,,ii #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #aaag ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,june #g1 #bjac ,ms4 ,stabenow introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to prepare disconnected youth for a competitive future4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,reengaging ,americans in ,serious ,education by ,uniting ,programs ,act4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4 ,sec4 #b4 ,findings and purposes4 ,sec4 #c4 ,definitions4 ,sec4 #d4 ,grants authorized4 ,sec4 #e4 ,application4 ,sec4 #f4 ,priority4 ,sec4 #g4 ,selection criteria4 ,sec4 #h4 ,use of funds4 ,sec4 #i4 ,planning grants authorized4 ,sec4 #aj4 ,accountability1 performance measures1 and evaluation4 ,sec4 #aa4 ,technical assistance and best practices4 ,sec4 #ab4 ,authorization of appropriations4 #b4 ,findings and purposes 7a7 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,in the ,united ,states today1 millions of youth drop out of secondary school1 fail to complete their studies1 or do not graduate on time4 ,while the ,united ,states has made slow progress in improving graduation rates1 the dropout challenge remains a crisis that is impeding the ,nation's ability to produce an educated workforce and succeed in the #bast century global economy4 7#b7 ,government data shows that more than #be percent of the ,nation's students fail to complete secondary school in #d years4 ,in some of the larger cities of the ,united ,states and among urban minority youth1 dropout rates of #dj percent are not uncommon4 7#c7 ,according to recent research1 there is an estimated #f1gjj1jjj youth ages #af-bd who are disconnected from school and work1 of which #c1djj1jjj are chronic1 having had no attachment to school or work since age #af1 and #c1cjj1jjj are under-attached to school or work and have not progressed toward employment or postsecondary education4 ,while disconnected youth are disproportionately male and from minority groups1 substantial disconnected youth rates are found for all groups of youth4 7#d7 ,the impact of this dropout crisis has been likened to a permanent recession for youth1 and it has consequences for the economy of the ,united ,states4 ,disconnected youth are more likely than other youth to engage in criminal activities1 become incarcerated1 and rely on public systems of support4 7#e7 ,the ,department of ,education reports that the average secondary school dropout is associated with costs to the economy of approximately #bdj1jjj over the individual's lifetime in terms of lower tax contributions1 higher reliance on government health programs and public assistance1 and higher rates of criminal activity4 ,over their lifetimes1 secondary school dropouts are estimated to earn #djj1jjj less than secondary school graduates4 ,further1 only #cg percent of secondary school dropouts are steadily employed1 and they are more than twice as likely to live in high poverty4 7#f7 ,experts estimate that two-thirds of jobs created in the near future will require at least some postsecondary education4 ,education and training pathways that help youth to earn a secondary school diploma and postsecondary credentials are essential4 7b7 ,purposes ,the purposes of this ,act are-- 7#a7 to prepare disconnected youth for a competitive future2 7#b7 to challenge and support young people who have dropped out of secondary school to-- 7,a7 attain a secondary school diploma2 7,b7 attain a #b-year or #d-year credential from a recognized postsecondary educational institution1 an industry-recognized credential1 or certification from a registered apprenticeship program2 and 7,c7 secure and succeed in a family-supporting career2 and 7#c7 to support local community partnerships in integrating existing1 and often disparate1 services into a comprehensive1 cross-systems dropout recovery approach4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,disability ,the term disability has the meaning given the term in section #c of the ,americans with ,disabilities ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abajb74 7#b7 ,disconnected youth ,the term disconnected youth means a young person who-- 7,a7 has left secondary school without obtaining a secondary school diploma2 7,b7 is or was previously a homeless child or youth2 7,c7 is or was under the care and placement responsibility of the ,state agency responsible for administering a plan under parts ,b and ,e of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fba et seq41 #fgj et seq472 7,d7 was under the custody of a juvenile justice or criminal justice system2 7,e7 has a disability2 or 7,f7 is a low-income individual and is pregnant or parenting and not attending any school4 7#c7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means a partnership consisting of entities or individuals qualified to represent the community assisted1 or proposed to be assisted1 by a grant under this ,act1 including not less than one partner from each of the following categories3 7,a7 ,a mayor1 or other appropriate chief executive officer1 of a unit of general purpose local government in the community4 7,b7 ,a local educational agency 7as defined in section #iaja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja77 serving the community4 7,c7 ,a local workforce system serving the community4 7,d7 ,an institution of higher education serving the community4 7,e7 ,a representative of a local or state system serving young people in the community1 including-- 7i7 a juvenile justice system2 7ii7 a criminal justice system2 7iii7 a housing agency2 7iv7 a mental health agency2 and 7v7 a child welfare agency4 7,f7 ,a representative of a community-based organization serving the community4 7,g7 ,a representative from business or industry4 7,h7 ,a representative with expertise in labor management relations4 7,i7 ,a disconnected youth in the community and the parents or caregivers of such disconnected youth4 7#d7 ,federal ,youth ,development ,council ,the term ,federal ,youth ,development ,council means the ,federal ,youth ,development ,council established under the ,tom ,osborne ,federal ,youth ,coordination ,act 7,public ,law #aji-cfe2 #abj ,stat4 #beid74 7#e7 ,homeless children and youths ,the term homeless children and youths has the meaning given the term in section #gbe of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadcd;a74 7#f7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja74 7#g7 ,one-stop center ,the term one-stop center means a one-stop center described in section #acd7;c7 of the ,workforce ,investment ,act of #aiih 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #bhfd7;c774 7#h7 ,postsecondary education ,the term postsecondary education means-- 7,a7 a #d-year program of instruction1 or not less than a #a-year program of instruction that is acceptable for credit toward a baccalaureate degree1 offered by an institution of higher education2 or 7,b7 a certificate or registered apprenticeship program at the postsecondary level offered by an institution of higher education or a nonprofit educational institution4 7#i7 ,registered apprenticeship program ,the term registered apprenticeship program means an industry skills training program at the postsecondary level that combines technical and theoretical training through structured on-the-job learning with related instruction 7in a classroom or through distance learning7 while an individual is employed1 working under the direction of qualified personnel or a mentor1 and earning incremental wage increases aligned to enhanced job proficiency1 resulting in the acquisition of a nationally recognized and portable certificate1 under a plan approved by the ,office of ,apprenticeship of the ,department of ,labor or by a ,state agency recognized by the ,department of ,labor4 7#aj7 ,secondary school ,the term secondary school has the meaning given the term in section #iaja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja74 7#aa7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,labor4 7#ab7 ,young people ,the term young people means individuals who are between the ages of #af and #bd1 inclusive1 at the time of commencement of participation in services funded through a grant under section #d4 #d4 ,grants authorized 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,education1 the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services1 the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development1 the ,attorney ,general of the ,united ,states1 the ,federal ,youth ,development ,council1 and leaders in the field of working with disconnected youth1 shall award grants1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to pay the costs of-- 7#a7 developing and implementing a strategy to identify disconnected youth2 and 7#b7 providing such disconnected youth with support needed to-- 7,a7 attain a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent2 7,b7 attain a postsecondary credential1 including a #b-year or #d-year credential from an institution of higher education1 an industry-recognized credential1 or certification from a registered apprenticeship program2 and 7,c7 secure and succeed in a family-supporting career4 7b7 ,minimum grant amount ,the ,secretary shall award a grant under this section in an amount that-- 7#a7 is appropriate to achieve the goals and implement the activities described in the application submitted under section #e2 and 7#b7 is not less than #a1jjj1jjj per year4 7c7 ,duration of grant ,a grant under this section shall be awarded for a period of #e years1 and may be renewed at the discretion of the ,secretary based on the effective performance of the eligible entity under the preceding grant in accordance with the levels of performance determined by the eligible entity and the ,secretary pursuant to section #i7;b74 7d7 ,equitable geographic distribution of funds ,the ,secretary shall ensure an equitable and appropriate distribution of grants awarded under this section among eligible entities-- 7#a7 serving urban1 rural1 and suburban areas2 and 7#b7 with varying degrees of experience and expertise in serving disconnected youth4 7e7 ,fiscal and administrative agents ,an eligible entity shall choose an entity to be the fiscal agent and an entity to be the administrative agent for the grant funds received under this section4 7f7 ,existing partnership ,an existing workforce1 education1 or youth development partnership1 coalition1 or organization may serve as the eligible entity for the purposes of grants under this section if the partnership1 coalition1 or organization includes1 or modifies the members of the partnership1 coalition1 or organization to include1 the individuals required to be included in the eligible entity under section #c7c74 #e4 ,application 7a7 ,in general ,an eligible entity that desires a grant under section #d shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 7b7 ,contents ,an application submitted under this section shall include-- 7#a7 a description of the eligible entity submitting the application1 including a description of the fiscal agent and the administrative agent for the grant2 7#b7 a description of the strategy that the eligible entity will use to carry out the purpose of this ,act1 which shall include-- 7,a7 a well-developed education component with an emphasis on-- 7i7 multiple pathways and options towards secondary school diploma and postsecondary credential attainment1 which may include recuperative strategies such as competency-based instruction and credit retrieval as well as basic literacy2 and 7ii7 the skills needed in the fields of science1 technology1 engineering1 and mathematics2 7,b7 a work preparation component1 which may include a hands-on internship1 work experience1 or national or community service1 that promotes the development of applied skills such as oral and written communication1 teamwork1 leadership1 and critical thinking2 and 7,c7 a youth support component1 including the array of comprehensive support services that will-- 7i7 address the challenges that caused the disconnected youth to leave school without a secondary school diploma2 7ii7 remove barriers to and support the attainment of-- 7,i7 the graduation of such young people from secondary school2 7,,ii7 a postsecondary credential1 including a #b-year or #d-year credential from an institution of higher education1 an industry-recognized credential1 or certification from a registered apprenticeship program2 and 7,,iii7 success in a family-supporting career2 and 7iii7 provide appropriate case management to ensure young people achieve the purposes described in section #b7;b72 7#c7 a needs assessment of the community to be assisted under the grant1 including-- 7,a7 an estimate of the number of disconnected youth in the community2 and 7,b7 an assessment of resources available in the community that can help such disconnected youth-- 7i7 address the challenges that caused such disconnected youth to leave school without a secondary school diploma2 7ii7 return to an appropriate educational setting2 7iii7 attain a secondary school diploma2 7iv7 attain a postsecondary credential1 including a #b-year or #d-year credential from an institution of higher education1 an industry-recognized credential1 or certification from a registered apprenticeship program2 and 7v7 secure and succeed in a family-supporting career2 7#d7 a plan for identifying and engaging disconnected youth and connecting such disconnected youth with a continuum of comprehensive and coordinated resources that can help such disconnected youth attain a secondary school diploma1 a recognized postsecondary credential1 including a #b-year or #d-year credential from an institution of higher education1 an industry-recognized credential1 or certification from a registered apprenticeship program1 and secure and succeed in a family-supporting career1 including a description of-- 7,a7 the needs of such disconnected youth that will be met by the eligible entity through the grant2 7,b7 the identities1 roles1 and capacity of the partners in the eligible entity to fulfill the needs described in subparagraph 7,a71 including a description of the role to be played by-- 7i7 secondary schools and institutions of higher education in constructing education programming2 7ii7 the local workforce system1 including one-stop career centers and businesses1 in developing and implementing the workforce preparation activities2 and 7iii7 systems serving young people1 including the juvenile justice system1 and other community-based organizations in providing outreach1 support1 and direct service2 7,c7 a plan to leverage non-,federal 7including in-kind7 resources and a plan for sustainability beyond the grant period2 7,d7 the services to be provided through the grant to carry out the strategy described in paragraph 7#b7 and a description of the process that will be used to award subgrants and contracts under section #h for the provision of such services2 7,e7 the research and evidence base indicating why the selected strategy and selection of services will be effective in meeting the comprehensive needs of the disconnected youth identified in the community2 7,f7 the goals1 intended outcomes1 and performance measures of the eligible entity's strategy in accordance with the performance measures under section #aj7;b72 7,g7 a statement of concurrence on the application1 signed by the partners in the eligible entity1 that outlines the specific roles and responsibilities of the partners as the roles and responsibilities relate to the functioning of the eligible entity2 and 7,h7 a plan to create1 or include an existing1 youth advisory council1 that is composed of disconnected youth from the community to be served1 to make recommendations regarding the services to be provided under the grant2 7#e7 a description of the system that will be put in place to-- 7,a7 provide case management1 counseling1 intensive placement and follow-up services1 adult advocacy1 or mentoring to help disconnected youth and their families access the various systems1 resources1 and supports necessary to ensure such young people's success2 and 7,b7 ensure that young people receiving services through the grant will receive individualized case management to ensure that the young people achieve the purposes described in section #b7;b71 including-- 7i7 an assessment of needs2 7ii7 coordination of appropriate services2 and 7iii7 academic preparation and support for entry1 persistence1 and completion of postsecondary education2 7#f7 a description of how the eligible entity will ensure that every young person served under the grant receives comprehensive services1 including services from each of the categories described in paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#c7 of section #h7;b7 until the young person-- 7,a7 attains a secondary school diploma1 a #b-year or #d-year credential or occupational certification from an institution of higher education1 an industry-recognized credential1 or certification from a registered apprenticeship program2 and 7,b7 secures employment that can lead to economic self-sufficiency2 7#g7 a description of how the strategy to be implemented under the grant will identify1 engage1 and provide services to young people who-- 7,a7 left school without a secondary school diploma and have reading1 mathematics1 or science skills at or below the grade #h level2 and 7,b7 are disconnected youth described in any of subparagraphs 7,c7 through 7,e7 of section #c7b72 7#h7 a description of how public and private services that exist on the date of submission of the application will be coordinated and integrated in order to implement and sustain the strategy under the grant2 7#i7 a description of how ,federal1 ,state1 and local private and public funds will be leveraged1 coordinated1 and integrated in order to implement the strategy under the grant2 7#aj7 a description of how the strategy to be implemented under the grant strengthens1 and does not duplicate1 efforts within the community to be served under the grant that are funded under chapter #d of subtitle ,b of title ,i of the ,workforce ,investment ,act of #aiih 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #bhea et seq472 7#aa7 a description of the process to be used to review or approve the industry-recognized credentials that may be attained by the young people receiving support under the grant2 and 7#ab7 a description of how the strategy to be implemented under the grant aligns with the efforts of the local educational agency serving the community assisted under the grant to improve secondary schools1 including efforts focused on-- 7,a7 students who are off-track to an on-time graduation2 and 7,b7 recuperative strategies4 7c7 ,existing plans1 assessments1 and strategies ,plans1 needs assessments1 and strategies that have been developed by an eligible entity or the partners in the eligible entity may be used to satisfy the requirements of this section if such plans1 needs assessments1 or strategies-- 7#a7 include the information required by this section1 or can be modified to include the information required by this section2 and 7#b7 are submitted to the ,secretary with such modifications4 #f4 ,priority ,in awarding grants to eligible entities under section #d1 the ,secretary shall give priority to applications from eligible entities proposing-- 7#a7 to serve areas with disproportionately high numbers or percentages of young people who have left secondary school without obtaining a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent2 7#b7 to serve areas with high concentrations of young people in families whose family income is not more than #bjj percent of the poverty line 7as determined under section #fgc7b7 of the ,community ,services ,block ,grant ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #iijb7b7772 and 7#c7 to serve areas with high numbers or percentages of young people who are unemployed or underemployed4 #g4 ,selection criteria ,the ,secretary shall award grants to eligible entities under section #d based on selection criteria that includes the following3 7#a7 ,best practices or research ,the extent to which the application submitted by an eligible entity under section #e is rooted in documented best practices or research4 7#b7 ,integration ,the extent to which the application demonstrates the integration of multiple services into a comprehensive1 coordinated continuum that meets the holistic needs of young people1 including health services1 mental health services1 housing1 civic opportunities1 job readiness1 work experience1 school readiness1 reenrollment in school1 and connections to family and community4 7#c7 ,leadership and community involvement ,the extent to which the application demonstrates the leadership and substantive involvement of the business community1 the mayor or appropriate chief executive officers of the general purpose local government of the community to be served by the grant1 each local educational agency serving the community1 the public and nonprofit sectors of the community1 and other individuals and entities described in section #c7b71 of the community4 7#d7 ,leveraging and sustainability ,the extent to which the application demonstrates that resources from multiple sources will be leveraged to implement the grant1 and the extent to which the application demonstrates a plan for sustainability beyond the grant period4 #h4 ,use of funds 7a7 ,subgrants 7#a7 ,in general ,each eligible entity receiving a grant under section #d shall use the grant funds-- 7,a7 to award subgrants and contracts to community-based organizations and other entities to enable the organizations and entities to provide a comprehensive array of coordinated activities that will-- 7i7 support the educational1 career and technical1 social1 emotional1 and civic needs of disconnected youth2 and 7ii7 allow disconnected youth to graduate from secondary school1 attain a postsecondary credential1 including a #b-year or #d-year credential from an institution of higher education1 an industry-recognized credential1 or certification from a registered apprenticeship program1 and secure and succeed in a family-supporting career2 7,b7 for training1 technical assistance1 and professional development for the organizations and entities that is offered by local or national organizations2 7,c7 for coordinating the overall effort of the eligible entity2 and 7,d7 for the reasonable costs associated with the administration and oversight of the grants under section #d4 7#b7 ,use of subgrant funds ,each organization or entity receiving a subgrant or contract under this section-- 7,a7 shall use the subgrant or contract funds to carry out a workforce preparation service1 an education support service1 or a youth support service1 described in paragraphs 7#a71 7#b71 and 7#c7 of subsection 7b71 respectively2 and 7,b7 may use the subgrant or contract funds to carry out an activity described in paragraph 7#d7 or 7#e7 of subsection 7b74 7b7 ,allowable activities ,the services and activities referred to in subsection 7a77#b7 include the following3 7#a7 ,work and career preparation 7,a7 ,workforce preparation ,job training1 youth entrepreneurship1 technological and career and technical skill building1 meaningful internship and apprenticeship opportunities1 and other workforce preparation activities developed in partnership with the business community and other employers4 7,b7 ,exposure and preparation for careers ,strategies that will expose disconnected youth to1 and prepare such disconnected youth for1 careers1 including careers in high-growth1 high-demand industries that require the use of science1 technology1 engineering1 and mathematics skills4 7,c7 ,applied skills ,strategies that promote the development of applied skills in such young people1 including oral and written communication1 teamwork1 leadership1 critical thinking1 and a commitment to social and civic responsibility1 including service-learning activities4 7,d7 ,compensation ,compensation for employment opportunities for such young people1 including summer and year-round employment opportunities1 national and community service1 service-learning1 and work experience4 7#b7 ,education support 7,a7 ,education programming ,education programming for such young people1 including assessment1 instruction1 tutoring1 and technology supports to academic instruction4 7,b7 ,career and technical education ,career and technical education4 7,c7 ,dual enrollment programs and early college high schools ,participation in dual enrollment programs1 early college high schools1 and other proven models for supporting the educational achievement of disconnected youth4 7,d7 ,postsecondary credentials ,programs that provide young people with a postsecondary credential from an institution of higher education1 a non-profit postsecondary educational institution that offers an industry recognized credential1 or a registered apprenticeship program4 7,e7 ,transition support ,support for young people in their transition into and their successful completion of postsecondary education4 7,f7 ,financial assistance ,financial assistance for such young people for education support services and for higher education4 7#c7 ,youth support 7,a7 ,case management ,case management1 including using subgrant or contract funds for youth centers to serve as points of access and continued support4 7,b7 ,health1 mental health1 or drug treatment services ,health services1 mental health services1 or drug treatment services4 7,c7 ,housing ,housing4 7,d7 ,transportation ,transportation4 7,e7 ,childcare or family support services ,childcare services or family support services4 7,f7 ,mentoring activities ,mentoring activities for such young people1 including one-to-one relationship building and tutoring4 7#d7 ,curriculum development ,curriculum development that promotes contextual learning4 7#e7 ,other services or opportunities ,other services or opportunities that the ,secretary or the eligible entity determine will help carry out the purposes of this ,act4 7c7 ,eligible participants ,an eligible entity receiving a grant under section #d shall ensure that1 of the group of young people who receive the services and participate in the activities described in subsections 7a7 and 7b7 under the grant1 not less than #ge percent of the group shall be disconnected youth as defined in section #c7b74 7d7 ,waiver of multiple service requirement ,the ,secretary may waive the requirement of subsection 7a7 regarding the provision of a comprehensive array of coordinated activities for an eligible entity receiving a grant under section #d to permit not more than #be percent of the young people served by the eligible entity under the grant to receive only #a or more services among the allowable activities described in subsection 7b7 if the eligible entity determines that such young people only need #a or more such services in order to-- 7#a7 attain a secondary school diploma2 7#b7 attain a recognized postsecondary credential1 including a #b-year or #d-year credential from an institution of higher education1 an industry-recognized credential1 or certification from a registered apprenticeship program2 and 7#c7 secure and succeed in a family-supporting career4 #i4 ,planning grants authorized 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall award planning grants to eligible entities to develop the components of the application described in section #e1 in order to allow eligible entities to become competitive for grants under section #d4 7b7 ,duration2 amount ,planning grants under this section shall be-- 7#a7 for a duration of not more than #f months in an amount of not more than #ej1jjj2 or 7#b7 for a duration of more than #f months and not more than one year and in an amount of not more than #ajj1jjj4 7c7 ,recipients ,recipients of grants under this section shall include-- 7#a7 eligible entities that applied for and did not receive a grant under section #d1 and demonstrate the ability to submit a competitive application after additional local planning2 and 7#b7 eligible entities that intend to apply for a grant under section #d after undergoing a thorough planning process4 #aj4 ,accountability1 performance measures1 and evaluation 7a7 ,purpose ,the purpose of this section is to establish an accountability system1 comprised of the activities described in this section1 in order to-- 7#a7 assess the effectiveness of grants under section #d in helping disconnected youth-- 7,a7 attain a secondary school diploma2 7,b7 attain a #b-year or #d-year credential from an institution of higher education1 an industry recognized credential1 or certification from a registered apprenticeship program2 and 7,c7 secure and succeed in a family-supporting career2 7#b7 identify and disseminate effective practices to strengthen performance2 and 7#c7 maximize the return on investment of ,federal funds in activities assisted pursuant to a grant under section #d4 7b7 ,performance measures 7#a7 ,in general ,for each eligible entity1 performance measures shall consist of the indicators of performance described in paragraph 7#b7 and the level of performance described in paragraph 7#c74 7#b7 ,indicators of performance ,the indicators of performance referred to in paragraph 7#a7 shall consist of the following3 7,a7 ,interim indicators 7i7 ,youth participation ,the participation of young people in activities funded under section #d4 7ii7 ,youth progress ,the progress of young people towards all of the following3 7,i7 ,attainment of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent4 7,,ii7 ,job readiness4 7iii7 ,youth attainment ,the attainment by young people of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent4 7,b7 ,transitional indicators 7i7 ,diploma1 and entrance into education or employment ,the attainment by young people of a secondary school diploma1 and entrance into postsecondary education or employment4 7ii7 ,credential ,the attainment by young people of #a or more recognized postsecondary credentials1 which may include a certificate1 a license1 a journey-status card1 or an associate degree or baccalaureate degree4 7,c7 ,long-term indicators 7i7 ,employment1 diploma1 and credential ,employment of individuals who participated in activities funded under section #d1 attained a secondary school diploma1 and attained #a or more recognized credentials1 which may include a certificate1 license1 journey-status card1 or associate degree or baccalaureate degree4 7ii7 ,initial wage or salary level ,the initial wage or salary level of individuals described in clause 7i74 7#c7 ,level of performance ,for each indicator of performance described in paragraph 7#b71 the ,secretary1 in coordination with the eligible entity1 shall determine a level of performance expressed in objective1 quantifiable1 and measurable form and in a way to show the progress of the eligible entity toward continuously improving performance4 7#d7 ,eligible entity measures 7,a7 ,in general ,each eligible entity that receives a grant under section #d shall reach agreement with the ,secretary on the levels of performance for the years covered by the grant4 ,the levels of performance shall take into account the economic conditions of the area served1 the characteristics of young people in the area1 secondary school graduation rates1 and the activities or services provided in the community served under the grant4 7,b7 ,adjustments ,if unanticipated circumstances arise resulting in a significant change in the economic conditions of the area1 the characteristics of young people in the area1 secondary school graduation rates1 or activities or services provided in the community served under the grant1 then the eligible entity may request that the ,secretary adjust the level of performance for the eligible entity4 7c7 ,assurance ,each eligible entity that receives a grant under section #d shall provide an assurance to the ,secretary1 as part of the application submitted under section #e1 that the eligible entity will-- 7#a7 report progress toward achieving the indicators under subsection 7b7 beyond the grant period for young people served under the grant2 and 7#b7 use funds provided under the grant for such progress reporting4 7d7 ,reports 7#a7 ,in general ,each eligible entity that receives a grant under section #d shall annually1 for each year of the grant1 provide a report to the ,secretary that includes the progress of the eligible entity in accomplishing the performance measures for the eligible entity4 ,the annual report shall include-- 7,a7 information on the progress each eligible entity made in accomplishing its performance measures1 disaggregated by the categories described in section #aaaa7;b77#b77;,c77v77,,ii7 of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #fcaa7;b77#b77;,c77v77,,ii772 7,b7 the costs of the activities supported under the grant under section #d1 including-- 7i7 the type of cost1 such as cash1 personnel1 equipment1 supplies1 or materials1 or other cost2 7ii7 the sources used to pay such costs1 such as-- 7,i7 funding from other ,federal1 ,state1 or local public programs2 or 7,,ii7 private sector or philanthropic contributions2 and 7iii7 the dollar value of the resources leveraged to cover such costs and support the activities2 7,c7 any fiscal and management accountability information required by the ,secretary1 which information shall use sound financial and management practices2 7,d7 the characteristics and number of disconnected youth served by the services and activities provided under the grant2 and 7,e7 the services and supports provided under the grant4 7#b7 ,valid and reliable information ,in preparing the reports under this subsection1 each eligible entity shall establish procedures1 consistent with guidelines issued by the ,secretary1 to ensure that the information contained in the reports is valid and reliable4 7e7 ,evaluation ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall award a grant or a contract to an entity outside the ,department of ,labor for an evaluation of the activities assisted under the grants awarded under section #d4 ,such evaluation shall-- 7#a7 evaluate a subgroup of eligible entities that received a grant under section #d2 7#b7 include an analysis and documentation of the strategies implemented by the eligible entities assisted under the grants awarded under section #d and the key lessons learned1 as such lessons relate to program design1 systems coordination1 and implementation2 7#c7 measure the outcomes1 and progress toward the outcomes1 of the strategies implemented under the grants under section #d in terms of the interim and transitional indicators of performance under subsection 7b77#b71 and if feasible1 the long-term indicators of performance under such subsection2 7#d7 document the incremental progress of such young people over time on the outcomes measured under paragraph 7#c72 7#e7 measure the return on investment resulting from the activities funded with grants under section #d2 and 7#f7 begin as soon as practicable after the awarding of the grant or contract under this section and continue throughout the duration of the periods of the grants under section #d so that the plans included in the applications under section #e may be informed by1 and conducive to1 the evaluation4 #aa4 ,technical assistance and best practices ,the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 in consultation with the ,federal ,youth ,development ,council1 the ,coordinating ,council on ,juvenile ,justice and ,delinquency ,prevention established under section #bjf of the ,juvenile ,justice and ,delinquency ,prevention ,act of #aigd 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #efaf71 the ,shared ,youth ,vision1 and other related agencies1 disseminate best practices that emerge from the programs assisted under this ,act in identifying disconnected youth1 and in implementing effective public and private strategies for preparing such young people to be successful students1 workers1 and citizens during and after implementation of the program2 and 7#b7 provide1 directly or through a grant or contract with #a or more nonprofit organizations selected through a competitive process1 training1 technical assistance1 and professional development for organizations serving disconnected youth1 including organizations serving such disconnected youth that do not receive funding under this ,act4 #ab4 ,authorization of appropriations 7a7 ,in general ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this ,act such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years #bjad through #bjah4 7b7 ,allocation ,of the amounts appropriated to carry out this section for each fiscal year1 the ,secretary shall use-- 7#a7 not less than #ij percent of such amount for grants to eligible entities under section #d and section #i2 and 7#b7 a total of not more than #aj percent of such amount for the evaluation under section #aj7;b7 and the training1 technical assistance1 and dissemination of best practices under section #aa4