,i #aaeth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #febf ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,july #be1 #bjah,mr4 ,loebsack introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,education and the ,workforce1 and in addition to the ,committee on ,ways and ,means1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to establish an ,office of ,rural ,education ,policy in the ,department of ,education1 make other modifications to ,federal law to improve rural schools1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,restructuring ,underutilized ,resources for ,advancing ,learning ,act or the ,,rural ,act4 #b4 ,findings and purposes 7a7 ,findings ,the ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,rural schools have unique challenges and benefits4 7#b7 ,more than #cc percent of regular elementary and secondary public schools nationwide are in locations classified as rural4 ,as of the #bjaj-bjaa school year1 more than #bj percent of public school students were enrolled in rural school districts4 7#c7 ,in rural areas of the ,united ,states1 #f1ajj1jjj children live in poverty4 7#d7 ,among children living in rural areas1 #bd percent live in poverty1 compared to #bj percent among nonrural children4 7#e7 ,rural schools have fewer financial resources than nonrural schools1 largely as a result of diminished local property tax bases and inequitable distributions of ,state funds4 7#f7 ,there is a substantial pay gap for teachers and administrators in rural school districts4 ,rural teachers and administrators in the ,u4,s4 earn about #aj1jjj less than their counterparts in nonrural schools4 7#g7 ,rural schools have difficulty recruiting and retaining teachers4 ,a recent survey of rural school superintendents suggests low salaries combined with social and geographic isolation are the primary factors responsible for difficulties recruiting and retaining teachers4 7#h7 ,low literacy rates among parents in poor rural communities affect the early language development and educational aspirations of children4 7#i7 ,investing in after-school programs helps children in rural communities break out of the cycle of poverty and creates opportunities for at-risk youth4 7#aj7 ,in areas in which resources are limited1 after-school programs are often the only source of supplemental enrichment in literacy1 nutrition education1 technology1 and preparation for college and entrance exams4 7#aa7 ,children attending rural schools have the lowest median per-student funding for after-school programs under the #bast ,century ,community ,learning ,center ,program under part ,b of title ,,iv of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #gaga et seq471 as compared to children attending urban and suburban schools4 7b7 ,purposes ,the purposes of this ,act are-- 7#a7 to establish an ,office of ,rural ,education ,policy in the ,department of ,education2 7#b7 to provide input to the ,secretary of ,education regarding the impact of proposed changes in law1 regulations1 policies1 rules1 and budgets on rural schools and communities2 7#c7 to provide a tax incentive to individuals teaching in elementary and secondary schools located in rural or high unemployment areas and to individuals who achieve certification from the ,national ,board for ,professional ,teaching ,standards2 and 7#d7 to enhance after-school programs in rural areas by helping communities establish after-school programs and improve existing programs by overcoming barriers to service4 ,i ,incentives to ,educate ,american ,children #aja4 ,refundable tax credit for educators and school leaders in elementary and secondary schools located in high poverty or rural areas 7a7 ,in general ,subpart ,c of part ,,iv of subchapter ,a of chapter #a of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended by inserting after section #cf;,b the following new section3 #cf;,c4 ,tax credit for educators and school leaders in elementary and secondary schools located in high poverty or rural areas 7a7 ,allowance of credit ,in the case of an eligible teacher or school leader1 there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this subtitle for the taxable year an amount equal to the applicable amount for the eligible academic year ending during such taxable year4 7b7 ,applicable amount ,for purposes of this section-- 7#a7 ,teachers in schools in rural areas or schools with high poverty 7,a7 ,in general ,in the case of an eligible teacher who performs services in a public kindergarten or a public elementary or secondary school described in subparagraph 7,b7 during the eligible academic year1 the applicable amount is #a1jjj4 7,b7 ,school described ,a public kindergarten or a public elementary or secondary school is described in this subparagraph if-- 7i7 at least #ge percent of the students attending such kindergarten or school receive free or reduced-cost lunches under the school lunch program established under the ,richard ,b4 ,russell ,national ,school ,lunch ,act1 or 7ii7 such kindergarten or school is designated with a school locale code of #cb1 #cc1 #da1 #db1 or #dc1 as determined by the ,secretary of ,education4 7#b7 ,certified teachers ,in the case of an eligible teacher who is described in paragraph 7#a7 and who is certified by the ,national ,board for ,professional ,teaching ,standards for the eligible academic year1 paragraph 7#a77;,a7 shall be applied by substituting #b1jjj for #a1jjj4 7#c7 ,eligible school leaders in schools in rural areas ,in the case of an eligible school leader who serves in a public kindergarten or a public elementary or secondary school described in paragraph 7#a77;,b77ii71 paragraph 7#a77;,a7 shall be applied by substituting #b1jjj for #a1jjj4 7c7 ,eligible teacher ,for purposes of this section1 the term eligible teacher means1 for any eligible academic year1 an individual who is a kindergarten through grade #ab classroom teacher or instructor in a public kindergarten or a public elementary or secondary school on a full-time basis for such eligible academic year4 7d7 ,eligible school leader ,for purposes of this section1 the term eligible school leader means1 for any eligible academic year1 an individual who1 on a full-time basis for such eligible academic year1 is a kindergarten through grade #ab principal or assistant principal in a public kindergarten or a public elementary or is a school superintendent or other administrator employed by a local educational agency4 7e7 ,additional definitions ,for purposes of this section-- 7#a7 ,elementary and secondary schools2 local educational agency ,the terms elementary school1 secondary school1 and local educational agency have the respective meanings given such terms by section #iaja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife4 7#b7 ,eligible academic year ,the term eligible academic year means any academic year ending in a taxable year beginning after ,december #ca1 #bjag4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendments 7#a7 ,paragraph 7#b7 of section #acbd7;b7 of title #ca1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting 1 #cf;,c after #cf;,b4 7#b7 ,the table of sections for subpart ,c of part ,,iv of subchapter ,a of chapter #a of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #cf;,b the following new item3 ,sec4 #cf;,c4 ,tax credit for educators and school leaders in elementary and secondary schools located in high poverty or rural areas4 4 7c7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this section shall apply to academic years ending in taxable years beginning after ,december #ca1 #bjag4 ,,ii ,office of ,rural ,education ,policy #bja4 ,establishment of ,office of ,rural ,education ,policy 7a7 ,in general ,title ,,ii of the ,department of ,education ,organization ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #cdaa et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #bba4 ,office of ,rural ,education ,policy 7a7 ,in general ,there shall be1 in the ,office of ,elementary and ,secondary ,education of the ,department1 an ,office of ,rural ,education ,policy 7referred to in this section as the ,office74 7b7 ,director2 duties 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,office shall be headed by a ,director1 who shall advise the ,secretary on the characteristics and needs of rural schools and the effects of current policies and proposed statutory1 regulatory1 administrative1 and budgetary changes on ,state educational agencies1 and local educational agencies1 that serve schools with a locale code of #cb1 #cc1 #da1 #db1 or #dc1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,additional duties of the ,director ,in addition to advising the ,secretary with respect to the matters described in paragraph 7#a71 the ,director of the ,office of ,rural ,education ,policy 7referred to in this section as the ,director71 through the ,office1 shall-- 7,a7 establish and maintain a clearinghouse for collecting and disseminating information on-- 7i7 teacher and principal recruitment and retention at rural elementary schools and rural secondary schools2 7ii7 access to1 and implementation and use of1 technology and distance learning at such schools2 7iii7 rigorous coursework delivery through distance learning at such schools2 7iv7 student achievement at such schools1 including the achievement of low-income and minority students2 7v7 innovative approaches in rural education to increase student achievement2 7vi7 higher education and career readiness and secondary school completion of students enrolled in such schools2 7vii7 access to1 and quality of1 early childhood development for children located in rural areas2 7viii7 access to1 or partnerships with1 community-based organizations in rural areas2 7ix7 the availability of professional development opportunities for rural teachers and principals2 7x7 the availability of ,federal and other grants and assistance that are specifically geared or applicable to rural schools2 and 7xi7 the financing of such schools2 7,b7 identify innovative research and demonstration projects on topics of importance to rural elementary schools and rural secondary schools1 including gaps in such research1 and recommend such topics for study by the ,institute of ,education ,sciences and other research agencies2 7,c7 coordinate the activities within the ,department that relate to rural education2 7,d7 provide information to the ,secretary and others in the ,department with respect to the activities of other ,federal departments and agencies that relate to rural education1 including activities relating to rural housing1 rural agricultural services1 rural transportation1 rural economic development1 rural career and technical training1 rural health care1 rural disability services1 and rural mental health2 7,e7 coordinate with the ,bureau of ,indian ,education1 the ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs1 the ,department of the ,interior1 and the schools administered by such agencies regarding rural education2 7,f7 provide1 directly or through grants1 cooperative agreements1 or contracts1 technical assistance and other activities as necessary to support activities related to improving education in rural areas2 and 7,g7 produce an annual report on the condition of rural education that is delivered to the members of the ,education and the ,workforce ,committee of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,committee of the ,senate and published on the ,department's ,web site4 7c7 ,impact analyses of rules and regulations on rural schools 7#a7 ,proposed rulemaking ,whenever the ,secretary publishes a general notice of proposed rulemaking for any rule or regulation that may have a significant impact on ,state educational agencies or local educational agencies serving schools with a locale code of #cb1 #cc1 #da1 #db1 or #dc1 as determined by the ,secretary1 the ,secretary 7acting through the ,director7 shall prepare and make available for public comment an initial regulatory impact analysis4 ,such analysis shall describe the impact of the proposed rule or regulation on such ,state educational agencies and local educational agencies and shall set forth1 with respect to such agencies1 the matters required under section #fjc of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 to be set forth with respect to small entities4 ,the initial regulatory impact analysis 7or a summary7 shall be published in the ,federal ,register at the time of the publication of general notice of proposed rulemaking for the rule or regulation4 7#b7 ,final rule ,whenever the ,secretary promulgates a final version of a rule or regulation with respect to which an initial regulatory impact analysis is required by paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary 7acting through the ,director7 shall prepare a final regulatory impact analysis with respect to the final version of such rule or regulation4 ,such analysis shall set forth1 with respect to ,state educational agencies and local educational agencies serving schools with a locale code of #cb1 #cc1 #da1 #db1 or #dc1 as determined by the ,secretary1 the matters required under section #fjd of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 to be set forth with respect to small entities4 ,the ,secretary shall make copies of the final regulatory impact analysis available to the public and shall publish1 in the ,federal ,register at the time of publication of the final version of the rule or regulation1 a statement describing how a member of the public may obtain a copy of such analysis4 7#c7 ,regulatory flexibility analysis ,if a regulatory flexibility analysis is required by chapter #f of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 for a rule or regulation to which this subsection applies1 such analysis shall specifically address the impact of the rule or regulation on ,state educational agencies and local educational agencies serving schools with a locale code of #cb1 #cc1 #da1 #db1 or #dc1 as determined by the ,secretary4 4 7b7 ,effective date ,section #bba7;c7 of the ,department of ,education ,organization ,act1 as added by subsection 7a71 shall apply to regulations proposed more than #cj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 ,,iii ,expanded ,learning ,opportunities #dja4 ,expanded learning opportunities ,subtitle ,d of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act is amended by inserting after section #cfe 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjjh7 the following3 #cff4 ,expanded learning opportunities 7a7 ,purpose ,the purpose of this section is to enhance expanded learning time opportunities in rural areas by helping communities-- 7#a7 establish expanded learning time opportunities1 including after-school programs2 and 7#b7 improve existing programs by overcoming barriers to service4 7b7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means a local educational agency 7as such term is defined in section #haja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja771 educational service agency1 community-based organization1 public or private entity1 or a consortium of #b or more such agencies1 organizations1 or entities4 7#b7 ,expanded learning time ,the term expanded learning time means expanding a school day1 week1 or year schedule to significantly increase the total number of school hours1 in order to include additional time for-- 7,a7 instruction and enrichment in core academic subjects1 other academic subjects1 and other activities that contribute to a well-rounded education2 and 7,b7 instructional and support staff to collaborate1 plan1 and engage in professional development 7including professional development on family and community engagement7 within and across grades and subjects4 7#c7 ,rural area ,the term rural area means an area that is served by an elementary or secondary school that is designated with a school locale code of #cb1 #cc1 #da1 #db1 or #dc1 as determined by the ,secretary of ,education4 7c7 ,grants 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall make grants to eligible entities to improve1 expand1 or establish expanded learning time programs and after-school programs 7taking place during non-school hours71 in rural areas4 7#b7 ,requirement ,each grant under this section shall be in an amount of not less than #be1jjj4 7d7 ,duration 7#a7 ,term of grant ,the term of a grant under this section may not be for less than #c years4 7#b7 ,renewal ,the ,secretary may renew a grant under this section for a period of not less than #c years1 based on the performance of the eligible entity during the previous grant term4 7e7 ,uses ,as a condition of the receipt of a grant under this section1 an eligible entity shall use the grant funds to carry out the activities described in subsection 7c77#a71 including transportation1 professional development1 training1 recruitment and retention of staff1 staff compensation for additional hours worked1 increasing access to technology1 and planning4 7f7 ,evaluation ,the ,secretary may use not more than #a percent of the funds appropriated in a fiscal year under subsection 7k7-- 7#a7 to conduct evaluations of the effectiveness of programs and activities carried out under subsection 7c72 and 7#b7 to disseminate the results of those evaluations for the purpose of refining1 improving1 and strengthening programs4 7g7 ,outreach1 training1 and technical assistance ,the ,secretary may use not more than #c percent of the funds appropriated in a fiscal year under subsection 7k7-- 7#a7 to conduct outreach1 including bidders' conferences1 to ensure widespread knowledge of the availability of resources described in subsection 7c72 7#b7 to disseminate information on best practices and successful program models for serving children and youth in rural areas2 and 7#c7 to provide capacity building1 training1 and technical assistance to after-school programs and providers in rural areas4 7h7 ,application 7#a7 ,in general ,to be eligible to receive a grant under this section1 each eligible entity shall submit to the ,secretary an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 7#b7 ,contents ,an application submitted pursuant to paragraph 7#a7 shall include-- 7,a7 a description of the expanded learning time program to be funded1 including-- 7i7 an assurance that the program will take place in a safe and easily accessible facility2 7ii7 a description of how children and youth participating in the program will travel safely between the program site and home2 7iii7 a description of how the eligible entity will disseminate information about the program1 including the location of the program1 to the community in a manner that is understandable and accessible2 7iv7 7,i7 a description of the services to be provided to children and youth1 which may include-- 7aa7 academic enrichment and youth development activities2 7bb7 drug and violence prevention programs2 7cc7 counseling programs2 7dd7 art1 music1 physical fitness1 and recreational programs2 7ee7 technology education programs2 7ff7 character education programs2 and 7gg7 service-learning programs2 7,,ii7 the roles and responsibilities of the partners in providing such services2 and 7,,iii7 how such services enhance an existing expanded learning time program2 and 7v7 an assurance that the program will provide a nutritious snack or meal that meets nutrition standards established by the ,secretary2 7,b7 an assurance that the proposed program was developed1 and will be carried out1 in active collaboration with the schools the students attend2 7,c7 an assurance that funds provided under this section will be used to increase the level of ,state1 local1 and other non-,federal funds that would1 in the absence of funds under this section1 be made available for programs and activities authorized under this section1 and in no case supplant ,federal1 ,state1 local1 or non-,federal funds2 7,d7 a description of the partnership between a local educational agency1 a community-based organization1 or another public entity or private entity1 if applicable2 and 7,e7 such additional assurances as the ,secretary determines to be necessary to ensure compliance with this section4 7i7 ,priority ,the ,secretary shall give priority to applications that-- 7#a7 propose partnerships between #b or more eligible entities2 or 7#b7 propose that a majority of the students participating in the expanded learning time program are eligible for free or reduced price school meals under the ,richard ,b4 ,russell ,national ,school ,lunch ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agea et seq47 and section #d of the ,child ,nutrition ,act of #aiff 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aggc74 7j7 ,construction ,nothing in this ,act shall be construed to alter or otherwise affect the rights1 remedies1 and procedures afforded to employees of a school or local educational agency under ,federal1 ,state1 or local laws 7including applicable regulations or court orders as well as requirements that school districts negotiate and meet and confer in good faith7 or under the terms of collective bargaining agreements1 memoranda of understanding1 or other agreements between such employers and their employees4 7k7 ,authorization of ,appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section-- 7#a7 #be1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjai2 7#b7 #ej1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbj2 and 7#c7 such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years #bjba through #bjbc4 4