Summary:
Promoting Financial Literacy and Economic Opportunity Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow up to 20 for-profit organizations in any taxable year a business-related tax credit for 50% of the amount paid or incurred to carry out activities to improve the quality of student understanding of personal finance and economics. The Department of the Treasury shall determine which for-profit organizations are eligible for the credit, ensuring that a majority of credit recipients are: (1) either a socially and economically disadvantaged small business concern, a small business concern owned and controlled by women, or a small business concern that is at least 51% owned by veterans, or (2) do not have more than $60 billion in assets. In determining the eligibility of a for-profit organization, Treasury shall give priority to organizations that have programs serving either urban or rural underserved areas.

promoting financial literacy economic opportunity act bill amends internal_revenue_code allow profit organizations taxable year business related tax credit paid incurred carry activities improve quality student understanding personal finance economics department treasury shall determine profit organizations eligible credit ensuring majority credit recipients socially economically disadvantaged small business concern small business concern owned controlled women small business concern owned veterans billion assets determining eligibility profit organization treasury shall priority organizations programs serving urban rural underserved areas


Summary:
Strengthening Kids' Interest in Learning and Libraries Act or the SKILLs Act

Amends title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for FY2016-FY2021 for the Improving Literacy through School Libraries grant program.

Requires local educational agencies (LEAs) that receive school improvement funds to ensure, to the extent feasible, that each of their schools receiving such funds employs at least one state certified school library media specialist.

Directs states and LEAs that receive school improvement funds to ensure that by the beginning of the 2016-2017 school year there is at least one highly qualified school library media specialist in every school that receives such funds.

Requires Improving Literacy through School Libraries funds to be: (1) proportionally distributed to serve students in elementary, middle, and high schools; (2) used for media resources appropriate for all grades; and (3) used for professional development in information literacy instruction that is appropriate for all grades.

Expands the program of grants to states and subgrants to LEAs for the recruitment, retention, and professional development of teachers to require that highly qualified school library media specialists be included in the focus of such efforts.

strengthening kids interest learning libraries act skills act amends title elementary secondary education act authorize appropriations fy2016 fy2021 grant program requires local educational agencies leas receive school improvement funds ensure extent feasible schools receiving funds employs state certified school library media specialist directs states leas receive school improvement funds ensure beginning school year highly qualified school library media specialist school receives funds requires improving literacy school libraries funds proportionally distributed serve students elementary middle high schools media resources appropriate grades professional development information literacy instruction appropriate grades expands program grants states subgrants leas recruitment retention professional development teachers require highly qualified school library media specialists included focus efforts


Summary:
Put School Counselors Where They're Needed Act

This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Department of Education to implement a demonstration project providing competitive, 4-year grants to at least 10 secondary schools that have a 4-year adjusted cohort graduation rate of 60% or lower, for the provision of additional school counselors and counselor resources.

The bill expresses the sense of Congress that grantees should provide one additional counselor for every 250 students at risk.

The additional school counselors must serve primarily students identified as being at risk of not graduating in four years.

Grantees that demonstrate progress in improving their graduation rates are eligible for subsequent grants.

school_counselors needed act bill amends elementary secondary education act direct department_of_education implement demonstration project providing competitive year grants secondary schools year adjusted cohort graduation rate lower provision additional school counselors counselor resources bill expresses sense congress grantees provide additional counselor students risk additional school counselors serve primarily students identified risk graduating years grantees demonstrate progress improving graduation rates eligible subsequent grants


Summary:
Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act of 2015

This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to condition each state's receipt of ESEA funds, beginning in FY2017, on the state having in effect and enforcing a law or regulation that meets the minimum requirements for the prevention and treatment of concussions set forth in this Act.

Each local educational agency must develop and implement a standard plan for concussion safety and management for its public schools that includes: (1) the education of students, parents, and school personnel about concussions through specified activities; (2) specified supports for each student recovering from a concussion; and (3) specified best practices designed to ensure the uniformity of safety standards, treatment, and management.

Each public school must post on school grounds and make publicly available on the school website specified information on concussions.

If any public school personnel suspects that a student has sustained a concussion during a school-sponsored activity: (1) the student is to be immediately removed from participation in that activity and prohibited from participating in school-sponsored athletic activities until the student submits a written release from a health care professional; and (2) that individual is to report all available information regarding the injury to a concussion management team that will confirm and report to the student's parents the date, time, and type of the injury suffered and any actions taken to treat the student.

The school's concussion management team shall consult with and make recommendations to relevant school personnel and the student to ensure that the student is receiving the appropriate academic supports, including: (1) periods of cognitive rest over the course of the school day, (2) modified academic assignments, (3) gradual reintroduction to cognitive demands, and (4) other appropriate academic accommodations or adjustments.

protecting student athletes concussions act bill amends elementary secondary education act esea condition state receipt esea funds beginning fy2017 state having effect enforcing law regulation meets minimum requirements prevention treatment concussions set forth act local educational agency develop implement standard plan concussion safety management public schools includes education students parents school personnel concussions specified activities specified supports student recovering concussion specified best practices designed ensure uniformity safety standards treatment management public school post school grounds publicly available school website specified information concussions public school personnel suspects student sustained concussion school sponsored activity student immediately removed participation activity prohibited participating school sponsored athletic activities student submits written release health care professional individual report available information injury concussion management team confirm report student parents date time type injury suffered actions taken treat student school concussion management team shall consult recommendations relevant school personnel student ensure student receiving appropriate academic supports including periods cognitive rest course school day modified academic assignments gradual reintroduction cognitive demands appropriate academic accommodations adjustments


Summary:
Success in the Middle Act of 2015

This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to allot grants to states, based on their proportion of poor children aged 5 to 17, to: (1) implement state middle grades needs analyses and, on the basis of such analyses, improvement plans that describe what students must master to complete successfully the middle grades and succeed in academically rigorous secondary school coursework; and (2) award competitive subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) or partnerships of LEAs and institutions of higher education, educational service agencies, or educational nonprofit organizations to implement a comprehensive middle school improvement plan for each eligible school. Priority is given to LEAs, or partnerships that include LEAs, that serve high proportions of poor children and children attending eligible schools.

"Eligible schools" are those where: (1) a high proportion of middle grade students matriculate to secondary schools with graduation rates below 65%; (2) more than 25% of the students who finish grade six, or the school's earliest middle grade level, exhibit key risk factors for failure; and (3) a majority of middle grade students are not rated proficient on required state assessments in mathematics, reading, or language arts.

States may make subgrants to LEAs and partnerships that did not receive a competitive subgrant to assist them in applying for competitive subgrants and developing comprehensive middle school improvement plans.

Funding is provided to ED to:

 contract for studies that identify promising practices for, and review existing research to identify factors that might lead to, the improvement of middle grades education; create a national clearinghouse in best middle grade educational practices and a national database identifying factors that facilitate or impede middle grade student achievement; require certain educational field research designed to enhance the performance of middle grade schools and students; create a research and development center that addresses topics pertinent to the middle grades; and provide grants to entities that partner with states and LEAs to develop, adapt, or replicate effective models for turning around low-performing schools serving students in the middle grades.

success middle act bill directs allot grants states based proportion poor children aged implement state middle grades needs analyses basis analyses improvement plans describe students master complete successfully middle grades succeed academically rigorous secondary school coursework award competitive subgrants local educational agencies leas partnerships leas institutions higher education educational service agencies educational nonprofit organizations implement comprehensive middle school improvement plan eligible school priority given leas partnerships include leas serve high proportions poor children children attending eligible schools eligible schools high proportion middle grade students matriculate secondary schools graduation rates students finish grade school earliest middle grade level exhibit key risk factors failure majority middle grade students rated proficient required state assessments mathematics reading language arts states subgrants leas partnerships receive competitive subgrant assist applying competitive subgrants developing comprehensive middle school improvement plans funding provided contract studies identify promising practices review existing research identify factors lead improvement middle grades education create national clearinghouse best middle grade educational practices national database identifying factors facilitate impede middle grade student achievement require certain educational field research designed enhance performance middle grade schools students create research development center addresses topics pertinent middle grades provide grants entities partner states leas develop adapt replicate effective models turning low performing schools serving students middle grades


Summary:
Equal Access to Quality Education Act of 2015

This bill requires the Department of Education to award competitive matching grants to partnerships between high-need local educational agencies (LEAs) and institutions of higher education (IHEs) to establish or support: (1) teacher preparation programs, and (2) teacher induction and retention programs.

Teacher preparation programs must: (1) require participants to complete at least one year of residency followed by at least three years of teaching at the LEA's high-need schools, and (2) award participants a teaching credential or degree that meets state requirements for a teaching license or certification upon completion of the program.

Teacher induction and retention programs must use high-quality mentoring, teacher collaboration, and research-based instructional practices to: (1) support and advance the retention of beginning teachers and principals, and (2) promote effective teaching and leadership skills. Grants may be used for certain other activities designed to improve the quality of education in high-need areas.

Grant priority is given to partnerships that: (1) use a valid and reliable teacher performance assessment and have a plan to recruit teachers from among minority and local candidates and the disabled; or (2) use that assessment and include an IHE that is eligible to participate in the TEACH Grant program, a Tribal College or University, an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution, a Hispanic-serving institution, or a historically Black college and university.

bill requires department_of_education award competitive matching grants partnerships high need local educational agencies leas institutions higher education ihes establish support teacher preparation programs teacher induction retention programs teacher preparation programs require participants complete year residency followed years teaching lea high need schools award participants teaching credential degree meets state requirements teaching license certification completion program teacher induction retention programs use high quality mentoring teacher collaboration research based instructional practices support advance retention beginning teachers principals promote effective teaching leadership skills grants certain activities designed improve quality education high need areas grant priority given partnerships use valid reliable teacher performance assessment plan recruit teachers minority local candidates disabled use assessment include ihe eligible participate teach grant program tribal_college university asian american native american pacific islander serving institution hispanic serving institution historically black college university


Summary:
Community STEM Learning Act of 2015

This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Department of Education to award grants to national and regional intermediaries and, through them, subgrants to their community-based affiliates to operate in-school, after school, summer, and weekend programs that focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.

A "national intermediary" is a national private nonprofit organization that has: (1) a network comprising community-based affiliates in at least 50 urban communities, (2) expertise in overseeing programs to help middle and secondary school students succeed, and (3) operated in at least 25 states continuously for at least 20 years.

A "regional intermediary" is a private nonprofit community-based organization that has: (1) a network comprising community-based affiliates in a prescribed region, and (2) expertise in extending educational services to middle and secondary school students.

The STEM programs must primarily serve students who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM field careers and include project-based learning opportunities and individualized instruction.

Each subgrantee must collaborate with an institution of higher education in providing such services.

The bill requires grantees to direct at least: (1) 50% of their grant to community-based affiliates that are successfully operating STEM programs so that they can expand them to reach more students traditionally underrepresented in STEM field careers, and (2) 25% of their grant to the development of STEM programs by community-based affiliates not currently operating any.

community bill amends elementary secondary education act authorize department_of_education award grants national regional intermediaries subgrants community based affiliates operate school school summer weekend programs focus science technology engineering mathematics stem education national intermediary national private nonprofit organization network comprising community based affiliates urban communities expertise overseeing programs help middle secondary school students succeed operated states continuously years regional intermediary private nonprofit community based organization network comprising community based affiliates prescribed region expertise extending educational services middle secondary school students stem programs primarily serve students traditionally underrepresented stem field careers include project based learning opportunities individualized instruction subgrantee collaborate institution higher education providing services bill requires grantees direct grant community based affiliates successfully operating stem programs expand reach students traditionally underrepresented stem field careers grant development stem programs community based affiliates currently operating


Summary:
Ending Corporal Punishment in Schools Act of 2015

Amends the General Education Provisions Act to prohibit the Department of Education (ED) from providing education funding to any educational agency or institution that allows school personnel to inflict corporal punishment upon a student as a form of punishment or to modify undesirable behavior.

Requires each state to submit a plan to ED, within 18 months of this Act's enactment and every third year thereafter, that describes how the state eliminates the use of corporal punishment in schools and makes school personnel and parents aware of its policies and procedures for doing so.

Authorizes ED to award three-year grants to states and, through them, competitive subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to assist them in improving school climate and culture by implementing school-wide positive behavior supports.

Requires grant and subgrant funds to be used for professional training, technical assistance, research, and outreach regarding positive behavior supports. Requires LEAs to ensure that private school personnel can participate, on an equitable basis, in activities supported by such funds.

Authorizes ED to allocate funds to the Department of the Interior to carry out such activities with regard to schools operated or funded by such Department.

Directs ED to conduct a national assessment to determine compliance with this Act's requirements and identify best practices regarding positive behavior support professional training programs.

Gives Protection and Advocacy Systems the authority provided under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 to investigate, monitor, and enforce this Act's protections for students.

schools act amends general_education_provisions_act prohibit providing education funding educational agency institution allows school personnel corporal punishment student form punishment modify behavior requires state submit plan months act enactment year describes state eliminates use corporal punishment schools makes school personnel parents aware policies procedures authorizes award year grants states competitive subgrants local educational agencies leas assist improving school climate culture implementing school wide positive behavior supports requires grant subgrant funds professional training technical assistance research outreach positive behavior supports requires leas ensure private school personnel participate equitable basis activities supported funds authorizes allocate funds department_of_the_interior carry activities regard schools operated funded department directs conduct national assessment determine compliance act requirements identify best practices positive behavior support professional training programs gives_protection_and_advocacy_systems authority provided developmental disabilities assistance bill rights act investigate monitor enforce act protections students


Summary:
Keep Teachers Teaching Act of 2015

This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Department of Education (ED) to award competitive, renewable grants to local educational agencies (LEAs), states, and partnerships of LEAs, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education for the development and implementation of innovative teacher retention programs that include: (1) professional development; (2) teacher mentoring; (3) advanced certification or credentialing; (4) research, travel, or fellowship opportunities; and (5) pairing teachers with research or industry professionals.

ED must: (1) identify the most promising teacher retention strategies, and (2) make information about those strategies publicly available and easily accessible to states and LEAs.

bill amends elementary secondary education act direct award competitive renewable grants local educational agencies leas states partnerships leas nonprofit organizations institutions higher education development implementation innovative teacher retention programs include professional development teacher mentoring advanced certification credentialing research travel fellowship opportunities pairing teachers research industry professionals identify promising teacher retention strategies information strategies publicly available easily accessible states leas


Summary:
Broadening Opportunities Through Education Act

This bill directs the Department of Education to award competitive grants to states that make school attendance compulsory through age 17.

States must use their grant to improve their secondary school programs, such as by:

 establishing or expanding work-based programs that integrate academic and career-based skills; implementing an early warning system that helps high schools and their feeder middle schools identify and assist struggling students; establishing grade and school transition programs and supports; personalizing the school experience and increasing student engagement through service-learning and experiential, work-based, and other learning opportunities; providing extended-learning opportunities by the school day, week, or year; and increasing student supports through activities such as student advisories, counseling, and one-to-one mentoring.

broadening opportunities education act bill directs department_of_education award competitive grants states school attendance compulsory age states use grant improve secondary school programs establishing expanding work based programs integrate academic career based skills implementing early warning system helps high schools feeder middle schools identify assist struggling students establishing grade school transition programs supports school experience increasing student engagement service learning experiential work based learning opportunities providing extended learning opportunities school day week year increasing student supports activities student advisories counseling mentoring


Summary:
Student Support Act

This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require the Department of Education to make matching grants of at least $1 million to states for allocation to local educational agencies (LEAs) so that additional school-based mental health and student service providers may be hired, thereby reducing the student-to-provider ratios in elementary and secondary schools to specified minimum levels recommended by the leading counseling, guidance, and mental health organizations.

These minimum ratios are: (1) 1 school counselor for every 250 students, (2) 1 school psychologist for every 1,000 students, and (3) 1 school social worker for every 250 students.

Grants to states and state allocations to LEAs must be made pursuant to specified formulas that take into account a state's and school district's share of children in poverty.

student support act bill amends elementary secondary education act require department_of_education matching grants million states allocation local educational agencies leas additional school based mental health student service providers hired reducing student provider ratios elementary secondary schools specified minimum levels recommended leading counseling guidance mental health organizations minimum ratios school counselor students school psychologist students school social worker students grants states state allocations leas pursuant specified formulas account state school district share children poverty


Summary:
Enable More Parents to Opt-Out Without Endangering Resources Act

This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require states to allow a student to opt out, for any reason stated by the student's parent and without any penalty or other consequence, of yearly academic assessments used as the primary means of determining the performance of the state and of each local educational agency and school in enabling all children to meet the state's academic achievement standards.

enable parents opt endangering resources act bill amends elementary secondary education act require states allow student opt reason stated student parent penalty consequence yearly academic assessments primary means determining performance state local educational agency school enabling children meet state academic achievement standards


Summary:
Public School Emergency Relief Act

This bill authorizes a program of emergency impact aid payments to states and, through them, to local educational agencies and Indian schools for each quarter of the 2015-2016 school year to respond to any increase in the enrollment of immigrant children from the corresponding quarter of the 2013-2014 school year.

Payments shall be used to provide services and assistance to schools that enroll immigrant students.

Funds may be used for:

 compensating school personnel, identifying and acquiring curricular material and mobile educational units and leasing sites or spaces, basic instructional services for immigrant students, reasonable transportation costs, health and counseling services, education and support services, and other uses allowed under title III (Language Instruction for Limited English Proficient and Immigrant Students) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Any payment made on behalf of a disabled immigrant student is to be used for special education and related services.

Emergency impact aid funds that are not obligated during the 2015-2016 school year must be returned to the Department of Education.

public school emergency relief act bill authorizes program emergency impact aid payments states local educational agencies indian schools quarter school year respond increase enrollment immigrant children corresponding quarter school year payments shall provide services assistance schools enroll immigrant students funds compensating school personnel identifying acquiring curricular material mobile educational units leasing sites spaces basic instructional services immigrant students reasonable transportation costs health counseling services education support services uses allowed title iii language instruction limited english proficient immigrant students elementary secondary education act payment behalf disabled immigrant student special education related services emergency impact aid funds obligated school year returned department_of_education


Summary:
School Safety Act of 2015

Amends the the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to: (1) authorize appropriations for the matching grant program for school security through FY2020, and (2) authorize such grants to be used for emergency notification and response technologies and the acquisition and installation of technology for expedited notification of local law enforcement during an emergency.

school safety act amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act authorize appropriations matching grant program school security fy2020 authorize grants emergency notification response technologies acquisition installation technology expedited notification local law enforcement emergency


Summary:
Getting Involved in Researching, Learning, and Studying of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Act or the GIRLS STEM Act

This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish a program to: (1) encourage the interest of female students in careers requiring science, mathematics, engineering, or technology (STEM) skills; and (2) prepare female students to pursue credentials needed to pursue a career in a STEM field. The Department of Education may provide grants to eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) to enable elementary and secondary schools to implement the program.

getting involved studying science technology engineering mathematics act girls stem act bill amends elementary secondary education act establish program encourage interest female students careers requiring science mathematics engineering technology stem skills prepare female students pursue credentials needed pursue career stem field department_of_education provide grants eligible local educational agencies leas enable elementary secondary schools implement program


Summary: This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow a state to withdraw from the Common Core State Standards developed under the Common Core State Standards Initiative, any other academic standards common to a significant number of states, or assessments tied to such standards.

bill amends elementary secondary education act allow state withdraw developed common core state standards initiative academic standards common significant number states assessments tied standards


Summary:
Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2015

This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require states to direct their local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish policies that prevent and prohibit conduct, including bullying and harassment, that is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive to: (1) limit students' ability to participate in, or benefit from, school programs; or (2) create a hostile or abusive educational environment that adversely affects their education.

LEAs shall also provide: (1) students, parents, and educational professionals with annual notice of the conduct prohibited in their discipline policies; (2) students and parents with grievance procedures that target such conduct; and (3) the public with annual data on the incidence and frequency of that conduct at the school and LEA level.

The Department of Education must conduct, and report on, an independent biennial evaluation of programs and policies to combat bullying and harassment in elementary and secondary schools. The National Center for Education Statistics shall collect state data to determine the incidence and frequency of the conduct prohibited by LEA discipline policies.

safe schools improvement act bill amends elementary secondary education act require states direct local educational agencies leas establish policies prevent prohibit conduct including bullying harassment sufficiently severe persistent pervasive limit students ability participate benefit school programs create hostile abusive educational environment adversely affects education leas shall provide students parents educational professionals annual notice conduct prohibited discipline policies students parents grievance procedures target conduct public annual data incidence frequency conduct school lea level conduct report independent biennial evaluation programs policies combat bullying harassment elementary secondary schools national_center_for_education_statistics shall collect state data determine incidence frequency conduct prohibited lea discipline policies


Summary:
Educator Tax Relief Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax deduction for the expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers, to: (1) allow an inflation adjustment to the amount of such deduction for taxable years beginning after 2014, (2) allow the deduction of professional development expenses, and (3) make such deduction permanent. The bill applies to taxable years beginning after 2014.

educator tax relief act sec bill amends internal_revenue_code respect tax deduction expenses elementary secondary school teachers allow inflation adjustment deduction taxable years beginning allow deduction professional development expenses deduction permanent bill applies taxable years beginning


Summary:
To Aid Gifted and High-Ability Learners by Empowering the Nation's Teachers Act or the TALENT Act

This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require state assessments of student proficiency to measure individual academic achievement, including above grade level achievement.

States must: (1) assist their local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools in providing additional educational assistance to advanced, gifted, and talented students; and (2) report annually a comparison of the performance of students between different LEAs at each level of achievement, disaggregated by specified student subgroups.

LEAs must identify gifted and talented students and support their learning needs and train educators to implement instructional practices that support their education.

The Institute of Education Sciences must: (1) continue research and development activities regarding the education of gifted and talented students; (2) support a National Research and Dissemination Center on the Gifted and Talented; (3) administer demonstration grants that enhance the ability of educators to support gifted and talented students; and (4) ensure that statistical data regarding the education of gifted and talented children is collected, reported, analyzed, and disseminated.

aid gifted empowering nation teachers act talent act bill amends elementary secondary education act require state assessments student proficiency measure individual academic achievement including grade level achievement states assist local educational agencies leas schools providing additional educational assistance advanced gifted talented students report annually comparison performance students different leas level achievement disaggregated specified student subgroups leas identify gifted talented students support learning needs train educators implement instructional practices support education institute_of_education_sciences continue research development activities education gifted talented students support gifted talented administer demonstration grants enhance ability educators support gifted talented students ensure statistical data education gifted talented children collected reported analyzed disseminated


Summary:
School Social Workers Improving Student Success Act

This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Department of Education to award renewable grants to high-need local educational agencies to retain or hire additional school social workers.

Grantees may use the funds to reimburse school social workers for expenses they incur in rendering services.

Grant-funded social workers must target their services to the highest-need students.

Grant funds may not be used to supplant other funds used for hiring and retaining school social workers.

bill amends elementary secondary education act authorize department_of_education award renewable grants high need local educational agencies retain hire additional school social workers grantees use funds reimburse school social workers expenses incur rendering services grant funded social workers target services highest need students grant funds supplant funds hiring retaining school social workers


Summary:
Rebuilding America's Schools Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to qualified zone academy bonds issued to finance public school facilities, to: (1) extend the national limitation amount for such bonds through calendar year 2014 and then increase such amount and make it permanent after calendar year 2014, (2) expand the enumerated purposes of such bonds to include the construction of public school facilities in a qualified zone academy, (3) lower the private business contribution requirement for such bonds from 10% to 5% of the proceeds of the bond issue, and (4) designate such bonds as specified tax credit bonds.

rebuilding america schools act bill amends internal_revenue_code respect qualified zone academy bonds issued finance public school facilities extend national limitation bonds calendar year increase permanent calendar year expand enumerated purposes bonds include construction public school facilities qualified zone academy lower private business contribution requirement bonds proceeds bond issue designate bonds specified tax credit bonds


Summary:
Child Sexual Abuse Awareness and Prevention Act

This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to: (1) authorize the use of grants to local educational agencies for carrying out child sexual abuse awareness and prevention programs and activities, (2) establish periodic evaluation requirements for such  grant programs and activities, and (3) establish principles of effectiveness applicable to these grant programs and activities as well as to those aimed at reducing the impact of domestic violence on schoolchildren.

child sexual abuse awareness prevention act bill amends elementary secondary education act authorize use grants local educational agencies carrying child sexual abuse awareness prevention programs activities establish periodic evaluation requirements grant programs activities establish principles effectiveness applicable grant programs activities aimed reducing impact domestic violence schoolchildren


Summary:
Education Stability for Foster Youth Act

This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require a state plan for academic content and achievement standards to describe how the state will ensure the educational stability of children in foster care. Specifically, a state plan must include assurances that: (1) a foster child will remain or be enrolled in the child’s school of origin absent a determination that such enrollment is not in the child’s best interest; (2) if such a determination is made, the child will be immediately enrolled in a new school, which must immediately contact the child’s previous school to obtain relevant records; and (3) the state will designate a point of contact for child welfare agencies, who shall also oversee implementation of the state’s responsibilities under the bill.

Relatedly, a local educational agency (LEA) plan must provide assurances that the LEA will develop and implement procedures governing the provision and funding of transportation services necessary to maintain a foster child’s enrollment in the child’s school of origin.

This bill amends the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to alter the definition of “homeless children and youths” to no longer include children who are awaiting foster care placement.

education stability foster youth act bill amends elementary secondary education act require state plan academic content achievement standards describe state ensure educational stability children foster care specifically state plan include assurances foster child remain enrolled child school origin absent determination enrollment child best interest determination child immediately enrolled new school immediately contact child previous school obtain relevant records state designate point contact child welfare agencies shall oversee implementation state responsibilities bill local educational agency lea plan provide assurances lea develop implement procedures governing provision funding transportation services necessary maintain foster child enrollment child school origin bill amends mckinney-vento homeless assistance act alter definition homeless children youths longer include children awaiting foster care placement


Summary:
This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Department of Education (ED) to award competitive, three-year grants to states or local educational agencies (LEAs) for the establishment, improvement, and expansion of innovative model programs in world language education for elementary and secondary school students. Of the funds made available for this purpose, at least 75% must be used to expand world language learning in the elementary grades. ED may reserve up to 5% of funds made available for one fiscal year to evaluate the efficacy of assisted programs.

In general, the federal share of the cost of such programs shall be 50% for each fiscal year. However, ED may determine the federal share for any LEA that is determined to have inadequate resources to pay the nonfederal share of program costs.

ED must give special consideration to grant applications describing programs that: (1) include intensive summer programs for professional development of world language teachers; (2) promote sequential learning, two-way language learning, and innovative activities; (3) make effective use of technology; and (4) are carried out through a consortium comprised of the grant recipient and an elementary or secondary school.

bill amends elementary secondary education act authorize award competitive year grants states local educational agencies leas establishment improvement expansion innovative model programs world language education elementary secondary school students funds available purpose expand world language learning elementary grades reserve funds available fiscal year evaluate efficacy assisted programs general federal share cost programs shall fiscal year determine federal share lea determined inadequate resources pay nonfederal share program costs special consideration grant applications describing programs include intensive summer programs professional development world language teachers promote sequential learning way language learning innovative activities effective use technology carried consortium comprised grant recipient elementary secondary school


Summary:
Tackling Excessive Standardized Testing Act of 2015 or the TEST Act of 2015

This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to lower the frequency with which students must take the tests used to determine whether they are making adequate yearly progress (AYP) toward state academic achievement standards in mathematics and reading or language arts. Under current law, students must take such tests in both subjects in each of grades 3 through 8. The bill maintains testing in grades 3 through 8 but authorizes a public school to limit testing: (1) in mathematics, to even-numbered grades or, if the school is at the 15th percentile or above for mathematics in the state or its students are making appropriate progress toward state mathematics achievement standards, to grades 4 and 8 only; and (2) in reading or language arts, to odd-numbered grades or, if the school is at the 15th percentile or above for reading or language arts or its students are making appropriate progress toward state reading or language arts achievement standards, to grades 3 and 7 only.

Limited English proficient students who are in their first 12 months of enrollment in a public school are excluded from the determination as to whether students are making AYP toward state academic achievement standards.

excessive standardized testing act test act bill amends elementary secondary education act lower frequency students tests determine making adequate yearly progress ayp state academic achievement standards mathematics reading language arts current law students tests subjects grades bill maintains testing grades authorizes public school limit testing mathematics numbered grades school 15th percentile mathematics state students making appropriate progress state mathematics achievement standards grades reading language arts odd numbered grades school 15th percentile reading language arts students making appropriate progress state reading language arts achievement standards grades limited english proficient students months enrollment public school excluded determination students making ayp state academic achievement standards


Summary:
Homeless and Foster Youth Achievement Act

This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require a state to include additional information in its annual state report card.

Under current law, a state must include data regarding student achievement on state academic assessments, both in the aggregate and disaggregated by race, ethnicity, disability status, migrant status, English proficiency, and status as disadvantaged.  For purposes of a state's annual report card, the bill expands those categories to include homeless status and status as a child in foster care. Graduation rates for secondary school students must be reported by the same categories by which student achievement data is reported.

bill amends elementary secondary education act require state include additional information annual state report card current law state include data student achievement state academic assessments aggregate disaggregated race ethnicity disability status migrant status english proficiency status disadvantaged purposes state annual report card bill expands categories include homeless status status child foster care graduation rates secondary school students reported categories student achievement data reported


Summary:
Student Agriculture Protection Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of a student farmer gain from the sale or exchange of personal property, including livestock,  produced by such student farmer. The bill defines "student farmer" as an individual who has not attained age 18 and who is enrolled in a program established by Future Farmers of America or in a 4-H club.

bill amends internal_revenue_code exclude gross income student farmer gain sale exchange personal property including livestock produced student farmer bill defines student farmer individual attained age enrolled program established club


Summary:
This bill amends the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act to require: (1) states to use grants for safe and drug-free schools to collect and report information on the incidence of bullying and harassment, and (2) local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools to use subgrants to prevent and respond to incidents of bullying and harassment.

Such LEAs or schools must: (1) notify parents and students annually of conduct prohibited in their school discipline policies, which must include policies regarding bullying and harassment; and (2) establish complaint procedures for students and parents to register complaints regarding such conduct.

The bill also expands the Act's definition of violence to include bullying and harassment.

bill amends communities act require states use grants safe drug free schools collect report information incidence bullying harassment local educational agencies leas schools use subgrants prevent respond incidents bullying harassment leas schools notify parents students annually conduct prohibited school discipline policies include policies bullying harassment establish complaint procedures students parents register complaints conduct bill expands act definition violence include bullying harassment


Summary:
Academic Partnerships Lead Us to Success or the A PLUS Act

This bill allows each state to receive federal elementary and secondary education funds on a consolidated basis and manage the funds to advance the educational policy of the state. States must submit to the Department of Education a declaration of intent no less than every five years.

Each declaration must be formulated by a combination of specified state officials or by referendum and must list the programs for which consolidated funding is requested. States may use such funds for any educational purpose permitted by state law, but must make certain assurances that they will use fiscal control and fund accounting procedures, abide by federal civil rights laws, advance educational opportunities for the disadvantaged, and use federal funds to supplement rather than supplant state funding.

Each declaration state shall: (1) inform the public about its student achievement assessment system; (2) report annually on student progress toward the state's proficiency standards by specified student groups; and (3) provide for the equitable participation of private school children and teachers in the same manner as provided for under current law.

academic partnerships lead success plus act bill allows state receive federal elementary secondary education funds consolidated basis manage funds advance educational policy state states submit department_of_education declaration intent years declaration formulated combination specified state officials referendum list programs consolidated funding requested states use funds educational purpose permitted state law certain assurances use fiscal control fund accounting procedures abide federal civil rights laws advance educational opportunities disadvantaged use federal funds supplement supplant state funding declaration state shall inform public student achievement assessment system report annually student progress state proficiency standards specified student groups provide equitable participation private school children teachers manner provided current law


Summary:
Fair Access to Education Act of 2015

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to modify federal student aid eligibility criteria. Specifically, it limits drug offense convictions that bar a student from participating in federal student aid programs.

Under current law, any drug offense conviction involving sale or possession of a controlled substance triggers suspension of federal student aid eligibility for a student who commits the drug offense while enrolled in postsecondary education and receiving federal student aid. This bill excludes from triggering drug offense convictions any misdemeanor offense for marijuana possession that occurred before, on, or after enactment of this bill.

This bill reestablishes federal student aid eligibility for certain students who are ineligible due to a prior conviction for misdemeanor marijuana possession.

bill amends title student assistance higher education act modify federal student aid eligibility criteria specifically limits drug offense convictions bar student participating federal student aid programs current law drug offense conviction involving sale possession controlled substance triggers suspension federal student aid eligibility student commits drug offense enrolled postsecondary education receiving federal student aid bill excludes triggering drug offense convictions misdemeanor offense marijuana possession occurred enactment bill bill reestablishes federal student aid eligibility certain students ineligible prior conviction misdemeanor marijuana possession


Summary:
Investing in 21st Century Schools Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to qualified zone academy bonds, to: (1) extend through 2016 the national limitation amount for such bonds, and (2) reduce from 10% to 5% of bond proceeds the required contribution amount for private businesses.

investing 21st century schools act bill amends internal_revenue_code respect qualified zone academy bonds extend national limitation bonds reduce bond proceeds required contribution private businesses


Summary:
Equity and Excellence in American Education Act of 2015

This bill authorizes the Department of Education (ED) to establish and administer several new grant programs.

ED shall carry out the Equity and Excellence Initiative to provide grants to states to match each state's enhanced investment in meaningful educational opportunities for children who attend targeted schools. A "targeted school" is a public elementary or secondary school at which a specified percentage of students: (1) are eligible for free or reduced-priced lunch; (2) qualify as limited English proficient; or (3) are racial or ethnic minorities, Indian, or migratory. Schools may use these grant funds to implement systems-based reforms and initiatives to enhance student achievement. A state that receives grant funds must meet specified maintenance of effort requirements.

If ED determines that a state has failed to invest sufficient resources to create meaningful educational opportunities for all children attending targeted schools in that state, ED is authorized, through the Educating Every Child Initiative, to make grants directly to local educational agencies for distribution to targeted schools. A state in which targeted schools receive grant funds must meet specified funding obligations with respect to those schools.

ED is also authorized to establish the Equitable and Sustainable Fiscal Policy Program to provide technical assistance grants to support state fiscal reform efforts aimed at ensuring meaningful educational opportunities for all children.

The bill establishes various reporting requirements for ED and for grant recipients. ED must develop accountability metrics to measure grant performance.

equity excellence american education act bill authorizes establish administer new grant programs shall carry equity excellence initiative provide grants states match state enhanced investment meaningful educational opportunities children attend targeted schools targeted school public elementary secondary school specified percentage students eligible free reduced priced lunch qualify limited english proficient racial ethnic minorities indian migratory schools use grant funds implement systems based reforms initiatives enhance student achievement state receives grant funds meet specified maintenance effort requirements determines state failed invest sufficient resources create meaningful educational opportunities children attending targeted schools state authorized educating child initiative grants directly local educational agencies distribution targeted schools state targeted schools receive grant funds meet specified funding obligations respect schools authorized establish provide technical assistance grants support state fiscal reform efforts aimed ensuring meaningful educational opportunities children bill establishes reporting requirements grant recipients develop accountability metrics measure grant performance


Summary:
School-Based Asthma Management Program Act

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to add requirements that states must meet to receive a preference for asthma grants. (Currently, the preference is given to states that meet requirements regarding administration of epinephrine to students having severe allergic reactions.) To receive the preference, states must additionally: (1) provide civil liability protection to trained school personnel who administer asthma-related rescue medication to a student with asthma; and (2) require schools to permit trained school personnel to administer asthma-related rescue medication to students with asthma, maintain a supply of asthma-related rescue medication, and have a comprehensive asthma management program.

bill amends public_health_service_act add requirements states meet receive preference asthma grants currently preference given states meet requirements administration epinephrine students having severe reactions receive preference states additionally provide civil liability protection trained school personnel administer asthma related rescue medication student asthma require schools permit trained school personnel administer asthma related rescue medication students asthma maintain supply asthma related rescue medication comprehensive asthma management program


Summary:
Protecting Students from Sexual and Violent Predators Act

This bill requires a state or local educational agency (LEA) that receives funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to:

 require, for each school employee, a criminal background check that includes a search of specified registries and repositories; prohibit the employment of an individual who refuses to consent to, or who makes a false statement in connection with, a background check or who has been convicted of one of specified crimes; require background checks to be periodically repeated or updated in accordance with state law or LEA policies; provide a school employee with a timely process to appeal the results of a background check; ensure that such policies and procedures are published on state and LEA websites; and allow an LEA to share the results of a school employee's recent background check with another LEA that is considering that individual for employment.

protecting students sexual violent predators act bill requires state local educational agency lea receives funds elementary secondary education act require school employee criminal background check includes search specified registries repositories prohibit employment individual refuses consent makes false statement connection background check convicted specified crimes require background checks periodically repeated updated accordance state law lea policies provide school employee timely process appeal results background check ensure policies procedures published state lea websites allow lea share results school employee recent background check lea considering individual employment


Summary:
Alerting Local Leaders and Ensuring Responsible Guidelines for Youth Act or the ALLERGY Act

This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to require a local educational agency (LEA), as a condition of receiving funds under the ESEA, to establish and implement a policy on allergy bullying that requires schools to:

 educate students, school personnel, and parents about allergy bullying; clearly define what the punishment or response may be for violating rules against allergy bullying; encourage each victim of allergy bullying to report the bullying to school personnel; and comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 in carrying out these requirements. An LEA shall certify annually that it has established and implemented such a policy.

"Allergy bullying" is an unwanted, aggressive behavior by a student toward another student who has an allergy, including: (1) a real or perceived imbalance of power due to the student's allergy; and (2) actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, making physical or verbal attacks, and purposefully excluding the student from a group.

local leaders ensuring responsible guidelines youth act allergy act bill amends elementary secondary education act esea require local educational agency lea condition receiving funds esea establish implement policy allergy bullying requires schools educate students school personnel parents allergy bullying clearly define punishment response violating rules allergy bullying encourage victim allergy bullying report bullying school personnel comply individuals disabilities education act americans disabilities act carrying requirements lea shall certify annually established implemented policy allergy bullying unwanted aggressive behavior student student allergy including real perceived imbalance power student allergy actions making threats spreading making physical verbal attacks purposefully excluding student group


Summary:
Support Our Students Act of 2016 or the S.O.S. Act of 2016

This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to states and, through them, subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to support or develop programs that will train teachers, school personnel, and specialized instructional support personnel regarding mental health conditions in children.

To be eligible to receive such a grant or subgrant, a state or LEA must partner with a mental health organization, family advocacy organization, or community nonprofit organization.

Subgrantees shall utilize school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, or community organizations with experience in mental illness and suicide prevention to develop and conduct the training.

The training program must include an annual in-service training component that enables teachers, school personnel, and specialized instructional support personnel to: (1) better understand mental health conditions and the early warning signs in children and adolescents; (2) effectively communicate their mental health concerns with families and consider family perspectives; (3) identify classroom strategies for working effectively with troubled children; and (4) understand school-specific information, including links to mental health services and supports in the school and community.

ED shall develop outcome measures for in-depth evaluation of the effectiveness of the training programs.

support students act act bill amends elementary secondary education act direct award grants states subgrants local educational agencies leas support develop programs train teachers school personnel specialized instructional support personnel mental health conditions children eligible receive grant subgrant state lea partner mental health organization family advocacy organization community nonprofit organization subgrantees shall utilize school counselors school psychologists school social workers community organizations experience mental illness suicide prevention develop conduct training training program include annual service training component enables teachers school personnel specialized instructional support personnel better understand mental health conditions early warning signs children adolescents effectively communicate mental health concerns families consider family perspectives identify classroom strategies working effectively troubled children understand school specific information including links mental health services supports school community shall develop outcome measures depth evaluation effectiveness training programs


Summary:
School Modernization and Revitalization Through Jobs Act, the SMART Jobs Act, or the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act

This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to make grants to states for the modernization, renovation, or repair of public schools, including early learning facilities and charter schools. The bill allocates grant funds among states on the basis of the relative portion of school improvement funds provided to local educational agencies (LEAs) in each state under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. States shall reallocate the grant funds to LEAs on the basis of each LEA's share of school improvement funds received by LEAs in the state for the previous fiscal year.

In addition, ED shall make grants to LEAs that serve specified disaster areas for the construction, modernization, renovation, or repair of public schools, including early learning facilities and charter schools. The bill allocates grant funds among LEAs on the basis of each LEA's share of infrastructure damage inflicted on public school facilities in such areas.

With specified exceptions, only U.S.-produced iron, steel, and manufactured goods shall be used in projects funded under the bill.

school modernization revitalization jobs act smart jobs act 21st century green act bill requires grants states modernization renovation repair public schools including early learning facilities charter schools bill allocates grant funds states basis relative portion school improvement funds provided local educational agencies leas state elementary secondary education act states shall reallocate grant funds leas basis lea share school improvement funds received leas state previous fiscal year addition shall grants leas serve specified disaster areas construction modernization renovation repair public schools including early learning facilities charter schools bill allocates grant funds leas basis lea share infrastructure damage public school facilities areas specified exceptions iron steel manufactured goods shall projects funded bill


Summary:
Stand Up For Students Act

This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to limit the use of ESEA funds for contributions to teacher retirement or pension systems in excess of the normal cost of benefits for an applicable plan year.

Specifically, the bill prohibits a state from requiring a local educational agency to use ESEA funds to make such excess payments to a teacher retirement or pension system. However, this limitation shall not apply to a system for a given plan year if the system certifies that, with respect to the plan year, the ratio of the value of the system's assets to its accrued liability exceeds 50%.

stand students act bill amends elementary secondary education act esea limit use esea funds contributions teacher retirement pension systems excess normal cost benefits applicable plan year specifically bill prohibits state requiring local educational agency use esea funds excess payments teacher retirement pension system limitation shall apply system given plan year system certifies respect plan year ratio value system assets accrued liability exceeds


Summary:
Serve More Kids Act

This bill amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to make several changes to the Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) child nutrition programs.

USDA must: (1) award equipment assistance grants to states for the school lunch and breakfast programs, (2) provide commodity assistance to states for the School Breakfast Program (SBP), and (3) establish a pilot program for providing a third daily meal under the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).

USDA may waive or modify the verification sample size requirements under the National School Lunch Program for local educational agencies that demonstrate that the requirement would increase the number of eligible children losing access to benefits or have a disproportionate and adverse impact on vulnerable populations such as migrants and homeless youth.

USDA may grant a request to allow children to consume SFSP meals off-site due to specified factors, including extreme weather, violence and other public safety concerns, or efforts to support innovative meal delivery methods to address transportation barriers and low program participation in rural areas.

The bill modifies the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to:

 specify that the food must be nutritious; specify certification periods for breastfeeding women, infants, and postpartum women; require state agencies to submit plans and distribute information related to improving access for members of the Armed Forces; and require USDA to provide additional annual performance bonus payments to state agencies for improving the proportion of breast-fed infants participating in the program. The bill also reauthorizes USDA grants to states for expanding school breakfast programs.

serve kids act bill amends national school lunch act child nutrition act changes department_of_agriculture usda child nutrition programs usda award equipment assistance grants states school lunch breakfast programs provide commodity assistance states sbp establish pilot program providing daily meal usda waive modify verification sample size requirements local educational agencies demonstrate requirement increase number eligible children losing access benefits disproportionate adverse impact vulnerable populations migrants homeless youth usda grant request allow children consume meals site specified factors including extreme weather violence public safety concerns efforts support innovative meal delivery methods address transportation barriers low program participation rural areas bill modifies children wic specify food nutritious specify certification periods breastfeeding women infants postpartum women require state agencies submit plans distribute information related improving access members armed_forces require usda provide additional annual performance bonus payments state agencies improving proportion breast fed infants participating program bill reauthorizes usda grants states expanding school breakfast programs


Summary:
Securing Our Schools Act of 2016

This bill establishes a pilot program under which the Department of Justice may award one-year grants to local education agencies for the purpose of purchasing and installing devices that allow for the immediate notification of appropriate officials in case of emergency.

securing schools act bill establishes pilot program department_of_justice award year grants local education agencies purpose purchasing installing devices allow immediate notification appropriate officials case emergency


Summary:
School Protection Act of 2016

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Department of Health and Human Services to make grants and enter contracts to train elementary and secondary school nurses to serve as first responders and crisis managers in the event of a biological or chemical attack at a school or an outbreak of pandemic illness among individuals under their care.

The training must prepare school nurses to: (1) protect and preserve life; (2) notify public health authorities to help contain or mitigate the effects of an attack or outbreak; and (3) take other appropriate and feasible actions, such as preserve evidence of an attack.

school protection act bill amends public_health_service_act authorize department_of_health_and_human_services grants enter contracts train elementary secondary school nurses serve responders crisis managers event biological chemical attack school outbreak pandemic illness individuals care training prepare school nurses protect preserve life notify public health authorities help contain mitigate effects attack outbreak appropriate feasible actions preserve evidence attack


Summary: This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to specify that a provision of the Act may be cited as "Bree's Law." The relevant ESEA provision requires local educational agencies that receive certain funding under the Act to establish programs and activities that improve safety through the recognition and prevention of coercion, violence, or abuse.

bill amends elementary secondary education act esea specify provision act cited law relevant esea provision requires local educational agencies receive certain funding act establish programs activities improve safety recognition prevention coercion violence abuse


Summary:
Prepare All Kids Act of 2016

This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require the Department of Education to establish a Prekindergarten Incentive Fund from which matching grants shall be awarded to states and, through them, subgrants to qualified prekindergarten providers for the establishment, expansion, or enhancement of voluntary, high-quality, full-day prekindergarten programs serving children ages three through five.

State grantees shall set aside specified portions of grant funds: (1) for quality early childhood development programs for children from birth through age three, and (2) to extend the hours of early childhood development programs to create extended day and year programs.

Prekindergarten subgrantees must: (1) maintain a maximum class size of 20 children, with at least 1 prekindergarten teacher per classroom; and (2) ensure that the ratio of children to prekindergarten teachers and teacher aides does not exceed 10 to 1.

Program funds may not be used for assessments of children in prekindergarten or early childhood development programs if: (1) the assessments are used to reward or sanction individual children, teachers, programs, or schools; or (2) a single assessment is used as the primary or sole method for assessing program effectiveness.

prepare kids act bill amends elementary secondary education act require department_of_education establish prekindergarten_incentive_fund matching grants shall awarded states subgrants qualified prekindergarten providers establishment expansion enhancement voluntary high quality day prekindergarten programs serving children ages state grantees shall set aside specified portions grant funds quality early childhood development programs children birth age extend hours early childhood development programs create extended day year programs prekindergarten subgrantees maintain maximum class size children prekindergarten teacher classroom ensure ratio children prekindergarten teachers teacher aides exceed program funds assessments children prekindergarten early childhood development programs assessments reward sanction individual children teachers programs schools single assessment primary sole method assessing program effectiveness


Summary:
Bring Enhanced Liability in Transportation for Students Act

This bill authorizes the Department of Transportation (DOT) to award grants to states to develop a school bus seat belt demonstration program to purchase type 1 school buses (weighing more than 10,000 pounds) equipped with lap/shoulder seat belts or equip existing type 1 buses with such belts.

 DOT shall withhold 10% of a state's apportionment of certain federal-aid highway funds if the state has not enacted a law that requires the employer to conduct background checks before hiring school bus drivers.

DOT shall also withhold 10% of a state's apportionment of certain federal-aid highway funds if the state has not enacted and is not enforcing a law that imposes specified first offense and second offense civil and criminal penalties for motorists found guilty of illegally passing a stopped school bus.

The bill authorizes DOT to provide grants to states to equip school buses with motion-activated detection systems.

bring enhanced liability transportation students act bill authorizes department_of_transportation dot award grants states develop school bus seat belt demonstration program purchase type school buses weighing pounds equipped seat belts equip existing type buses belts dot shall withhold state apportionment certain federal aid highway funds state enacted law requires employer conduct background checks hiring school bus drivers dot shall withhold state apportionment certain federal aid highway funds state enacted enforcing law imposes specified offense second offense civil criminal penalties found guilty illegally passing stopped school bus bill authorizes dot provide grants states equip school buses motion activated detection systems


Summary:
Seat Belts Save Lives Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to prescribe a rule or amend a federal motor vehicle safety standard to require a schoolbus to be equipped with a three-point safety belt at each seat.

The bill defines "three-point safety belt" to mean an occupant restraint system consisting of an integrated:

 lap belt or similar device intended to restrain movement of the pelvis, and shoulder belt or similar device intended to restrain movement of the chest and shoulder regions.

seat belts save lives act bill directs department_of_transportation dot prescribe rule amend federal motor vehicle safety standard require equipped point safety belt seat bill defines point safety belt mean occupant restraint system consisting integrated belt similar device intended restrain movement belt similar device intended restrain movement chest regions


Summary:
No School Bus Drivers with DUIs Act of 2016

The bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to prohibit any state, state educational agency, or local educational agency receiving ESEA funds from employing an individual as a school bus driver who has been convicted of, or pled guilty to, drunk driving or a driving violation that is a felony under state law.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent those entities from adopting a law, regulation, or policy that provides greater or additional protections prohibiting the employment of a school employee, contractor, or agent.

The Department of Education shall not have the authority to mandate, direct, or control the specific measures adopted by such entities.

school bus drivers act bill amends elementary secondary education act esea prohibit state state educational agency local educational agency receiving esea funds employing individual school bus driver convicted pled guilty drunk driving driving violation felony state law section shall construed prevent entities adopting law regulation policy provides greater additional protections prohibiting employment school employee contractor agent department_of_education shall authority mandate direct control specific measures adopted entities


Summary:
Core Opportunity Resources for Equity and Excellence Act of 2015

Amends the school improvement program under part A of title I of the the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to require states to adopt student achievement standards that lead to college and career readiness by high school graduation.

Requires each state school improvement plan to ensure that the state's public school system enables students to meet those standards by providing them with fair and equitable access to the core resources for learning.

Includes among the core resources for learning:

 high-quality instructional teams; rigorous academic standards and curricula that lead to college and career readiness by high school graduation; equitable and instructionally appropriate class sizes; up-to-date instructional materials, technology, and supplies; effective school library programs; school facilities and technology, including physically and environmentally sound school buildings and well-equipped instructional spaces; specialized instruction support teams providing assessment, diagnosis, counseling, educational, therapeutic, and other necessary services as part of a comprehensive program to meet student needs; and effective programs to engage families and the community in education. Prohibits states that fail to make progress toward eliminating inequities in access to the core resources for learning for two or more consecutive years from receiving funds under any competitive grant program authorized by the ESEA.

Requires the annual report cards publicly disseminated by states and their local educational agencies (LEAs) to include information on the performance of LEAs and schools in providing students with fair and equitable access to the core resources for learning.

Requires states to identify any of their LEAs as needing improvement if they: (1) fail for two consecutive years to make adequate yearly progress toward state academic content and achievement standards, or (2) have received a waiver of the ESEA's statutory or regulatory requirements from the Secretary of Education.

Requires states to: (1) identify any inequities in access to the core resources of learning in schools served by an LEA that has been identified as needing improvement, and (2) work with the LEA to address those inequities.

Prohibits the Secretary from waiving this Act's requirements for accountability in providing students with access to the core resources for learning.

excellence act amends school improvement program title elementary secondary education act esea require states adopt student achievement standards lead college career readiness high school graduation requires state school improvement plan ensure state public school system enables students meet standards providing fair equitable access core resources learning includes core resources learning high quality instructional teams rigorous academic standards curricula lead college career readiness high school graduation equitable appropriate class sizes date instructional materials technology supplies effective school library programs school facilities technology including physically environmentally sound school buildings equipped instructional spaces specialized instruction support teams providing assessment diagnosis counseling educational therapeutic necessary services comprehensive program meet student needs effective programs engage families community education prohibits states fail progress eliminating inequities access core resources learning consecutive years receiving funds competitive grant program authorized esea requires annual report cards publicly disseminated states local educational agencies leas include information performance leas schools providing students fair equitable access core resources learning requires states identify leas needing improvement fail consecutive years adequate yearly progress state academic content achievement standards received waiver esea statutory regulatory requirements secretary education requires states identify inequities access core resources learning schools served lea identified needing improvement work lea address inequities prohibits secretary waiving act requirements accountability providing students access core resources learning


Summary:
Safety for Our Schoolchildren Act of 2015

Requires states and local educational agencies (LEAs): (1) to obtain a Federal Bureau of Investigation background check on individuals prior to offering them employment as school employees; and (2) if the check identifies them as sexual predators, to report their application to local law enforcement.

Prohibits states or LEAs from hiring individuals as: (1) school employees if they have been convicted of a crime of violence or other felony; or (2) school bus drivers if they have been convicted of, or pled guilty to, drunk driving or a serious moving violation.

Withholds funds available to states for planning and administration and to LEAs as subgrants under part A of title II (Preparing, Training, and Recruiting High Quality Teachers and Principals) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, if they violate such prohibitions or fail to take such actions.

safety schoolchildren act requires states local educational agencies leas obtain federal_bureau_of_investigation background check individuals prior offering employment school employees check identifies sexual predators report application local law enforcement prohibits states leas hiring individuals school employees convicted crime violence felony school bus drivers convicted pled guilty drunk driving moving violation withholds funds available states planning administration leas subgrants title preparing training recruiting high quality teachers principals elementary secondary education act violate prohibitions fail actions


Summary:
Expanding School Choice Act

Amends part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow states to allocate school improvement grant funds among their local educational agencies (LEAs) on the basis of the number of children aged 5 through 17 whose family income lies below the federal poverty level and who are enrolled in the public and state-accredited private schools within each LEA's geographic jurisdiction.

expanding school choice act amends title elementary secondary education act allow states allocate school improvement grant funds local educational agencies leas basis number children aged family income lies federal poverty level enrolled public state accredited private schools lea geographic jurisdiction


Summary:
Local Control of Education Act

Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to prohibit the federal government from directly or indirectly mandating, directing, controlling, incentivizing, or conditioning federal support on a state's, local educational agency's (LEA's), or school's adoption of:

 the Common Core State Standards, any other academic standards common to a number of states, or any statewide or nationally recognized content standards; or any assessment, instructional content, or curriculum aligned to, or based on, specific academic standards. Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to make those prohibitions applicable to grants awarded under the Race to the Top program for innovations and reforms in elementary and secondary education.

Prohibits the Secretary of Education from conditioning the provision of a statutory or regulatory waiver under the ESEA on a state, LEA, Indian tribe, or school adopting any specific instructional content, academic standard, assessment, curriculum, or program of instruction. Makes that prohibition applicable to future and previously issued waivers.

local control education act amends elementary secondary education act esea prohibit federal government directly indirectly mandating directing controlling incentivizing conditioning federal support state local educational agency lea school adoption common core state standards academic standards common number states statewide nationally recognized content standards assessment instructional content curriculum aligned based specific academic standards amends american_recovery_and_reinvestment_act prohibitions applicable grants awarded race program innovations reforms elementary secondary education prohibits secretary education conditioning provision statutory regulatory waiver esea state lea indian tribe school adopting specific instructional content academic standard assessment curriculum program instruction makes prohibition applicable future previously issued waivers


Summary:
Home School Opportunities Make Education Sound Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow all taxpayers, including taxpayers who do not itemize their deductions, a tax deduction for expenses relating to the home schooling of their children at the elementary or secondary school level.

sound act amends internal revenue code allow taxpayers including taxpayers itemize deductions tax deduction expenses relating home schooling children elementary secondary school level


Summary:
21st Century Charter School Act

Amends the Charter School program of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.

Makes public and private nonprofit entities eligible for program grants. (Currently, state educational entities are eligible for such grants.)

Allows grantees to award subgrants to charter school developers or nonprofit charter support organizations and award them multiple grants to support multiple campuses of a public charter school.

Sets forth additional factors that are to work in favor of grant applicants, including that their state gives public charter schools funding commensurate with that provided to other public schools, has no cap on such schools, and gives the schools a high degree of autonomy.

Authorizes the use of subgrants to plan and implement, or expand existing, public charter schools.

Authorizes grantees to use a portion of the grant funds reserved for administrative expenses to improve public charter school authorizing policies and practices in their area.

Expands the portion of funds grantees may use in establishing revolving loan funds for loans to subgrantees for planning and operating a public charter school.

Requires each public charter school participating in the program to have an independent governing board that enters into a performance-based agreement with an authorized public chartering agency that describes: (1) how student performance will be measured pursuant to the state assessments required of other schools, and (2) the criteria for renewal or revocation of their charter. Prohibits such schools from giving admissions preference to any student on the basis of prior academic achievement.

Establishes two new grant programs awarding grants to: (1) public charter schools, public and private nonprofit entities, charter school developers, and nonprofit charter support organizations to disseminate charter school innovations to other schools and states; and (2) public and private nonprofit entities to demonstrate innovative credit enhancement initiatives that assist public charter schools in covering the cost of acquiring, constructing, and renovating facilities.

21st century charter school act amends charter_school program elementary secondary education act makes public private nonprofit entities eligible program grants currently state educational entities eligible grants allows grantees award subgrants charter school developers nonprofit charter support organizations award multiple grants support multiple campuses public charter school sets forth additional factors work favor grant applicants including state gives public charter schools funding commensurate provided public schools cap schools gives schools high degree autonomy authorizes use subgrants plan implement expand existing public charter schools authorizes grantees use portion grant funds reserved administrative expenses improve public charter school authorizing policies practices area expands portion funds grantees use establishing revolving loan funds loans subgrantees planning operating public charter school requires public charter school participating program independent governing board enters performance based agreement authorized public chartering agency describes student performance measured pursuant state assessments required schools criteria renewal revocation charter prohibits schools giving admissions preference student basis prior academic achievement establishes new grant programs awarding grants public charter schools public private nonprofit entities charter school developers nonprofit charter support organizations disseminate charter school innovations schools states public private nonprofit entities demonstrate innovative credit enhancement initiatives assist public charter schools covering cost acquiring constructing renovating facilities


Summary:
Incentives to Educate American Children Act of 2015 or the I Teach Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a refundable tax credit of $1,000 for: (1) teachers in public or elementary or secondary schools or public kindergartens in rural areas or areas with high poverty, and (2) teachers certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Increases such credit to $2,000 for a teacher meeting both requirements.

incentives educate american children act teach act amends internal revenue code permit refundable tax credit teachers public elementary secondary schools public rural areas areas high poverty teachers certified national_board_for_professional_teaching_standards increases credit teacher meeting requirements


Summary:
Local Leadership in Education Act

Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to prohibit a federal officer or employee, either directly or indirectly through grants, contracts, or other cooperative agreements under ESEA, from:

 mandating, directing, or controlling a state's, local educational agency's (LEA's), or school's academic standards, curriculum, program of instruction, or allocation of state or local resources; mandating a state or subdivision to spend any funds or incur any costs not paid for under ESEA; incentivizing a state's, LEA's, or school's adoption of any specific academic standards or a specific curriculum or program of instruction; conditioning the availability of financial support on such an entity's adoption of specific instructional content, academic standards, or curricula, or on the administration of assessments or tests, even if such requirements are specified in ESEA; or mandating or requiring states to administer assessments or tests to students. Requires the school improvement program under part A of title I of ESEA to be carried out without regard to any requirement that a state carry out academic assessments or that LEAs and elementary and secondary schools make adequate yearly progress.

Prohibits the Secretary of Education from conditioning the provision of a statutory or regulatory waiver under ESEA on a state, LEA, Indian tribe, or school: (1) getting their academic standards approved by the federal government, or (2) administering assessments or tests to students. Makes that prohibition applicable to future and previously issued waivers.

Amends the General Education Provisions Act to prohibit a department, agency, officer, or federal employee from: (1) exercising any direction, supervision, or control over the curriculum (including its development), program of instruction, administration, or personnel of any educational institution, school, or school system or over the selection of library resources, textbooks, or other printed or published instructional materials by any educational institution or school system; or (2) requiring the assignment or transportation of students or teachers in order to overcome racial imbalance.

Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to prohibit the use of Race to the Top funds to develop, pilot test, field test, implement, administer, or distribute any assessment or testing materials.

local leadership education act amends elementary secondary education act esea prohibit federal officer employee directly indirectly grants contracts cooperative agreements esea mandating directing controlling state local educational agency lea school academic standards curriculum program instruction allocation state local resources mandating state subdivision spend funds incur costs paid esea incentivizing state lea school adoption specific academic standards specific curriculum program instruction conditioning availability financial support entity adoption specific instructional content academic standards curricula administration assessments tests requirements specified esea mandating requiring states administer assessments tests students requires school improvement program title esea carried regard requirement state carry academic assessments leas elementary secondary schools adequate yearly progress prohibits secretary education conditioning provision statutory regulatory waiver esea state lea indian tribe school getting academic standards approved federal government administering assessments tests students makes prohibition applicable future previously issued waivers amends general education provisions act prohibit department agency officer federal employee exercising direction supervision control curriculum including development program instruction administration personnel educational institution school school system selection library resources textbooks printed published instructional materials educational institution school system requiring assignment transportation students teachers order overcome racial imbalance amends american_recovery_and_reinvestment_act prohibit use race funds develop pilot test field test implement administer distribute assessment testing materials