(1) large-scale local reading programs that will
serve as effective models for helping large numbers
of children read well and independently by the end
of the third grade;
(2) national or regional support networks that
provide information to interested persons on how
parents can help their children read better and that
support the efforts of parents of children of any age
from birth through age eight to give their children
a solid foundation for reading and later success in
school;
(3) reading programs conducted by national or-
ganizations in more than one State; and
(4) other local, regional, and national activities
that identify and promote the most effective and
promising practices for helping all children read well
and independently by the end of the third grade.
(b) PARENTS AS FIRST TEACHERS PROGRAMS.—The
Secretary and the Chief Executive Officer shall ensure
that, for each fiscal year, at least 10 percent of the funds
made available under section 301(a) are awarded to sup-
port networks described in subsection (a)(2) or for other
programs that provide appropriate support, training, and
educational materials to involve and assist parents (and
other adult primary caregivers) to help their children be-
come successful readers by the end of the third grade. The
Secretary and the Chief Executive Officer shall carry out
this subsection in consultation with the Secretary of
Health and Human Services.
SEC. 303. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS.
Eligible applicants under this title are—
(1) national organizations;
(2) multi-State consortia comprised of two or
more public or private agencies, organizations, insti-
tutions, or Indian tribes; and
(3) local applicants that are eligible for sub-
grants under section 205 or section 206 and that
have the capacity to conduct programs of sufficient
size to serve as national models.
SEC. 304. APPLICATIONS.
(a) APPLICATIONS REQUIRED.—Any eligible appli-
cant that wishes to receive a grant under this title shall
submit an application to a single contact identified by the
Secretary and the Chief Executive Officer, to be known
as the ‘‘America Reads Challenge’’ contact.
(b) CONTENTS.—Each application shall—
(1) identify the amount of funds, if any, the ap-
plicant is requesting from the Secretary;
(2) identify the amount of funds, if any, the ap-
plicant is requesting from the Chief Executive Offi-
cer;
(3) describe the specific activities the applicant
will carry out with the funds for which it is applying;
(4) describe how those activities are related to
school-based reading programs and early childhood
programs, if appropriate;
(5) describe how the applicant will serve chil-
dren in greatest need of reading assistance, such as
those children who are from low-income families or
who have limited English proficiency;
(6) demonstrate that the applicant’s proposed
project—
(A) is likely to have a substantial local, re-
gional, or national impact;
‘‘(B) will be cost-effective; and
‘‘(C) will be coordinated with the business
and nonprofit sectors and with other State and
local programs that provide support for parents;
(7) describe how the applicant will periodically
evaluate its program and make necessary improve-
ments;
(8) include an assurance that the applicant will
comply with this Act and other applicable laws; and
(9) include such other information and assur-
ances as the Secretary and the Chief Executive Offi-
cer may require.
(a) APPLICATION REVIEW.—The Secretary and the
Chief Executive Officer shall jointly review and act on
each application submitted under this title.
TITLE IV—SUPPORTIVE
ACTIVITIES
SEC. 401. AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.
The Secretary and the Chief Executive Officer shall
use funds reserved under subsections (a)(2) and (b)(2) of
section 103, respectively, directly or through grants to, or
contracts with, public and private agencies, organizations,
institutions, and Indian tribes—
(1) for technical assistance, dissemination of
materials and information about best practices, and
other activities that further the purpose of this Act;
and
(2) to evaluate programs carried out under this
Act.
TITLE V—MISCELLANEOUS
SEC. 501. WAIVERS.
The Secretary and the Chief Executive Officer may
waive any provision of this Act, and the Chief Executive
Officer may waive any provision of the national service
laws (other than section 177(b) of the National and Com-
munity Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12637(b))) to the
extent it is applicable to this Act, at the request of an
applicant or recipient who demonstrates to the satisfaction
of the Secretary and the Chief Executive Officer that such
a waiver would significantly promote the purpose of this
Act.
SEC. 502. CONSULTATION WITH SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES.
The Secretary and the Chief Executive Officer shall
consult with the Secretary of Health and Human Services
in carrying out this Act.
SEC. 503. PROHIBITION ON USE OF FUNDS FOR CERTAIN
PURPOSES.
Notwithstanding section 501 or any other law, funds
made available under this Act may not be—
(1) awarded to a pervasively sectarian organiza-
tion; or
(2) used to support religious worship, instruc-
tion, or proselytization.
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