Title: RURAL Act
Policy area: Education

Summary:
Restructuring Underutilized Resources for Advancing Learning Act or the RURAL Act
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable tax credit of: (1) $1,000 for teachers in schools in rural or high-poverty areas; (2) $2,000 for such teachers who are certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards; or (3) $2,000 for eligible school administrators in rural schools.
This bill also amends the Department of Education Organization Act to establish the Office of Rural Education Policy to, among other activities: (1) advise the Department of Education (ED) on matters related to the characteristics and needs of rural schools; (2) establish and maintain a clearinghouse for information related to rural schools; and (3) provide technical assistance to support activities related to improving education in rural areas.
ED must prepare, and make publicly available, impact analyses of rules and regulations significantly affecting rural schools.
In addition, the bill amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to establish and authorize through FY2023 a competitive grant program for eligible entities to establish, expand, or improve expanded learning time and after-school programs in rural areas.
The bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require ED to provide outreach and technical assistance for grant programs under that Act.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6526 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 6526

 To establish an Office of Rural Education Policy in the Department of 
  Education, make other modifications to Federal law to improve rural 
                    schools, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 25, 2018

 Mr. Loebsack introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
   Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the 
Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined 
 by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as 
        fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To establish an Office of Rural Education Policy in the Department of 
  Education, make other modifications to Federal law to improve rural 
                    schools, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Restructuring Underutilized 
Resources for Advancing Learning Act'' or the ``RURAL Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    (a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
            (1) Rural schools have unique challenges and benefits.
            (2) More than 33 percent of regular elementary and 
        secondary public schools nationwide are in locations classified 
        as rural. As of the 2010-2011 school year, more than 20 percent 
        of public school students were enrolled in rural school 
        districts.
            (3) In rural areas of the United States, 6,100,000 children 
        live in poverty.
            (4) Among children living in rural areas, 24 percent live 
        in poverty, compared to 20 percent among nonrural children.
            (5) Rural schools have fewer financial resources than 
        nonrural schools, largely as a result of diminished local 
        property tax bases and inequitable distributions of State 
        funds.
            (6) There is a substantial pay gap for teachers and 
        administrators in rural school districts. Rural teachers and 
        administrators in the U.S. earn about $10,000 less than their 
        counterparts in nonrural schools.
            (7) Rural schools have difficulty recruiting and retaining 
        teachers. A recent survey of rural school superintendents 
        suggests low salaries combined with social and geographic 
        isolation are the primary factors responsible for difficulties 
        recruiting and retaining teachers.
            (8) Low literacy rates among parents in poor rural 
        communities affect the early language development and 
        educational aspirations of children.
            (9) Investing in after-school programs helps children in 
        rural communities break out of the cycle of poverty and creates 
        opportunities for at-risk youth.
            (10) In areas in which resources are limited, after-school 
        programs are often the only source of supplemental enrichment 
        in literacy, nutrition education, technology, and preparation 
        for college and entrance exams.
            (11) Children attending rural schools have the lowest 
        median per-student funding for after-school programs under the 
        21st Century Community Learning Center Program under part B of 
        title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
        (20 U.S.C. 7171 et seq.), as compared to children attending 
        urban and suburban schools.
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
            (1) to establish an Office of Rural Education Policy in the 
        Department of Education;
            (2) to provide input to the Secretary of Education 
        regarding the impact of proposed changes in law, regulations, 
        policies, rules, and budgets on rural schools and communities;
            (3) to provide a tax incentive to individuals teaching in 
        elementary and secondary schools located in rural or high 
        unemployment areas and to individuals who achieve certification 
        from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards; 
        and
            (4) to enhance after-school programs in rural areas by 
        helping communities establish after-school programs and improve 
        existing programs by overcoming barriers to service.

            TITLE I--INCENTIVES TO EDUCATE AMERICAN CHILDREN

SEC. 101. REFUNDABLE TAX CREDIT FOR EDUCATORS AND SCHOOL LEADERS IN 
              ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS LOCATED IN HIGH POVERTY 
              OR RURAL AREAS.

    (a) In General.--Subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after 
section 36B the following new section:

``SEC. 36C. TAX CREDIT FOR EDUCATORS AND SCHOOL LEADERS IN ELEMENTARY 
              AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS LOCATED IN HIGH POVERTY OR RURAL 
              AREAS.

    ``(a) Allowance of Credit.--In the case of an eligible teacher or 
school leader, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax 
imposed by this subtitle for the taxable year an amount equal to the 
applicable amount for the eligible academic year ending during such 
taxable year.
    ``(b) Applicable Amount.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) Teachers in schools in rural areas or schools with 
        high poverty.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In the case of an eligible 
                teacher who performs services in a public kindergarten 
                or a public elementary or secondary school described in 
                subparagraph (B) during the eligible academic year, the 
                applicable amount is $1,000.
                    ``(B) School described.--A public kindergarten or a 
                public elementary or secondary school is described in 
                this subparagraph if--
                            ``(i) at least 75 percent of the students 
                        attending such kindergarten or school receive 
                        free or reduced-cost lunches under the school 
                        lunch program established under the Richard B. 
                        Russell National School Lunch Act, or
                            ``(ii) such kindergarten or school is 
                        designated with a school locale code of 32, 33, 
                        41, 42, or 43, as determined by the Secretary 
                        of Education.
            ``(2) Certified teachers.--In the case of an eligible 
        teacher who is described in paragraph (1) and who is certified 
        by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards for 
        the eligible academic year, paragraph (1)(A) shall be applied 
        by substituting `$2,000' for `$1,000'.
            ``(3) Eligible school leaders in schools in rural areas.--
        In the case of an eligible school leader who serves in a public 
        kindergarten or a public elementary or secondary school 
        described in paragraph (1)(B)(ii), paragraph (1)(A) shall be 
        applied by substituting `$2,000' for `$1,000'.
    ``(c) Eligible Teacher.--For purposes of this section, the term 
`eligible teacher' means, for any eligible academic year, an individual 
who is a kindergarten through grade 12 classroom teacher or instructor 
in a public kindergarten or a public elementary or secondary school on 
a full-time basis for such eligible academic year.
    ``(d) Eligible School Leader.--For purposes of this section, the 
term `eligible school leader' means, for any eligible academic year, an 
individual who, on a full-time basis for such eligible academic year, 
is a kindergarten through grade 12 principal or assistant principal in 
a public kindergarten or a public elementary or is a school 
superintendent or other administrator employed by a local educational 
agency.
    ``(e) Additional Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) Elementary and secondary schools; local educational 
        agency.--The terms `elementary school', `secondary school', and 
        `local educational agency' have the respective meanings given 
        such terms by section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
        Education Act of 1965.
            ``(2) Eligible academic year.--The term `eligible academic 
        year' means any academic year ending in a taxable year 
        beginning after December 31, 2017.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Paragraph (2) of section 1324(b) of title 31, United 
        States Code, is amended by inserting ``, 36C'' after ``36B''.
            (2) The table of sections for subpart C of part IV of 
        subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
        is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 36B 
        the following new item:

``Sec. 36C. Tax credit for educators and school leaders in elementary 
                            and secondary schools located in high 
                            poverty or rural areas.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to academic years ending in taxable years beginning after 
December 31, 2017.

               TITLE II--OFFICE OF RURAL EDUCATION POLICY

SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE OF RURAL EDUCATION POLICY.

    (a) In General.--Title II of the Department of Education 
Organization Act (20 U.S.C. 3411 et seq.) is amended by adding at the 
end the following:

``SEC. 221. OFFICE OF RURAL EDUCATION POLICY.

    ``(a) In General.--There shall be, in the Office of Elementary and 
Secondary Education of the Department, an Office of Rural Education 
Policy (referred to in this section as the `Office').
    ``(b) Director; Duties.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Office shall be headed by a 
        Director, who shall advise the Secretary on the characteristics 
        and needs of rural schools and the effects of current policies 
        and proposed statutory, regulatory, administrative, and 
        budgetary changes on State educational agencies, and local 
        educational agencies, that serve schools with a locale code of 
        32, 33, 41, 42, or 43, as determined by the Secretary.
            ``(2) Additional duties of the director.--In addition to 
        advising the Secretary with respect to the matters described in 
        paragraph (1), the Director of the Office of Rural Education 
        Policy (referred to in this section as the `Director'), through 
        the Office, shall--
                    ``(A) establish and maintain a clearinghouse for 
                collecting and disseminating information on--
                            ``(i) teacher and principal recruitment and 
                        retention at rural elementary schools and rural 
                        secondary schools;
                            ``(ii) access to, and implementation and 
                        use of, technology and distance learning at 
                        such schools;
                            ``(iii) rigorous coursework delivery 
                        through distance learning at such schools;
                            ``(iv) student achievement at such schools, 
                        including the achievement of low-income and 
                        minority students;
                            ``(v) innovative approaches in rural 
                        education to increase student achievement;
                            ``(vi) higher education and career 
                        readiness and secondary school completion of 
                        students enrolled in such schools;
                            ``(vii) access to, and quality of, early 
                        childhood development for children located in 
                        rural areas;
                            ``(viii) access to, or partnerships with, 
                        community-based organizations in rural areas;
                            ``(ix) the availability of professional 
                        development opportunities for rural teachers 
                        and principals;
                            ``(x) the availability of Federal and other 
                        grants and assistance that are specifically 
                        geared or applicable to rural schools; and
                            ``(xi) the financing of such schools;
                    ``(B) identify innovative research and 
                demonstration projects on topics of importance to rural 
                elementary schools and rural secondary schools, 
                including gaps in such research, and recommend such 
                topics for study by the Institute of Education Sciences 
                and other research agencies;
                    ``(C) coordinate the activities within the 
                Department that relate to rural education;
                    ``(D) provide information to the Secretary and 
                others in the Department with respect to the activities 
                of other Federal departments and agencies that relate 
                to rural education, including activities relating to 
                rural housing, rural agricultural services, rural 
                transportation, rural economic development, rural 
                career and technical training, rural health care, rural 
                disability services, and rural mental health;
                    ``(E) coordinate with the Bureau of Indian 
                Education, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Department 
                of the Interior, and the schools administered by such 
                agencies regarding rural education;
                    ``(F) provide, directly or through grants, 
                cooperative agreements, or contracts, technical 
                assistance and other activities as necessary to support 
                activities related to improving education in rural 
                areas; and
                    ``(G) produce an annual report on the condition of 
                rural education that is delivered to the members of the 
                Education and the Workforce Committee of the House of 
                Representatives and the Health, Education, Labor, and 
                Pensions Committee of the Senate and published on the 
                Department's Web site.
    ``(c) Impact Analyses of Rules and Regulations on Rural Schools.--
            ``(1) Proposed rulemaking.--Whenever the Secretary 
        publishes a general notice of proposed rulemaking for any rule 
        or regulation that may have a significant impact on State 
        educational agencies or local educational agencies serving 
        schools with a locale code of 32, 33, 41, 42, or 43, as 
        determined by the Secretary, the Secretary (acting through the 
        Director) shall prepare and make available for public comment 
        an initial regulatory impact analysis. Such analysis shall 
        describe the impact of the proposed rule or regulation on such 
        State educational agencies and local educational agencies and 
        shall set forth, with respect to such agencies, the matters 
        required under section 603 of title 5, United States Code, to 
        be set forth with respect to small entities. The initial 
        regulatory impact analysis (or a summary) shall be published in 
        the Federal Register at the time of the publication of general 
        notice of proposed rulemaking for the rule or regulation.
            ``(2) Final rule.--Whenever the Secretary promulgates a 
        final version of a rule or regulation with respect to which an 
        initial regulatory impact analysis is required by paragraph 
        (1), the Secretary (acting through the Director) shall prepare 
        a final regulatory impact analysis with respect to the final 
        version of such rule or regulation. Such analysis shall set 
        forth, with respect to State educational agencies and local 
        educational agencies serving schools with a locale code of 32, 
        33, 41, 42, or 43, as determined by the Secretary, the matters 
        required under section 604 of title 5, United States Code, to 
        be set forth with respect to small entities. The Secretary 
        shall make copies of the final regulatory impact analysis 
        available to the public and shall publish, in the Federal 
        Register at the time of publication of the final version of the 
        rule or regulation, a statement describing how a member of the 
        public may obtain a copy of such analysis.
            ``(3) Regulatory flexibility analysis.--If a regulatory 
        flexibility analysis is required by chapter 6 of title 5, 
        United States Code, for a rule or regulation to which this 
        subsection applies, such analysis shall specifically address 
        the impact of the rule or regulation on State educational 
        agencies and local educational agencies serving schools with a 
        locale code of 32, 33, 41, 42, or 43, as determined by the 
        Secretary.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--Section 221(c) of the Department of Education 
Organization Act, as added by subsection (a), shall apply to 
regulations proposed more than 30 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act.

               TITLE III--EXPANDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

SEC. 401. EXPANDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.

    Subtitle D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act is 
amended by inserting after section 365 (7 U.S.C. 2008) the following:

``SEC. 366. EXPANDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.

    ``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to enhance expanded 
learning time opportunities in rural areas by helping communities--
            ``(1) establish expanded learning time opportunities, 
        including after-school programs; and
            ``(2) improve existing programs by overcoming barriers to 
        service.
    ``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a 
        local educational agency (as such term is defined in section 
        8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 7801)), educational service agency, community-based 
        organization, public or private entity, or a consortium of 2 or 
        more such agencies, organizations, or entities.
            ``(2) Expanded learning time.--The term `expanded learning 
        time' means expanding a school day, week, or year schedule to 
        significantly increase the total number of school hours, in 
        order to include additional time for--
                    ``(A) instruction and enrichment in core academic 
                subjects, other academic subjects, and other activities 
                that contribute to a well-rounded education; and
                    ``(B) instructional and support staff to 
                collaborate, plan, and engage in professional 
                development (including professional development on 
                family and community engagement) within and across 
                grades and subjects.
            ``(3) Rural area.--The term `rural area' means an area that 
        is served by an elementary or secondary school that is 
        designated with a school locale code of 32, 33, 41, 42, or 43, 
        as determined by the Secretary of Education.
    ``(c) Grants.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall make grants to 
        eligible entities to improve, expand, or establish expanded 
        learning time programs and after-school programs (taking place 
        during non-school hours), in rural areas.
            ``(2) Requirement.--Each grant under this section shall be 
        in an amount of not less than $25,000.
    ``(d) Duration.--
            ``(1) Term of grant.--The term of a grant under this 
        section may not be for less than 3 years.
            ``(2) Renewal.--The Secretary may renew a grant under this 
        section for a period of not less than 3 years, based on the 
        performance of the eligible entity during the previous grant 
        term.
    ``(e) Uses.--As a condition of the receipt of a grant under this 
section, an eligible entity shall use the grant funds to carry out the 
activities described in subsection (c)(1), including transportation, 
professional development, training, recruitment and retention of staff, 
staff compensation for additional hours worked, increasing access to 
technology, and planning.
    ``(f) Evaluation.--The Secretary may use not more than 1 percent of 
the funds appropriated in a fiscal year under subsection (k)--
            ``(1) to conduct evaluations of the effectiveness of 
        programs and activities carried out under subsection (c); and
            ``(2) to disseminate the results of those evaluations for 
        the purpose of refining, improving, and strengthening programs.
    ``(g) Outreach, Training, and Technical Assistance.--The Secretary 
may use not more than 3 percent of the funds appropriated in a fiscal 
year under subsection (k)--
            ``(1) to conduct outreach, including bidders' conferences, 
        to ensure widespread knowledge of the availability of resources 
        described in subsection (c);
            ``(2) to disseminate information on best practices and 
        successful program models for serving children and youth in 
        rural areas; and
            ``(3) to provide capacity building, training, and technical 
        assistance to after-school programs and providers in rural 
        areas.
    ``(h) Application.--
            ``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
        this section, each eligible entity shall submit to the 
        Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and 
        containing such information as the Secretary may require.
            ``(2) Contents.--An application submitted pursuant to 
        paragraph (1) shall include--
                    ``(A) a description of the expanded learning time 
                program to be funded, including--
                            ``(i) an assurance that the program will 
                        take place in a safe and easily accessible 
                        facility;
                            ``(ii) a description of how children and 
                        youth participating in the program will travel 
                        safely between the program site and home;
                            ``(iii) a description of how the eligible 
                        entity will disseminate information about the 
                        program, including the location of the program, 
                        to the community in a manner that is 
                        understandable and accessible;
                            ``(iv)(I) a description of the services to 
                        be provided to children and youth, which may 
                        include--
                                    ``(aa) academic enrichment and 
                                youth development activities;
                                    ``(bb) drug and violence prevention 
                                programs;
                                    ``(cc) counseling programs;
                                    ``(dd) art, music, physical 
                                fitness, and recreational programs;
                                    ``(ee) technology education 
                                programs;
                                    ``(ff) character education 
                                programs; and
                                    ``(gg) service-learning programs;
                            ``(II) the roles and responsibilities of 
                        the partners in providing such services; and
                            ``(III) how such services enhance an 
                        existing expanded learning time program; and
                            ``(v) an assurance that the program will 
                        provide a nutritious snack or meal that meets 
                        nutrition standards established by the 
                        Secretary;
                    ``(B) an assurance that the proposed program was 
                developed, and will be carried out, in active 
                collaboration with the schools the students attend;
                    ``(C) an assurance that funds provided under this 
                section will be used to increase the level of State, 
                local, and other non-Federal funds that would, in the 
                absence of funds under this section, be made available 
                for programs and activities authorized under this 
                section, and in no case supplant Federal, State, local, 
                or non-Federal funds;
                    ``(D) a description of the partnership between a 
                local educational agency, a community-based 
                organization, or another public entity or private 
                entity, if applicable; and
                    ``(E) such additional assurances as the Secretary 
                determines to be necessary to ensure compliance with 
                this section.
    ``(i) Priority.--The Secretary shall give priority to applications 
that--
            ``(1) propose partnerships between 2 or more eligible 
        entities; or
            ``(2) propose that a majority of the students participating 
        in the expanded learning time program are eligible for free or 
        reduced price school meals under the Richard B. Russell 
        National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) and section 
        4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773).
    ``(j) Construction.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed to 
alter or otherwise affect the rights, remedies, and procedures afforded 
to employees of a school or local educational agency under Federal, 
State, or local laws (including applicable regulations or court orders 
as well as requirements that school districts negotiate and meet and 
confer in good faith) or under the terms of collective bargaining 
agreements, memoranda of understanding, or other agreements between 
such employers and their employees.
    ``(k) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section--
            ``(1) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2019;
            ``(2) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; and
            ``(3) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 
        2021 through 2023.''.
                                 <all>