SUBCHAPTER VIII—MINORITY-FOCUSED CIVICS EDUCATION

§5981. Short title

This subchapter may be cited as the "Minority-Focused Civics Education Act of 1994".

(Pub. L. 103–227, title VIII, §801, Mar. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 209.)

§5982. Purposes

It is the purpose of this subchapter—

(1) to encourage improved instruction for minorities and Native Americans in American government and civics through a national program of accredited summer teacher training and staff development seminars or institutes followed by academic year inservice training programs conducted on college and university campuses or other appropriate sites, for—

(A) social studies and other teachers responsible for American history, government, and civics classes; and

(B) other educators who work with minority and Native American youth; and

(2) through such improved instruction to improve minority and Native American student knowledge and understanding of the American system of government.

(Pub. L. 103–227, title VIII, §802, Mar. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 209.)

§5983. Grants authorized; authorization of appropriations

(a) Grants authorized

(1) In general

The Secretary is authorized to make grants to eligible entities for the development and implementation of seminars in American government and civics for elementary and secondary school teachers and other educators who work with minority and Native American students.

(2) Award rule

In awarding grants under this subchapter, the Secretary shall ensure that there is wide geographic distribution of such grants.

(b) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for fiscal 1995, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 1996, 1997, and 1998, to carry out this subchapter.

(Pub. L. 103–227, title VIII, §803, Mar. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 210.)

§5984. Definitions

For purposes of this subchapter—

(1) the term "eligible entity" means a State educational agency, an institution of higher education or a State higher education agency, or a public or private nonprofit organization, with experience in coordinating or conducting teacher training seminars in American government and civics education, or a consortium thereof; and

(2) the term "State higher education agency" means the officer or agency primarily responsible for the State supervision of higher education.

(Pub. L. 103–227, title VIII, §804, Mar. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 210.)

§5985. Applications

(a) Application required

Each eligible entity desiring a grant under this subchapter shall submit an application to the Secretary, at such time, in such manner and containing or accompanied by such information as the Secretary may reasonably require.

(b) Contents of application

Each application submitted pursuant to subsection (a) shall—

(1) define the learning objectives and course content of each seminar to be held and describe the manner in which seminar participants shall receive substantive academic instruction in the principles, institutions and processes of American government;

(2) provide assurances that educators successfully participating in each seminar will qualify for either graduate credit or professional development or advancement credit according to the criteria established by a State or local educational agency;

(3) describe the manner in which seminar participants shall receive exposure to a broad array of individuals who are actively involved in the political process, including political party representatives drawn equally from the major political parties, as well as representatives of other organizations involved in the political process;

(4) provide assurances that the seminars will be conducted on a nonpartisan basis;

(5) describe the manner in which the seminars will address the role of minorities or Native Americans in the American political process, including such topics as—

(A) the history and current political state of minorities or Native Americans;

(B) recent research on minority or Native American political socialization patterns and cognitive learning styles; and

(C) studies of political participation patterns of minorities or Native Americans;

(6) describe the pedagogical elements for teachers that will enable teachers to develop effective strategies and lesson plans for teaching minorities or Native American students at the elementary and secondary school levels;

(7) identify the eligible entities which will conduct the seminars for which assistance is sought;

(8) in the case that the eligible entity is an institution of higher education, describe the plans for collaborating with national organizations in American government and civics education;

(9) provide assurances that during the academic year educators participating in the summer seminars will provide inservice training programs based upon what such educators have learned and the curricular materials such educators have developed or acquired for their peers in their school systems with the approval and support of their school administrators; and

(10) describe the activities or services for which assistance is sought, including activities and services such as—

(A) development of seminar curricula;

(B) development and distribution of instructional materials;

(C) scholarships for participating teachers; and

(D) program assessment and evaluation.

(c) Priority

The Secretary, in approving applications for assistance under this subchapter, shall give priority to applications which demonstrate that—

(1) the applicant will serve teachers who teach in schools with a large number or concentration of economically disadvantaged students;

(2) the applicant has demonstrated national experience in conducting or coordinating accredited summer seminars in American government or civics education for elementary and secondary school teachers;

(3) the applicant will coordinate or conduct seminars on a national or multistate basis through a collaboration with an institution of higher education, State higher education agency or a public or private nonprofit organization, with experience in coordinating or conducting teacher training programs in American government and civics education;

(4) the applicant will coordinate or conduct seminars designed for more than one minority student population and for Native Americans; and

(5) the applicant will coordinate or conduct seminars that offer a combination of academic instruction in American government, exposure to the practical workings of the political system, and training in appropriate pedagogical techniques for working with minority and Native American students.

(Pub. L. 103–227, title VIII, §805, Mar. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 210.)