ing programs in low-income communities and the 
steps the State will take to decrease such disparities, 
if applicable. 
(9) A description of how the State facilitates 
access to high-quality State early learning programs 
for each of the populations described in subpara-
graphs (A) through (E) of section 10(2), such as 
through subsidies for children in State early learning 
programs. 
(10) A description of how the State will align 
early learning standards with— 
(A) appropriate State academic content 
standards for kindergarten through grade 3; 
and 
(B) elements of program quality standards. 
(11) A description of how the State will im-
prove interagency collaboration and coordinate the 
early childhood programs and services throughout 
the State. 
(12) A description of the timeframe the State 
proposes to develop and implement the elements de-
scribed in such State’s application. 
(13) A description of how the State will imple-
ment a process for improving the quality of early 
learning services to better meet the needs of the 
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most disadvantaged children, including children who 
are limited English proficient and children with dis-
abilities. 
(14) An assurance that the grant will be used 
to improve the quality of State early learning pro-
grams across a range of types of settings and pro-
viders of such programs, and all ages of children 
(from birth to kindergarten entry). 
(15) An assurance that the Governor has des-
ignated or created a State Advisory Council on 
Early Childhood Education and Care (established 
pursuant to section 642B(b)(1)(A) of the Head 
Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837b(b)(1)(A))), has taken 
steps to ensure that membership includes all rep-
resentatives described in section 642B(b)(1)(C) of 
such Act, and has consulted with such State Advi-
sory Council on Early Childhood Education and 
Care in applying for a grant under this Act. 
(16) An assurance that the grant will be used 
only to supplement, and not to supplant, Federal, 
State, and local funds otherwise available to support 
existing State early learning programs and services. 
(17) An assurance that the State will continue 
to participate in section 619 and part C of the Indi-
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viduals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
1419, 1431 et seq.) for the duration of the grant. 
(d) CRITERIA USED
IN AWARDING GRANTS.—In 
awarding grants under section 3(a), the Secretary shall 
award grants under such section, on a competitive basis, 
to those States that have demonstrated the greatest 
progress in establishing and committing to maintain a sys-
tem of high-quality State early learning programs, on a 
competitive basis, based on the State’s commitment to 
meeting and developing, as necessary, the components de-
scribed in subsection (c)(4). 
(e) STATE USES OF FUNDS.—A State receiving a 
grant under section 3(a) shall use the grant funds for ac-
tivities that implement or improve the system components 
described in subsection (c)(4) and help State early learn-
ing programs meet and sustain higher levels of program 
quality standards and move more low-income children into 
higher quality programs, consistent with the plan sub-
mitted in accordance with subsection (c). 
(f) FUNDS TO EXPAND ACCESS.—A State may apply 
to the Secretary to reserve not more than 25 percent of 
the amount of the grant to expand access for children 
from low-income families, proportional to the disparities 
by age group identified in subsection (c)(8), to the highest 
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quality State early learning programs that offer full-day, 
full-year services. 
SEC. 5. DEVELOPMENT GRANTS. 
(a) STATE APPLICATIONS.—In order to receive a 
grant under section 3(b), a State shall submit an applica-
tion to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
containing such information as the Secretary shall require, 
including a description of how the State will develop a plan 
consistent with section 4(c). 
(b) GRANT PERIOD.—Grants under section 3(b)— 
(1) may be awarded for a period of not to ex-
ceed 3 years; and 
(2) may be extended, for a 2-year period, sub-
ject to approval by the Secretary, and based on the 
State’s progress in— 
(A) increasing the number and percentage 
of children from low-income families in each age 
group of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, en-
rolled in high-quality State early learning pro-
grams; 
(B) increasing the number of high-quality 
State early learning programs in low-income 
communities; and 
(C) incorporating the program quality 
findings and recommendations, as appropriate. 
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(c) STATE USES OF FUNDS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—A State receiving a grant 
under section 3(b) shall use the grant funds to un-
dertake activities to develop the components of early 
learning services described in section 4(c)(4) that 
will allow the State to become eligible and competi-
tive for a grant described in section 3(a). 
(2) PRIORITY.—In improving the quality of 
State early learning programs in the State, the State 
shall prioritize the quality of State early learning 
programs serving children from low-income families. 
SEC. 6. RESEARCH AND EVALUATION. 
From funds reserved under section 3(c)(1)(B), the 
Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Serv-
ices, acting jointly and in accordance with section 11, shall 
carry out activities to ensure the success of grants to 
States under this Act. 
SEC. 7. BENCHMARKS; INDICATORS; REPORTING. 
(a) INDICATORS.—The Secretary shall define, by reg-
ulation, indicators to be used to measure success on the 
activities carried out under a grant under this Act, the 
primary indicator of which shall be increasing the number 
and percentage of low-income children in high-quality, 
State early learning programs. 
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