H. R. 6—324
1995 and each succeeding fiscal year thereafter for the pro-
grams under sections 16101 and 16102 not less than the
amount made available for fiscal year 1994 to carry out such
programs under sections 4609 and 1562, respectively, of this
Act (as such sections were in effect on the day preceding the
date of enactment of the Improving America’s Schools Act of
1994).
‘‘PART G—ALLEN J. ELLENDER FELLOWSHIP
PROGRAM
‘‘SEC. 10701. FINDINGS.
‘‘The Congress finds as follows:
‘‘(1) It is a worthwhile goal to ensure that all students
in America are prepared for responsible citizenship and that
all students should have the opportunity to be involved in
activities that promote and demonstrate good citizenship.
‘‘(2) It is a worthwhile goal to ensure that America’s edu-
cators have access to programs for the continued improvement
of their professional skills.
‘‘(3) Allen J. Ellender, a Senator from Louisiana and Presi-
dent pro tempore of the United States Senate, had a distin-
guished career in public service characterized by extraordinary
energy and real concern for young people. Senator Ellender
provided valuable support and encouragement to the Close
Up Foundation, a nonpartisan, nonprofit foundation promoting
knowledge and understanding of the Federal Government
among young people and educators. Therefore, it is a fitting
and appropriate tribute to Senator Ellender to provide fellow-
ships in his name to students of limited economic means, the
teachers who work with such students, and older Americans,
so that such students, teachers, and older Americans may
participate in the programs supported by the Close Up Founda-
tion.
‘‘Subpart 1—Program for Middle and Secondary
School Students
‘‘SEC. 10711. ESTABLISHMENT.
‘‘(a) GENERAL AUTHORITY.—The Secretary is authorized to make
grants in accordance with the provisions of this subpart to the
Close Up Foundation of Washington, District of Columbia, a non-
partisan, nonprofit foundation, for the purpose of assisting the
Close Up Foundation in carrying out its programs of increasing
understanding of the Federal Government among middle and
secondary school students.
‘‘(b) USE OF FUNDS.—Grants under this subpart shall be used
only to provide financial assistance to economically disadvantaged
students who participate in the program described in subsection
(a). Financial assistance received pursuant to this subpart by such
students shall be known as Allen J. Ellender fellowships.
‘‘SEC. 10712. APPLICATIONS.
‘‘(a) APPLICATION REQUIRED.—No grant under this subpart may
be made except upon an application at such time, in such manner,
and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may reason-
ably require.
H. R. 6—325
‘‘(b) CONTENTS OF APPLICATION.—Each such application shall
contain provisions to assure—
‘‘(1) that fellowship grants are made to economically dis-
advantaged middle and secondary school students;
‘‘(2) that every effort will be made to ensure the participa-
tion of students from rural and small town areas, as well
as from urban areas, and that in awarding fellowships to
economically disadvantaged students, special consideration will
be given to the participation of students with special edu-
cational needs, including student with disabilities, ethnic
minority students, and gifted and talented students; and
‘‘(3) the proper disbursement of the funds received under
this subpart.
‘‘Subpart 2—Program for Middle and Secondary
School Teachers
‘‘SEC. 10721. ESTABLISHMENT.
‘‘(a) GENERAL AUTHORITY.—The Secretary is authorized to make
grants in accordance with the provisions of this subpart to the
Close Up Foundation of Washington, District of Columbia, a non-
partisan, nonprofit foundation, for the purpose of assisting the
Close Up Foundation in carrying out its programs of teaching
skills enhancement for middle and secondary school teachers.
‘‘(b) USE OF FUNDS.—Grants under this subpart shall be used
only for financial assistance to teachers who participate in the
program described in subsection (a). Financial assistance received
pursuant to this subpart by such individuals shall be known as
Allen J. Ellender fellowships.
‘‘SEC. 10722. APPLICATIONS.
‘‘(a) APPLICATION REQUIRED.—No grant under this subpart may
be made except upon an application at such time, in such manner,
and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may reason-
ably require.
‘‘(b) CONTENTS OF APPLICATION.—Each such application shall
contain provisions to assure—
‘‘(1) that fellowship grants are made only to teachers who
have worked with at least one student from such teacher’s
school who participates in the programs described in section
10711(a);
‘‘(2) that not more than one teacher in each school partici-
pating in the programs provided for in section 10711(a) may
receive a fellowship in any fiscal year; and
‘‘(3) the proper disbursement of the funds received under
this subpart.
‘‘Subpart 3—Programs for Recent Immigrants,
Students of Migrant Parents and Older Americans
‘‘SEC. 10731. ESTABLISHMENT.
‘‘(a) GENERAL AUTHORITY.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary is authorized to make
grants in accordance with the provisions of this subpart to
the Close Up Foundation of Washington, District of Columbia,
a nonpartisan, nonprofit foundation, for the purpose of assisting
H. R. 6—326
the Close Up Foundation in carrying out its programs of
increasing understanding of the Federal Government among
economically 
disadvantaged 
older 
Americans, 
recent
immigrants and students of migrant parents.
‘‘(2) DEFINITION.—For the purpose of this subpart, the term
‘older American’ means an individual who has attained 55
years of age.
‘‘(b) USE OF FUNDS.—Grants under this subpart shall be used
for financial assistance to economically disadvantaged older Ameri-
cans, recent immigrants and students of migrant parents who
participate in the program described in subsection (a). Financial
assistance received pursuant to this subpart by such individuals
shall be known as Allen J. Ellender fellowships.
‘‘SEC. 10732. APPLICATIONS.
‘‘(a) APPLICATION REQUIRED.—No grant under this subpart may
be made except upon application at such time, in such manner,
and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may reason-
ably require.
‘‘(b) CONTENTS OF APPLICATION.—Except such application shall
contain provisions to assure—
‘‘(1) that fellowship grants are made to economically dis-
advantaged older Americans, recent immigrants and students
of migrant parents;
‘‘(2) that every effort will be made to ensure the participa-
tion of older Americans, recent immigrants and students of
migrant parents from rural and small town areas, as well
as from urban areas, and that in awarding fellowships, special
consideration will be given to the participation of older Ameri-
cans, recent immigrants and students of migrant parents with
special needs, including individuals with disabilities, ethnic
minorities, and gifted and talented students;
‘‘(3) that activities permitted by subsection (a) are fully
described; and
‘‘(4) the proper disbursement of the funds received under
this subpart.
‘‘Subpart 4—General Provisions
‘‘SEC. 10741. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.
‘‘(a) GENERAL RULE.—Payments under this part may be made
in installments, in advance, or by way of reimbursement, with
necessary adjustments on account of underpayment or overpayment.
‘‘(b) AUDIT RULE.—The Comptroller General of the United
States or any of the Comptroller General’s duly authorized rep-
resentatives shall have access for the purpose of audit and examina-
tion to any books, documents, papers, and records that are pertinent
to any grant under this part.
‘‘SEC. 10742. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appropriated
to carry out the provisions of subparts 1, 2, and 3 of this part
$4,400,000 for fiscal year 1995 and such sums as may be necessary
of each of the four succeeding fiscal years.
‘‘(b) SPECIAL RULE.—Of the funds appropriated pursuant to
subsection (a), not more than 30 percent may be used for teachers
associated with students participating in the programs described
in section 10711(a).
H. R. 6—327
‘‘PART H—DE LUGO TERRITORIAL EDUCATION
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
‘‘SEC. 10801. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
‘‘(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds that—
‘‘(1) the attainment of a high quality education is important
to a society and to each individual;
‘‘(2) it is the policy of the United States that all citizens
have a fair opportunity to receive a high quality education;
‘‘(3) such opportunity should extend to United States citi-
zens and nationals residing in the outlying areas;
‘‘(4) reports show that the outlying areas have repeatedly
placed last in national education tests which measure knowl-
edge in core subject areas;
‘‘(5) all students must realize their potential if the United
States is to prosper; and
‘‘(6) students in the outlying areas require additional assist-
ance if such students are to obtain the high standards estab-
lished for all students in the United States.
‘‘(b) PURPOSES.—The purpose of this part is to authorize an
education improvement program for the outlying areas which will
assist in developing programs which will enhance student learning,
increase the standard of education, and improve the performance
levels of all students.
‘‘SEC. 10802. GRANT AUTHORIZATION.
‘‘The Secretary is authorized to make grants to the outlying
areas to fund innovative education improvement programs which
will increase student learning.
‘‘SEC. 10803. CONSTRUCTION.
‘‘No funds from a grant under section 10802 may be used
for construction.
‘‘SEC. 10804. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
‘‘There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
subpart $3,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1994 through 1999.
‘‘PART I—21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY
LEARNING CENTERS
‘‘SEC. 10901. SHORT TITLE.
‘‘This part may be cited as the ‘21st Century Community Learn-
ing Centers Act’.
‘‘SEC. 10902. FINDINGS.
‘‘The Congress finds that—
‘‘(1) a local public school often serves as a center for the
delivery of education and human resources for all members
of a community;
‘‘(2) public schools, primarily in rural and inner city commu-
nities, should collaborate with other public and nonprofit agen-
cies and organizations, local businesses, educational entities
(such as vocational and adult education programs, school-to-
work programs, community colleges, and universities), rec-
reational, cultural, and other community and human service
entities, for the purpose of meeting the needs of, and expanding
H. R. 6—328
the opportunities available to, the residents of the communities
served by such schools;
‘‘(3) by using school facilities, equipment, and resources,
communities can promote a more efficient use of public edu-
cation facilities, especially in rural and inner city areas where
limited financial resources have enhanced the necessity for
local public schools to become social service centers;
‘‘(4) the high technology, global economy of the 21st century
will require lifelong learning to keep America’s workforce
competitive and successful, and local public schools should pro-
vide centers for lifelong learning and educational opportunities
for individuals of all ages; and
‘‘(5) 21st Century Community Learning Centers enable the
entire community to develop an education strategy that
addresses the educational needs of all members of local
communities.
‘‘SEC. 10903. PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION.
‘‘(a) GRANTS BY THE SECRETARY.—The Secretary is authorized,
in accordance with the provisions of this part, to award grants
to rural and inner-city public elementary or secondary schools,
or consortia of such schools, to enable such schools or consortia
to plan, implement, or to expand projects that benefit the edu-
cational, health, social service, cultural, and recreational needs
of a rural or inner-city community.
‘‘(b) EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION.—In awarding grants under this
part, the Secretary shall assure an equitable distribution of assist-
ance among the States, among urban and rural areas of the United
States, and among urban and rural areas of a State.
‘‘(c) GRANT PERIOD.—The Secretary shall award grants under
this part for a period not to exceed 3 years.
‘‘(d) AMOUNT.—The Secretary shall not award a grant under
this part in any fiscal year in an amount less than $35,000.
‘‘SEC. 10904. APPLICATION REQUIRED.
‘‘(a) APPLICATION.—To be eligible to receive a grant under this
part, an elementary or secondary school or consortium shall submit
an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner,
and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may reason-
ably prescribe. Each such application shall include—
‘‘(1) a comprehensive local plan that enables the school
or consortium to serve as a center for the delivery of education
and human resources for members of a community;
‘‘(2) an evaluation of the needs, available resources, and
goals and objectives for the proposed project in order to deter-
mine which activities will be undertaken to address such needs;
and
‘‘(3) a description of the proposed project, including—
‘‘(A) a description of the mechanism that will be used
to disseminate information in a manner that is understand-
able and accessible to the community;
‘‘(B) identification of Federal, State, and local programs
to be merged or coordinated so that public resources may
be maximized;
‘‘(C) a description of the collaborative efforts to be
undertaken by community-based organizations, related
public 
agencies, 
businesses, 
or 
other 
appropriate
organizations;
H. R. 6—329
‘‘(D) a description of how the school or consortium
will serve as a delivery center for existing and new services,
especially for interactive telecommunication used for edu-
cation and professional training; and
‘‘(E) an assurance that the school or consortium will
establish a facility utilization policy that specifically
states—
‘‘(i) the rules and regulations applicable to building
and equipment use; and
‘‘(ii) supervision guidelines.
‘‘(b) PRIORITY.—The Secretary shall give priority to applications
describing projects that offer a broad selection of services which
address the needs of the community.
‘‘SEC. 10905. USES OF FUNDS.
‘‘Grants awarded under this part may be used to plan, imple-
ment, or expand community learning centers which include not
less than four of the following activities:
‘‘(1) Literacy education programs.
‘‘(2) Senior citizen programs.
‘‘(3) Children’s day care services.
‘‘(4) Integrated education, health, social service, rec-
reational, or cultural programs.
‘‘(5) Summer and weekend school programs in conjunction
with recreation programs.
‘‘(6) Nutrition and health programs.
‘‘(7) Expanded library service hours to serve community
needs.
‘‘(8) Telecommunications and technology education pro-
grams for individuals of all ages.
‘‘(9) Parenting skills education programs.
‘‘(10) Support and training for child day care providers.
‘‘(11) Employment counseling, training, and placement.
‘‘(12) Services for individuals who leave school before
graduating from secondary school, regardless of the age of
such individual.
‘‘(13) Services for individuals with disabilities.
‘‘SEC. 10906. DEFINITION.
‘‘For the purpose of this part, the term ‘community learning
center’ means an entity within a public elementary or secondary
school building that—
‘‘(1) provides educational, recreational, health, and social
service programs for residents of all ages within a local commu-
nity; and
‘‘(2) is operated by a local educational agency in conjunction
with local governmental agencies, businesses, vocational edu-
cation programs, institutions of higher education, community
colleges, and cultural, recreational, and other community and
human service entities.
‘‘SEC. 10907. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
‘‘There are authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 for fiscal
year 1995, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the
four succeeding fiscal years, to carry out this part.
H. R. 6—330
‘‘PART J—URBAN AND RURAL EDUCATION
ASSISTANCE
‘‘SEC. 10951. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
‘‘(a) DEMONSTRATION GRANTS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appropriated
$125,000,000 for fiscal year 1995, and such sums as may be
necessary for each of the four succeeding fiscal years, to carry
out subparts 1 and 2 (other than section 10975).
‘‘(2) RESERVATION
FOR
SUBPART
1.—The Secretary shall
reserve 50 percent of the amount appropriated under paragraph
(1) to carry out subpart 1.
‘‘(3) RESERVATION
FOR
SUBPART
2.—The Secretary shall
reserve 50 percent of the amount appropriated under paragraph
(1) to carry out subpart 2 (other than section 10975).
‘‘(b) HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS.—There are authorized to be
appropriated $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1995 and such sums as
may be necessary for each of the four succeeding fiscal years to
carry out section 10975.
‘‘(c) FEDERAL FUNDS TO SUPPLEMENT NOT SUPPLANT NON-FED-
ERAL FUNDS.—An eligible local educational agency may use funds
received under this part only 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 education of students participating in activities assisted
under this part, and in no such case may such funds be used
to supplant funds from non-Federal sources.
‘‘SEC. 10952. DEFINITIONS.
‘‘Except as otherwise provided, for the purposes of this part:
‘‘(1) CENTRAL CITY.—The term ‘central city’ has the same
meaning used by the Bureau of the Census.
‘‘(2) METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA.—The term ‘metro-
politan statistical area’ has the same meaning used by the
Bureau of the Census.
‘‘(3) POVERTY LEVEL.—The term ‘poverty level’ means the
criteria of poverty used by the Bureau of the Census in compil-
ing the most recent decennial census.
‘‘(4) RURAL
ELIGIBLE
LOCAL
EDUCATIONAL
AGENCY.—The
term ‘rural eligible local educational agency’ means a local
educational agency—
‘‘(A)(i) in which at least 15 percent of the children
enrolled in the schools served by such agency are eligible
to be counted under part A of title I; and
‘‘(ii) which is not in a metropolitan statistical area;
or
‘‘(B) in which the total enrollment in the schools served
by such agency is less than 2,500 students and that does
not serve schools located in a metropolitan statistical area.
‘‘(5) URBAN
ELIGIBLE
LOCAL
EDUCATIONAL
AGENCY.—The
term ‘urban eligible local educational agency’ means a local
educational agency that—
‘‘(A) serves the largest central city in a State;
‘‘(B) enrolls more than 30,000 students and serves a
central city with a population of at least 200,000 in a
metropolitan statistical area; or
H. R. 6—331
‘‘(C) enrolls between 25,000 and 30,000 students and
serves a central city with a population of at least 140,000
in a metropolitan statistical area.
‘‘Subpart 1—Urban Education Demonstration
Grants
‘‘SEC. 10961. FINDINGS.
‘‘The Congress finds that—
‘‘(1) the ability of the Nation’s major urban public school
systems to meet the Nation’s educational goals will determine
the country’s economic competitiveness and academic standing
in the world community;
‘‘(2) the quality of public education in the Nation’s major
urban areas has a direct effect on the economic development
of the Nation’s inner-cities;
‘‘(3) the success of urban public schools in boosting the
achievement of its minority youth attending such schools will
determine the ability of the Nation to close the gap between
the ‘haves and the have-nots’ in society;
‘‘(4) the cost to America’s businesses to provide remedial
education 
to 
high 
school 
graduates 
is 
approximately
$21,000,000,000 per year;
‘‘(5) approximately one-third of the Nation’s workforce will
be members of minority groups by the year 2000;
‘‘(6) urban schools enroll a disproportionately large share
of the Nation’s poor and ‘at-risk’ youth;
‘‘(7) urban schools enroll approximately one-third of the
Nation’s poor, 40 percent of the Nation’s African American
children, and 30 percent of the Nation’s Hispanic youth;
‘‘(8) nearly 20 percent of the Nation’s limited-English-pro-
ficient children and 15 percent of the Nation’s disabled youth
are enrolled in urban public schools;
‘‘(9) the academic performance of students in the average
inner-city public school system is below that of students in
most other kinds of school systems;
‘‘(10) urban public school systems have higher dropout
rates, more problems with health care, and less parental partici-
pation than other kinds of school systems;
‘‘(11) urban preschoolers have one-half the access to early
childhood development programs as do other children;
‘‘(12) shortages of teachers in urban public school systems
are 2.5 times greater than such shortages in other kinds of
school systems;
‘‘(13) declining numbers of urban minority high school grad-
uates are pursuing postsecondary educational opportunities;
‘‘(14) urban public school systems have greater problems
with teenage pregnancy, discipline, drug abuse, and gangs than
do other kinds of school systems;
‘‘(15) 75 percent of urban public school buildings are over
25 years old, 33 percent of such buildings are over 50 years
old, and such buildings are often in serious disrepair and create
poor and demoralizing working and learning conditions;
‘‘(16) solving the challenges facing our Nation’s urban
schools will require the concerted and collaborative efforts of
all levels of government and all sectors of the community;
H. R. 6—332
‘‘(17) Federal and State funding of urban public schools
has not adequately reflected need; and
‘‘(18) Federal funding that is well-targeted, flexible, and
accountable would contribute significantly to addressing the
comprehensive needs of inner-city public schools.
‘‘SEC. 10962. PURPOSE.
‘‘It is the purpose of this subpart to provide financial assistance
to—
‘‘(1) assist urban public schools in meeting the National
Education Goals;
‘‘(2) improve the educational and social well-being of urban
public school children;
‘‘(3) close the achievement gap between urban and non-
urban public school children, while improving the achievement
level of all children nationally;
‘‘(4) conduct coordinated research on urban public education
problems, solutions, and promising practices;
‘‘(5) improve the Nation’s global economic and educational
competitiveness by improving the Nation’s urban schools; and
‘‘(6) 
encourage 
community, 
parental, 
and 
business
collaboration in the improvement of urban schools.
‘‘SEC. 10963. URBAN SCHOOL GRANTS.
‘‘(a) AUTHORITY.—The Secretary is authorized to make grants
to eligible local educational agencies serving an urban area or
State educational agencies in the case where the State educational
agency is the local educational agency for activities designed to
assist in local school improvement efforts and school reform, and
to assist the schools of such agencies in meeting the National
Education Goals.
‘‘(b) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.—Funds under this section may
be used to—
‘‘(1) increase the academic achievement of urban public
school children to at least the national average, such as—
‘‘(A) effective public schools programs;
‘‘(B) tutoring, mentoring, and other activities to
improve academic achievement directly;
‘‘(C) activities designed to increase the participation
of minority and female students in entry level and advanced
courses in mathematics and science;
‘‘(D) supplementary academic instruction;
‘‘(E) efforts to improve problem-solving and higher-
order thinking skills;
‘‘(F) programs to increase student motivation for learn-
ing; and
‘‘(G) efforts to lengthen the school day or school year,
or to reduce class sizes;
‘‘(2) ensure the readiness of all urban public school children
for school, such as—
‘‘(A) full workday, full calendar-year comprehensive
early childhood development programs;
‘‘(B) 
parenting 
classes 
and 
parent 
involvement
activities;
‘‘(C) activities designed to coordinate prekindergarten
and child care programs;
H. R. 6—333
‘‘(D) efforts to integrate developmentally appropriate
prekindergarten services into the overall public school
program;
‘‘(E) upgrading the qualifications of early childhood
education staff and standards for programs;
‘‘(F) collaborative efforts with health and social service
agencies to provide comprehensive services and to facilitate
the transition from home to school;
‘‘(G) establishment of comprehensive child care centers
in public secondary schools for students who are parents
and their children; and
‘‘(H) augmenting early childhood development pro-
grams to meet the special educational and cultural needs
of limited-English-proficient preschool children;
‘‘(3) increase the graduation rates of urban public school
students to at least the national average, such as—
‘‘(A) dropout prevention activities and support services
for public school students at-risk of dropping out of school;
‘‘(B) reentry, outreach, and support activities to recruit
students who have dropped out of school to return to school;
‘‘(C) development of systemwide policies and practices
that encourage students to stay in school;
‘‘(D) efforts to provide individualized student support,
such as mentoring programs;
‘‘(E) collaborative activities between schools, parents,
community groups, agencies, and institutions of higher edu-
cation aimed at preventing individuals from dropping out
of school;
‘‘(F) programs to increase student attendance; and
‘‘(G) alternative programs for students, especially bilin-
gual and special education students, who have dropped
out of school or are at risk of dropping out of school;
‘‘(4) prepare urban public school students to enter higher
education, pursue careers, and exercise their responsibilities
as citizens, such as—
‘‘(A) activities designed to increase the number and
percentages of students, particularly minority students,
enrolling in postsecondary educational institutions after
graduation from public secondary schools;
‘‘(B) in-school youth employment, vocational education,
and career education programs that improve the transition
from school to work;
‘‘(C) activities designed in collaboration with colleges
and universities to assist urban public school graduates
in completing higher education;
‘‘(D) efforts to increase voter registration among eligible
public secondary school students;
‘‘(E) activities designed to promote community service
and volunteerism among students, parents, teachers, and
the community; and
‘‘(F) civic education and other programs designed to
enhance responsible citizenship and understanding of the
political process;
‘‘(5) recruit and retain qualified teachers, such as—
‘‘(A) school-based management projects and activities;
H. R. 6—334
‘‘(B) programs designed to test efforts to increase the
professionalization of teachers or to bring teachers up to
national voluntary standards;
‘‘(C) alternative routes to certification for qualified
individuals from business, the military, and other fields;
‘‘(D) efforts to recruit and retain teachers, particularly
minority teachers, specializing in critical shortage areas,
including early childhood teachers, mathematics and
science teachers, and special education and bilingual
teachers;
‘‘(E) upgrading the skills of teacher aides and para-
professionals to permit such individuals to become certified
teachers;
‘‘(F) activities specifically designed to increase the num-
ber of minority teachers in urban schools;
‘‘(G) incentives for teachers to work in inner-city public
schools; and
‘‘(H) collaborative activities with urban universities to
revise and upgrade teacher training programs;
‘‘(6) provide for ongoing staff development to increase the
professional capacities of the teaching staff and the skills of
teacher aides and paraprofessionals;
‘‘(7) decrease the use of drugs and alcohol among urban
public school students and enhance the physical and emotional
health of such students, such as—
‘‘(A) activities designed to improve the self-esteem and
self-worth of urban public school students;
‘‘(B) the provision of health care services and other
social services and the coordination of such services with
other health care providers;
‘‘(C) programs designed to improve safety and discipline
and reduce in-school violence, vandalism, and gang activity;
‘‘(D) activities that begin in the early grades and are
designed to prevent drug and alcohol abuse and smoking
among students and teachers;
‘‘(E) collaborative activities with other agencies,
businesses, and community groups to discourage the
advertisement and glorification of drugs and alcohol;
‘‘(F) efforts to enhance health education and nutrition
education; and
‘‘(G) alternative public schools, and schools-within-
schools programs, including bilingual and special education
programs for public school students with special needs;
or
‘‘(8) plan, develop, operate, or expand programs and activi-
ties that are designed to assist urban public schools in meeting
the National Education Goals, including—
‘‘(A) training of teachers and other educational person-
nel in subject areas, or in instructional technology and
methods that will improve the delivery of services in urban
settings and assist in the achievement of the National
Education Goals, including staff development efforts that
emphasize multicultural and gender and disability bias-
free curricula;
‘‘(B) coordination and collaboration with other munici-
pal agencies, child care organizations, universities, or the
private sector;
H. R. 6—335
‘‘(C) parental involvement and outreach efforts and
other activities designed to enhance parental encourage-
ment of student learning;
‘‘(D) pupil services and other support services that
contribute to progress in achieving National Education
Goals;
‘‘(E) efforts to acquire and improve access to edu-
cational technology;
‘‘(F) assist the schools most in need of services by
replicating successful efforts of other urban local edu-
cational agencies and expanding successful programs
within the eligible agency; or
‘‘(G) efforts to improve and strengthen the curriculum
and coordinate services across grade levels.
‘‘(c) APPLICATIONS.—
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—An eligible local educational agency
desiring to receive a grant under this section shall submit
an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner,
and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may
reasonably require, consistent with this section.
‘‘(2) DURATION.—An application submitted pursuant to
paragraph (1) may be for a period of not more than five years.
‘‘(d) PAYMENTS.—The Secretary shall make an award only to
urban eligible local educational agencies that—
‘‘(1) comply with the provisions of section 10966; and
‘‘(2) demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Secretary that
the data submitted pursuant to section 10961 shows progress
toward meeting National Education Goals.
‘‘(e) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.—Not more than five percent of
any award made under this subpart may be used for administrative
costs.
‘‘SEC. 10964. SPECIAL RULES.
‘‘(a) SPECIAL CONSIDERATION.—In making awards under this
subpart, the Secretary shall give special consideration to urban
eligible local educational agencies in which there is—
‘‘(1) low achievement;
‘‘(2) high poverty; and
‘‘(3) racial isolation.
‘‘(b) FLEXIBILITY.—Each urban eligible local educational agency
shall have the flexibility to serve homeless children, children in
schools undergoing desegregation, immigrants, migrants, or other
highly mobile populations within the program assisted under this
subpart.
‘‘Subpart 2—Rural Education Demonstration
Grants
‘‘SEC. 10971. FINDINGS.
‘‘The Congress finds that—
‘‘(1) the ability of America’s rural public school systems
to meet the National Education Goals will contribute to the
economic competitiveness and academic standing of the Nation
in the world community;
‘‘(2) approximately 60 percent of the Nation’s public school
districts are rural with a population of less than 2,500;
H. R. 6—336
‘‘(3) about 1 out of every 4 of America’s rural school children
are living below the poverty line;
‘‘(4) the quality of public education in the rural areas
of the Nation has a direct effect on the economic development
of the rural communities of the Nation;
‘‘(5) the success of rural public schools in boosting the
achievement of minority youth attending such schools will
determine the ability of the Nation to close the gap between
the haves and the have-nots in society;
‘‘(6) the academic performance of students in the average
rural school system is below that of students in most other
suburban school systems;
‘‘(7) the average age of rural public school buildings is
more than 45 years old and such buildings are often in serious
disrepair, creating poor and demoralizing working and learning
conditions;
‘‘(8) shortages of teachers for rural public school systems
is greater than in other kinds of school systems;
‘‘(9) solving the challenges facing the Nation’s rural public
schools will require the concerted and collaborative efforts of
all levels of government and all sectors of the community;
‘‘(10) additional Federal funding would contribute signifi-
cantly to addressing the comprehensive needs of rural schools;
‘‘(11) rural public schools enroll a disproportionately large
share of the Nation’s poor and at-risk youth;
‘‘(12) a declining number of rural public secondary school
graduates are pursuing postsecondary education opportunities;
‘‘(13) rural preschoolers have less access to early childhood
development programs than other children; and
‘‘(14) Federal and State funding of rural public schools
has not adequately reflected need.
‘‘SEC. 10972. PURPOSE.
‘‘It is the purpose of this subpart to provide financial assistance
to rural public schools most in need, to encourage the comprehensive
restructuring of America’s rural schools, the appropriate use of
telecommunications technologies for learning, and to support
innovative programs which improve performance through programs
and projects designed to—
‘‘(1) assist rural public schools in meeting National Edu-
cation Goals;
‘‘(2) encourage rural public schools to engage in school
reform;
‘‘(3) develop pilot projects that experiment with innovative
ways to teach rural public school children more effectively;
‘‘(4) improve the educational and social well-being of rural
public school children;
‘‘(5) close the achievement gap between children attending
rural public schools and other children, while improving the
achievement level of all children nationally;
‘‘(6) conduct coordinated research on rural education prob-
lems, solutions, promising practices, and distance learning
technologies;
‘‘(7) improve the Nation’s global economic and educational
competitiveness by improving the Nation’s rural public schools;
‘‘(8) 
encourage 
community, 
parental, 
and 
business
collaboration in the improvement of rural public schools;
H. R. 6—337
‘‘(9) encourage rural school consortia for the purpose of
increasing efficiency and course offerings;
‘‘(10) encourage a positive role for rural public schools
in local rural entrepreneurship and the identification of rural
community economic development opportunities;
‘‘(11) encourage community-as-school concepts, which
include the role public schools can play to assist with rural
community economic revitalization; and
‘‘(12) provide for the recruitment and meaningful inservice
opportunities for rural public school teachers.
‘‘SEC. 10973. RURAL SCHOOL GRANTS.
‘‘(a) AUTHORITY.—The Secretary is authorized to make grants
to rural eligible local educational agencies, or State educational
agencies in the case where the State educational agency is the
local educational agency, for activities designed to assist in local
school improvement efforts.
‘‘(b) AWARD RULES.—
‘‘(1) LESS THAN $50,000,000.—If the amount made available
to carry out this subpart for any fiscal year is less than
$50,000,000, the Secretary shall award grants under this sec-
tion on a competitive basis.
‘‘(2) EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN $50,000,000.—If the amount
made available to carry out this subpart for any fiscal year
is equal to or greater than $50,000,000, the Secretary shall
award grants under this section so that a rural eligible local
educational agency in each State receives such a grant.
‘‘(c) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.—Not more than five percent of
a grant awarded under section 10573 shall be used for administra-
tive costs.
‘‘(d) DURATION.—Each grant under this section shall be awarded
for a period of not more than five years.
‘‘SEC. 10974. USES OF FUNDS.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Grant funds made available under section
10973 may be used by rural eligible local educational agencies
to meet the National Education Goals through programs designed
to—
‘‘(1) increase the academic achievement of rural public
school children to at least the national average of such achieve-
ment, including education reform initiatives, such as—
‘‘(A) effective public schools programs;
‘‘(B) tutoring, mentoring, and other activities to
improve academic achievement directly;
‘‘(C) supplementary academic instruction;
‘‘(D) efforts to improve problem-solving and higher-
order critical thinking skills; and
‘‘(E) efforts to lengthen the school day, school year,
or reduce class sizes;
‘‘(2) develop pilot projects that experiment with innovative
ways to teach rural public school children more effectively;
‘‘(3) encourage the formation of rural school consortia for
the purpose of increasing efficiency and course offerings;
‘‘(4) provide meaningful inservice training opportunities for
rural public school teachers;
‘‘(5) assist rural schools in acquiring and improving access
to 
educational 
technology, 
including 
distance 
learning
technologies;
H. R. 6—338
‘‘(6) ensure the readiness of all rural children for school,
such as—
‘‘(A) full workday, full calendar-year comprehensive
early childhood development programs;
‘‘(B) parenting classes, including parenting classes for
teenage parents, and parent involvement activities;
‘‘(C) activities designed to coordinate prekindergarten
and child care programs;
‘‘(D) efforts to integrate developmentally appropriate
prekindergarten services into the overall public school pro-
gram;
‘‘(E) improving the skills of early childhood education
staff and standards for programs;
‘‘(F) collaborative efforts with health and social service
agencies to provide comprehensive services and to facilitate
the transition from home to school;
‘‘(G) establishment of comprehensive child care centers
in public secondary schools for student parents and their
children; and
‘‘(H) augmenting early childhood development pro-
grams to meet the special educational and cultural needs
of limited-English proficient children, children with disabil-
ities, and migrant preschool children;
‘‘(7) increase the graduation rates of rural public school
students to at least the national average of such rate, when
funds are used to serve secondary schools, such as—
‘‘(A) dropout prevention activities and support services
for students at-risk of dropping out of school;
‘‘(B) reentry, outreach and support activities to recruit
students who have dropped out of school to return to school;
‘‘(C) development of systemwide policies and practices
that encourage students to stay in school;
‘‘(D) efforts to provide individualized student support;
‘‘(E) collaborative activities between schools, parents,
community groups, agencies, and institutions of higher edu-
cation aimed at preventing individuals from dropping out
of school;
‘‘(F) programs to increase student attendance; and
‘‘(G) alternative programs for students, especially bilin-
gual, special education, and migrant students, who have
dropped out of school or are at risk of dropping out of
school;
‘‘(8) prepare rural public school students to enter higher
education, pursue careers, and exercise their responsibilities
as citizens, such as—
‘‘(A) activities designed to increase the number and
percentages of students, enrolling in postsecondary edu-
cational institutions after graduation from secondary
schools;
‘‘(B) in-school youth employment, vocational education,
and career education programs that improve the transition
from school to work;
‘‘(C) activities designed in collaboration with colleges
and universities to assist rural public school graduates
in completing higher education;
H. R. 6—339
‘‘(D) activities designed in conjunction with community
colleges to provide a kindergarten through grade 14 experi-
ence for rural public school secondary school students;
‘‘(E) efforts to increase voter registration among eligible
public secondary school students attending schools served
by rural eligible local educational agencies;
‘‘(F) activities designed to promote community service
and volunteerism among students, parents, teachers, and
the community;
‘‘(G) civic education, law-related education, and other
programs designed to enhance responsible citizenship and
understanding of the political process; and
‘‘(H) encouraging a positive role for rural public schools
in local rural entrepreneurship and the identification of
rural community economic development opportunities;
‘‘(9) recruit and retain qualified teachers, such as—
‘‘(A) school-based management projects and activities;
‘‘(B) programs designed to increase the status of the
teaching profession;
‘‘(C) alternative routes to certification for qualified
individuals from business, the military, and other fields;
‘‘(D) efforts to recruit and retain teachers in critical
shortage areas, including early childhood teachers, mathe-
matics and science teachers, foreign language teachers,
and special education and bilingual teachers;
‘‘(E) upgrading the skills of existing classroom teachers
through the use of year-round, systematic, comprehensive
inservice training programs;
‘‘(F) upgrading the skills of teacher aides and para-
professionals to assist such individuals in becoming cer-
tified teachers;
‘‘(G) efforts specifically designed to increase the number
of minority teachers in rural public schools;
‘‘(H) programs designed to encourage parents and stu-
dents to enter the teaching profession;
‘‘(I) incentives for teachers to work in rural public
schools;
‘‘(J) collaborative activities with colleges and univer-
sities to revise and upgrade teacher training programs
to meet the needs of rural public school students; and
‘‘(K) training activities for the purpose of incorporating
distance learning technologies; or
‘‘(10) decrease the use of drugs and alcohol among rural
public school students, and to enhance the physical and emo-
tional health of such students, such as—
‘‘(A) activities designed to improve the self-esteem and
self-worth of rural students;
‘‘(B) the provision of health care services and other
social services and the coordination of such services with
other health care providers;
‘‘(C) programs designed to improve safety and discipline
and reduce in-school violence and vandalism;
‘‘(D) activities that begin in the early grades and are
designed to prevent drug and alcohol abuse and smoking
among students;
‘‘(E) collaborative activities with other agencies,
businesses, and community groups;
H. R. 6—340
‘‘(F) efforts to enhance health education and nutrition
education; and
‘‘(G) alternative public schools, and schools-within-
schools programs, including bilingual, migrant, and special
education programs for students with special needs.
‘‘(b) APPLICATIONS.—Each eligible entity desiring a grant under
section 10973 shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as
the Secretary may reasonably require. Each grant awarded under
section 10973 shall be of sufficient size and scope to achieve signifi-
cant rural school improvement.
‘‘SEC. 10975. HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS.
‘‘(a) GRANTS.—The Secretary is authorized to make grants to
institutions of higher education, consortia of such institutions, or
partnerships between institutions of higher education and local
educational agencies to assist rural schools and rural eligible local
educational agencies in undertaking local school improvement
activities.
‘‘(b) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.—Grant funds under this section
may be used to—
‘‘(1) assist rural schools in meeting National Education
Goals;
‘‘(2) assist in the recruitment and training of teachers in
rural schools;
‘‘(3) assist rural schools in the development of appropriate
innovative school improvement initiatives;
‘‘(4) provide inservice training opportunities for teachers
in rural schools; and
‘‘(5) provide technical assistance in the use and installation
of innovative telecommunications technology.
‘‘(c) APPLICATIONS.—Each eligible entity desiring a grant under
this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as
the Secretary may reasonably require.
‘‘Subpart 3—White House Conferences
‘‘SEC. 10981. WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON URBAN EDUCATION.
‘‘(a) AUTHORIZATION TO CALL CONFERENCE.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The President is authorized to call and
conduct a White House Conference on Urban Education
(referred to in this section as the ‘Conference’) which shall
be held not earlier than November 1, 1995, and not later
than October 30, 1996.
‘‘(2) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Conference shall be
to—
‘‘(A) develop recommendations and strategies for the
improvement of urban education;
‘‘(B) marshal the forces of the private sector, govern-
mental agencies at all levels, parents, teachers, commu-
nities, and education officials to assist urban public schools
in achieving National Education Goals; and
‘‘(C) conduct the initial planning for a permanent
national advisory commission on urban education.
‘‘(b) COMPOSITION OF CONFERENCE.—
H. R. 6—341
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Conference shall be comprised of
12 individuals, including—
‘‘(A) representatives of urban public school systems,
including members of the governing body of local edu-
cational agencies, and school superintendents;
‘‘(B) representatives of the Congress, the Department
of Education, and other Federal agencies;
‘‘(C) State elected officials and representatives from
State educational agencies; and
‘‘(D) individuals with special knowledge of and exper-
tise in urban education.
‘‘(2) SELECTION.—The President shall select one-third of
the participants of the Conference, the majority leader of the
Senate, in consultation with the minority leader of the Senate,
shall select one-third of such participants, and the Speaker
of the House of Representatives, in consultation with the minor-
ity leader of the House, shall select the remaining one-third
of such participants.
‘‘(3) REPRESENTATION.—In selecting the participants of the
Conference, the President, the majority leader of the Senate,
and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall ensure
that the participants are as representative of the ethnic, racial,
and linguistic diversity of cities as is practicable.
‘‘(c) REPORT.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days following the
termination of the Conference, a final report of the Conference,
containing such findings and recommendations as may be made
by the Conference, shall be submitted to the President. The
final report shall be made public and, not later than 90 days
after receipt by the President, transmitted to the Congress
together with a statement of the President containing rec-
ommendations for implementing the report.
‘‘(2) PUBLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION.—The Conference is
authorized to publish and distribute the report described in
this section. Copies of the report shall be provided to the
Federal depository libraries and made available to local urban
public school leaders.
‘‘SEC. 10982. WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON RURAL EDUCATION.
‘‘(a) AUTHORIZATION TO CALL CONFERENCE.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The President is authorized to call and
conduct a White House Conference on Rural Education (here-
after in this section referred to as the ‘Conference’).
‘‘(2) DATE.—The Conference shall be held not earlier than
November 1, 1995, and not later than October 30, 1996.
‘‘(3) PURPOSE.—The purposes of the Conference shall be
to—
‘‘(A) develop recommendations and strategies for the
improvement of rural public education;
‘‘(B) marshal the forces of the private sector, govern-
mental agencies at all levels, parents, teachers, commu-
nities, and education officials to assist rural public schools
in achieving National Education Goals, and make rec-
ommendations on the roles rural public schools can play
to assist with local rural community economic revitaliza-
tion; and
H. R. 6—342
‘‘(C) conduct the initial planning for a permanent
national commission on rural public education.
‘‘(b) COMPOSITION OF CONFERENCE.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Conference shall be comprised of—
‘‘(A) representatives of eligible public school systems,
including members of the governing body of local edu-
cational agencies, school superintendents, and classroom
teachers;
‘‘(B) representatives of the Congress, the Department,
and other Federal agencies;
‘‘(C) State elected officials and representatives from
State educational agencies;
‘‘(D) individuals with special knowledge of, and exper-
tise in, rural education, including individuals involved with
rural postsecondary education; and
‘‘(E) individuals with special knowledge of, and exper-
tise in, rural business.
‘‘(2) SELECTION.—The President shall select one-third of
the participants of the Conference, the majority leader of the
Senate, in consultation with the minority leader of the Senate,
shall select one-third of such participants, and the Speaker
of the House of Representatives, in consultation with the minor-
ity leader of the House, shall select the remaining one-third
of such participants.
‘‘(3) REPRESENTATION.—In selecting the participants of the
Conference, the President, the majority leader of the Senate,
and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall ensure
that the participants are as representative of the ethnic, racial,
and language diversity of rural areas as is practicable.
‘‘(c) REPORT.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days following the
termination of the Conference, a final report of the Conference,
containing such findings and recommendations as may be made
by the Conference, shall be submitted to the President. The
final report shall be made public and, not later than 90 days
after receipt by the President, transmitted to the Congress
together with a statement of the President containing rec-
ommendations for implementing the report.
‘‘(2) PUBLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION.—The Conference is
authorized to publish and distribute the report described in
this section. Copies of the report shall be provided to the
Federal depository libraries and made available to local rural
school leaders and teachers.
‘‘PART K—NATIONAL WRITING PROJECT
‘‘SEC. 10991. FINDINGS.
‘‘The Congress finds that—
‘‘(1) the United States faces a crisis in writing in schools
and in the workplace;
‘‘(2) the writing problem has been magnified by the rapidly
changing student populations and the growing number of at-
risk students due to limited English proficiency;
‘‘(3) over the past two decades, universities and colleges
across the country have reported increasing numbers of enter-
ing freshmen who are unable to write at a level equal to
the demands of college work;