[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6526 Introduced in House (IH)]
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115th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6526
To establish an Office of Rural Education Policy in the Department of
Education, make other modifications to Federal law to improve rural
schools, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 25, 2018
Mr. Loebsack introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the
Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined
by the Speaker, 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
Education, make other modifications to Federal law to improve rural
schools, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Restructuring Underutilized
Resources for Advancing Learning Act'' or the ``RURAL Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
(a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
(1) Rural schools have unique challenges and benefits.
(2) More than 33 percent of regular elementary and
secondary public schools nationwide are in locations classified
as rural. As of the 2010-2011 school year, more than 20 percent
of public school students were enrolled in rural school
districts.
(3) In rural areas of the United States, 6,100,000 children
live in poverty.
(4) Among children living in rural areas, 24 percent live
in poverty, compared to 20 percent among nonrural children.
(5) Rural schools have fewer financial resources than
nonrural schools, largely as a result of diminished local
property tax bases and inequitable distributions of State
funds.
(6) There is a substantial pay gap for teachers and
administrators in rural school districts. Rural teachers and
administrators in the U.S. earn about $10,000 less than their
counterparts in nonrural schools.
(7) Rural schools have difficulty recruiting and retaining
teachers. 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 teachers.
(8) Low literacy rates among parents in poor rural
communities affect the early language development and
educational aspirations of children.
(9) Investing in after-school programs helps children in
rural communities break out of the cycle of poverty and creates
opportunities for at-risk youth.
(10) In areas in which resources are limited, after-school
programs are often the only source of supplemental enrichment
in literacy, nutrition education, technology, and preparation
for college and entrance exams.
(11) Children attending rural schools have the lowest
median per-student funding for after-school programs under the
21st Century Community Learning Center Program under part B of
title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 7171 et seq.), as compared to children attending
urban and suburban schools.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to establish an Office of Rural Education Policy in the
Department of Education;
(2) to provide input to the Secretary of Education
regarding the impact of proposed changes in law, regulations,
policies, rules, and budgets on rural schools and communities;
(3) 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 Standards;
and
(4) to enhance after-school programs in rural areas by
helping communities establish after-school programs and improve
existing programs by overcoming barriers to service.
TITLE I--INCENTIVES TO EDUCATE AMERICAN CHILDREN
SEC. 101. REFUNDABLE TAX CREDIT FOR EDUCATORS AND SCHOOL LEADERS IN
ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS LOCATED IN HIGH POVERTY
OR RURAL AREAS.
(a) In General.--Subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after
section 36B the following new section:
``SEC. 36C. TAX CREDIT FOR EDUCATORS AND SCHOOL LEADERS IN ELEMENTARY
AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS LOCATED IN HIGH POVERTY OR RURAL
AREAS.
``(a) Allowance of Credit.--In the case of an eligible teacher or
school leader, 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 year.
``(b) Applicable Amount.--For purposes of this section--
``(1) Teachers in schools in rural areas or schools with
high poverty.--
``(A) 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 (B) during the eligible academic year, the
applicable amount is $1,000.
``(B) School described.--A public kindergarten or a
public elementary or secondary school is described in
this subparagraph if--
``(i) at least 75 percent of the students
attending such kindergarten or school receive
free or reduced-cost lunches under the school
lunch program established under the Richard B.
Russell National School Lunch Act, or
``(ii) such kindergarten or school is
designated with a school locale code of 32, 33,
41, 42, or 43, as determined by the Secretary
of Education.
``(2) Certified teachers.--In the case of an eligible
teacher who is described in paragraph (1) and who is certified
by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards for
the eligible academic year, paragraph (1)(A) shall be applied
by substituting `$2,000' for `$1,000'.
``(3) 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 (1)(B)(ii), paragraph (1)(A) shall be
applied by substituting `$2,000' for `$1,000'.
``(c) Eligible Teacher.--For purposes of this section, the term
`eligible teacher' means, for any eligible academic year, an individual
who is a kindergarten through grade 12 classroom teacher or instructor
in a public kindergarten or a public elementary or secondary school on
a full-time basis for such eligible academic year.
``(d) Eligible School Leader.--For purposes of this section, the
term `eligible school leader' means, for any eligible academic year, an
individual who, on a full-time basis for such eligible academic year,
is a kindergarten through grade 12 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
agency.
``(e) Additional Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
``(1) Elementary and secondary schools; local educational
agency.--The terms `elementary school', `secondary school', and
`local educational agency' have the respective meanings given
such terms by section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965.
``(2) Eligible academic year.--The term `eligible academic
year' means any academic year ending in a taxable year
beginning after December 31, 2017.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Paragraph (2) of section 1324(b) of title 31, United
States Code, is amended by inserting ``, 36C'' after ``36B''.
(2) The table of sections for subpart C of part IV of
subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 36B
the following new item:
``Sec. 36C. Tax credit for educators and school leaders in elementary
and secondary schools located in high
poverty or rural areas.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to academic years ending in taxable years beginning after
December 31, 2017.
TITLE II--OFFICE OF RURAL EDUCATION POLICY
SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE OF RURAL EDUCATION POLICY.
(a) In General.--Title II of the Department of Education
Organization Act (20 U.S.C. 3411 et seq.) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``SEC. 221. OFFICE OF RURAL EDUCATION POLICY.
``(a) In General.--There shall be, in the Office of Elementary and
Secondary Education of the Department, an Office of Rural Education
Policy (referred to in this section as the `Office').
``(b) Director; Duties.--
``(1) In general.--The Office shall be headed by a
Director, who shall advise the Secretary on the characteristics
and needs of rural schools and the effects of current policies
and proposed statutory, regulatory, administrative, and
budgetary changes on State educational agencies, and local
educational agencies, that serve schools with a locale code of
32, 33, 41, 42, or 43, as determined by the Secretary.
``(2) Additional duties of the director.--In addition to
advising the Secretary with respect to the matters described in
paragraph (1), the Director of the Office of Rural Education
Policy (referred to in this section as the `Director'), through
the Office, shall--
``(A) establish and maintain a clearinghouse for
collecting and disseminating information on--
``(i) teacher and principal recruitment and
retention at rural elementary schools and rural
secondary schools;
``(ii) access to, and implementation and
use of, technology and distance learning at
such schools;
``(iii) rigorous coursework delivery
through distance learning at such schools;
``(iv) student achievement at such schools,
including the achievement of low-income and
minority students;
``(v) innovative approaches in rural
education to increase student achievement;
``(vi) higher education and career
readiness and secondary school completion of
students enrolled in such schools;
``(vii) access to, and quality of, early
childhood development for children located in
rural areas;
``(viii) access to, or partnerships with,
community-based organizations in rural areas;
``(ix) the availability of professional
development opportunities for rural teachers
and principals;
``(x) the availability of Federal and other
grants and assistance that are specifically
geared or applicable to rural schools; and
``(xi) the financing of such schools;
``(B) identify innovative research and
demonstration projects on topics of importance to rural
elementary schools and rural secondary schools,
including gaps in such research, and recommend such
topics for study by the Institute of Education Sciences
and other research agencies;
``(C) coordinate the activities within the
Department that relate to rural education;
``(D) 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 education, including activities relating to
rural housing, rural agricultural services, rural
transportation, rural economic development, rural
career and technical training, rural health care, rural
disability services, and rural mental health;
``(E) coordinate with the Bureau of Indian
Education, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Department
of the Interior, and the schools administered by such
agencies regarding rural education;
``(F) provide, directly or through grants,
cooperative agreements, or contracts, technical
assistance and other activities as necessary to support
activities related to improving education in rural
areas; and
``(G) 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 Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions Committee of the Senate and published on the
Department's Web site.
``(c) Impact Analyses of Rules and Regulations on Rural Schools.--
``(1) 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 32, 33, 41, 42, or 43, as
determined by the Secretary, the Secretary (acting through the
Director) shall prepare and make available for public comment
an initial regulatory impact analysis. Such analysis shall
describe the impact of the proposed rule or regulation on such
State educational agencies and local educational agencies and
shall set forth, with respect to such agencies, the matters
required under section 603 of title 5, United States Code, to
be set forth with respect to small entities. The initial
regulatory impact analysis (or a summary) shall be published in
the Federal Register at the time of the publication of general
notice of proposed rulemaking for the rule or regulation.
``(2) 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
(1), the Secretary (acting through the Director) shall prepare
a final regulatory impact analysis with respect to the final
version of such rule or regulation. Such analysis shall set
forth, with respect to State educational agencies and local
educational agencies serving schools with a locale code of 32,
33, 41, 42, or 43, as determined by the Secretary, the matters
required under section 604 of title 5, United States Code, to
be set forth with respect to small entities. The Secretary
shall make copies of the final regulatory impact analysis
available to the public and shall publish, in the Federal
Register at the time of publication of the final version of the
rule or regulation, a statement describing how a member of the
public may obtain a copy of such analysis.
``(3) Regulatory flexibility analysis.--If a regulatory
flexibility analysis is required by chapter 6 of title 5,
United States Code, for a rule or regulation to which this
subsection applies, 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 32, 33, 41, 42, or 43, as determined by the
Secretary.''.
(b) Effective Date.--Section 221(c) of the Department of Education
Organization Act, as added by subsection (a), shall apply to
regulations proposed more than 30 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act.
TITLE III--EXPANDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
SEC. 401. EXPANDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.
Subtitle D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act is
amended by inserting after section 365 (7 U.S.C. 2008) the following:
``SEC. 366. EXPANDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.
``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to enhance expanded
learning time opportunities in rural areas by helping communities--
``(1) establish expanded learning time opportunities,
including after-school programs; and
``(2) improve existing programs by overcoming barriers to
service.
``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a
local educational agency (as such term is defined in section
8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 7801)), educational service agency, community-based
organization, public or private entity, or a consortium of 2 or
more such agencies, organizations, or entities.
``(2) Expanded learning time.--The term `expanded learning
time' means expanding a school day, week, or year schedule to
significantly increase the total number of school hours, in
order to include additional time for--
``(A) instruction and enrichment in core academic
subjects, other academic subjects, and other activities
that contribute to a well-rounded education; and
``(B) instructional and support staff to
collaborate, plan, and engage in professional
development (including professional development on
family and community engagement) within and across
grades and subjects.
``(3) 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 32, 33, 41, 42, or 43,
as determined by the Secretary of Education.
``(c) Grants.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall make grants to
eligible entities to improve, expand, or establish expanded
learning time programs and after-school programs (taking place
during non-school hours), in rural areas.
``(2) Requirement.--Each grant under this section shall be
in an amount of not less than $25,000.
``(d) Duration.--
``(1) Term of grant.--The term of a grant under this
section may not be for less than 3 years.
``(2) Renewal.--The Secretary may renew a grant under this
section for a period of not less than 3 years, based on the
performance of the eligible entity during the previous grant
term.
``(e) Uses.--As a condition of the receipt of a grant under this
section, an eligible entity shall use the grant funds to carry out the
activities described in subsection (c)(1), including transportation,
professional development, training, recruitment and retention of staff,
staff compensation for additional hours worked, increasing access to
technology, and planning.
``(f) Evaluation.--The Secretary may use not more than 1 percent of
the funds appropriated in a fiscal year under subsection (k)--
``(1) to conduct evaluations of the effectiveness of
programs and activities carried out under subsection (c); and
``(2) to disseminate the results of those evaluations for
the purpose of refining, improving, and strengthening programs.
``(g) Outreach, Training, and Technical Assistance.--The Secretary
may use not more than 3 percent of the funds appropriated in a fiscal
year under subsection (k)--
``(1) to conduct outreach, including bidders' conferences,
to ensure widespread knowledge of the availability of resources
described in subsection (c);
``(2) to disseminate information on best practices and
successful program models for serving children and youth in
rural areas; and
``(3) to provide capacity building, training, and technical
assistance to after-school programs and providers in rural
areas.
``(h) Application.--
``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
this section, each eligible entity shall submit to the
Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Secretary may require.
``(2) Contents.--An application submitted pursuant to
paragraph (1) shall include--
``(A) a description of the expanded learning time
program to be funded, including--
``(i) an assurance that the program will
take place in a safe and easily accessible
facility;
``(ii) a description of how children and
youth participating in the program will travel
safely between the program site and home;
``(iii) a description of how the eligible
entity will disseminate information about the
program, including the location of the program,
to the community in a manner that is
understandable and accessible;
``(iv)(I) a description of the services to
be provided to children and youth, which may
include--
``(aa) academic enrichment and
youth development activities;
``(bb) drug and violence prevention
programs;
``(cc) counseling programs;
``(dd) art, music, physical
fitness, and recreational programs;
``(ee) technology education
programs;
``(ff) character education
programs; and
``(gg) service-learning programs;
``(II) the roles and responsibilities of
the partners in providing such services; and
``(III) how such services enhance an
existing expanded learning time program; and
``(v) an assurance that the program will
provide a nutritious snack or meal that meets
nutrition standards established by the
Secretary;
``(B) an assurance that the proposed program was
developed, and will be carried out, in active
collaboration with the schools the students attend;
``(C) an assurance that funds provided under this
section will be used to increase the level of State,
local, and other non-Federal funds that would, in the
absence of funds under this section, be made available
for programs and activities authorized under this
section, and in no case supplant Federal, State, local,
or non-Federal funds;
``(D) a description of the partnership between a
local educational agency, a community-based
organization, or another public entity or private
entity, if applicable; and
``(E) such additional assurances as the Secretary
determines to be necessary to ensure compliance with
this section.
``(i) Priority.--The Secretary shall give priority to applications
that--
``(1) propose partnerships between 2 or more eligible
entities; or
``(2) 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 B. Russell
National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) and section
4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773).
``(j) Construction.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed to
alter or otherwise affect the rights, remedies, and procedures afforded
to employees of a school or local educational agency under Federal,
State, or local laws (including applicable regulations or court orders
as well as requirements that school districts negotiate and meet and
confer in good faith) or under the terms of collective bargaining
agreements, memoranda of understanding, or other agreements between
such employers and their employees.
``(k) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section--
``(1) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2019;
``(2) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; and
``(3) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years
2021 through 2023.''.
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