Congressional Record publishes “TEXT OF AMENDMENTS” on July 8, 2015

Volume 161, No. 105 covering the 1st Session of the 114th Congress (2015 - 2016) was published by the Congressional Record.

The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.

“TEXT OF AMENDMENTS” mentioning the Department of Interior was published in the Senate section on pages S4845-S4894 on July 8, 2015.

The publication is reproduced in full below:

TEXT OF AMENDMENTS

SA 2122. Ms. STABENOW submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 2089 submitted by Mr. Alexander (for himself and Mrs. Murray) to the bill S. 1177, to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to ensure that every child achieves; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of the bill, add the following:

SEC. 1020__. EARLY PELL PROMISE ACT.

(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Early Pell Promise Act''.

(b) Early Federal Pell Grant Commitment Program.--Subpart 1 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 401B. EARLY FEDERAL PELL GRANT COMMITMENT PROGRAM.

``(a) Program Authority.--The Secretary is authorized to carry out an Early Federal Pell Grant Commitment Program

(referred to in this section as the `Program') under which the Secretary shall--

``(1) award grants to State educational agencies to pay the administrative expenses incurred in participating in the Program; and

``(2) make a commitment to award Federal Pell Grants to eligible students in accordance with this section.

``(b) Program Requirements.--The Program shall meet the following requirements:

``(1) Eligible students.--

``(A) In general.--A student shall be eligible to receive a commitment from the Secretary to receive a Federal Pell Grant early in the student's academic career if the student--

``(i) is in 8th grade; and

``(ii) is eligible for a free or reduced price lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.).

``(2) Federal pell grant commitment.--

``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), each eligible student who participates in the Program shall receive a commitment from the Secretary to receive a Federal Pell Grant during the first 2 academic years that the student is in attendance at an institution of higher education as an undergraduate student, if the student--

``(i) applies for Federal financial aid (via the FAFSA) during the student's senior year of secondary school and during the succeeding academic year; and

``(ii) enrolls at such institution of higher education--

``(I) not later than 3 years after such student receives a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent; or

``(II) if such student becomes a member of the Armed Forces, not later than 3 years after such student is discharged, separated, or released from the Armed Forces.

``(B) Exception to commitment.--If an eligible student receives a commitment from the Secretary to receive a Federal Pell Grant during the first 2 academic years that the student is in attendance at an institution of higher education as an undergraduate student and the student applies for Federal financial aid (via the FAFSA) during the student's senior year of secondary school or during the succeeding academic year, and the expected family contribution of the student for either of such years is more than 2 times the threshold amount for Federal Pell Grant eligibility for such year, then such student shall not receive a Federal Pell Grant under this section for the succeeding academic year. Such student shall continue to be eligible for any other Federal student financial aid for which the student is otherwise eligible.

``(3) Applicability of federal pell grant requirements.--The requirements of section 401 shall apply to Federal Pell Grants awarded pursuant to this section, except that with respect to each eligible student who participates in the Program and is not subject the exception under paragraph

(2)(B), the amount of each such eligible student's Federal Pell Grant only shall be calculated by deeming such student to have an expected family contribution equal to zero.

``(c) State Educational Agency Applications.--

``(1) In general.--Each State educational agency desiring to participate in the Program shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require.

``(2) Contents.--Each application shall include--

``(A) a description of the proposed targeted information campaign for the Program and a copy of the plan described in subsection (e)(2);

``(B) an assurance that the State educational agency will fully cooperate with the ongoing evaluation of the Program; and

``(C) such other information as the Secretary may require.

``(d) Evaluation.--

``(1) In general.--From amounts appropriated under subsection (f) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve not more than $1,000,000 to award a grant or contract to an organization outside the Department for an independent evaluation of the impact of the Program.

``(2) Competitive basis.--The grant or contract shall be awarded on a competitive basis.

``(3) Matters evaluated.--The evaluation described in this subsection shall consider metrics established by the Secretary that emphasize college access and success, encouraging low-income students to pursue higher education, and the cost effectiveness of the program.

``(4) Dissemination.--The findings of the evaluation shall be widely disseminated to the public by the organization conducting the evaluation as well as by the Secretary.

``(e) Targeted Information Campaign.--

``(1) In general.--Each State educational agency receiving a grant under this section shall, in cooperation with the participating local educational agencies within the State and the Secretary, develop a targeted information campaign for the Program.

``(2) Plan.--Each State educational agency receiving a grant under this section shall include in the application submitted under subsection (c) a written plan for their proposed targeted information campaign. The plan shall include the following:

``(A) Outreach.--Outreach to students and their families, at a minimum, at the beginning and end of each academic year.

``(B) Distribution.--How the State educational agency plans to provide the outreach described in subparagraph (A) and to provide the information described in subparagraph (C).

``(C) Information.--The annual provision by the State educational agency to all students and families participating in the Program of information regarding--

``(i) the estimated statewide average higher education institution cost data for each academic year, which cost data shall be disaggregated by--

``(I) type of institution, including--

``(aa) 2-year public colleges;

``(bb) 4-year public colleges;

``(cc) 4-year private colleges; and

``(dd) private, for-profit colleges;

``(II) component, including--

``(aa) tuition and fees; and

``(bb) room and board;

``(ii) Federal Pell Grants, including--

``(I) the maximum Federal Pell Grant for each academic year;

``(II) when and how to apply for a Federal Pell Grant; and

``(III) what the application process for a Federal Pell Grant requires;

``(iii) State-specific college savings programs;

``(iv) State-based financial aid, including State-based merit aid; and

``(v) Federal financial aid available to students, including eligibility criteria for the Federal financial aid and an explanation of the Federal financial aid programs.

``(3) Annual information.--The information described in paragraph (2)(C) shall be provided to eligible students annually for the duration of the students' participation in the Program.

``(4) Reservation.--Each State educational agency receiving a grant under this section shall reserve $200,000 of the grant funds received each fiscal year to carry out the targeted information campaign described in this subsection.

``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary.''.

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SA 2123. Mr. UDALL (for himself and Mr. Tester) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 2089 submitted by Mr. Alexander (for himself and Mrs. Murray) to the bill S. 1177, to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to ensure that every child achieves; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

After section 9102, insert the following:

SEC. ____. RESERVATIONS FOR BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION.

Part A of title IX (20 U.S.C. 7801 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 9104. RESERVATIONS FOR BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION.

``(a) BIE Reservations for Formula-based Education Programs.--

``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that any formula-based education program provides a reservation, in the amount described in paragraph (2), for the Bureau of Indian Education to be used in accordance with paragraph (3) on behalf of the schools or programs, as applicable, operated or funded by the Bureau of Indian Education.

``(2) Amount of reservation.--

``(A) Increasing bie reservations of less than 0.5 percent.--In the case of a formula-based education program that requires by law (including any regulation) reservation of program funds for the Bureau of Indian Education in an amount less than 0.5 percent of the total amount available to carry out the formula-based education program for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall increase the amount of such reservation to 0.5 percent of such total amount for such year.

``(B) Maintaining bie reservations equal to or greater than 0.5 percent.--In the case of a formula-based education program that requires by law (including any regulation) a reservation of program funds for the Bureau of Indian Education in an amount equal to or greater than 0.5 percent of the total amount available to carry out the formula-based education program for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve the amount of funds required by such law for the Bureau for such year.

``(C) Establishing bie reservations for other formula-based education programs.--In the case of a formula-based education program for which no funds are provided or reserved by law

(including any regulation) by the Secretary for the Bureau of Indian Education or for schools operated or funded by the Bureau, the Secretary shall reserve 0.5 percent of the total amount available to carry out the formula-based education program for the Bureau of Indian Education.

``(3) Use of reserved funds.--The Bureau of Indian Education shall use any funds reserved under a formula-based education program for the purposes and uses provided under such program.

``(b) Requirements for Competitive Education Programs.--

``(1) In general.--With respect to any competitive education program, the Secretary shall deem the Bureau of Indian Education to be a State or State educational agency, as applicable, for purposes of applying for and receiving a grant, contract, or other assistance under the program, and shall allow the Bureau to use funds provided under the competitive education program to carry out the purposes and activities and services provided by the program for the schools or programs, as applicable, operated or funded by the Bureau.

``(2) Technical assistance.--For each competitive education program, the Secretary may reserve not more than 0.5 percent of the total amount appropriated for the program for a fiscal year for technical assistance or capacity-building to assist the Bureau of Indian Education, and schools or programs operated or funded by the Bureau of Indian Education, in building the capacity and expertise needed to compete and qualify for assistance under the program.

``(3) Nonapplicability of certain provisions.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Bureau of Indian Education, when applying for or receiving a grant, contract, or assistance under a competitive education program, shall not be subject to any provision of the program that requires grant recipients to contribute funds toward the costs of the grant program.

``(c) Definitions.--In this section:

``(1) Formula-based education program.--The term `formula-based education program' means any program administered by the Secretary under this Act that--

``(A) awards grants, contracts, or other assistance relating to early childhood, elementary, or secondary education to States or State educational agencies; and

``(B) allocates the program funds by statutory or regulatory formula.

``(2) Competitive education program.--The term `competitive education program' means any program administered by the Secretary under this Act that--

``(A) awards grants, contracts, or other assistance relating to early childhood, elementary, or secondary education to States or State educational agencies on a competitive basis; and

``(B) does not contain any type of reservation of funds for the Bureau of Indian Education or the schools operated or funded by the Bureau of Indian Education.

``(d) Relationship to Other Laws.--In the event of a conflict between this section and any law regarding a formula-based education program or competitive education program, this section shall control.''.

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SA 2124. Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, Ms. Mikulski, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Baldwin, and Mrs. Boxer) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 2089 submitted by Mr. Alexander (for himself and Mrs. Murray) to the bill S. 1177, to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to ensure that every child achieves; as follows:

On page 82, between lines 23 and 24, insert the following:

``(xviii) In the case of each coeducational school in the State that receives assistance under this part--

``(I) a listing of the school's interscholastic sports teams that participated in athletic competition;

``(II) for each such team--

``(aa) the total number of male and female participants, disaggregated by gender and race;

``(bb) the season in which the team competed, whether the team participated in postseason competition, and the total number of competitive events scheduled;

``(cc) the total expenditures from all sources, including expenditures for travel, uniforms, facilities, and publicity for competitions; and

``(dd) the total number of coaches, trainers, and medical personnel, and for each such individual an identification of such individual's employment status, and duties other than providing coaching, training, or medical services; and

``(III) the average annual salary of the head coaches of boys' interscholastic sports teams, across all offered sports, and the average annual salary of the head coaches of girls' interscholastic sports teams, across all offered sports.

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SA 2125. Mr. SANDERS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 2089 submitted by Mr. Alexander (for himself and Mrs. Murray) to the bill S. 1177, to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to ensure that every child achieves; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 69, strike lines 16 and 17 and insert the following:dents;

(N) how the State educational agency will support multiple postsecondary and career pathways aligned with workforce and economic needs of the State; and

(O) any other information on how the

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SA 2126. Mr. COONS (for himself and Mr. Rubio) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 2089 submitted by Mr. Alexander

(for himself and Mrs. Murray) to the bill S. 1177, to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to ensure that every child achieves; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of the bill, add the following:

PART C--AMERICAN DREAM ACCOUNTS

SEC. 10301. SHORT TITLE.

This part may be cited as the ``American Dream Accounts Act''.

SEC. 10302. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:

(1) Only 9.8 out of every 100 individuals from low-income families will graduate from an institution of higher education before reaching the age of 24.

(2) Lack of knowledge about how to apply to, and pay for, an institution of higher education is a barrier for many low-income students and students who would be in the first generation in their families to attend an institution of higher education.

(3) According to Public Agenda, most young adults give secondary school counselors fair or poor ratings for advice about attending an institution of higher education, including advice about how to decide what institution of higher education to attend, how to pay for higher education, what careers to pursue, and how to apply to an institution of higher education.

(4) More than 1,700,000 students fail to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and about one-third of such students would qualify for a Federal Pell Grant.

(5) During the last 2 decades, costs of attending institutions of higher education have increased dramatically, but need-based financial aid has not kept pace with such increasing costs.

(6) In the 1990-1991 school year, the maximum Federal Pell Grant covered 45 percent of the average cost of attendance at a public 4-year institution of higher education (including tuition, fees, room, and board), but in the 2010-2011 school year, the maximum Federal Pell Grant covered only 34 percent of such cost.

(7) Parental and youth college savings are strong predictors of a youth's expectations about attendance at an institution of higher education.

(8) Only 32 percent of parents who earn less than $35,000 a year are saving for their child's education at an institution of higher education.

(9) According to the Center for Social Development,

``wilt'' occurs when a young person who expects to graduate from a 4-year institution of higher education has not yet attended such institution by the ages of 19 to 22.

(10) Children who have savings dedicated for attendance at an institution of higher education are 4 times more likely to attend a 4-year institution of higher education and avoid

``wilt''.

SEC. 10303. DEFINITIONS.

In this part:

(1) American dream account.--The term ``American Dream Account'' means a personal online account for low-income students that monitors higher education readiness and includes a college savings account.

(2) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term

``appropriate committees of Congress'' means the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on Finance of the Senate, and the Committee on Education and the Workforce, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives, as well as any other Committee of the Senate or House of Representatives that the Secretary determines appropriate.

(3) Charter school.--The term ``charter school'' has the meaning given such term in section 5110 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7221i).

(4) College savings account.--The term ``college savings account'' means a trust created or organized exclusively for the purpose of paying the qualified expenses of only an individual who, when the trust is created or organized, has not obtained 18 years of age, if the written governing instrument creating the trust contains the following requirements:

(A) The trustee is a Federally insured financial institution, or a State insured financial institution if a Federally insured financial institution is not available.

(B) The assets of the trust will be invested in accordance with the direction of the individual or of a parent or guardian of the individual, after consultation with the entity providing the initial contribution to the trust or, if applicable, a matching or other contribution for the individual.

(C) The assets of the trust will not be commingled with other property except in a common trust fund or common investment fund.

(D) Any amount in the trust that is attributable to an account seed or matched deposit may be paid or distributed from the trust only for the purpose of paying qualified expenses of the individual.

(5) Dual or concurrent enrollment program.--The term ``dual or concurrent enrollment program'' means a program of study--

(A) provided by an institution of higher education through which a student who has not graduated from high school with a regular high school diploma (as defined in section 200.19(b)(1)(iv) of title 34, Code of Federal Regulations, as such section was in effect on November 28, 2008) is able to earn postsecondary credit; and

(B) that shall consist of not less than 2 postsecondary credit-bearing courses and support and academic services that help a student persist and complete such courses.

(6) Early college high school program.--The term ``early college high school program'' means a formal partnership between at least 1 local educational agency and at least 1 institution of higher education that allows participants, who are primarily low-income students, to simultaneously complete requirements toward earning a regular high school diploma (as defined in section 200.19(b)(1)(iv) of title 34, Code of Federal Regulations, as such section was in effect on November 28, 2008) and earn not less than 12 transferable credits as part of an organized course of study toward a postsecondary degree or credential.

(7) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--

(A) a State educational agency;

(B) a local educational agency, including a charter school that operates as its own local educational agency;

(D) an institution of higher education or a Tribal College or University;

(E) a nonprofit organization;

(F) an entity with demonstrated experience in educational savings or in assisting low-income students to prepare for, and attend, an institution of higher education;

(G) a consortium of 2 or more of the entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (F); or

(H) a consortium of 1 or more of the entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (F) and a public school, a charter school, a school operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, or a tribally controlled school.

(8) Institution of higher education.--The term

``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given such term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).

(9) Local educational agency.--The term ``local educational agency'' has the meaning given such term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

(10) Low-income student.--The term ``low-income student'' means a student who is eligible to receive a free or reduced price lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.).

(11) Parent.--The term ``parent'' has the meaning given such term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

(12) Qualified expenses.--The term ``qualified expenses'' means, with respect to an individual, expenses that--

(A) are incurred after the individual receives a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent; and

(B) are associated with attending an institution of higher education, including--

(i) tuition and fees;

(ii) room and board;

(iii) textbooks;

(iv) supplies and equipment; and

(v) Internet access.

(13) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Education.

(14) State educational agency.--The term ``State educational agency'' has the meaning given such term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

(15) Tribal college or university.--The term ``Tribal College or University'' has the meaning given such term in section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)).

(16) Tribally controlled school.--The term ``tribally controlled school'' has the meaning given such term in section 5212 of the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988

(25 U.S.C. 2511).

SEC. 10304. GRANT PROGRAM.

(a) Program Authorized.--The Secretary is authorized to award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to enable such eligible entities to establish and administer American Dream Accounts for a group of low-income students.

(b) Reservation.--From the amounts appropriated each fiscal year to carry out this part, the Secretary shall reserve not more than 5 percent of such amount to carry out the evaluation activities described in section 10307.

(c) Duration.--A grant awarded under this part shall be for a period of not more than 3 years. The Secretary may extend such grant for an additional 2-year period if the Secretary determines that the eligible entity has demonstrated significant progress, based on the factors described in section 10305(b)(11).

SEC. 10305. APPLICATIONS; PRIORITY.

(a) In General.--Each eligible entity desiring a grant under this part shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

(b) Contents.--At a minimum, the application described in subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) A description of the characteristics of a group of not less than 30 low-income public school students who--

(A) are, at the time of the application, attending a grade not higher than grade 9; and

(B) will, under the grant, receive an American Dream Account.

(2) A description of how the eligible entity will engage, and provide support (such as tutoring and mentoring for students, and training for teachers and other stakeholders) either online or in person, to--

(A) the students in the group described in paragraph (1);

(B) the family members and teachers of such students; and

(3) An identification of partners who will assist the eligible entity in establishing and sustaining American Dream Accounts.

(4) A description of what experience the eligible entity or the partners of the eligible entity have in managing college savings accounts, preparing low-income students for postsecondary education, managing online systems, and teaching financial literacy.

(5) A demonstration that the eligible entity has sufficient resources to provide an initial deposit into the college savings account portion of each American Dream Account.

(6) A description of how the eligible entity will help increase the value of the college savings account portion of each American Dream Account, such as by providing matching funds or incentives for academic achievement.

(7) A description of how the eligible entity will notify each participating student in the group described in paragraph (1), on a semiannual basis, of the current balance and status of the college savings account portion of the American Dream Account of the student.

(8) A plan that describes how the eligible entity will monitor participating students in the group described in paragraph (1) to ensure that the American Dream Account of each student will be maintained if a student in such group changes schools before graduating from secondary school.

(9) A plan that describes how the American Dream Accounts will be managed for not less than 1 year after a majority of the students in the group described in paragraph (1) graduate from secondary school.

(10) A description of how the eligible entity will encourage students in the group described in paragraph (1) who fail to graduate from secondary school to continue their education.

(11) A description of how the eligible entity will evaluate the grant program, including by collecting, as applicable, the following data about the students in the group described in paragraph (1) during the grant period, or until the time of graduation from a secondary school, whichever comes first, and, if sufficient grant funds are available, after the grant period:

(A) Attendance rates.

(B) Progress reports.

(D) The student graduation rate, as defined as the percentage of students who graduate from secondary school with a regular diploma in the standard number of years.

(E) Rates of student completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid described in section 483 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1090).

(F) Rates of enrollment in an institution of higher education.

(G) Rates of completion at an institution of higher education.

(12) A description of what will happen to the funds in the college savings account portion of the American Dream Accounts that are dedicated to participating students described in paragraph (1) who have not matriculated at an institution of higher education at the time of the conclusion of the period of American Dream Account management described in paragraph (9), including how the eligible entity will give students this information.

(13) A description of how the eligible entity will ensure that participating students described in paragraph (1) will have access to the Internet.

(14) A description of how the eligible entity will take into consideration how funds in the college savings account portion of American Dream Accounts will affect participating families' eligibility for public assistance.

(c) Priority.--In awarding grants under this part, the Secretary shall give priority to applications from eligible entities that--

(1) are described in subparagraph (G) or (H) of section 10303(7);

(2) serve the largest number of low-income students;

(3) in the case of an eligible entity described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 10303(7), provide opportunities for participating students described in subsection (b)(1) to participate in a dual or concurrent enrollment program or early college high school program at no cost to the student or the student's family; or

(4) as of the time of application, have been awarded a grant under chapter 2 of subpart 2 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a-21 et seq.)

(commonly referred to as the ``GEAR UP program'').

SEC. 10306. AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.

(a) In General.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under this part shall use such grant funds to establish an American Dream Account for each participating student described in section 10305(b)(1), that will be used to--

(1) open a college savings account for such student;

(2) monitor the progress of such student online, which--

(A) shall include monitoring student data relating to--

(i) grades and course selections;

(ii) progress reports; and

(iii) attendance and disciplinary records; and

(B) may also include monitoring student data relating to a broad range of information, provided by teachers and family members, related to postsecondary education readiness, access, and completion;

(3) provide opportunities for such students, either online or in person, to learn about financial literacy, including by--

(A) assisting such students in financial planning for enrollment in an institution of higher education;

(B) assisting such students in identifying and applying for financial aid (such as loans, grants, and scholarships) for an institution of higher education; and

(4) provide opportunities for such students, either online or in person, to learn about preparing for enrollment in an institution of higher education, including by providing instruction to students about--

(A) choosing the appropriate courses to prepare for postsecondary education;

(B) applying to an institution of higher education;

(D) selecting an institution of higher education;

(E) choosing a major for the student's postsecondary program of education or a career path; and

(F) adapting to life at an institution of higher education; and

(5) provide opportunities for such students, either online or in person, to identify skills or interests, including career interests.

(b) Access to American Dream Account.--

(1) In general.--Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), and in accordance with applicable Federal laws and regulations relating to privacy of information and the privacy of children, an eligible entity that receives a grant under this part shall allow vested stakeholders, as described in paragraph (2), to have secure access, through an Internet website, to an American Dream Account.

(2) Vested stakeholders.--The vested stakeholders that an eligible entity shall permit to access an American Dream Account are individuals (such as the student's teachers, school counselors, school administrators, or other individuals) that are designated, in accordance with section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g, commonly known as the ``Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974''), by the parent of a participating student in whose name such American Dream Account is held, as having permission to access the account. A student's parent may withdraw such designation from an individual at any time.

(3) Exception for college savings account.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under this part shall not be required to give vested stakeholders, as described in paragraph (2), access to the college savings account portion of a student's American Dream Account.

(4) Adult students.--Notwithstanding paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), if a participating student is age 18 or older, an eligible entity that receives a grant under this part shall not provide access to such participating student's American Dream Account without the student's consent, in accordance with section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g, commonly known as the ``Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974'').

(5) Input of student information.--Student data collected pursuant to subsection (a)(2)(A) shall be entered into an American Dream Account only by a school administrator or the designee of such administrator.

(c) Prohibition on Use of Student Information.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under this part shall not use any student-level information or data for the purpose of soliciting, advertising, or marketing any financial or non-financial consumer product or service that is offered by such eligible entity, or on behalf of any other person.

(d) Prohibition on the Use of Grant Funds.--An eligible entity shall not use grant funds provided under this part to provide any deposits into a college savings account portion of a student's American Dream Account.

SEC. 10307. REPORTS AND EVALUATIONS.

(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the Secretary has disbursed grants under this part, and annually thereafter until each grant disbursed under this part has ended, the Secretary shall prepare and submit a report to the appropriate committees of Congress, which shall include an evaluation of the effectiveness of the grant program established under this part.

(b) Contents.--The report described in subsection (a) shall--

(1) list the grants that have been awarded under section 10304(a);

(2) include the number of students who have an American Dream Account established through a grant awarded under section 10304(a);

(3) provide data (including the interest accrued on college savings accounts that are part of an American Dream Account) in the aggregate, regarding students who have an American Dream Account established through a grant awarded under section 10304(a), as compared to similarly situated students who do not have an American Dream Account;

(4) identify best practices developed by the eligible entities receiving grants under this part;

(5) identify any issues related to student privacy and stakeholder accessibility to American Dream Accounts;

(6) provide feedback from participating students and the parents of such students about the grant program, including--

(A) the impact of the program;

(B) aspects of the program that are successful;

(D) any other data required by the Secretary; and

(7) provide recommendations for expanding the American Dream Accounts program.

SEC. 10308. ELIGIBILITY TO RECEIVE FEDERAL STUDENT FINANCIAL

AID.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any funds that are in the college savings account portion of a student's American Dream Account shall not affect such student's eligibility to receive Federal student financial aid, including any Federal student financial aid under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.), and shall not be considered in determining the amount of any such Federal student aid.

SEC. 10309. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016 and each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.

______

SA 2127. Mr. COONS (for himself, Mr. Rubio, and Mrs. Gillibrand) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 2089 submitted by Mr. Alexander (for himself and Mrs. Murray) to the bill S. 1177, to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to ensure that every child achieves; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of the bill, add the following:

PART C--AMERICAN DREAM ACCOUNTS

SEC. 10301. SHORT TITLE.

This part may be cited as the ``American Dream Accounts Act''.

SEC. 10302. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:

(1) Only 9.8 out of every 100 individuals from low-income families will graduate from an institution of higher education before reaching the age of 24.

(4) More than 1,700,000 students fail to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and about one-third of such students would qualify for a Federal Pell Grant.

(5) During the last 2 decades, costs of attending institutions of higher education have increased dramatically, but need-based financial aid has not kept pace with such increasing costs.

(7) Parental and youth college savings are strong predictors of a youth's expectations about attendance at an institution of higher education.

(8) Only 32 percent of parents who earn less than $35,000 a year are saving for their child's education at an institution of higher education.

(9) According to the Center for Social Development,

``wilt'' occurs when a young person who expects to graduate from a 4-year institution of higher education has not yet attended such institution by the ages of 19 to 22.

(10) Children who have savings dedicated for attendance at an institution of higher education are 4 times more likely to attend a 4-year institution of higher education and avoid

``wilt''.

SEC. 10303. DEFINITIONS.

In this part:

(2) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term

(3) Charter school.--The term ``charter school'' has the meaning given such term in section 5110 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7221i).

(A) The trustee is a Federally insured financial institution, or a State insured financial institution if a Federally insured financial institution is not available.

(C) The assets of the trust will not be commingled with other property except in a common trust fund or common investment fund.

(D) Any amount in the trust that is attributable to an account seed or matched deposit may be paid or distributed from the trust only for the purpose of paying qualified expenses of the individual.

(5) Dual or concurrent enrollment program.--The term ``dual or concurrent enrollment program'' means a program of study--

(B) that shall consist of not less than 2 postsecondary credit-bearing courses and support and academic services that help a student persist and complete such courses.

(7) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--

(A) a State educational agency;

(B) a local educational agency, including a charter school that operates as its own local educational agency;

(D) an institution of higher education or a Tribal College or University;

(E) a nonprofit organization;

(F) an entity with demonstrated experience in educational savings or in assisting low-income students to prepare for, and attend, an institution of higher education;

(G) a consortium of 2 or more of the entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (F); or

(8) Institution of higher education.--The term

``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given such term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).

(9) Local educational agency.--The term ``local educational agency'' has the meaning given such term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

(11) Parent.--The term ``parent'' has the meaning given such term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

(12) Qualified expenses.--The term ``qualified expenses'' means, with respect to an individual, expenses that--

(A) are incurred after the individual receives a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent; and

(B) are associated with attending an institution of higher education, including--

(i) tuition and fees;

(ii) room and board;

(iii) textbooks;

(iv) supplies and equipment; and

(v) Internet access.

(13) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Education.

(14) State educational agency.--The term ``State educational agency'' has the meaning given such term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

(15) Tribal college or university.--The term ``Tribal College or University'' has the meaning given such term in section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)).

(16) Tribally controlled school.--The term ``tribally controlled school'' has the meaning given such term in section 5212 of the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988

(25 U.S.C. 2511).

SEC. 10304. GRANT PROGRAM.

(a) Program Authorized.--The Secretary shall establish a pilot program and award 10 grants to eligible entities to enable such eligible entities to establish and administer American Dream Accounts for a group of low-income students.

SEC. 10305. APPLICATIONS; PRIORITY.

(b) Contents.--At a minimum, the application described in subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) A description of the characteristics of a group of not less than 30 low-income public school students who--

(A) are, at the time of the application, attending a grade not higher than grade 9; and

(B) will, under the grant, receive an American Dream Account.

(A) the students in the group described in paragraph (1);

(B) the family members and teachers of such students; and

(3) An identification of partners who will assist the eligible entity in establishing and sustaining American Dream Accounts.

(5) A demonstration that the eligible entity has sufficient resources to provide an initial deposit into the college savings account portion of each American Dream Account.

(10) A description of how the eligible entity will encourage students in the group described in paragraph (1) who fail to graduate from secondary school to continue their education.

(A) Attendance rates.

(B) Progress reports.

(D) The student graduation rate, as defined as the percentage of students who graduate from secondary school with a regular diploma in the standard number of years.

(E) Rates of student completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid described in section 483 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1090).

(F) Rates of enrollment in an institution of higher education.

(G) Rates of completion at an institution of higher education.

(13) A description of how the eligible entity will ensure that participating students described in paragraph (1) will have access to the Internet.

(c) Priority.--In awarding grants under this part, the Secretary shall give priority to applications from eligible entities that--

(1) are described in subparagraph (G) or (H) of section 10303(7);

(2) serve the largest number of low-income students;

(4) as of the time of application, have been awarded a grant under chapter 2 of subpart 2 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a-21 et seq.)

(commonly referred to as the ``GEAR UP program'').

SEC. 10306. AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.

(1) open a college savings account for such student;

(2) monitor the progress of such student online, which--

(A) shall include monitoring student data relating to--

(i) grades and course selections;

(ii) progress reports; and

(iii) attendance and disciplinary records; and

(B) may also include monitoring student data relating to a broad range of information, provided by teachers and family members, related to postsecondary education readiness, access, and completion;

(3) provide opportunities for such students, either online or in person, to learn about financial literacy, including by--

(A) assisting such students in financial planning for enrollment in an institution of higher education;

(B) assisting such students in identifying and applying for financial aid (such as loans, grants, and scholarships) for an institution of higher education; and

(A) choosing the appropriate courses to prepare for postsecondary education;

(B) applying to an institution of higher education;

(D) selecting an institution of higher education;

(E) choosing a major for the student's postsecondary program of education or a career path; and

(F) adapting to life at an institution of higher education; and

(5) provide opportunities for such students, either online or in person, to identify skills or interests, including career interests.

(b) Access to American Dream Account.--

(d) Prohibition on the Use of Grant Funds.--An eligible entity shall not use grant funds provided under this part to provide any initial deposits into a college savings account portion of a student's American Dream Account.

SEC. 10307. REPORTS AND EVALUATIONS.

(b) Contents.--The report described in subsection (a) shall--

(1) list the grants that have been awarded under section 10304(a);

(2) include the number of students who have an American Dream Account established through a grant awarded under section 10304(a);

(4) identify best practices developed by the eligible entities receiving grants under this part;

(5) identify any issues related to student privacy and stakeholder accessibility to American Dream Accounts;

(6) provide feedback from participating students and the parents of such students about the grant program, including--

(A) the impact of the program;

(B) aspects of the program that are successful;

(D) any other data required by the Secretary; and

(7) provide recommendations for expanding the American Dream Accounts program.

SEC. 10308. ELIGIBILITY TO RECEIVE FEDERAL STUDENT FINANCIAL

AID.

SEC. 10309. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016 and each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.

______

SA 2128. Mr. KAINE (for himself, Ms. Ayotte, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Casey, Mr. Warner, and Mrs. Boxer) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 2089 submitted by Mr. Alexander (for himself and Mrs. Murray) to the bill S. 1177, to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to ensure that every child achieves; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

After section 5010, insert the following:

SEC. 5011. MIDDLE SCHOOL TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM.

Title V (20 U.S.C. 7201 et seq.), as amended by section 5001, is further amended by inserting after part I, as added by section 5010, the following:

``PART J--MIDDLE SCHOOL TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

``SEC. 5951. PURPOSE; DEFINITIONS.

``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this part is to support the development of middle school career exploration programs linked to career and technical education programs of study.

``(b) Definitions.--In this part:

``(1) Career and technical education exploration program.--The term `career and technical education exploration program' means a program that is developed through an organized, systemic framework and is designed to aid students in making informed plans and decisions about future education and career opportunities and enrollment in career and technical education programs of study.

``(2) Eligible partnership.--The term `eligible partnership' means an entity that--

``(A) shall include--

``(i) not less than 1 local educational agency that receives funding under section 131 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2351), or an area career and technical education school or educational service agency described in such section;

``(ii) not less than 1 eligible institution that receives funding under section 132 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2352); and

``(iii) not less than 1 representative of either a local or regional business, industry, nonprofit organization, or apprenticeship program; and

``(B) may include other representatives of the community, including representatives of parents' organizations, labor organizations, nonprofit organizations, employers, and representatives of local workforce development boards

(established under subtitle A of title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act).

``SEC. 5952. CAREER EXPLORATION PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.

``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary shall create a pilot program to support the establishment of career and technical education exploration programs. In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall award grants to eligible partnerships to enable the eligible partnerships to develop middle school career and technical education exploration programs that are aligned with career and technical education programs of study described in section 122(c)(1)(A) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006

(20 U.S.C. 2342(c)(1)(A)).

``(b) Grant Duration.--Grants awarded under this part shall be for a period of not more than 4 years.

``(c) Application.--An eligible partnership seeking a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require. Each application shall include--

``(1) a description of the partner entities comprising the eligible partnership, the roles and responsibilities of each partner, and a demonstration of each partner's capacity to support the program;

``(2) a description of how the eligible partnership will use grant funds to carry out each of the activities described under subsection (e);

``(3) a description of how the middle school career and technical education exploration program aligns to regional economies and local emerging workforce needs;

``(4) a description of how the new middle school career and technical education exploration program is linked to--

``(A) 1 or more career and technical education programs of study offered by the agency or school described in section 5951(b)(2)(A)(i); and

``(B) 1 or more career and technical education programs of study offered by the postsecondary institution described in section 5951(b)(2)(A)(ii);

``(5) a description of the students that will be served by the middle school career and technical education exploration program;

``(6) a description of how the middle school career and technical education exploration program funded by the grant will be replicable;

``(7) a description of how the eligible partnership will disseminate information about best practices resulting from the middle school career and technical education exploration program to similar career and technical education programs of study, including such programs in urban and rural areas;

``(8) a description of how the middle school career and technical education exploration program will be implemented;

``(9) a description of how the middle school career and technical education exploration program will provide accessibility to students, especially economically disadvantaged, low-performing, and urban and rural students; and

``(10) a description of how the eligible partnership will carry out the evaluation required under subsection (f).

``(d) Selection of Grantees.--

``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall determine, based on the peer review process described in paragraph (3) and subject to the requirement in paragraph (4), which eligible partnership applicants shall receive funding under this part, and the amount of the grant funding under this part that each selected eligible partnership will receive.

``(2) Grant amounts.--In determining the amount of each grant awarded under this part, the Secretary shall--

``(A) ensure that all grants are of sufficient size, scope, and quality to be effective; and

``(B) take into account the total amount of funds available for all grants under this part and the types of activities proposed to be carried out by the eligible partnership.

``(3) Peer review process.--

``(A) Establishment of peer review committee.--The Secretary shall convene a peer review committee to review applications for grants under this part and to make recommendations to the Secretary regarding the selection of grantees.

``(B) Members of the peer review committee.--The peer review committee shall include the following members:

``(i) Educators who have experience implementing career and technical education programs and career exploration programs.

``(ii) Experts in the field of career and technical education.

``(4) Rural or small local educational agencies.--The Secretary shall set aside not less than 5 percent of the funds made available to award grants under this part to award grants to eligible partnerships that include rural or small local educational agencies, as defined by the Secretary.

``(e) Use of Funds.--Each eligible partnership receiving a grant under this section shall use grant funds to develop and implement a middle school career and technical education exploration program that--

``(1) shall--

``(A) include introductory courses or experiential activities, such as student apprenticeships or other work-based learning methods and project-based learning experiences;

``(B) include the implementation of a plan that demonstrates the transition from the middle school career and technical education exploration program to a career and technical education program of study that is offered by the entity described in section 5951(b)(2)(A)(i);

``(C) include programs and activities related to the development of individualized graduation and career plans for students; and

``(D) offer career guidance and academic counseling that--

``(i) provides information about postsecondary education and career options; and

``(ii) provides participating students with readily available career and labor market information, such as information about employment sectors, educational requirements, information on workforce supply and demand, and other information on careers that are aligned to State or local economic priorities; and

``(2) may include expanded learning time activities that--

``(A) focus on career exploration, including apprenticeships and internships;

``(B) are available to all students in a middle school; and

``(C) take place during a time that is outside of the standard hours of enrollment for students that are served by the local educational agency.

``(f) Evaluations and Report.--

``(1) Evaluation.--

``(A) In general.--Each eligible partnership that receives a grant under this part shall collect appropriate data or otherwise document through records (in a manner that complies with section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g), commonly known as the `Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974', and other applicable Federal and State privacy laws) the information necessary to conduct an evaluation of grant activities, including an evaluation of--

``(i) the extent of student participation in the middle school career and technical education exploration program carried out under this part;

``(ii) the impact of the middle school career and technical education exploration program carried out under this part on the students' transition to, or planned participation in, career and technical programs of study (as described in section 122(c)(1)(A) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2342(c)(1)(A)); and

``(iii) any other measurable outcomes specified by the Secretary.

``(B) Resources of the eligible partnership.--The evaluation described in this paragraph shall reflect the resources and capacity of the local educational agency, area career and technical education school, or educational service agency that is part of the eligible partnership in a manner determined by the Secretary.

``(2) Report.--The eligible partnership shall prepare and submit to the Secretary a report containing the results of the evaluation described in paragraph (1).''.

______

SA 2129. Mr. TESTER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 2089 submitted by Mr. Alexander (for himself and Mrs. Murray) to the bill S. 1177, to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to ensure that every child achieves; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 38, beginning on line 15, strike ``be administered--'' and all that follows through line 19, and insert ``be administered not less than one time, during--''

``(aa) grades 3 through 5;

``(bb) grades 6 through 9; and

``(cc) grades 10 through 12; and''.

______

SA 2130. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 2089 submitted by Mr. Alexander (for himself and Mrs. Murray) to the bill S. 1177, to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to ensure that every child achieves; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 69, between lines 16 and 17, insert the following:

``(N) if applicable, whether the State conducts periodic assessments of the condition of elementary school and secondary school facilities in the State, which may include an assessment of the age of the facility and the state of repair of the facility;

______

SA 2131. Mr. CASEY (for himself, Mr. Isakson, and Ms. Warren) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 2089 submitted by Mr. Alexander (for himself and Mrs. Murray) to the bill S. 1177, to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to ensure that every child achieves; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 39 line 15, insert ``, such as interoperability with and ability to use assistive technology,'' after

``accommodations''.

______

SA 2132. Mr. SCOTT (for himself, Mr. Cruz, Mr. Lee, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Sasse, and Mr. Vitter) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 2089 submitted by Mr. Alexander (for himself and Mrs. Murray) to the bill S. 1177, to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to ensure that every child achieves; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

After section 1010, insert the following:

SEC. 1011. FUNDS TO FOLLOW THE LOW-INCOME CHILD STATE OPTION.

Subpart 2 of part A of title I is amended by inserting after section 1122 the following:

``SEC. 1123. FUNDS TO FOLLOW THE LOW-INCOME CHILD STATE

OPTION.

``(a) Funds Follow the Low-income Child.--Notwithstanding any other provisions in this title requiring a State to reserve or distribute funds, a State may, in accordance with and as permitted by State law, distribute funds under this subpart among the local educational agencies in the State based on the number of eligible children enrolled in the public schools operated by each local educational agency and the number of eligible children within each local educational agency's geographical area whose parents elect to send their child to a private school, for the purposes of ensuring that funding under this subpart follows low-income children to the public school they attend and that payments will be made to the parents of eligible children who choose to enroll their eligible children in private schools.

``(b) Eligible Child.--

``(1) Definition.--In this section, the term `eligible child' means a child aged 5 to 17, inclusive from a family with an income below the poverty level on the basis of the most recent satisfactory data published by the Department of Commerce.

``(2) Criteria of poverty.--In determining the families with incomes below the poverty level for the purposes of this section, a State educational agency shall use the criteria of poverty used by the Census Bureau in compiling the most recent decennial census, as the criteria have been updated by increases in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

``(c) Identification of Eligible Children; Allocation and Distribution of Funds.--

``(1) Identification of eligible children.--On an annual basis, on a date to be determined by the State educational agency, each local educational agency shall inform the State educational agency of the number of eligible children enrolled in public schools served by the local educational agency and the number of eligible children within each local educational agency's geographical area whose parents elect to send their child to a private school.

``(2) Amount of payment.--

``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the amount of payment for each eligible child described in this section shall be equal to--

``(i) the total amount allotted to the State under this subpart; divided by

``(ii) the total number of eligible children in the State identified under paragraph (1).

``(B) Limitation.--In the case of a payment made to the parents of an eligible child who elects to attend a private school, the amount of the payment described in subparagraph

(A) for each eligible child shall not exceed the cost for tuition, fees, and transportation for the eligible child to attend the private school.

``(3) Allocation to local educational agencies.--Based on the identification of eligible children in paragraph (1), the State educational agency shall provide to a local educational agency an amount equal to the product of--

``(A) the amount available for each eligible child in the State, as determined in paragraph (2); multiplied by

``(B) the number of eligible children identified by the local educational agency under paragraph (1).

``(4) Distribution to schools.--From amounts allocated under paragraph (3) and notwithstanding any provisions in this title requiring a local educational agency to reserve funds, each local educational agency that receives funds under such paragraph shall distribute a portion of such funds to the public schools served by the local educational agency, which amount shall--

``(A) be based on the number of eligible children enrolled in such schools and included in the count submitted under paragraph (1); and

``(B) be distributed in a manner that would, in the absence of such Federal funds, supplement the funds made available from non-Federal resources for the education of pupils participating in programs under this part, and not to supplant such funds (in accordance with the method of determination described in section 1117).

``(5) Distribution to parents.--

``(A) In general.--From the amounts allocated under paragraph (3) and notwithstanding any provisions in this title requiring a local educational agency to reserve funds, each local educational agency that receives funds under such paragraph shall distribute a portion of such funds, in an amount equal to the amount described in paragraph (2), to the parents of each eligible child within the local educational agency's geographical area who elect to send their child to a private school and whose child is included in the count of such eligible children under paragraph (1), which amount shall be distributed in a manner so as to ensure that such payments will be used for the payment of tuition, fees, and transportation expenses (if any).

``(B) Reservation.--A local educational agency described in this paragraph may reserve not more than 1 percent of the funds available for distribution under subparagraph (A) to pay administrative costs associated with carrying out the activities described in such subparagraph.

``(d) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, shall provide technical assistance to the State educational agencies that choose to allocate grant funds in accordance with subsection (a), for the purpose of assisting local educational agencies and schools in such States to determine an accurate methodology to identify the number of eligible children under subsection

(c)(1).

``(e) Rule of Construction.--Payments to parents under this subsection (c)(5) shall be considered assistance to the eligible child and shall not be considered assistance to the school that enrolls the eligible child. The amount of any payment under this section shall not be treated as income of the child or his or her parents for purposes of Federal tax laws or for determining eligibility for any other Federal program.

``(f) Requirements for Participating Private Schools.--A private school that enrolls eligible children whose parents receive funds under this section--

``(1) shall be accredited, licensed, or otherwise operating in accordance with State law;

``(2) shall ensure that the amount of any tuition or fees charged by the school to an eligible child whose parents receive funds from a local educational agency through a distribution under this section does not exceed the amount of tuition or fees that the school charges to students whose parents do not receive such funds;

``(3) shall be academically accountable to the parent for meeting the educational needs of the student; and

``(4) shall not discriminate against eligible children on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex, except that--

``(A) the prohibition of sex discrimination shall not apply to a participating school that is operated by, supervised by, controlled by, or connected to a religious organization to the extent that the application of such prohibition is inconsistent with the religious tenets or beliefs of the school; and

``(B) notwithstanding this paragraph or any other provision of law, a parent may choose, and a school may offer, a single-sex school, class, or activity.

``(g) Prohibitions on Control of Participating Private Schools.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a private school that enrolls eligible children whose parents receive funds under this section--

``(1) may be a school that is operated by, supervised by, controlled by, or connected to, a religious organization to exercise its right in matters of employment consistent with title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.), including the exemptions in that title; and

``(2) consistent with the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, shall not--

``(A) be required to make any change in the school's teaching mission;

``(B) be required to remove religious art, icons, scriptures, or other symbols; or

``(C) be precluded from retaining religious terms in its name, selecting its board members on a religious basis, or including religious references in its mission statements and other chartering or governing documents.

``(h) Evaluation.--Every 2 years, the Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of eligible children whose parents receive funds under this section, which shall include an evaluation of--

``(1) 4-year adjusted cohort graduation rates; and

``(2) parental satisfaction regarding the relevant activities carried out under this section.

``(i) Requests for Data and Information.--Each school that enrolls eligible children whose parents receive funds under this section shall comply with all requests for data and information regarding evaluations conducted under subsection

(h).

``(j) Rules of Conduct and Other School Policies.--A school that enrolls eligible children whose parents receive funds under this section may require such children to abide by any rules of conduct and other requirements applicable to all other students at the school.

``(k) Report to Parents.--

``(1) In general.--Each school that enrolls eligible children whose parents receive funds under this section shall report, at least once during the school year, to such parents on--

``(A) their child's academic achievement, as measured by a comparison with--

``(i) the aggregate academic achievement of other students at the school who are eligible children whose parents receive funds under this section and who are in the same grade or level, as appropriate; and

``(ii) the aggregate academic achievement of the student's peers at the school who are in the same grade or level, as appropriate; and

``(B) the safety of the school, including the incidence of school violence, student suspensions, and student expulsions.

``(2) Prohibition on disclosure of personal information.--No report under this subsection may contain any personally identifiable information, except that a student's parent may receive a report containing personally identifiable information relating to their own child.''.

______

SA 2133. Mr. SCOTT (for himself, Mr. Cruz, Mr. Rubio, and Mr. Vitter) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 2089 submitted by Mr. Alexander (for himself and Mrs. Murray) to the bill S. 1177, to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to ensure that every child achieves; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

After part A of title X, insert the following:

PART B--EDUCATION PORTABILITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

SEC. 10201. PURPOSE.

The purpose of this part is to provide options to States to innovate and improve the education of children with disabilities by expanding the choices for students and parents under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

(20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.).

SEC. 10202. AMENDMENTS TO THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

EDUCATION ACT.

(a) Children Enrolled in Private Schools by Their Parents.--Section 612(a)(10)(A) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1412(a)(10)(A)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``(viii) Parent option program.--If a State has established a program that meets the requirements of section 663(c)(11)

(whether statewide or in limited areas of the State) and that allows a parent of a child described in section 663(c)(11)(A) to use public funds, or private funds in accordance with 633(c)(11)(B)(ii), to pay some or all of the costs of attendance at a private school--

``(I) funds allocated to the State under section 611 may be used by the State to supplement such public or private funds, if the Federal funds are distributed to parents who make a genuine independent choice as to the appropriate school for their child, except that in no case shall the amount of Federal funds provided under this subclause to a parent of a child with a disability for a year exceed the total amount of tuition, fees, and transportation costs for the child for the year;

``(II) the authorization of a parent to exercise this option fulfills the State's obligation under paragraph (1) with respect to the child during the period in which the child is enrolled in the selected school; and

``(III) a selected school accepting such funds shall not be required to carry out any of the requirements of this title with respect to such child.''.

(b) Research and Innovation To Improve Services and Results for Children With Disabilities.--Section 663(c) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1463(c)) is amended--

(1) in paragraph (9), by striking ``and'' after the semicolon;

(2) in paragraph (10), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

``(11) supporting the post-award planning and design, and the initial implementation (which may include costs for informing the community, acquiring necessary equipment and supplies, and other initial operational costs), during a period of not more than 3 years, of State programs that allow the parent of a child with a disability to make a genuine independent choice of the appropriate public or private school for their child, if the program--

``(A) requires that the child be a child who has received an initial evaluation described in section 614(a) and has been identified as a child with a disability, in accordance with part B;

``(B)(i) permits the parent to receive from the State funds to be used to pay some or all of the costs of attendance at the selected school (which may include tuition, fees, and transportation costs); or

``(ii) permits persons to receive a State tax credit for donations to an entity that provides funds to parents of eligible students described in subparagraph (A), to be used by the parents to pay some or all of the costs of attendance at the selected school (which may include tuition, fees, and transportation costs);

``(C) prohibits any school that agrees to participate in the program from discriminating against eligible students on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex, except that--

``(i) the prohibition of sex discrimination shall not apply to a participating school that is operated by, supervised by, controlled by, or connected to a religious organization to the extent that the application of such prohibition is inconsistent with the religious tenets or beliefs of the school; and

``(ii) notwithstanding this subparagraph or any other provision of law, a parent may choose, and a school may offer, a single-sex school, class, or activity;

``(D) notwithstanding any other provision of law, allows any school participating in the program that is operated by, supervised by, controlled by, or connected to, a religious organization to exercise its right in matters of employment consistent with title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.), including the exemptions in that title;

``(E) allows a school to participate in the program without, consistent with the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States--

``(i) necessitating any change in the participating school's teaching mission;

``(ii) requiring any private participating school to remove religious art, icons, scriptures, or other symbols; or

``(iii) precluding any private participating school from retaining religious terms in its name, selecting its board members on a religious basis, or including religious references in its mission statements and other chartering or governing documents; and

``(F) requires a participating school selected for a child with a disability to be--

``(i) accredited, licensed, or otherwise operating in accordance with State law; and

``(ii) academically accountable to the parent for meeting the educational needs of the student.''.

______

SA 2134. Mr. SCOTT (for himself, Mr. Cruz, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Rubio, and Mr. Vitter) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 1177, to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to ensure that every child achieves; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end, add the following:

TITLE XI--CHOICE ACT

SECTION 11001. SHORT TITLE.

This title may be cited as the ``Creating Hope and Opportunity for Individuals and Communities through Education Act'' or the ``CHOICE Act''.

PART A--IMPROVING THE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OPPORTUNITY AND RESULTS ACT

SEC. 11101. PURPOSE.

The purpose of this part is to amend the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act (Public Law 112-10, 125 Stat. 199) in order to improve provisions concerning opportunity scholarships available for low-income students in the District of Columbia.

SEC. 11102. IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OPPORTUNITY

AND RESULTS ACT.

(a) Carryover Amounts.--Section 3014 of division C of the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (Public Law 112-10, 125 Stat. 212) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``(c) Carryover Amounts.--

``(1) In general.--Amounts appropriated under this section shall remain available until expended.

``(2) Use of carryover amounts.--Of the funds appropriated under this section that are unobligated, are not expended in the fiscal year for which such funds are appropriated, and are not necessary for the continuation of the scholarships already awarded, the Secretary shall, for the subsequent fiscal year--

``(A) use 2 percent of such funds to carry out outreach and parental education and assistance activities described in section 3007(c) that are in addition to any such activities carried out by an eligible entity under such section; and

``(B) use the remaining amount of such funds to provide opportunity scholarships to eligible students who have not previously received such a scholarship.''.

(b) Clarification in Student Eligibility.--Section 3013(3) of division C of the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (Public Law 112-10, 125 Stat. 211) is amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph

(A), by inserting ``, is enrolled, or will be enrolled for the next school year, in a public or private elementary school or secondary school,'' after ``District of Columbia''.

PART B--EDUCATION PORTABILITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

SEC. 11201. PURPOSE.

(20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.).

SEC. 11202. AMENDMENTS TO THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES