Section
2
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Revises and reauthorizes international and foreign language studies programs (title VI part A). Includes among part A aims:
(1) overseas linkages with institutions of higher education (IHEs) and other relevant organizations; and
(2) helping the national effort to educate and train citizens to participate in homeland security efforts.
Requires various grant programs to reflect part A purposes.
Includes among authorized activities of national graduate and undergraduate language and area centers and programs:
(1) supporting instructors of the less commonly taught languages;
(2) disseminating materials developed by the center or program to local educational agencies (LEAs) and public and private elementary and secondary education schools (schools), and IHEs; and
(3) projects supporting students' understanding of science and technology in coordination with foreign language proficiency.
Revises requirements for outreach grants to and summer institutes of such centers to include partnerships (as well as programs of linkage and outreach) with:
(1) two- and four-year IHEs, including colleges of education and teacher professional development programs;
(2) Federal and State agencies; and
(3) LEAs and schools.
Includes, among authorized activities of undergraduate international studies and foreign language programs, the provision of grants to undergraduate students for educational programs abroad that are closely linked to the program's overall goals and that promote foreign language fluency and knowledge of world regions.
Changes from discretionary to mandatory the authority of the Secretary of Education to:
(1) establish requirements for undergraduate international studies and foreign language program evaluations; and
(2) require program grant recipients to report annually on the progress and performance of participating students.
Includes, among authorized research and study activities, systematic collection, analysis, and dissemination of data.
Includes museums among the entities which may receive grants for technological innovation and cooperation for foreign information access.
Includes among authorized uses of such grants:
(1) acquiring foreign information resources in print or electronic forms;
(2) developing standards for shared electronic access to international data;
(3) establishing linkages between grant recipients with libraries, museums, organizations, or IHEs located overseas to help carry out grant purposes; and
(4) other activities deemed appropriate by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to waive or reduce the required non-Federal share for grantee IHEs if they:
(1) are eligible for certain assistance under HEA title III (Institutional Aid) part A (Strengthening Institutions, including American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions) or part B (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) or title V (Developing Institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions) (IIIAB or V); and
(2) submit grant applications demonstrating need for such waiver or reduction.
Directs the Secretary, in making grants for graduate and undergraduate language and area centers and programs, to take into account the degree to which activities of centers, programs, and fellowships at IHEs advance national interests, generate and disseminate information, and foster debate on U.S. foreign policy from diverse perspectives.
Extends through FY 2009 the authorization of appropriations for part A.