(a) In general The Secretary is authorized
(1) to collect systematic data on the effectiveness of the programs assisted under this part in reducing
school dropout rates and increasing
school reentry and secondary
school graduation rates;
(2) to establish a national clearinghouse of information on effective
school dropout prevention and reentry programs that shall disseminate to State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and schools
(A) the results of research on
school dropout prevention and reentry; and
(B) information on effective programs, best practices, and Federal resources to
(i) reduce annual
school dropout rates;
(ii) increase
school reentry; and
(iii) increase secondary
school graduation rates;
(3) to provide technical assistance to State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and schools in designing and implementing programs and securing resources to implement effective
school dropout prevention and reentry programs;
(4) to establish and consult with an interagency working group that shall
(A) address inter- and intra-agency program coordination issues at the Federal level with respect to
school dropout prevention and reentry, and assess the targeting of existing Federal services to students who are most at risk of dropping out of
school, and the cost-effectiveness of various programs and approaches used to address
school dropout prevention and reentry;
(B) describe the ways in which State educational agencies and local educational agencies can implement effective
school dropout prevention and reentry programs using funds from a variety of Federal programs, including the programs under this part; and
(C) examine Federal programs that may have a positive impact on secondary
school graduation or
school reentry;
(5) to carry out a national recognition program in accordance with subsection (b) of this section that recognizes schools that have made extraordinary progress in lowering
school dropout rates; and
(6) to use funds made available for this subpart to carry out the evaluation required under section
6561i (c) of this title.
(b) Recognition program
(1) Establishment The Secretary shall
(A) establish a national recognition program; and
(B) develop uniform national guidelines for the recognition program that shall be used to recognize eligible schools from nominations submitted by State educational agencies.
(2) Recognition
The Secretary shall recognize, under the recognition program established under paragraph (1), eligible schools.
(3) Support The Secretary may make monetary awards to an eligible
school recognized under this subsection in amounts determined appropriate by the Secretary that shall be used for dissemination activities within the eligible
school district or nationally.
(4) Definition of eligible school In this subsection, the term eligible
school means a public middle
school or secondary
school, including a
school">charter
school, that has implemented comprehensive reforms that have been effective in lowering
school dropout rates for all students
(B) in the case of a middle
school, in the secondary
school that the middle
school feeds students into.
(c) Capacity building
(1) In general The Secretary, through a contract with one or more non-Federal entities, may conduct a capacity building and design initiative in order to increase the types of proven strategies for
school dropout prevention and reentry that address the needs of an entire
school population rather than a subset of students.
(2) Number and duration
(A) Number
The Secretary may award not more than five contracts under this subsection.
(B) Duration
The Secretary may award a contract under this subsection for a period of not more than 5 years.
(d) Support for existing reform networks
(1) In general
The Secretary may provide appropriate support to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to provide training, materials, development, and staff assistance to schools assisted under this part.
(2) Definition of eligible entity In this subsection, the term eligible entity means an entity that, prior to January 8, 2002
(A) provided training, technical assistance, and materials related to
school dropout prevention or reentry to 100 or more elementary schools or secondary schools; and
(B) developed and published a specific educational program or design related to
school dropout prevention or reentry for use by the schools.