A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

SEC. 219. OPPORTUNITY-TO-LEARN DEVELOPMENT GRANT.

(a) OPPORTUNITY-TO-LEARN DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.--

(1) IN GENERAL.--The Secretary is authorized to award more than one grant, on a competitive basis, to consortia of individuals and organizations to develop voluntary national opportunity-to-learn standards consistent with the provisions of section 213(c), and to develop a listing of model programs for use, on a voluntary basis, by States, which standards and listing may be used to--

(A) provide all students with an opportunity to learn;

(B) assess the capacity and performance of individual schools; and

(C) develop appropriate actions to be taken in the event that the schools fail to achieve such standards.

(2) COMPOSITION OF CONSORTIA.--To the extent possible, each consortium shall include the participation of--

(A) State-level policymakers, such as Governors, State legislators, chief State school officers, and State school board members;

(B) local policymakers and administrators, such as local school board members, superintendents, and principals;

(C) teachers (especially teachers involved in the development of content standards) and related services personnel;

(D) parents and individuals with experience in promoting parental involvement in education;

(E) representatives of business;

(F) experts in vocational-technical education;

(G) representatives of regional accrediting associations;

(H) individuals with expertise in school finance and equity, the education of at-risk students, and the preparation and training of teachers and school administrators;

(I) curriculum and school reform experts;

(J) representatives of advocacy groups, including student and civil rights advocacy groups;

(K) representatives of higher education; and

(L) secondary school students.

(3) DUTIES OF CONSORTIA.--In developing voluntary national opportunity-to-learn standards, each consortium shall--

(A) draw upon current research about student achievement and the necessary conditions for effective teaching and learning; and

(B) provide for the development of more than one draft of standards which incorporate the comments and recommendations of educators and other knowledgeable individuals across the Nation.

(4) EXPERTISE OR BACKGROUND.--One-third of the members of each consortium shall consist of individuals with expertise or background in the educational needs and assessment of children who are from low-income families, are from minority backgrounds, have limited-English proficiency, or have disabilities.

(5) GEOGRAPHIC REPRESENTATION.--The membership of each consortium shall be geographically representative and reflect the racial, ethnic, and gender diversity of the United States.

(b) APPLICATIONS.--

(1) GRANTS FOR CONSORTIUM.--Each consortium that desires to receive a grant under this subsection shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information and assurances as the Secretary may require.

(2) AWARD CONSIDERATION.--In establishing additional priorities and selection criteria for awarding more than one grant, the Secretary shall give serious consideration to the recommendations made by the Council pursuant to section 213(c)(4)(A).

(c) REPORT.--After the development of the voluntary national opportunity-to-learn standards, each consortium receiving assistance under this section shall submit a report to the Secretary which discusses the background, important issues, and rationale regarding such standards.

SEC. 218. DIRECTOR AND STAFF; EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.

SEC. 220. ASSESSMENT DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION GRANTS.