I
103D CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 3734
To expand the role of public schools to provide community services.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JANUARY 26, 1994
Mr. GUNDERSON (for himself and Mr. GOODLING) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor
A BILL
To expand the role of public schools to provide community
services.
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 ‘‘21st Century Commu-
nity Learning Centers Act’’.
SEC. 2. 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 communities, should collaborate with other pub-
lic and nonprofit agencies and organizations, local
businesses, educational entities (such as vocational
and adult education programs, school to work pro-
grams, community colleges, and universities), rec-
reational, cultural, and other community and human
service entities for the purpose of meeting the needs
and expanding 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 education facilities, especially in rural
and inner city areas where limited financial re-
sources 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, local
public schools should provide centers for lifelong
learning and educational opportunities for individ-
uals 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. 3. PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION AND DISTRIBUTION.
(a) GRANTS BY THE SECRETARY.—The Secretary is
authorized in accordance with the provisions of this sub-
section to make grants to rural and inner city schools or
consortia thereof to plan, implement, or to expand projects
that benefit the educational, health, social service, cul-
tural, and recreational needs of a rural or inner city com-
munity.
(1) No school or consortia thereof shall receive
a grant award of less than $50,000 in each fiscal
year; and
(2) such grant projects do not exceed a 3-year
period.
(b) APPLICATION.—To be eligible to receive funds
under this Act, a school or consortia thereof shall submit
an application to the Secretary of Education at such time
and in such manner as the Secretary may reasonably pre-
scribe, that shall include—
(1) a comprehensive local plan that enables
such school to serve as a center for the delivery of
education and human resources for members of a
community; and
(2) an initial evaluation of needs, available re-
sources, and goals and objectives for the proposed
community education program to determine pro-
grams that will be developed to address these needs:
(A) A mechanism to disseminate informa-
tion in a manner that is understandable and ac-
cessible 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 ef-
forts of community-based organizations, related
public agencies, businesses, or other appropriate
organizations.
(D) A description of how the school will as-
sist as a delivery center for existing and new
services, especially inter-active telecommuni-
cation used for education and professional
training.
(E) The establishment of a facility utiliza-
tion policy that specifically states rules and reg-
ulations for building and equipment use and su-
pervision guidelines.
(c) PRIORITY.—The Secretary shall give priority to
applications that offer a broad selection of services that
address the needs of the community.
SEC. 4. USES OF FUNDS.
(a) 
AUTHORIZED
PROGRAMS.—Grants 
awarded
under this Act may be used to plan, implement, or expand
community learning centers which shall include not less
than 4 of the following activities:
(1) Literacy education programs.
(2) Senior citizen programs.
(3) Children’s day care services.
(4) Integrated education, health, social service,
recreational, or cultural programs.
(5) Summer and weekend school programs in
conjunction with summer recreation programs.
(6) Nutrition, health, and/or physical therapy.
(7) Expanded library service hours to serve
community needs.
(8) Telecommunications and technology edu-
cation programs for 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 students who withdraw from
school before graduating high school, regardless of
age.
(13) Services for individuals who are either
physically or mentally challenged.
SEC. 5. AWARD OF GRANTS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—In approving grants under this
part, the Secretary shall assure an equitable distribution
of assistance among the States, among urban and rural
areas of the United States, and among urban and rural
areas of a State.
(b) GRANT PERIOD—Grants may be awarded for a
period not to exceed 3 years.
SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act—
(1) the term ‘‘Community Learning Center’’
means the provision of educational, recreational,
health, and social service programs for residents of
all ages of a local community in public school build-
ings, primarily in rural and inner city areas, oper-
ated by the local educational agency in conjunction
with local governmental agencies, businesses, voca-
tional education programs, community colleges, uni-
versities, and cultural, recreational, and other com-
munity and human service entities; and
(2) the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary
of Education.
SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated $25,000,000
for fiscal year 1995 and such sums as may be necessary
for each of the fiscal years 1996 through 1999.
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