,,ii #aadth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #cbef ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,july #ad1 #bjaf,mr4 ,durbin 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,rubio1 ,mr4 ,markey1 and ,ms4 ,collins7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa to provide assistance for developing countries to promote quality basic education and to establish the goal of all children in school and learning as an objective of the ,united ,states foreign assistance policy1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,education for ,all ,act of #bjaf4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4,sec4 #b4 ,sense of ,congress4,sec4 #c4 ,assistance to promote sustainable1 quality basic education4,sec4 #d4 ,comprehensive integrated ,united ,states strategy to promote basic education4,sec4 #e4 ,improving coordination and oversight4,sec4 #f4 ,monitoring and evaluation of programs4,sec4 #g4 ,transparency and reporting to ,congress4,sec4 #h4 ,definitions4 #b4 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that-- 7#a7 education lays the foundation for increased civic participation1 democratic governance1 sustained economic growth1 and healthier1 more stable societies2 7#b7 it is in the national interest of the ,united ,states to promote access to sustainable1 quality universal basic education in developing countries2 7#c7 ,united ,states resources and leadership should be utilized in a manner that best ensures a successful international effort to provide children in developing countries with a quality basic education in order to achieve the goal of quality universal basic education2 and 7#d7 promoting gender parity in basic education from childhood through adolescence serves ,united ,states diplomatic1 economic1 and security interests worldwide4 #c4 ,assistance to promote sustainable1 quality basic education ,section #aje of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #baea;c7 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7c7 ,assistance ,to promote sustainable1 quality basic education 7#a7 ,policy ,in carrying out this section1 it shall be the policy of the ,united ,states to work with partner countries1 other donors1 multilateral institutions1 the private sector1 and nongovernmental and civil society organizations1 including as appropriate faith-based organizations and organizations that represent teachers1 students1 and parents1 to promote sustainable1 quality basic education through programs and activities that1 consistent with ,article #bf of the ,universal ,declaration of ,human ,rights-- 7,a7 align with and respond to the needs1 capacities1 and commitment of developing countries to strengthen educational systems1 expand access to safe learning environments1 ensure continuity of education1 measurably improve teacher skills and learning outcomes1 and support the engagement of parents in the education of their children1 so that all children1 including marginalized children and other vulnerable groups1 may have access to and benefit from quality basic education2 7,b7 promote education as a foundation for sustained economic growth and development within a holistic assistance strategy that places partner countries on a trajectory toward graduation from assistance provided under this section and contributes to improved-- 7i7 early childhood development2 7ii7 life skills and workforce development2 7iii7 economic opportunity2 7iv7 gender parity2 7v7 food and nutrition security2 7vi7 water1 sanitation1 and hygiene2 7vii7 health and disease prevention and treatment2 7viii7 disaster preparedness2 7ix7 conflict and violence reduction1 mitigation1 and prevention2 and 7x7 democracy and governance2 and 7,c7 monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and quality of basic education programs4 7#b7 ,principles ,in carrying out the policy referred to in paragraph 7#a71 the ,united ,states shall be guided by the following principles of aid effectiveness3 7,a7 ,alignment ,assistance provided under this section to support programs and activities under this subsection shall be aligned with and advance ,united ,states diplomatic1 development1 and national security interests4 7,b7 ,country ownership ,to the greatest extent practicable1 assistance provided under this section to support programs and activities under this subsection should be aligned with and support the national education plans and country development strategies of partner countries1 including activities that are appropriate for and meet the needs of local and indigenous cultures4 7,c7 ,coordination 7i7 ,in general ,assistance provided under this section to support programs and activities under this subsection should be coordinated with and leverage the unique capabilities and resources of local and national governments in partner countries1 other donors1 multilateral institutions1 the private sector1 and nongovernmental and civil society organizations1 including as appropriate faith-based organizations and organizations that represent teachers1 students1 and parents4 7ii7 ,multilateral programs and initiatives ,assistance provided under this section to support programs and activities under this subsection should be coordinated with and support proven multilateral education programs and financing mechanisms1 which may include the ,global ,partnership for ,education1 that demonstrate commitment to efficiency1 effectiveness1 transparency1 and accountability4 7,d7 ,efficiency ,the ,president shall seek to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of assistance provided under this section to support programs and activities under this subsection by coordinating the related efforts of relevant ,executive branch agencies and officials1 including efforts to increase gender parity and to provide a continuity of basic education activities in humanitarian responses and other emergency settings4 7,e7 ,effectiveness ,programs and activities supported under this subsection shall be designed to achieve specific1 measurable goals and objectives and shall include appropriate targets1 metrics and indicators that can be applied with reasonable consistency across such programs and activities to measure progress and outcomes4 7,f7 ,transparency and accountability ,programs and activities supported under this subsection shall be subject to rigorous monitoring and evaluation1 which may include impact evaluations1 the results of which shall be made publically available in a fully searchable1 electronic format4 7#c7 ,priority and other requirements ,the ,president shall ensure that assistance provided under this section to support programs and activities under this subsection is aligned with the diplomatic1 economic1 and national security interests of the ,united ,states and that priority is given to developing countries in which-- 7,a7 there is the greatest need and opportunity to expand access to basic education and to improve learning outcomes1 including for marginalized and vulnerable groups1 particularly women and girls1 or populations affected by conflict or crisis2 and 7,b7 such assistance can produce a substantial1 measurable impact on children and educational systems4 7#d7 ,definitions ,in this subsection3 7,a7 ,basic education ,the term basic education includes-- 7i7 all program and policy efforts aimed at improving early childhood1 preprimary education1 primary education1 and secondary education1 which can be delivered in formal and nonformal education settings1 and in programs promoting learning for out-of-school youth and adults2 7ii7 capacity building for teachers1 administrators1 counselors1 and youth workers2 7iii7 literacy1 numeracy1 and other basic skills development that prepare an individual to be an active1 productive member of society and the workforce2 and 7iv7 workforce development1 vocational training1 and digital literacy that is informed by real market needs and opportunities4 7,b7 ,partner country ,the term partner country means a developing country that participates in or benefits from basic education programs under this subsection pursuant to the prioritization criteria described in paragraph 7#c71 including level of need1 opportunity for impact1 and the availability of resources4 7,c7 ,relevant executive branch agencies and officials ,the term relevant ,executive branch agencies and officials means-- 7i7 the ,department of ,state1 the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development1 the ,department of the ,treasury1 the ,department of ,labor1 the ,department of ,education1 the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services1 the ,department of ,agriculture1 and the ,department of ,defense2 7ii7 the ,chief ,executive ,officer of the ,millennium ,challenge ,corporation1 the ,coordinator of ,united ,states ,government ,activities to ,combat ,,hiv_/,,aids ,globally1 the ,national ,security ,advisor1 the ,director of the ,peace ,corps1 and the ,national ,economic ,advisor2 and 7iii7 any other department1 agency1 or official of the ,united ,states ,government that participates in activities to promote quality basic education pursuant to the authorities of such department1 agency1 or official or pursuant to this ,act4 7,d7 ,national education plan ,the term national education plan means a comprehensive national education plan developed by partner country governments in consultation with other stakeholders as a means for wide-scale improvement of the country's education system1 including explicit1 credible strategies informed by effective practices and standards to achieve quality universal basic education4 7,e7 ,,hiv_/,,aids ,the term ,,hiv_/,,aids has the meaning given that term in section #ajd;,a7h74 7,f7 ,marginalized children and vulnerable groups ,the term marginalized children and vulnerable groups includes girls1 children affected by or emerging from armed conflict or humanitarian crises1 children with disabilities1 children in remote or rural areas 7including those who lack access to safe water and sanitation71 religious or ethnic minorities1 indigenous peoples1 orphans and children affected by ,,hiv_/,,aids1 child laborers1 married adolescents1 and victims of trafficking4 7,g7 ,gender parity in basic education ,the term gender parity in basic education means that girls and boys have equal access to quality basic education4 7,h7 ,nonformal education ,the term nonformal education-- 7i7 means organized educational activities outside the established formal system1 whether operating separately or as an important feature of a broader activity1 that are intended to serve identifiable learning clienteles and learning objectives2 and 7ii7 includes youth programs and community training offered by community groups and organizations4 7,i7 ,sustainability ,the term sustainability means1 with respect to any basic education program that receives funding pursuant to this section1 the ability of a service delivery system1 community1 partner1 or beneficiary to maintain1 over time1 such basic education program4 4 #d4 ,comprehensive integrated ,united ,states strategy to promote basic education 7a7 ,strategy required ,not later than ,october #a1 #bjaf1 ,october #a1 #bjba1 and ,october #a1 #bjbf1 the ,president shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a comprehensive ,united ,states strategy to promote quality basic education in partner countries by-- 7#a7 seeking to equitably expand access to basic education for all children1 particularly marginalized children and vulnerable groups2 and 7#b7 measurably improving the quality of basic education and learning outcomes4 7b7 ,requirement ,to consult ,in developing the strategy required by subsection 7a71 the ,president shall consult with-- 7#a7 the appropriate congressional committees2 7#b7 relevant ,executive branch agencies and officials2 7#c7 partner country governments2 and 7#d7 local and international nongovernmental organizations1 including as appropriate faith-based organizations and organizations representing students1 teachers1 and parents1 and other development partners engaged in basic education assistance programs in developing countries4 7c7 ,public comment ,the ,president shall provide an opportunity for public comment on the strategy required by subsection 7a74 7d7 ,initial strategy ,for the purposes of this section1 the strategy entitled ,,usaid education strategy1 as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this ,act1 shall be deemed to fulfill the initial requirements of subsection 7a7 for #bjaf4 7e7 ,elements ,the strategy required by subsection 7a7 shall be developed and implemented consistent with the principles set forth in subsection 7c7 of section #aje of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa 7as added by section #c of this ,act7 and shall seek to-- 7#a7 build the capacity of relevant actors in partner countries1 including in government and in civil society1 to develop and implement national education plans that are aligned with and advance country development strategies2 7#b7 identify and replicate successful interventions that improve access to and quality of education2 7#c7 project general levels of resources needed to achieve stated program objectives2 7#d7 leverage ,united ,states capabilities1 including through technical assistance1 training and research2 and 7#e7 improve coordination and reduce duplication among relevant ,executive branch agencies and officials1 other donors1 multilateral institutions1 nongovernmental organizations1 and governments in partner countries4 7f7 ,activities supported ,assistance provided under section #aje of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa 7as amended by section #c of this ,act7 should advance the strategy required by subsection 7a71 including through efforts to-- 7#a7 ensure an adequate supply and continued support for trained1 effective teachers2 7#b7 design and deliver relevant curricula1 uphold quality standards1 and supply appropriate teaching and learning materials2 7#c7 build the capacity of basic education systems in partner countries by improving management practices and supporting their ability to collect relevant data and monitor1 evaluate1 and report on the status and quality of education services1 financing1 and student-learning outcomes2 7#d7 help mobilize domestic resources to eliminate fees for public educational services1 including fees for tuition1 uniforms1 and materials2 7#e7 support education on human rights and conflict-resolution while ensuring that schools are not incubators for violent extremism2 7#f7 work with communities to help girls overcome relevant barriers to their receiving a safe1 quality basic education1 including by improving girls' safety in education settings1 helping girls to obtain the skills needed to find safe and legal employment upon conclusion of their education1 and countering harmful practices such as child1 early1 and forced marriage and gender-based violence2 7#g7 ensure access to education for the most marginalized children and vulnerable groups1 including through the provision of appropriate infrastructure1 flexible learning opportunities1 accelerated and second-chance classes1 and opportunities that support leadership development2 7#h7 make schools safe and secure learning environments without threat of physical1 psychological1 and sexual violence1 including by supporting safe passage to and from schools and constructing separate latrines for boys and girls2 and 7#i7 support a communities-of-learning approach that utilizes schools as centers of learning and development for an entire community1 to leverage and maximize the impact of other development efforts1 and reduce duplication and waste4 7g7 ,additional activities supported for countries affected by conflict and crises ,in addition to the activities supported under subsection 7f71 assistance provided under section #aje of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa 7as amended by section #c of this ,act7 to foreign countries or those parts of the territories of foreign countries that are affected by or emerging from armed conflict1 humanitarian crises1 or other emergency situations may be used to support efforts to-- 7#a7 ensure a continuity of basic education for all children through appropriate formal and nonformal education programs and services2 7#b7 ensure that basic education assistance of the ,united ,states to countries in emergency settings shall be informed by the ,minimum ,standards of the ,inter-,agency ,network for ,education in ,emergencies 7,,inee ,minimum ,standards72 7#c7 coordinate basic education programs with complementary services to protect children from physical harm1 psychological and social distress1 recruitment into armed groups1 family separation1 and abuses related to their displacement2 7#d7 support1 train1 and provide professional development for educators working in emergency settings2 7#e7 help build national capacity to coordinate and manage basic education during emergency response and through recovery2 7#f7 promote the reintegration of teachers and students affected by conflict1 whether refugees or internally displaced1 into educational systems2 and 7#g7 ensure the safety of children in school1 including through support for-- 7,a7 the provision of safe learning environments with appropriate facilities1 especially for girls2 7,b7 safe passage to and from school1 including landmine awareness1 the designation of schools as conflict-free zones1 the adoption and support of community-owned protective measures to reduce the incidence of attacks on educational facilities and personnel by local actors1 armed groups1 and armed forces2 7,c7 out-of-school and flexible-hour education programs in areas where security conditions are prohibitive2 7,d7 safety plans in case of emergency with clearly defined roles for school personnel2 and 7,e7 appropriate infrastructure1 including emergency communication systems and access to mobile telecommunications with local police and security personnel4 #e4 ,improving coordination and oversight 7a7 ,senior coordinator of united states international basic education assistance ,there is established within the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development a ,senior ,coordinator of ,united ,states ,international ,basic ,education ,assistance 7referred to in this ,act as the ,senior ,coordinator71 who shall be appointed by the ,president4 7b7 ,duties 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,senior ,coordinator shall have primary responsibility for the oversight and coordination of all resources and activities of the ,united ,states ,government relating to the promotion of international basic education programs and activities4 7#b7 ,specific duties ,the ,senior ,coordinator shall-- 7,a7 facilitate program and policy coordination of international basic education programs and activities among relevant ,executive branch agencies and officials1 partner governments1 multilateral institutions1 the private sector1 and nongovernmental and civil society organizations2 7,b7 develop and revise the strategy required under section #d2 7,c7 monitor1 evaluate1 and report on activities undertaken pursuant to the strategy required under section #d2 and 7,d7 establish due diligence criteria for all recipients of funds provided by the ,united ,states to carry out activities under this ,act and the amendments made by this ,act4 7c7 ,offset ,to offset any costs incurred by the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development to carry out the establishment and appointment of a ,senior ,coordinator of ,united ,states ,international ,basic ,education ,assistance in accordance with subsection 7a71 the ,president shall eliminate such positions within the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development1 unless otherwise authorized or required by law1 as the ,president determines to be necessary to fully offset such costs4 #f4 ,monitoring and evaluation of programs ,the ,president shall seek to ensure that programs carried out under the strategy required under section #d shall-- 7#a7 apply rigorous monitoring and evaluation methodologies to focus on learning and accountability2 7#b7 include methodological guidance in the implementation plan and support systemic data collection using internationally comparable indicators1 norms1 and methodologies1 to the extent practicable and appropriate2 7#c7 disaggregate all data collected and reported by age1 gender1 marital status1 disability1 and location1 to the extent practicable and appropriate2 7#d7 be planned and budgeted to include funding for both short- and long-term monitoring and evaluation to enable assessment of the sustainability and scalability of assistance programs2 and 7#e7 support the increased use and public availability of education data for improved decisionmaking1 program effectiveness1 and monitoring of global progress4 #g4 ,transparency and reporting to ,congress 7a7 ,annual report on the implementation of strategy ,not later than ,march #ca of each year through #bjca1 the ,president shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the implementation of the strategy developed pursuant to section #d and make the report available to the public4 7b7 ,matters ,to be included ,the report required under subsection 7a7 shall include-- 7#a7 a description of the efforts made by relevant ,executive branch agencies and officials to implement the strategy developed pursuant to section #d with a particular focus on the activities carried out2 7#b7 a description of the extent to which each partner country selected to receive assistance for basic education meets the priority criteria specified in subsection 7c7 of section #aje of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act 7as added by section #c of this ,act72 and 7#c7 a description of the progress achieved over the reporting period toward meeting the goals1 objectives1 benchmarks1 and timeframes specified in the strategy developed pursuant to section #d at the program level1 as developed pursuant to monitoring and evaluation specified in section #f4 #h4 ,definitions 7a7 ,appropriate congressional committees ,in this ,act1 the term appropriate congressional committees means-- 7#a7 the ,committee on ,appropriations and the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate2 and 7#b7 the ,committee on ,appropriations and the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives4 7b7 ,other definitions ,in this ,act1 the terms basic education1 partner country1 relevant ,executive branch agencies and officials1 national education plan1 marginalized children and vulnerable groups1 and gender parity in basic education have the meanings given such terms in subsection 7c7 of section #aje of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa 7as added by section #c of this ,act74