            (3) not replace or reduce funding for existing Federal 
        education programs; and
            (4) ensure that no State or local educational agency will 
        reduce its funding for education or for education reform on 
        account of receiving any funds under this title.

SEC. 303. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated $400,000,000 for the fiscal 
year 1994, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal 
years 1995 through 1998, to carry out this title.

SEC. 304. ALLOTMENT OF FUNDS.

    (a) Reservations of Funds.--From funds appropriated pursuant to the 
authority of section 303, the Secretary--
            (1) shall reserve a total of 1 percent to provide 
        assistance, in amounts determined by the Secretary--
                    (A) to the outlying areas; and
                    (B) to the Secretary of the Interior to benefit 
                Indian students in schools operated or funded by the 
                Bureau of Indian Affairs; and
            (2) may reserve a total of not more than 4 percent for--
                    (A) national leadership activities under 
                subsections (a) and (b) of section 313; and
                    (B) the costs of peer review of State improvement 
                plans and applications under this title.
    (b) State Allotments.--From the amount allotted under section 303 
and not reserved under subsection (a) in each fiscal year the Secretary 
shall make allotments to State educational agencies as follows:
            (1) 50 percent of such amount shall be allocated in 
        accordance with the relative amounts each State would have 
        received under chapter 1 of title I of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 for the preceding fiscal year 
        if funds under such chapter in such preceding fiscal year were 
        not reserved for the outlying areas.
            (2) 50 percent of such amount shall be allocated in 
        accordance with the relative amounts each State would have 
        received under part A of chapter 2 of title I of the Elementary 
        and Secondary Education Act of 1965 for the preceding fiscal 
        year if funds under such chapter in such preceding fiscal year 
        were not reserved for the outlying areas.
    (c) Reallotments.--If the Secretary determines that any amount of a 
State educational agency's allotment for any fiscal year under 
subsection (b) will not be needed for such fiscal year by the State, 
the Secretary shall reallot such amount to other State educational 
agencies that need additional funds, in such manner as the Secretary 
determines is appropriate.
    (d) Maintenance of Effort.--Each recipient of funds under this 
title, in utilizing the proceeds of an allotment received under this 
title, shall maintain the expenditures of such recipient for the 
activities assisted under this title at a level equal to not less than 
the level of such expenditures maintained by such recipient for the 
fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which such allotment is 
received, except that provisions of this section shall not apply in any 
fiscal year in which the amount appropriated to carry out this title is 
less than the amount appropriated to carry out this title in the 
preceding fiscal year.
    (e) Supplement Not Supplant.--Each recipient of funds under this 
title, may use the proceeds of an allotment received under this title 
only so as to supplement and, to the extent practicable, increase the 
level of funds that would, in the absence of such Federal funds, be 
made available from non-Federal sources for the activities assisted 
under this title.

SEC. 305. STATE APPLICATIONS.

    (a) Application.--
            (1) In general.--Each State educational agency that desires 
        to receive an allotment under this title shall submit an 
        application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as 
        the Secretary may determine.
            (2) Additional information.--In addition to the information 
        described in subsections (b) and (c), each such application 
        shall include--
                    (A) an assurance that the State educational agency 
                will cooperate with the Secretary in carrying out the 
                Secretary's responsibilities under section 313, and 
                will comply with reasonable requests of the Secretary 
                for data related to the State's progress in developing 
                and implementing its State improvement plan under this 
                title;
                    (B) an assurance that State law provides adequate 
                authority to carry out each component of the State's 
                improvement plan developed, or to be developed under 
                section 306, or that such authority will be sought; and
                    (C) such other assurances and information as the 
                Secretary may require.
    (b) First Year.--A State educational agency's application for the 
first year of assistance under this title shall--
            (1) describe the process by which the State educational 
        agency will develop a school improvement plan that meets the 
        requirements of section 306; and
            (2) describe how the State educational agency will use 
        funds received under this title for such year, including how 
        such agency will make subgrants to local educational agencies 
        in accordance with section 309(a), and how such agency will use 
        funds received under this title for education preservice 
        programs and professional development activities in accordance 
        with section 309(b).
    (c) Subsequent Years.--A State educational agency's application for 
the second year of assistance under this title shall--
            (1) cover the second through fifth years of the State's 
        participation;
            (2) include a copy of the State's improvement plan that 
        meets the requirements of section 306 or, if the State 
        improvement plan is not complete, a statement of the steps the 
        State will take to complete the plan and a schedule for doing 
        so; and
            (3) include an explanation of how the State educational 
        agency will use funds received under this title, including how 
        such agency will make subgrants to local educational agencies 
        in accordance with section 309(a), and how such agency will use 
        such funds received under this title for education preservice 
        programs and professional development activities in accordance 
        with section 309(b).

SEC. 306. STATE IMPROVEMENT PLANS.

    (a) Basic Scope of Plan.--Any State educational agency that desires 
to receive an allotment under this title after its first year of 
participation shall develop and implement a State improvement plan for 
the fundamental restructuring and improvement of elementary and 
secondary education in the State. Such plan shall address--
            (1) in accordance with subsection (c), the establishment or 
        adoption of challenging content and student performance 
        standards for all students and the use of curricula, 
        instructional practices, assessments or systems of assessments 
        described in section 213(e), technology, and professional 
        preparation and development approaches appropriate to help all 
        students reach such standards;
            (2) in accordance with subsection (d), the establishment or 
        adoption of opportunity-to-learn standards that will define the 
        conditions of teaching and learning that provide all students 
        the opportunity to meet the challenging content and student 
        performance standards;
            (3) in accordance with subsection (e), needed changes in 
        the governance and management of the education system in order 
        to effectively focus schools on, and assist schools in, 
        preparing all students to meet the challenging State standards;
            (4) in accordance with subsection (f), comprehensive 
        strategies to involve communities, including parents, 
        businesses, institutions of higher education, libraries, 
        museums, employment and training agencies, health and human 
        service agencies, and other public and private nonprofit 
        agencies that provide nonsectarian social services, health 
        care, child care, early childhood education, and nutrition to 
        students, in helping all students meet the challenging State 
        standards;
            (5) in accordance with subsection (g), strategies for 
        ensuring that all local educational agencies and schools within 
        the State are involved in developing and implementing needed 
        improvements within a specified period of time; and
            (6) in accordance with subsection (h), strategies for 
        ensuring that comprehensive, systemic reform is promoted from 
        the bottom up in communities, local educational agencies, and 
        schools.
    (b) Plan Development.--
            (1) In general.--A State improvement plan under this title 
        shall be developed by a broad-based State panel in cooperation 
        with the State educational agency and the Governor. The panel 
        shall include--
                    (A) the Governor and the chief State school 
                officer, or their designees;
                    (B) the chairperson of the State board of education 
                and the chairpersons of the appropriate authorizing 
                committees of the State legislature, or their 
                designees;
                    (C) school teachers, related services personnel, 
                principals, and administrators who have successfully 
                improved student performance; and
                    (D) representatives of teachers' organizations, 
                organizations serving young children, parents, 
                secondary school students, business and labor leaders, 
                community-based organizations of demonstrated 
                effectiveness, local boards of education, State and 
                local officials, and others, as appropriate.
            (2) Appointment.--The Governor and the chief State school 
        officer shall each appoint half the members of the panel and 
        shall jointly select the Chairperson of the panel.
            (3) Representation.--The membership of the panel shall be 
        geographically representative of the State and reflect the 
        diversity of the population of the State with regard to race, 
        ethnicity, gender and disability characteristics.
            (4) Consultation.--The panel shall consult the Governor, 
        the chief State school officer, the State board of education, 
        and relevant committees of the State legislature in developing 
        the State improvement plan.
            (5) Outreach.--The panel shall be responsible for 
        conducting a statewide, grassroots outreach process, including 
        conducting public hearings, to involve educators, related 
        services personnel, parents, local officials, individuals 
        representing private nonprofit elementary and secondary 
        schools, community and business leaders, citizens, children's 
        advocates, and others with a stake in the success of students 
        and their education system, and who are representative of the 
        diversity of the State and the State's student population, 
        including students of limited-English proficiency, Native 
        American students, and students with disabilities, in the 
        development of the State improvement plan and in a continuing 
        dialogue regarding the need for and nature of challenging 
        standards for students and local and State responsibilities for 
        helping all students achieve such standards in order to assure 
        that the development and implementation of the State 
        improvement plan reflects local needs and experiences and does 
        not result in a significant increase in paperwork for teachers.
            (6) Procedure and approval.--The panel shall develop a 
        State improvement plan, provide opportunity for public comment, 
        and submit such plan to the State educational agency for 
        approval.
            (7) Submission.--The State educational agency shall submit 
        the original State improvement plan developed by the panel and 
        the State improvement plan modified by such agency, together 
        with an explanation of any changes made by such agency to the 
        plan developed by the panel, to the Secretary for approval.
            (8) Matters not under the jurisdiction of the state 
        educational agency.--If any portion of a State improvement plan 
        addresses matters that, under State or other applicable law, 
        are not under the authority of the State educational agency, 
        the State educational agency shall obtain the approval of, or 
        changes to, such portion, with an explanation thereof, from the 
        Governor or other official responsible for that portion before 
        submitting such plan to the Secretary.
            (9) Monitoring; revisions; reporting.--After approval of 
        the State improvement plan by the Secretary, the panel shall be 
        informed of progress on such plan by the State educational 
        agency, and such agency, in close consultation with teachers, 
        principals, administrators, advocates and parents in local 
        educational agencies and schools receiving funds under this 
        title, shall monitor the implementation and operation of such 
        plan. The panel shall review such plan, and based on the 
        progress described in the preceding sentence, determine if 
        revisions to such plan are appropriate and necessary. The panel 
        shall periodically report such determination to the public.
    (c) Teaching, Learning, Standards, and Assessments.--Each State 
improvement plan shall establish strategies for meeting the National 
Education Goals described in title I by improving teaching and 
learning, and such strategies shall involve broad-based and ongoing 
classroom teacher input, including--
            (1) a process for developing or adopting challenging 
        content and student performance standards for all students;
            (2) a process for providing assistance and support to local 
        educational agencies and schools to strengthen the capacity and 
        responsibility of such agencies and schools to provide all of 
        their students the opportunity to meet challenging State 
        content and student performance standards;
            (3) a process for developing or recommending instructional 
        materials and technology to support and assist local 
        educational agencies and schools to provide all of their 
        students the opportunity to meet the challenging State content 
        and student performance standards;
            (4) a process for developing and implementing a valid, 
        fair, nondiscriminatory, and reliable assessment or system of 
        assessments described in section 213(e) or a set of locally 
        based systems of assessment--
                    (A) which assessment, system or set shall--
                            (i) be consistent with relevant, nationally 
                        recognized professional and technical standards 
                        for such assessment, system or set;
                            (ii) be capable of providing coherent 
                        information about student attainments relative 
                        to the State content standards; and
                            (iii) support effective curriculum and 
                        instruction; and
                    (B) which process shall provide for monitoring the 
                implementation of such assessment, system or set and 
                the impact of such assessment, system or set on 
                improved instruction for all students; and
            (5) a process for improving the State's system of teacher 
        and school administrator preparation and licensure, and of 
        continuing professional development programs, including the use 
        of technology at both the State and local levels, so that all 
        teachers, related services personnel, and administrators 
        develop the subject matter and pedagogical expertise needed to 
        prepare all students to meet the challenging standards 
        described in paragraph (1).
    (d) Opportunity-To-Learn Standards.--Each State improvement plan 
shall establish a strategy and timetable for--
            (1) adopting or establishing opportunity-to-learn standards 
        that address the needs of all students;
            (2) achieving the State's opportunity-to-learn standards in 
        every school in the State; and
            (3) periodically reporting to the public on the extent of 
        the State's improvement in achieving such standards.
    (e) Governance and Management.--Each State plan shall establish 
strategies for improved governance and management of the education 
system of the State.
    (f) Parental and Community Support and Involvement.--Each State 
improvement plan shall describe strategies for how the State will 
develop support for, and help implement, such plan.
    (g) Making the Improvements System-Wide.--In order to help provide 
all students throughout the State the opportunity to meet challenging 
State standards, each State improvement plan shall describe the various 
strategies to be employed.
    (h) Promoting Bottom-Up Reform.--Each State improvement plan shall 
include strategies for ensuring that comprehensive, systemic reform is 
promoted from the bottom up in communities, local educational agencies, 
and schools, and is guided by coordination and facilitation from State 
leaders.
    (i) Benchmarks and Timelines.--Each State improvement plan shall 
include specific benchmarks of improved student performance and of 
progress in implementing such plan, and timelines against which the 
progress of the State in carrying out such plan, including the elements 
described in subsections (c) through (h), can be measured.
    (j) Peer Review and Secretarial Approval.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall review, within a 
        reasonable period of time, each State improvement plan prepared 
        under this section, and each application submitted under 
        section 305, through a peer review process involving the 
        assistance and advice of State and local education 
        policymakers, educators, classroom teachers, related services 
        personnel, experts on educational innovation and improvement, 
        parents, advocates, and other appropriate individuals. Such 
        peer review process shall be representative of the diversity of 
        the United States with regard to geography, race, ethnicity, 
        gender and disability characteristics. Such peer review process 
        shall include at least 1 site visit to each State.
            (2) Approval of plan.--The Secretary shall approve a State 
        improvement plan if--
                    (A) such plan is submitted to the Secretary not 
                later than 2 years after the date the State educational 
                agency receives its first allotment under section 
                304(b); and
                    (B) the Secretary determines, after considering the 
                peer reviewers' comments, that such plan--
                            (i) reflects a widespread commitment within 
                        the State; and
                            (ii) holds reasonable promise of helping 
                        all students.
            (3) Disapproval.--The Secretary shall not disapprove a 
        State's plan, or any State application submitted under section 
        305, before offering the State--
                    (A) an opportunity to revise such plan or 
                application; and
                    (B) a hearing.
    (k) Amendments to Plan.--
            (1) In general.--Each State educational agency shall 
        periodically review its State improvement plan and revise such 
        plan, as appropriate, in accordance with the process described 
        in subsection (b).
            (2) Review.--The Secretary shall review major amendments to 
        a State improvement plan through the same process, described in 
        subsection (j), used to review the original State improvement 
        plan.
    (l) Preexisting State Plans and Panels.--
            (1) In general.--If a State has developed a comprehensive 
        and systemic State improvement plan to help all students meet 
        challenging standards, or any component of such plan, that 
        meets the intent and purposes of section 302, the Secretary may 
        approve such plan or component notwithstanding that such plan 
        was not developed in accordance with subsection (b), if--
                    (A) the Secretary determines that such approval 
                would further the purposes of State systemic education 
                improvement; and
                    (B) such plan ensures broad-based input from 
                various education, political, community, and other 
                appropriate representatives.
            (2) Special rule.--(A) If, before the date of enactment of 
        this Act, a State has made substantial progress in developing a 
        plan that meets the intent and purposes of section 302, but was 
        developed by a panel that does not meet the requirements of 
        paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (b), the Secretary 
        may, at the request of the Governor and the State educational 
        agency, treat such panel as meeting such requirements for all 
        purposes of this title if the Secretary determines that there 
        has been substantial public and educator involvement in the 
        development of such plan.
            (B) If a State has not developed a State improvement plan 
        but has an existing panel which such State would like to use 
        for the purpose of developing such plan, then the Secretary 
        may, at the request of the Governor and the State educational 
        agency, treat such panel as meeting the requirements of 
        paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (b) for all purposes 
        of this title if--
                    (i) the Secretary determines that such existing 
                panel is serving a similar such purpose; and
                    (ii) the composition of such existing panel would 
                ensure broad-based input from various education, 
                political, community, and other appropriate 
                representatives.

SEC. 307. SECRETARY'S REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS; PAYMENTS.

    (a) First Year.--The Secretary shall approve the State educational 
agency's initial year application under section 305(b) if the Secretary 
determines that--
            (1) such application meets the requirements of this title; 
        and
            (2) there is a substantial likelihood that the State will 
        be able to develop and implement an education improvement plan 
        that complies with section 306.
    (b) Second Through Fifth Years.--The Secretary shall approve the 
State educational agency's renewal application under section 305(c)(1) 
in the second through fifth years of participation only if--
            (1)(A) the Secretary has approved the State improvement 
        plan under section 306(j); or
            (B) the Secretary determines that the State has made 
        substantial progress in developing its State improvement plan 
        and will implement such plan not later than the end of the 
        second year of participation; and
            (2) the application meets the other requirements of this 
        title.
    (c) Payments.--For any fiscal year for which a State has an 
approved application under this title, the Secretary shall provide an 
allotment to the State educational agency in the amount determined 
under section 304(b).

SEC. 308. STATE USE OF FUNDS.

    (a) First Year.--In the first year for which a State educational 
agency receives an allotment under this title, such agency--
            (1) if the amount appropriated pursuant to the authority of 
        section 303 for such year is equal to or greater than 
        $200,000,000, shall use at least 75 percent of such allotted 
        funds to award subgrants--
                    (A) to local educational agencies for the 
                development or implementation of local improvement 
                plans in accordance with section 309(a); and
                    (B) to improve educator and related services 
                personnel preservice programs and for professional 
                development activities consistent with the State 
                improvement plan and in accordance with section 309(b);
            (2) if the amount appropriated pursuant to the authority of 
        section 303 for such year is equal to or greater than 
        $100,000,000, but less than $200,000,000, shall use at least 50 
        percent of such allotted funds to award subgrants described in 
        subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1);
            (3) if the amount appropriated pursuant to the authority of 
        section 303 for such year is less than $100,000,000, may use 
        such allotted funds to award subgrants described in 
        subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1); and
            (4) shall use any such allotted funds not used in 
        accordance with paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) to develop, 
        revise, expand, or implement a State improvement plan described 
        in section 306.
    (b) Succeeding Years.--Each State educational agency that receives 
an allotment under this title for any year after the first year of 
participation shall--
            (1) use at least 85 percent of such allotment funds in each 
        such year to make subgrants--
                    (A) for the implementation of the State improvement 
                plan and of local improvement plans in accordance with 
                section 309(a); and
                    (B) to improve educator and related services 
                personnel preservice programs and for professional 
                development activities that are consistent with the 
                State improvement plan in accordance with section 
                309(b); and
            (2) shall use the remainder of such allotted funds for 
        State activities designed to implement the State improvement 
        plan, such as--
                    (A) supporting the development or adoption of State 
                content and student performance standards, State 
                opportunity-to-learn standards, and assessment tools 
                linked to the standards, including activities 
                assisted--
                            (i) through consortia of States; or
                            (ii) with the assistance of the National 
                        Education Standards and Improvement Council 
                        established under part B of title II;
                    (B) supporting the implementation of high-
                performance management and organizational strategies, 
                such as site-based management, shared decisionmaking, 
                or quality management principles, to promote effective 
                implementation of such plan;
                    (C) supporting the development and implementation, 
                at the local educational agency and school building 
                level, of improved human resource development systems 
                for recruiting, selecting, mentoring, supporting, 
                evaluating and rewarding educators;
                    (D) providing special attention to the needs of 
                minority, disabled, and female students, including 
                instructional programs and activities that encourage 
                such students in elementary and secondary schools to 
                aspire to enter and complete postsecondary education or 
                training;
                    (E) supporting the development, at the State or 
                local level, of performance-based accountability and 
                incentive systems for schools;
                    (F) outreach to parents, tribal officials, 
                organizations serving young children, classroom 
                teachers, related services personnel, and other 
                educators, and the public, related to education 
                improvement;
                    (G) providing technical assistance and other 
                services to increase the capacity of local educational 
                agencies and schools to develop and implement systemic 
                local improvement plans, implement new assessments or 
                systems of assessments described in the State 
                improvement plan developed in accordance with section 
                306, and develop curricula consistent with the State's 
                content and student performance standards;
                    (H) promoting mechanisms for increasing public 
                school choice, including information and referral 
                programs which provide parents information on available 
                choices and other initiatives to promote the 
                establishment of innovative new public schools, 
                including magnet schools and charter schools; and
                    (I) collecting and analyzing data.
    (c) Limit on Administrative Costs.--A State educational agency that 
receives an allotment under this title in any fiscal year shall use not 
more than 4 percent of such allotment in such year, or $100,000, 
whichever is greater, for administrative expenses, which administrative 
expenses shall not include the expenses related to the activities of 
the panel established under section 306(b)(1).
    (d) Special Rule.--Any new public school established under this 
title--
            (1) shall be nonsectarian;
            (2) shall not be affiliated with a nonpublic sectarian 
        school or religious institution; and
            (3) shall operate under the authority of a State 
        educational agency or local educational agency.

SEC. 309. SUBGRANTS FOR LOCAL REFORM AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) Subgrants to Local Educational Agencies.--
            (1) In general.--(A) Each State educational agency, through 
        a competitive process, shall make subgrants to local 
        educational agencies to carry out the authorized activities 
        described in paragraph (4).
            (B) Each subgrant described in subparagraph (A) shall be 
        for a project of sufficient duration and of sufficient size, 
        scope, and quality to carry out the purpose of this title 
        effectively.
            (2) Application required.--Each local educational agency 
        desiring to receive a subgrant under this subsection shall 
        submit an application to the State educational agency that--
                    (A) is developed by a broad-based panel, appointed 
                by the local educational agency, that is representative 
                of the diversity of the students and community to be 
                served with regard to race, language, ethnicity, 
                gender, disability and socioeconomic characteristics, 
                and includes teachers, related services personnel, 
                parents, school administrators, business 
                representatives, early childhood educators, and others, 
                as appropriate, and is approved by the local 
                educational agency, including any modifications the 
                local educational agency deems appropriate;
                    (B) includes, in the application submitted for the 
                second year of participation, a comprehensive local 
                improvement plan for school district-wide education 
                improvement, directed at enabling all students to meet 
                the State's challenging content and student performance 
                standards, including specific goals and benchmarks, and 
                includes a strategy for--
                            (i) ensuring that all students have a fair 
                        opportunity to learn;
                            (ii) improving teaching and learning;
                            (iii) improving governance and management;
                            (iv) generating and maintaining parental 
                        and community involvement; and
                            (v) expanding improvements throughout the 
                        local educational agency;
                    (C) describes how the local educational agency will 
                encourage and assist schools to develop and implement 
                comprehensive school improvement plans that focus on 
                helping all students reach challenging content and 
                student performance standards and that address each 
                element of the local educational agency's local 
                improvement plan described in subparagraph (B);
                    (D) describes how the local educational agency will 
                implement specific programs aimed at ensuring 
                improvements in school readiness and the ability of 
                students to learn effectively at all grade levels by 
                identifying the most pressing needs facing students and 
                their families with regard to social services, health 
                care, nutrition, and child care, and entering into 
                partnerships with public and private nonprofit agencies 
                to increase the access of students and families to 
                coordinated nonsectarian services in a school setting 
                or at a nearby site;
                    (E) describes how the subgrant funds will be used 
                by the local educational agency, and the procedures to 
                be used to make funds available to schools in 
                accordance with paragraph (4)(A);
                    (F) identifies, with an explanation, any State or 
                Federal requirements that the local educational agency 
                believes impede educational improvement and that such 
                agency requests be waived in accordance with section 
                311, which requests shall promptly be transmitted to 
                the Secretary by the State educational agency; and
                    (G) contains such other information as the State 
                educational agency may reasonably require.
            (3) Monitoring.--The panel described in paragraph (2)(A), 
        after approval of the local educational agency's application by 
        the State educational agency, shall be informed of progress on 
        such plan by the local educational agency, and the local 
        educational agency shall monitor the implementation and 
        effectiveness of the local improvement plan in close 
        consultation with teachers, related services personnel, 
        principals, administrators, and parents from schools receiving 
        funds under this title as well as assure that implementation of 
        the local improvement plan does not result in a significant 
        increase in paperwork for teachers. The panel shall review such 
        plan and based on the progress described in the preceding 
        sentence, determine if revisions to the local improvement plan 
        should be recommended to the local educational agency. The 
        panel shall periodically report such determination to the 
        public.
            (4) Authorized activities.--A local educational agency that 
        receives a subgrant under this subsection--
                    (A) in the first year such agency receives the 
                subgrant shall use--
                            (i) not more than 25 percent of the 
                        subgrant funds to develop a local improvement 
                        plan or for any local educational agency 
                        activities approved by the State educational 
                        agency that are reasonably related to carrying 
                        out the State or local improvement plans; and
                            (ii) not less than 75 percent of the 
                        subgrant funds to support individual school 
                        improvement initiatives related to providing 
                        all students in the school the opportunity to 
                        meet challenging State content and student 
                        performance standards; and
                    (B) in subsequent years, use the subgrant funds for 
                any activities approved by the State educational agency 
                that are reasonably related to carrying out the State 
                or local improvement plans, except that at least 85 
                percent of such funds shall be made available to 
                individual schools to develop and implement 
                comprehensive school improvement plans designed to help 
                all students meet challenging State content standards.
    (b) Subgrants for Preservice Teacher Education and Professional 
Development Activities.--
            (1) In general.--(A) Each State educational agency, through 
        a competitive, peer review process, shall make subgrants to a 
        local educational agency or consortia of local educational 
        agencies, institutions of higher education, private nonprofit 
        organizations, or combinations thereof, in order to--
                    (i) improve preservice teacher and related services 
                personnel education programs in accordance with the 
                State improvement plan; and
                    (ii) support continuing, sustained professional 
                development activities for educators in accordance with 
                the State improvement plan.
            (B) Each State educational agency awarding subgrants under 
        subparagraph (A) shall give priority to awarding such subgrants 
        to a local educational agency or consortium serving a greater 
        number or percentage of disadvantaged students than the 
        statewide average such number or percentage.
            (C) In order to be eligible to receive a subgrant described 
        in subparagraph (A), a consortium shall include at least 1 
        local educational agency.
            (2) Application.--A local educational agency or consortium 
        that desires to receive a subgrant under this subsection shall 
        submit an application to the State educational agency that--
                    (A) describes how the local educational agency or 
                consortium will use the subgrant to improve teacher 
                preservice and school administrator education programs 
                or to implement educator and related services personnel 
                professional development activities in accordance with 
                the State improvement plan;
                    (B) identifies the criteria to be used by the local 
                educational agency or consortium to judge improvements 
                in preservice education or the effects of professional 
                development activities in accordance with the State 
                improvement plan; and
                    (C) contains any other information that the State 
                educational agency determines is appropriate.
            (3) Authorized activities.--A recipient of a subgrant under 
        this subsection shall use the subgrant funds for activities 
        supporting--
                    (A) the improvement of preservice teacher education 
                and school administrator programs so that such programs 
                equip educators with the subject matter and pedagogical 
                expertise necessary for preparing all students to meet 
                challenging standards; or
                    (B) the development and implementation of new and 
                improved forms of continuing and sustained professional 
                development opportunities for teachers, related 
                services personnel, principals, and other educators at 
                the school or school district level that equip such 
                individuals with such expertise, and with other 
                knowledge and skills necessary for leading and 
                participating in continuous education improvement.
    (c) Special Award Rules.--
            (1) In general.--(A) Each State educational agency shall 
        award at least 65 percent of subgrant funds under subsection 
        (a) in each fiscal year to local educational agencies that have 
        a greater percentage or number of disadvantaged children than 
        the statewide average percentage or number for all local 
        educational agencies in the State.
            (B) At least 50 percent of the subgrant funds made 
        available by a local educational agency to individual schools 
        under subsection (a) in any fiscal year shall be made available 
        to schools with a special need for assistance, as indicated by 
        a high number or percentage of students from low-income 
        families, low student achievement, or other similar criteria 
        developed by the local educational agency.
            (2) Waiver.--The State educational agency may waive the 
        requirement of paragraph (1)(A) if such agency does not receive 
        a sufficient number of applications from local educational 
        agencies in the State to enable the State educational agency to 
        comply with such requirement.

SEC. 310. AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION AND TRAINING.

    Proportionate to the number of children in a State or in a local 
educational agency who are enrolled in private elementary or secondary 
schools--
            (1) a State educational agency or local educational agency 
        which uses funds under this title to develop goals, content 
        standards, curricular materials, and assessments or systems of 
        assessments shall, upon request, make information related to 
        such goals, standards, materials, and assessments or systems 
        available to private schools; and
            (2) a State educational agency or local educational agency 
        which uses funds under this title for teacher and administrator 
        training shall provide in the State improvement plan described 
        in section 306 for the training of teachers and administrators 
        in private schools located in the geographical area served by 
        such agency.

SEC. 311. WAIVERS OF STATUTORY AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) Waiver Authority.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in subsection (c), the 
        Secretary may waive any statutory or regulatory requirement 
        applicable to any program or Act described in subsection (b) 
        for a State educational agency, local educational agency, or 
        school, upon application of a State educational agency 
        requesting such a waiver if--
                    (A) and only to the extent that, the Secretary 
                determines that such requirement impedes the ability of 
                the State, or of a local educational agency or school 
                in the State, to carry out the State or local 
                improvement plan;
                    (B) the State educational agency has waived, or 
                agrees to waive, similar requirements of State law;
                    (C) in the case of a statewide waiver, the State 
                educational agency--
                            (i) provides all local educational agencies 
                        in the State with notice and an opportunity to 
                        comment on the State educational agency's 
                        proposal to seek a waiver; and
                            (ii) submits the local educational 
                        agencies' comments to the Secretary; and
                    (D) in the case of a local educational agency 
                waiver, the local educational agency provides parents, 
                community groups, and advocacy or civil rights groups 
                with the opportunity to comment on the proposed waiver.
            (2) Timeliness.--The Secretary shall act promptly on any 
        request for a waiver under this section.
            (3) Duration.--
                    (A) In general.--Each waiver under this section may 
                be for a period not to exceed 5 years.
                    (B) Extension.--The Secretary may extend the period 
                described in subparagraph (A) if the Secretary 
                determines that the waiver has been effective in 
                enabling the State or affected local educational 
                agencies to carry out their reform plans.
    (b) Included Programs.--The statutory or regulatory requirements 
subject to the waiver authority of this section are any such 
requirements under the following programs or Acts:
            (1) Chapter 1 of title I of the Elementary and Secondary 
        Education Act of 1965, including Even Start.
            (2) Part A of chapter 2 of title I of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965.
            (3) The Dwight D. Eisenhower Mathematics and Science 
        Education Act.
            (4) The Emergency Immigrant Education Act of 1984.
            (5) The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1986.
            (6) The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology 
        Education Act.
    (c) Waivers Not Authorized.--The Secretary may not waive any 
statutory or regulatory requirement of the programs or Acts described 
in subsection (b)--
            (1) relating to--
                    (A) maintenance of effort;
                    (B) comparability of services;
                    (C) the equitable participation of students and 
                professional staff in private schools;
                    (D) parental participation and involvement; and
                    (E) the distribution of funds to States or to local 
                educational agencies; and
            (2) unless the underlying purposes of each program or Act 
        for which a waiver is granted continue to be met to the 
        satisfaction of the Secretary.
    (d) Termination of Waivers.--The Secretary shall periodically 
review the performance of any State, local educational agency, or 
school for which the Secretary has granted a waiver and shall terminate 
the waiver if the Secretary determines that the performance of the 
State, the local educational agency, or the school in the area affected 
by the waiver has been inadequate to justify a continuation of the 
waiver.

SEC. 312. PROGRESS REPORTS.

    (a) State Reports to the Secretary.--Each State educational agency 
that receives an allotment under this title shall annually report to 
the Secretary--
            (1) on the State's progress in meeting the State's goals 
        and plans;
            (2) on the State's proposed activities for the succeeding 
        year; and
            (3) in summary form, on the progress of local educational 
        agencies in meeting local goals and plans.
    (b) Secretary's Reports to Congress.--By April 30, 1996, and every 
2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report to the 
Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate describing the 
activities and outcomes of--
            (1) grants under paragraph (2) of section 313(b), 
        including--
                    (A) a description of the purpose, uses, and 
                technical merit of assessments evaluated with funds 
                awarded under such paragraph; and
                    (B) an analysis of the impact of such assessments 
                on the performance of students, particularly students 
                of different racial, gender, ethnic, or language groups 
                and individuals with disabilities; and
            (2) allotments under this title, including a description of 
        the effect of waivers granted under section 311.

SEC. 313. NATIONAL LEADERSHIP.

    (a) Technical Assistance and Integration of Standards.--From funds 
reserved in each fiscal year under section 304(a)(2)(A), the Secretary 
may, directly or through grants or contracts--
            (1) provide technical assistance to States and local 
        educational agencies developing or implementing school 
        improvement plans, in a manner that ensures that each such 
        State has access to such assistance; or
            (2) support model projects to integrate multiple voluntary 
        national content standards, if--
                    (A) such standards are certified by the National 
                Education Standards and Improvement Council and 
                approved by the National Goals Panel for different 
                subject areas, in order to provide balanced and 
                coherent instructional programs for all students; and
                    (B) such projects are appropriate for a wide range 
                of diverse circumstances, localities (including both 
                urban and rural communities), and populations.
    (b) Innovative Programs; Assessment; Evaluation.--From funds 
reserved in each fiscal year under section 304(a)(2)(A), the Secretary, 
directly or through grants or contracts shall reserve not more than 50 
percent of such funds--
            (1) to provide urban and rural local educational agencies, 
        schools, or consortia thereof, with assistance for innovative 
        or experimental programs in systemic education reform that are 
        not being undertaken through grants provided under section 
        309(a), giving special consideration or priority to local 
        educational agencies, schools, or consortia thereof that serve 
        large numbers or concentrations of economically disadvantaged 
        students, including students of limited-English proficiency; or
            (2) to provide a State or local educational agency, 
        nonprofit organization or consortium thereof with assistance to 
        help defray the cost of developing, field testing and 
        evaluating an assessment or system of assessments with a 
        priority on grants for limited-English proficiency students or 
        students with disabilities, if--
                    (A) such assessment or system--
                            (i) is to be used for some or all of the 
                        purposes described in section 213(e)(1)(B); and
                            (ii) is aligned to State content standards 
                        certified by the National Education Standards 
                        and Improvement Council; and
                    (B) such agency, organization or consortium--
                            (i) examines the validity, reliability, and 
                        fairness of such assessment or system, for the 
                        particular purposes for which such assessment 
                        or system was developed; and
                            (ii) devotes special attention to how such 
                        assessment or system treats all students, 
                        especially with regard to the race, gender, 
                        ethnicity, disability and language proficiency 
                        of such students.
    (c) Data and Dissemination.--The Secretary shall--
            (1) gather data on, conduct research on, and evaluate 
        systemic education improvement, including the programs 
        authorized by this title; and
            (2) disseminate research findings and other information on 
        outstanding examples of systemic education improvement in 
        States and local communities through existing dissemination 
        systems within the Department of Education, including through 
        publications, electronic and telecommunications mediums, 
        conferences, and other means.

SEC. 314. ASSISTANCE TO THE OUTLYING AREAS AND TO THE SECRETARY OF THE 
              INTERIOR.

    (a) Outlying Areas.--
            (1) In general.--Funds reserved for the outlying areas in 
        each fiscal year under section 304(a)(1)(A) shall be made 
        available to, and expended by, such areas, under such 
        conditions and in such manner as the Secretary determines will 
        best meet the purposes of this title.
            (2) Inapplicability of public law 95-134.--The provisions 
        of Public Law 95-134, permitting the consolidation of grants to 
        the Insular Areas, shall not apply to funds received by such 
        areas under this title.
    (b) Secretary of the Interior.--The funds reserved by the Secretary 
for the Secretary of the Interior under section 304(a)(1)(B) shall be 
made available to the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to an 
agreement between the Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior 
containing such terms and assurances, consistent with this title, as 
the Secretary determines will best achieve the purpose of this title.
    (c) Secretary of Defense.--The Secretary shall consult with the 
Secretary of Defense to ensure that, to the extent practicable, the 
purposes of this title are applied to the Department of Defense 
schools.

SEC. 315. CLARIFICATION REGARDING STATE STANDARDS AND ASSESSMENTS.

    Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, standards, 
assessments, and systems of assessments described in a State 
improvement plan submitted in accordance with section 306 shall not be 
required to be certified by the Council.

                           TITLE IV--SCHOOLS

SEC. 401. PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

    Except as provided in section 310, nothing in this Act shall be 
construed to authorize the use of funds under title III of this Act to 
directly or indirectly benefit any school other than a public school.

                TITLE V--NATIONAL SKILL STANDARDS BOARD

SEC. 501. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``National Skill Standards Act of 
1993''.

SEC. 502. PURPOSE.

    It is the purpose of this title to establish a National Board to 
serve as a catalyst in stimulating the development and adoption of a 
voluntary national system of skill standards and of assessment and 
certification--
            (1) that will serve as a cornerstone of the national 
        strategy to enhance work force skills;
            (2) that will result in increased productivity, economic 
        growth, and American economic competitiveness; and
            (3) that can be used, consistent with civil rights laws--
                    (A) by the Nation, to ensure the development of a 
                high skills, high quality, high performance work force, 
                including the most skilled front-line work force in the 
                world;
                    (B) by industries, as a vehicle for informing 
                training providers and prospective employees of skills 
                necessary for employment;
                    (C) by employers, to assist in evaluating the skill 
                levels of prospective employees and to assist in the 
                training of current employees;
                    (D) by labor organizations, to enhance the 
                employment security of workers by providing portable 
                credentials and skills;
                    (E) by workers, to--
                            (i) obtain certifications of their skills 
                        to protect against dislocation;
                            (ii) pursue career advancement; and
                            (iii) enhance their ability to reenter the 
                        work force;
                    (F) by students and entry level workers, to 
                determine the skill levels and competencies needed to 
                be obtained in order to compete effectively for high 
                wage jobs;
                    (G) by training providers and educators, to 
                determine appropriate training services to be offered 
                by the providers and educators;
                    (H) by Government, to evaluate whether publicly 
                funded training assists participants to meet skill 
                standards where such standards exist and thereby 
                protect the integrity of public expenditures; and
                    (I) to facilitate linkages between other components 
                of the work force investment strategy, including 
                school-to-work transition and job training programs.

SEC. 503. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL BOARD.

    (a) In General.--There is established a National Skill Standards 
Board (hereafter referred to in this title as the ``National Board'').
    (b) Composition.--
            (1) In general.--The National Board shall be composed of 28 
        members (appointed in accordance with paragraph (3)), of whom--
                    (A) one member shall be the Secretary of Labor;
                    (B) one member shall be the Secretary of Education;
                    (C) one member shall be the Secretary of Commerce;
                    (D) one member shall be the Chairperson of the 
                National Education Standards and Improvement Council 
                established pursuant to section 212(a);
                    (E) eight members shall be representatives of 
                business (including representatives of small employers 
                and representatives of large employers) selected from 
                among individuals recommended by recognized national 
                business organizations or trade associations;
                    (F) eight members shall be representatives of 
                organized labor selected from among individuals 
                recommended by recognized national labor federations; 
                and
                    (G) eight members shall be representatives of--
                            (i) educational institutions;
                            (ii) community-based organizations;
                            (iii) State and local governments; or
                            (iv) nongovernmental organizations with a 
                        demonstrated history of successfully protecting 
                        the rights of racial, ethnic, or religious 
                        minorities, women, persons with disabilities, 
                        or older persons,
                 with at least 1 member from each group described in 
                clauses (i) through (iv).
            (2) Special requirements.--The members described in 
        subparagraph (G) of paragraph (1) shall have expertise in the 
        area of education and training. The members described in 
        subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) of paragraph (1) shall, in the 
        aggregate, represent a broad cross-section of occupations and 
        industries.
            (3) Appointment.--The membership of the National Board 
        shall be appointed as follows:
                    (A) Twelve members (four from each class of members 
                described in subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) of 
                paragraph (1)) shall be appointed by the President.
                    (B) Six members (two from each class of members 
                described in subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) of 
                paragraph (1)) shall be appointed by the Speaker of the 
                House of Representatives. Of the members so appointed, 
                three members (one from each class of members described 
                in subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) of paragraph (1)) 
                shall be selected from recommendations made by the 
                Majority Leader of the House of Representatives and 
                three members (one from each class of members described 
                in subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) of paragraph (1)) 
                shall be selected from recommendations made by the 
                Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
                    (C) Six members (two from each class of members 
                described in subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) of 
                paragraph (1)) shall be appointed by the President pro 
                tempore of the Senate. Of the members so appointed, 
                three members (one from each class of members described 
                in subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) of paragraph (1)) 
                shall be selected from recommendations made by the 
                Majority Leader of the Senate and three members (one 
                from each class of members described in subparagraphs 
                (E), (F), and (G) of paragraph (1)) shall be selected 
                from recommendations made by the Minority Leader of the 
                Senate.
            (4) Term.--Each member of the National Board appointed 
        under subparagraph (E), (F), or (G) of paragraph (1) shall be 
        appointed for a term of 4 years, except that of the initial 
        members of the Board appointed under such paragraph--
                    (A) twelve members shall be appointed for a term of 
                3 years (four from each class of members described in 
                subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) of paragraph (1)), of 
                whom--
                            (i) two from each such class shall be 
                        appointed in accordance with paragraph (3)(A);
                            (ii) one from each such class shall be 
                        appointed in accordance with paragraph (3)(B); 
                        and
                            (iii) one from each such class shall be 
                        appointed in accordance with paragraph (3)(C); 
                        and
                    (B) twelve members shall be appointed for a term of 
                4 years (four from each class of members described in 
                subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) of paragraph (1)), of 
                whom--
                            (i) two from each such class shall be 
                        appointed in accordance with paragraph (3)(A);
                            (ii) one from each such class shall be 
                        appointed in accordance with paragraph (3)(B); 
                        and
                            (iii) one from each such class shall be 
                        appointed in accordance with paragraph (3)(C).
            (5) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the National Board shall not 
        affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner as 
        the original appointment.
    (c) Chairperson and Vice Chairpersons.--
            (1) Chairperson.--The National Board shall, by majority 
        vote, elect a Chairperson once every 2 years from among the 
        members of the National Board.
            (2) Vice chairpersons.--The National Board shall, by 
        majority vote, annually elect 3 Vice Chairpersons (each 
        representing a different class of the classes of members 
        described in subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) of subsection 
        (b)(1) and each of whom shall serve for a term of 1 year) from 
        among its members appointed under subsection (b)(3).
    (d) Compensation and Expenses.--
            (1) Compensation.--Members of the National Board who are 
        not full-time employees or officers of the Federal Government 
        shall serve without compensation.
            (2) Expenses.--The members of the National Board shall be 
        allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
        subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies 
        under subchapter I of chapter 57, title 5, United States Code, 
        while away from their homes or regular places of business in 
        the performance of services for the National Board.
    (e) Executive Director and Staff.--
            (1) Executive director.--The Chairperson of the National 
        Board shall appoint an Executive Director who shall be 
        compensated at a rate determined by the National Board not to 
        exceed the rate of pay for level V of the Executive Schedule 
        under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code.
            (2) Staff.--The Executive Director may appoint and 
        compensate such additional staff as may be necessary to enable 
        the Board to perform its duties. The Executive Director may fix 
        the compensation of the staff without regard to the provisions 
        of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, 
        United States Code, relating to classification of positions and 
        General Schedule pay rates, except that the rate of pay for the 
        staff may not exceed the rate payable for level V of the 
        Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title.
    (f) Gifts.--The National Board is authorized, in carrying out this 
title, to accept and employ or dispose of in furtherance of the 
purposes of this title, any money or property, real, personal, or 
mixed, tangible or intangible, received by gift, devise, bequest, or 
otherwise, and to accept voluntary and uncompensated services 
notwithstanding the provisions of section 1342 of title 31, United 
States Code.
    (g) Agency Support.--
            (1) Use of facilities.--The National Board may use the 
        research, equipment, services and facilities of any agency or 
        instrumentality of the United States with the consent of such 
        agency or instrumentality.
            (2) Staff of federal agencies.--Upon the request of the 
        National Board, the head of any Federal agency of the United 
        States may detail to the National Board, on a reimbursable 
        basis, any of the personnel of such Federal agency to assist 
        the National Board in carrying out this title. Such detail 
        shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status 
        or privilege.
    (h) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.--The 
Chairperson of the National Board may procure temporary and 
intermittent services of experts and consultants under section 3109(b) 
of title 5, United States Code.
    (i) Termination of the Commission.--Section 14(a)(2) of the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply with respect to 
the termination of the National Board.

SEC. 504. FUNCTIONS OF THE NATIONAL BOARD.

    (a) Identification of Occupations.--The National Board, after 
extensive public consultation, shall identify broad clusters of major 
occupations that involve one or more than one industry in the United 
States.
    (b) Endorsement of Skill Standards Systems.--
            (1) In general.--The National Board, after public review 
        and comment, shall endorse skill standards systems relating to 
        the occupational clusters identified pursuant to subsection (a) 
        that--
                    (A) meet the requirements of paragraph (2);
                    (B) are submitted by entities that meet the 
                requirements of subsection (c); and
                    (C) meet additional objective criteria that are 
                published by the National Board.
            (2) Components of system.--The skill standards systems 
        endorsed pursuant to paragraph (1) shall have one or more of 
        the following components:
                    (A) Voluntary skill standards, which at a minimum--
                            (i) take into account, to the extent 
                        practicable, standards used in other countries 
                        and international standards;
                            (ii) take into account content and 
                        performance standards certified pursuant to 
                        section 213;
                            (iii) take into account the requirements of 
                        high performance work organizations;
                            (iv) are in a form that allows for regular 
                        updating to take into account advances in 
                        technology or other developments within the 
                        occupational cluster;
                            (v) are formulated in such a manner that 
                        the attainment of such standards is likely to 
                        meet the requirements for transferable credit 
                        and enable a student, trainee, or employee to 
                        continue education and training, with a special 
                        emphasis on transferability among firms and 
                        labor markets; and
                            (vi) are not discriminatory with respect to 
                        race, color, religion, sex, national origin, 
                        ethnicity, age, or disability.
                    (B) A voluntary system of assessment and 
                certification of the attainment of skill standards 
                developed pursuant to subparagraph (A), which at a 
                minimum--
                            (i) takes into account, to the extent 
                        practicable, methods of assessment and 
                        certification used in other countries;
                            (ii) utilizes a variety of evaluation 
                        techniques, including, where appropriate, oral 
                        and written evaluations, portfolio assessments, 
                        and performance tests; and
                            (iii) includes methods for establishing the 
                        validity and reliability of the assessment and 
                        certification system for the intended purposes 
                        of the system.
                    (C) A system to disseminate information relating to 
                the skill standards, and the assessment and 
                certification systems, developed pursuant to this 
                paragraph (including dissemination of information 
                relating to civil rights laws relevant to the use of 
                such standards and systems) to, and to promote use of 
                such standards and systems by, entities such as 
                institutions of higher education offering professional 
                and technical education, labor organizations, trade and 
                technical associations, and employers providing 
                formalized training, and other organizations likely to 
                benefit from such standards and systems.
                    (D) A system to evaluate the implementation and 
                effectiveness of the skill standards, the assessment 
                and certification systems, and the information 
                dissemination systems, developed pursuant to this 
                paragraph.
                    (E) A system to periodically revise and update the 
                skill standards, and the assessment and certification 
                systems, developed pursuant to this paragraph, which 
                will take into account changes in standards in other 
                countries.
    (c) Establishment of Voluntary Partnerships To Develop Standards.--
            (1) In general.--For each of the occupational clusters 
        identified pursuant to subsection (a), the National Board shall 
        encourage and facilitate the establishment of voluntary 
        partnerships to develop a skill standards system in accordance 
        with subsection (b).
            (2) Representatives.--Such voluntary partnerships shall 
        include the full and balanced participation of--
                    (A)(i) representatives of business (including 
                representatives of large employers and representatives 
                of small employers) who have expertise in the area of 
                work force skill requirements, and who are recommended 
                by national business organizations or trade 
                associations representing employers in the occupation 
                or industry for which a standard is being developed; 
                and
                    (ii) representatives of trade associations that 
                have received grants from the Department of Labor or 
                the Department of Education to establish skill 
                standards prior to the date of enactment of this title;
                    (B) employee representatives who--
                            (i) have expertise in the area of work 
                        force skill requirements; and
                            (ii) shall be--
                                    (I) individuals recommended by 
                                recognized national labor organizations 
                                representing employees in the 
                                occupation or industry for which a 
                                standard is being developed; and
                                    (II) such individuals who are 
                                nonmanagerial employees with 
                                significant experience and tenure in 
                                such occupation or industry as are 
                                appropriate given the nature and 
                                structure of employment in the 
                                occupation or industry; and
                    (C) representatives of--
                            (i) educational institutions;
                            (ii) technical associations;
                            (iii) community-based organizations;
                            (iv) State and local agencies with 
                        administrative control or direction over 
                        education or over employment and training;
                            (v) other policy development organizations 
                        with expertise in the area of work force skill 
                        requirements; or
                            (vi) nongovernmental organizations with a 
                        demonstrated history of successfully protecting 
                        the rights of racial, ethnic, or religious 
                        minorities, women, persons with disabilities, 
                        or older persons.
            (3) Experts.--The partnerships described in paragraph (2) 
        may also include other individuals who are independent, 
        qualified experts in their fields.
    (d) Limitations.--
            (1) Relationship with apprenticeship standards in 
        construction industry.--The National Board may not carry out 
        the requirements of subsection (b) or (c) with respect to any 
        occupation or trade within the construction industry for which 
        recognized apprenticeship standards have been jointly developed 
        by labor and management representatives and are being actively 
        used for training workers in such occupation or trade, unless 
        labor and management representatives of such occupation or 
        trade and representatives of certified apprenticeship programs 
        within such occupation or trade jointly request the assistance 
        of the National Board.
            (2) Relationship with civil rights laws.--
                    (A) In general.--Nothing in this title shall be 
                construed to modify or affect any Federal or State law 
                prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, 
                religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, or 
                disability.
                    (B) Evidence.--The endorsement by the Board of a 
                skill standard, or assessment and certification system, 
                under subsection (b) may not be used in any action or 
                proceeding to establish that the skill standard or 
                assessment and certification system conforms to the 
                requirements of civil rights laws.
    (e) Coordination.--The National Board shall establish cooperative 
arrangements with the National Education Standards and Improvement 
Council to promote the coordination of the development of skill 
standards under this section with the development of content and 
performance standards in accordance with section 213.
    (f) Additional Duties.--In order to support the activities 
described in subsections (b) and (c), the National Board shall--
            (1) conduct work force research relating to skill standards 
        and make the results of such research available to the public, 
        including the partnerships described in subsection (c);
            (2) identify and maintain a catalog of skill standards used 
        by other countries and by States and leading firms and 
        industries in the United States;
            (3) serve as a clearinghouse to facilitate the sharing of 
        information on the development of skill standards and other 
        relevant information among representatives of occupations and 
        industries identified pursuant to subsection (a), and among 
        education and training providers;
            (4) develop a common nomenclature relating to skill 
        standards;
            (5) encourage the development and adoption of curricula and 
        training materials, for attaining the skill standards developed 
        pursuant to subsection (b), that provide for structured work 
        experiences and related study programs leading to progressive 
        levels of professional and technical certification;
            (6) provide appropriate technical assistance to 
        individuals, and entities, involved in the development of 
        standards and systems described in subsection (b); and
            (7) develop long-term strategic plans relating to the 
        development and utilization of skill standards.
    (g) Financial Assistance.--
            (1) In general.--From funds appropriated pursuant to 
        section 507, the Secretary of Labor may award grants (including 
        grants to voluntary partnerships in accordance with paragraph 
        (2)), and enter into contracts and cooperative arrangements, 
        that are requested by the National Board for the purposes of 
        carrying out this title.
            (2) Grant programs for voluntary partnerships.--
                    (A) Eligibility and application.--Voluntary 
                partnerships that meet the requirements of subsection 
                (c) shall be eligible to apply for a grant under this 
                subsection. Each such voluntary partnership desiring a 
                grant shall submit an application to the National Board 
                at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such 
                information as the National Board may reasonably 
                require.
                    (B) Approval criteria.--Prior to each of the fiscal 
                years 1994 through 1998, the National Board shall 
                publish objective criteria for the approval of grant 
                applications submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A).
            (3) Limitation on use of funds.--
                    (A) In general.--Not more than 20 percent of the 
                funds appropriated under section 507(a) for each fiscal 
                year shall be used by the National Board for the costs 
                of administration.
                    (B) Definition.--For purposes of this paragraph, 
                the term ``costs of administration'' means costs 
                relating to staff, supplies, equipment, space, and 
                travel and per diem, costs of conducting meetings and 
                conferences, and other related costs.

SEC. 505. DEADLINES.

    Not later than December 31, 1996, the National Board shall--
            (1) identify occupational clusters pursuant to section 
        504(a) representing a substantial portion of the work force; 
        and
            (2) promote the development of an initial set of skill 
        standards in accordance with section 504(b) for such clusters.

SEC. 506. REPORTS.

    The National Board shall prepare and submit to the President and 
the Congress in each of the fiscal years 1994 through 1998, a report on 
the activities conducted under this title. Such report shall include 
information on the extent to which skill standards have been adopted by 
employers, training providers, and other entities, and on the 
effectiveness of such standards in accomplishing the purposes described 
in section 502.

SEC. 507. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry 
out this title $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1994 and such sums as may be 
necessary for each of fiscal years 1995 through 1998.
    (b) Availability.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) 
shall remain available until expended.

SEC. 508. DEFINITIONS.

    As used in this title:
            (1) Community-based organizations.--The term ``community-
        based organizations'' has the meaning given the term in section 
        4(5) of the Job Training Partnership Act (29 U.S.C. 1503(5)).
            (2) Educational institution.--The term ``educational 
        institution'' means a high school, a vocational school, and an 
        institution of higher education.
            (3) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 1201(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1141(a)).
            (4) Skill standard.--The term ``skill standard'' means the 
        level of knowledge and competence required to successfully 
        perform work-related functions within an occupational cluster.
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