SEC.4624.
PROMISE NEIGHORHOODS
Section Summary
ESSA
SEC. 4624. <<NOTE: 20 USC 7274.>> PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS.
``(a) Application Requirements.--An eligible entity desiring a grant
under this subpart for activities described in this section shall submit
an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the
Secretary may require, including, at a minimum, all of the following:
``(1) A plan to significantly improve the academic outcomes
of children living in a neighborhood that is served by the
eligible entity--
``(A) by providing pipeline services that address
the needs of children in the neighborhood, as identified
by the needs analysis described in paragraph (4); and
``(B) that is supported by effective practices.
``(2) A description of the neighborhood that the eligible
entity will serve.
``(3) Measurable annual objectives and outcomes for the
grant, in accordance with the metrics described in subsection
(h), for each year of the grant.
``(4) An analysis of the needs and assets of the
neighborhood identified in paragraph (1), including--
``(A) the size and scope of the population affected;
``(B) a description of the process through which the
needs analysis was produced, including a description of
how parents, families, and community members were
engaged in such analysis;
``(C) an analysis of community assets and
collaborative efforts (including programs already
provided from Federal and non-Federal sources) within,
or accessible to, the neighborhood, including, at a
minimum, early learning opportunities, family and
student supports, local businesses, local educational
agencies, and institutions of higher education;
``(D) the steps that the eligible entity is taking,
at the time of the application, to address the needs
identified in the needs analysis; and
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``(E) any barriers the eligible entity, public
agencies, and other community-based organizations have
faced in meeting such needs.
``(5) A description of--
``(A) all information that the entity used to
identify the pipeline services to be provided, which
shall not include information that is more than 3 years
old; and
``(B) how the eligible entity will--
``(i) collect data on children served by each
pipeline service; and
``(ii) increase the percentage of children
served over time.
``(6) A description of the process used to develop the
application, including the involvement of family and community
members.
``(7) A description of how the pipeline services will
facilitate the coordination of the following activities:
``(A) Providing early learning opportunities for
children, including by--
``(i) providing opportunities for families to
acquire the skills to promote early learning and
child development; and
``(ii) ensuring appropriate diagnostic
assessments and referrals for children with
disabilities and children aged 3 through 9
experiencing developmental delays, consistent with
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.), where applicable.
``(B) Supporting, enhancing, operating, or expanding
rigorous, comprehensive, effective educational
improvements, which may include high-quality academic
programs, expanded learning time, and programs and
activities to prepare students for postsecondary
education admissions and success.
``(C) Supporting partnerships between schools and
other community resources with an integrated focus on
academics and other social, health, and familial
supports.
``(D) Providing social, health, nutrition, and
mental health services and supports, for children,
family members, and community members, which may include
services provided within the school building.
``(E) Supporting evidence-based programs that assist
students through school transitions, which may include
expanding access to postsecondary education courses and
postsecondary education enrollment aid or guidance, and
other supports for at-risk youth.
``(8) A description of the strategies that will be used to
provide pipeline services (including a description of which
programs and services will be provided to children, family
members, community members, and children within the
neighborhood) to support the purpose described in section
4621(1).
``(9) An explanation of the process the eligible entity will
use to establish and maintain family and community engagement,
including--
``(A) involving representative participation by the
members of such neighborhood in the planning and
implementation of the activities of each grant awarded
under this subpart for activities described in this
section;
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``(B) the provision of strategies and practices to
assist family and community members in actively
supporting student achievement and child development;
``(C) providing services for students, families, and
communities within the school building; and
``(D) collaboration with institutions of higher
education, workforce development centers, and employers
to align expectations and programming with postsecondary
education and workforce readiness,
``(10) An explanation of how the eligible entity will
continuously evaluate and improve the continuum of high-quality
pipeline services to provide for continuous program improvement
and potential expansion.
``(b) Priority.--In awarding grants for activities described in this
section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that
will use funds under subsection (d) for evidence-based activities,
which, for purposes of this subsection, is defined as activities meeting
the requirements of section 8101(21)(A)(i).
``(c) Memorandum of Understanding.--As eligible entity shall, as
part of the application described in subsection (a), submit a
preliminary memorandum of understanding, signed by each partner entity
or agency described in section 4622(1)(A)(3) (if applicable) and
detailing each partner's financial, programmatic, and long-term
commitment with respect to the strategies described in the application.
``(d) Uses of Funds.--Each eligible entity that receives a grant
under this subpart to carry out a program of activities described in
this section shall use the grant funds to--
``(1) support planning activities to develop and implement
pipeline services;
``(2) implement the pipeline services; and
``(3) continuously evaluate the success of the program and
improve the program based on data and outcomes.
``(e) Special Rules.--
``(1) Funds for pipeline services.--Each eligible entity
that receives a grant under this subpart for activities
described in this section shall, for the first year of the
grant, use not less than 50 percent of the grant funds, and, for
the second year of the grant, use not less than 25 percent of
the grant funds, to carry out the activities described in
subsection (d)(1).
``(2) Operational flexibility.--Each eligible entity that
operates a school in a neighborhood served by a grant program
under this subpart for activities described in this section
shall provide such school with the operational flexibility,
including autonomy over staff, time, and budget, needed to
effectively carry out the activities described in the
application under subsection (a).
``(3) Limitation on use of funds for early childhood
education programs.--Funds provided under this subpart for
activities described in this section that are used to improve
early childhood education programs shall not be used to carry
out any of the following activities:
``(A) Assessments that provide rewards or sanctions
for individual children or teachers.
``(B) A single assessment that is used as the
primary or sole method for assessing program
effectiveness.
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``(C) Evaluating children, other than for the
purposes of improving instruction, classroom
environment, professional development, or parent and
family engagement, or program improvement.
``(f) Report.--Each eligible entity that receives a grant under this
subpart for activities described in this section shall prepare and
submit an annual report to the Secretary, which shall include--
``(1) information about the number and percentage of
children in the neighborhood who are served by the grant
program, including a description of the number and percentage of
children accessing each support or service offered as part of
the pipeline services; and
``(2) information relating to the performance metrics
described in subsection (h).
``(g) Publicly Available Data.--Each eligible entity that receives a
grant under this subpart for activities described in this section shall
make publicly available, including through electronic means, the
information described in subsection (f). To the extent practicable, such
information shall be provided in a form and language accessible to
parents and families in the neighborhood served under the grant, and
such information shall be a part of statewide longitudinal data systems.
``(h) Performance Indicators.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish performance
indicators under paragraph (2) and corresponding metrics to be
used for the purpose of reporting under paragraph (3) and
program evaluation under subsection (i).
``(2) Indicators.--The performance indicators established by
the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall be indicators of
improved academic and developmental outcomes for children,
including indicators of school readiness, high school
graduation, postsecondary education and career readiness, and
other academic and developmental outcomes, to promote--
``(A) data-driven decision-making by eligible
entities receiving funds under this subpart; and
``(B) access to a community-based continuum of high-
quality services for children living in the most
distressed communities of the United States, beginning
at birth.
``(3) Reporting.--Each eligible entity that receives a grant
under this subpart for activities described in this section
shall annually collect and report to the Secretary data on the
performance indicators described in paragraph (2) for use by the
Secretary in making a determination concerning continuation
funding and grant extension under section 4623(b) for each
eligible entity.
``(i) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall reserve not more than 5
percent of the funds made available under section 4601(b)(2)(A) to
provide technical assistance and evaluate the implementation and impact
of the activities funded under this section, in accordance with section
8601.
NCLB Text
Previously not included in NCLB.
