I 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3582 
To support the development, implementation, and evaluation of innovative 
strategies and methods to increase out-of-school access to digital learning 
resources for eligible students in order to increase student and educator 
engagement. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 
Mr. WELCH (for himself and Mr. MCKINLEY) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce 
A BILL 
To support the development, implementation, and evaluation 
of innovative strategies and methods to increase out- 
of-school access to digital learning resources for eligible 
students in order to increase student and educator en-
gagement. 
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 ‘‘Digital Learning Eq-
uity Act of 2015’’. 
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SEC. 2. DIGITAL LEARNING EQUITY. 
Title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.) is amended at the 
end by adding the following: 
‘‘PART D—DIGITAL LEARNING EQUITY 
DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM 
‘‘SEC. 4401. PURPOSE. 
‘‘The purpose of this part is to support the develop-
ment, implementation, and evaluation of innovative strate-
gies and methods to improve out-of-school access to digital 
learning resources for eligible students in order to— 
‘‘(1) increase student participation in the class-
room, including the ability to complete homework as-
signments and participate in innovative digital learn-
ing models; 
‘‘(2) improve student access to postsecondary 
education and workforce opportunities by increasing 
the ability of students to apply for employment, 
postsecondary education, and financial aid opportu-
nities; 
‘‘(3) increase the education technology and dig-
ital learning resources options available to educators 
to support student learning by ensuring methods 
and resources used during the school day remain ac-
cessible during out-of-school hours; 
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‘‘(4) increase student, educator, and parent en-
gagement by facilitating greater communication and 
connection between school and home; and 
‘‘(5) increase the identification and dissemina-
tion of strategies to support students lacking out-of- 
school access to digital learning resources and the 
Internet, including underserved student populations 
and students in rural and remote geographic areas. 
‘‘SEC. 4402. DEFINITIONS. 
‘‘In this part: 
‘‘(1) ACCESS TECHNOLOGY.—The term ‘access 
technology’ means any service or device that pro-
vides out-of-school Internet access as its primary 
function and does not include a computer device. 
‘‘(2) DIGITAL
LEARNING.—The term ‘digital 
learning’ means an educational practice that effec-
tively uses technology to strengthen a student’s 
learning experience within and outside of the class-
room and at home, including— 
‘‘(A) interactive learning resources that en-
gage students in academic content; 
‘‘(B) access to online databases and pri-
mary source documents; 
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‘‘(C) the use of data, data analytics, and 
information to personalize learning and provide 
targeted supplementary instruction; 
‘‘(D) student collaboration with content ex-
perts, peers, and educators; 
‘‘(E) digital learning content, video, soft-
ware, or simulations; 
‘‘(F) access to online courses; and 
‘‘(G) other resources that may be devel-
oped, as the Secretary may determine. 
‘‘(3) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘eligible en-
tity’ means any of the following entities that serve 
a high-need school: 
‘‘(A) A local educational agency. 
‘‘(B) A State educational agency. 
‘‘(C) An educational service agency. 
‘‘(D) A consortium of State educational 
agencies, local educational agencies, or edu-
cational service agencies. 
‘‘(E) An Indian tribe or Indian organiza-
tion. 
‘‘(F) A State educational agency, local 
educational agency, educational service agency, 
Indian tribe, or Indian organization, in partner-
ship with— 
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