I
106TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 2801
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to strength-
en the involvement of parents in the education of their children, and
for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AUGUST 5, 1999
Ms. WOOLSEY introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Education and the Workforce
A BILL
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
of 1965 to strengthen the involvement of parents in
the education of their children, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Parental Account-
ability, Recruitment, and Education National Training
Act of 1999’’.
SEC. 2. REFERENCES.
Except as otherwise specifically provided, whenever in
this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms
of an amendment to, or a repeal of, a section or other
provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to
a section or other provision of the Elementary and Sec-
ondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.).
SEC. 3. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Parents are the first and most influential
educators of their children.
(2) The Federal Government must provide lead-
ership, technical assistance, and financial support to
States and local educational agencies, as partners, in
helping the agencies implement successful and effec-
tive parental involvement policies and programs that
lead to improved student achievement.
(3) State and local education officials, as well
as teachers, principals, and other staff at the school
level, must work as partners with the parents of the
children they serve.
(4) Research has documented that, regardless
of the economic, ethnic, or cultural background of
the family, parental involvement in a child’s edu-
cation is a major factor in determining success in
school.
(5) Parental involvement in a child’s education
contributes to positive outcomes such as improved
grades and test scores, higher expectations for stu-
dent achievement, better school attendance, im-
proved homework completion rates, decreased vio-
lence and substance abuse, and higher rates of grad-
uation and enrollment in postsecondary education.
(6) Numerous education laws now require
meaningful parental involvement, including title I of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), the Goals 2000:
Educate America Act (20 U.S.C. 5801 et seq.), the
Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.), and the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20
U.S.C. 1400 et seq.), and elements of these laws
should be extended to other Federal education pro-
grams.
SEC. 4. BASIC PROGRAMS.
(a) STATE PLAN.—Section 1111 (20 U.S.C. 6311)
is amended—
(1) in subsection (b)(2)(B)(ii), by striking
‘‘other measures’’ and inserting ‘‘academic achieve-
ment and other measures, such as a school or local
educational agency’s responsibilities under sections
1118 and 1119’’;
(2) in subsection (c)(1)(B), by inserting before
the semicolon the following: ‘‘, and parental involve-
ment under section 1118’’;
(3) by redesignating subsections (d) through (g)
as subsections (e) through (h), respectively; and
(4) by inserting after subsection (c) the fol-
lowing:
‘‘(d) PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT.—Each State plan
shall demonstrate that the State has identified or devel-
oped effective research-based best practices designed to
foster meaningful parental involvement. Such best prac-
tices shall—
‘‘(1) be disseminated to all schools and local
educational agencies in the State;
‘‘(2) be implemented in all schools in the State;
and
‘‘(3) address the full range of parental involve-
ment activities required under section 1118.’’.
(b) LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY PLANS.—Section
1112 (20 U.S.C. 6312) is amended—
(1) in subsection (c)(1)—
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (D)
through (H) as subparagraphs (E) through (I);
and
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (C)
the following:
‘‘(D) work in consultation with schools as
the schools develop and implement their plans
or activities under sections 1118 and 1119;’’;
and
(2) in subsection (e)(3), by inserting before the
period the following: ‘‘and if such agency’s parental
involvement activities are in accordance with section
1118’’.
(c) SCHOOLWIDE PROGRAMS.—Section 1114 (20
U.S.C. 6314) is amended—
(1) in subsection (b)(1)(E), by inserting after
‘‘involvement’’ the following: ‘‘in accordance with
section 1118’’; and
(2) in subsection (b)(2)(A)(iv), by inserting
after ‘‘results’’ the following: ‘‘in a language the
family can understand’’.
(d) TARGETED ASSISTANCE.—Section 1115(c)(1)(H)
(20 U.S.C. 6315(c)(1)(H)) is amended by inserting after
‘‘involvement’’ the following: ‘‘in accordance with section
1118’’.
(e) ASSESSMENTS.—Section 1116 (20 U.S.C. 6317)
is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)—
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and
(4) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively;
(B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the
following:
‘‘(3) review the effectiveness of the actions and
activities the schools are carrying out under this
part with respect to parental involvement, profes-
sional development, and other activities assisted
under this Act;’’; and
(C) in paragraph (4) (as redesignated by
subparagraph (3))—
(i) by inserting ‘‘of yearly progress’’
after ‘‘annual review’’; and
(ii) by striking ‘‘of all’’ and inserting
‘‘and the review conducted under para-
graph (3), with respect to all’’;
(2) in subsection (c)(4), by inserting after ‘‘ele-
ments of student performance problems’’ the fol-
lowing: ‘‘, that addresses school problems, if any, in
implementing the parental involvement requirements
in section 1118 and the professional development re-
quirements in section 1119,’’; and
(3) in subsection (d)(1)—
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking
‘‘and’’ after the semicolon;
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as
subparagraph (C);
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (A)
the following:
‘‘(B) annually review the effectiveness of
the action or activities carried out under this
part by each local educational agency receiving
funds under this part with respect to parental
involvement, 
professional 
development, 
and
other activities assisted under this Act; and’’;
and
(D) in subparagraph (C) (as redesignated
by subparagraph (B))—
(i) by inserting ‘‘of yearly progress’’
after ‘‘State review’’; and
(ii) by inserting ‘‘, and of the review
conducted under subparagraph (B)’’ after
‘‘1111(b)(3)(I)’’.
(f) STATE ASSISTANCE.—Section 1117 (20 U.S.C.
6318) is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting ‘‘parental
involvement,’’ after ‘‘including’’; and
(2) in subsection (c)—
(A) in paragraph (1)(C)—
(i) by inserting ‘‘parents,’’ after ‘‘in-
cluding’’; and
(ii) by inserting ‘‘parental involvement
programs,’’ after ‘‘successful’’; and
(B) by inserting at the end the following:
‘‘(4) PARENTAL
INVOLVEMENT.—Each State
shall collect and disseminate effective parental in-
volvement practices to local educational agencies and
schools. Such practices shall—
‘‘(A) be based on the most current re-
search on effective parental involvement that
fosters achievement to high standards for all
children;
‘‘(B) be geared toward lowering barriers to
greater participation in school planning, review,
and improvement experienced by parents; and
‘‘(C) be implemented by the State in local
educational agencies and schools requesting
such assistance from the State.’’.
(g) PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT.—Section 1118 (20
U.S.C. 6319) is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)(2)(B), by inserting before
the semicolon the following: ‘‘activities that will lead
to improved student achievement for all students’’;
(2) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting before the
last sentence the following: ‘‘Parents shall be noti-
fied of the policy in their own language.’’;
(3) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ‘‘partici-
pating parents’’ and inserting ‘‘all parents of chil-
dren served by the school or agency, as appro-
priate,’’;
(4) in subsection (g), by adding at the end the
following: ‘‘Such local educational agencies and
schools may use information, technical assistance,
and other support from the parental information
and resource centers to create parent resource cen-
ters in schools.’’; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(h) STATE REVIEW.—The State educational agency
shall review the local educational agency’s parental in-
volvement policies and practices to determine if such poli-
cies and practices are meaningful and targeted to improve
home and school communication, student achievement,
and parental involvement in school planning, review, and
improvement.’’.
SEC. 5. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
(a) 
PURPOSES.—Section 
2002(2) 
(20 
U.S.C.
6602(2)) is amended—
(1) in subparagraph (E), by striking ‘‘and’’
after the semicolon;
(2) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period
and inserting a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(G) incorporates training in effective
practices in order to encourage and offer oppor-
tunities to get parents involved in their child’s
education in ways that will foster student
achievement and well-being; and
‘‘(H) includes special training for teachers
and administrators to develop the skills nec-
essary to work most effectively with parents.’’.
(b) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.—Section 2102(c) (20
U.S.C. 6622(c)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (13), by striking ‘‘and’’ after
the semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (14), by striking the period
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(15) the development and dissemination of
model programs that teach teachers and administra-
tors how best to work with parents and how to en-
courage the parent’s involvement in the full range of
parental involvement activities described in section
1118.’’.
(c) STATE APPLICATIONS.—Section 2205(b)(2) (20
U.S.C. 6645(b)(2)) is amended—
(1) in subparagraph (N), by striking ‘‘and’’
after the semicolon;
(2) by redesignating subparagraph (O) as sub-
paragraph (P); and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (N) the fol-
lowing:
‘‘(O) describe how the State will train
teachers to foster relationships with parents
and encourage parents to become collaborators
with schools in their children’s education; and’’.
(d) STATE-LEVEL ACTIVITIES.—Section 2207 (20
U.S.C. 6647) is amended—
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (12) and (13)
as (13) and (14), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (11) the fol-
lowing:
‘‘(12) providing professional development pro-
grams that enable teachers, administrators, and
pupil services personnel to effectively communicate
with and involve parents in the education process to
support school planning, review, improvement, and
classroom instruction, and to work effectively with
parent volunteers;’’.
(e) LOCAL PLAN AND APPLICATION FOR IMPROVING
TEACHING
AND LEARNING.—Section 2208 (20 U.S.C.
6648) is amended—
(1) in subsection (c)(2), by inserting ‘‘parents,’’
after ‘‘administrators,’’; and
(2) in subsection (d)(1)—
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (I)
and (J) as subparagraphs (J) and (K), respec-
tively; and
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (H)
the following:
‘‘(I) describe the specific professional de-
velopment strategies that will be implemented
to improve parental involvement in education
and how such agency will be held accountable
for implementing such strategies.’’.
(f) LOCAL ALLOCATION.—Section 2210(b)(3) (20
U.S.C. 6650(b)(3)) is amended—
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (P) and
(Q) as subparagraphs (Q) and (R), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (O) the fol-
lowing:
‘‘(P) professional development activities de-
signed to enable teachers, administrators, and
pupil services personnel to communicate with
parents regarding student achievement on as-
sessments.’’.
SEC. 6. TECHNOLOGY FOR EDUCATION.
(a) FINDINGS.—Section 3111 (20 U.S.C. 6811) is
amended—
(1) in paragraph (6), by inserting ‘‘and by fa-
cilitating mentor relationships,’’ after ‘‘by means of
telecommunications,’’;
(2) in paragraph (14), by striking ‘‘and’’ after
the semicolon;
(3) in paragraph (15), by striking the period
and inserting a semicolon; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(16) access to education technology and teach-
ers trained in how to incorporate the technology into
their instruction leads to improved student achieve-
ment, motivation, and school attendance;
‘‘(17) the use of technology in education can
enhance the educational opportunities schools can
offer students with special needs; and
‘‘(18) the introduction of education technology
increases parental involvement, which has been
shown to improve student achievement.’’.
(b) STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.—Section 3112 (20
U.S.C. 6812) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (11), by striking ‘‘and’’ after
the semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (12), by striking the period
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and
(3) by adding after paragraph (12), the fol-
lowing:
‘‘(13) development and support for technology
and technology programming that will enhance and
facilitate meaningful parental involvement.’’.
(c) NATIONAL LONG-RANGE TECHNOLOGY PLAN.—
Section 3121(c)(4) (20 U.S.C. 6831(c)(4)) is amended—
(1) in subparagraph (E), by striking ‘‘and’’
after the semicolon;
(2) in subparagraph (F), by inserting ‘‘and’’
after the semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(G) increased parental involvement in
schools through the use of technology;’’.
(d) FEDERAL LEADERSHIP.—Section 3122(c) (20
U.S.C. 6832(c)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (15), by striking ‘‘and’’ after
the semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (16), by striking the period
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(17) the development, demonstration, and
evaluation of model technology programs designed to
improve parental involvement.’’.
(e) LOCAL USES
OF FUNDS.—Section 3134 (20
U.S.C. 6844) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘and’’ after
the semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period and
inserting a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(7) utilizing technology to develop or expand
efforts to connect schools and teachers with parents
to promote meaningful parental involvement and fos-
ter increased communication about curriculum, as-
signments, and assessments; and
‘‘(8) providing ongoing training and support for
parents to help the parents learn and use the tech-
nology being applied in their children’s education, so
as to equip the parents to reinforce and support
their children’s learning.’’.