,,ii #aaeth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #fbc ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,march #ad1 #bjag,mr4 ,rubio 7for himself and ,mr4 ,durbin7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations ,a ,,bill ,to enhance the transparency and accelerate the impact of assistance provided under the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa to promote quality basic education in developing countries1 to better enable such countries to achieve universal access to quality basic education and improved learning outcomes1 to eliminate duplication and waste1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,reinforcing ,education ,accountability in ,development ,act or the ,,read ,act 4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4,sec4 #b4 ,definitions4,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 #b4 ,definitions 7a7 ,appropriate congressional committees ,in this ,act1 the term appropriate congressional committees means-- 7#a7 the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate2 7#b7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate2 7#c7 the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7#d7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives4 7b7 ,other definitions ,in this ,act1 the terms basic education1 marginalized children and vulnerable groups1 national education plan1 partner country1 and relevant ,executive branch agencies and officials have the meanings given such terms in section #aje7;c7 of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa1 as added by section #c4 #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 ,definitions ,in this subsection3 7,a7 ,basic education ,the term basic education includes-- 7i7 measurable improvements in literacy1 numeracy1 and other basic skills development that prepare an individual to be an active1 productive member of society and the workforce2 7ii7 workforce development1 vocational training1 and digital literacy informed by real market needs and opportunities and that results in measurable improvements in employment2 7iii7 programs and activities designed to demonstrably improve-- 7,i7 early childhood1 preprimary education1 primary education1 and secondary education1 which can be delivered in formal or nonformal education settings2 and 7,,ii7 learning for out-of-school youth and adults2 and 7iv7 capacity building for teachers1 administrators1 counselors1 and youth workers that results in measurable improvements in student literacy1 numeracy1 or employment4 7,b7 ,communities of learning ,the term communities of learning means a holistic approach to education and community engagement in which schools act as the primary resource center for delivery of a service to the community at large1 leveraging and maximizing the impact of other development efforts and reducing duplication and waste4 7,c7 ,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,d7 ,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,e7 ,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,f7 ,nonformal education ,the term nonformal education 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 provide students with measurable improvements in literacy1 numeracy1 and other basic skills development that prepare an individual to be an active1 productive member of society and the workforce4 7,g7 ,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#d71 including level of need1 opportunity for impact1 and the availability of resources4 7,h7 ,relevant executive branch agencies and officials ,the term relevant ,executive branch agencies and officials means 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 ,agriculture1 and the ,department of ,defense1 the ,chief ,executive ,officer of the ,millennium ,challenge ,corporation1 the ,national ,security ,advisor1 and the ,director of the ,peace ,corps4 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 program without the use of foreign assistance4 7#b7 ,policy ,in carrying out this section1 it shall be the policy of the ,united ,states to work with partner countries1 as appropriate1 other donors1 multilateral institutions1 the private sector1 and nongovernmental and civil society organizations1 including faith-based organizations and organizations that represent teachers1 students1 and parents1 to promote sustainable1 quality basic education through programs and activities that-- 7,a7 take into consideration and help respond to the needs1 capacities1 and commitment of developing countries to achieve measurable improvements in literacy1 numeracy1 and other basic skills development that prepare an individual to be an active1 productive member of society and the workforce2 7,b7 strengthen educational systems1 promote communities of learning1 as appropriate1 expand access to safe learning environments1 including by breaking down specific barriers to basic education for women and girls1 ensure continuity of education1 including in conflict settings1 measurably improve teacher skills and learning outcomes1 and support the engagement of parents in the education of their children to help partner countries ensure that all children1 including marginalized children and other vulnerable groups1 have access to and benefit from quality basic education2 7,c7 promote education as a foundation for sustained economic growth and development within a comprehensive assistance strategy that places partner countries on a trajectory toward graduation from assistance provided under this section with clearly defined benchmarks of success that are used as requirements for related procurement vehicles1 such as grants1 contracts1 and cooperative agreements2 and 7,d7 monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and quality of basic education programs in partner countries4 7#c7 ,principles ,in carrying out the policy referred to in paragraph 7#b71 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 foreign policy and economic 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 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 officials4 7,e7 ,effectiveness ,programs and activities supported under this subsection-- 7i7 shall be consistent with the policies and principles set forth in this subsection2 7ii7 shall be designed to achieve specific1 measurable goals and objectives that are directly related to the provision of basic education 7as defined in this section72 and 7iii7 shall include appropriate targets1 metrics1 and indicators that-- 7,i7 move a country along the path to graduation from assistance provided under this subsection2 and 7,,ii7 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#d7 ,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 foreign policy and economic interests of the ,united ,states and1 subject to such alignment1 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 girls to ensure gender parity in basic education1 or populations affected by conflict or crisis2 and 7,b7 such assistance can produce a substantial1 measurable impact on children and educational systems4 4 #d4 ,comprehensive integrated ,united ,states strategy to promote basic education 7a7 ,strategy required ,not later than ,october #a1 #bjag1 the ,president shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a comprehensive ,united ,states strategy to be carried out during fiscal years #bjah through #bjbb 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 under 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 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 under subsection 7a74 7d7 ,elements ,the strategy required under subsection 7a7-- 7#a7 shall be developed and implemented consistent with the principles set forth in section #aje7;c7 of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa1 as added by section #c2 and 7#b7 shall seek-- 7,a7 to prioritize assistance provided under this subsection to countries that are partners of the ,united ,states and whose populations are most in need of improved basic education1 as determined by indicators such as literacy and numeracy rates2 7,b7 to build the capacity of relevant actors in partner countries1 including in government and in civil society1 to develop and implement national education plans that measurably improve basic education2 7,c7 to identify and replicate successful interventions that improve access to and quality of basic education in conflict settings and in partner countries2 7,d7 to project general levels of resources needed to achieve stated program objectives2 7,e7 to develop means to track implementation in partner countries and ensure that such countries are expending appropriate domestic resources and instituting any relevant legal1 regulatory1 or institutional reforms needed to achieve stated program objectives2 7,f7 to leverage ,united ,states capabilities1 including through technical assistance1 training1 and research2 and 7,g7 to improve coordination and reduce duplication among relevant ,executive branch agencies and officials1 other donors1 multilateral institutions1 nongovernmental organizations1 and governments in partner countries4 #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 section as the ,senior ,coordinator74 ,the ,senior ,coordinator shall be appointed by the ,president1 shall be a current ,,usaid employee serving in a career or noncareer position in the ,senior ,executive ,service or at the level of a ,deputy ,assistant ,administrator or higher1 and shall serve concurrently as the ,senior ,coordinator4 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 ,in order to eliminate duplication of effort and activities and to offset any costs incurred by the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development in appointing the ,senior ,coordinator under subsection 7a71 the ,president shall1 after consulting with appropriate congressional committees1 eliminate a position within the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development 7unless otherwise authorized or required by law7 that the ,president determines to be necessary to fully offset such costs and eliminate duplication4 #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 determine if programs and activities provided under this subsection accomplish measurable improvements in literacy1 numeracy1 or other basic skills development that prepare an individual to be an active1 productive member of society and the workforce2 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 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 each ,march #ca immediately following a fiscal year during which the strategy developed pursuant to section #d7;a7 was carried out1 the ,president shall-- 7#a7 submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that describes the implementation of such strategy2 and 7#b7 make the report described in paragraph 7#a7 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 #d1 with a particular focus on the activities carried out under the strategy2 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 section #aje7;c7 of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa1 as added by section #c2 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 #f1 with particular emphasis on whether there are demonstrable student improvements in literacy1 numeracy1 or other basic skills development that prepare an individual to be an active1 productive member of society and the workforce4