article: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Promoting Students Using the Camp Community for Enrichment, Strength, and Success Act'' or the ``Promoting SUCCESS Act''. SEC. 2. PURPOSES. The purposes of this Act are to-- (1) reduce childhood obesity through increased physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices; and (2) strengthen high school graduation rates by reducing summer learning loss. SEC. 3. GRANTS AUTHORIZED. From the amounts appropriated under section 11, the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to carry out a summertime learning pilot program. SEC. 4. APPLICATION. To receive a grant under this Act, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. An application shall include-- (1) a description of the needs of the youth population that will be served under the grant, including any data with respect to such youth that supports a need for the grant, including data on-- (A) summer learning loss; (B) academic achievement; (C) physical activity; (D) childhood obesity; and (E) any other relevant needs facing the youth population; (2) a description of the balanced array of activities that will be undertaken with the grant funds to address the needs of the youth population described in paragraph (1) to reduce summer learning loss, strengthen academic achievement, increase physical activity, reduce childhood obesity, and promote youth development; (3) in the case of an eligible entity consisting of at least 1 nonprofit or for-profit organization offering camp activities, a description of how the eligible entity will work with the local educational agencies and schools serving the youth participating in activities funded under the grant to-- (A) provide activities that complement the academic curriculum taught to the students; and (B) address the academic and developmental needs of the students; (4) specific goals, strategies, and performance measures related to the academic and developmental outcomes expected to be achieved under the grant, including the number of indicators of performance described in subsection 7(b)(2), and the level of performance (as measured by level of performance measure described in section 7(b)(3)) on each of the indicators, expected to be achieved; and (5) an outreach strategy, including-- (A) a description of how parents will be informed of the opportunities made available under the grant; and (B) a description of how diverse participants and staff will be recruited to participate in such opportunities. SEC. 5. PRIORITY. The Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities-- (1) proposing to target services to students who attend schools that have been identified as in need of improvement under section 1116 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; (2) that consist of not less than 1-- (A) nonprofit or for-profit organization offering camp activities; or (B) a local educational agency receiving funds under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; and (3) proposing to provide at least 1 activity from 3 or more categories described in section 6(b). SEC. 6. ALLOWABLE USES OF FUNDS. (a) In General.--An eligible entity receiving funds under this Act shall use such funds-- (1) to carry out a summertime learning pilot program that provides the camp activities described in subsection (b) for students during the period beginning with the summer after grade 5 through the summer before grade 10 to increase on-time promotion to the next grade level, reduce summer learning loss, strengthen academic achievement, increase physical activity, promote healthy lifestyle choices, and promote positive youth development; (2) to provide training and technical assistance to pilot program staff in areas such as-- (A) shared leadership; (B) the cultural needs of students; (C) how to attract and effectively serve diverse students and staff; and (D) experiential learning as a teaching strategy; (3) for the evaluation and data collection necessary to submit annual reports under section 7(a); and (4) for reasonable costs associated with program coordination and administration. (b) Camp Activities.--The camp activities described in this subsection include activities in areas such as-- (1) academic achievement, including-- (A) activities related to literacy; (B) tutoring or mentoring to promote academic achievement; (C) nature-based activities that promote achievement in science, technology, engineering, and math; and (D) other activities developed to reduce summer learning loss and increase on-time promotion to the next grade level; (2) health and wellness activities, including activities that encourage-- (A) eating 5 fruits and vegetables a day; (B) limiting computer and television screen time; (C) striving for 1 hour of physical activity a day; and (D) limiting sugar-sweetened drinks; (3) independent living skills, including skills related to-- (A) personal appearance and hygiene; (B) first aid; (C) health; (D) emergency and safety; (E) knowledge of community resources; and (F) interpersonal skills; (4) environmental stewardship, including activities related to-- (A) nature-based civic engagement; (B) service learning; (C) environmental awareness; and (D) other community-based improvement activities; (5) leadership development, including activities related to-- (A) leadership competencies; (B) leadership styles; (C) conflict-management; (D) communication; (E) character development; (F) working effectively with others; (G) emotional self-regulation; (H) team building; (I) making positive choices; and (J) mobilizing groups to solve problems; and (6) workforce preparation, including a range of introductory workforce experiences (such as staff training, workplace etiquette, employee and supervisor relationships, performance feedback, workforce training, and care-giving and supervision of youth). SEC. 7. ACCOUNTABILITY. (a) Annual Reporting.--An eligible entity receiving a grant under this Act shall submit an annual report to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and providing such information as the Secretary may require, including-- (1) information on the number, and demographic information, of the children served under the summertime learning pilot program carried out with the grant funds; (2) the camp activities provided under the program; and (3) an evaluation of the program using the indicators of performance described in subsection (b)(2) and the level of performance measure described in subsection (b)(3). (b) Independent Evaluation.-- (1) In general.--From the amounts appropriated under section 11 to carry out this subsection, the Secretary shall award a grant or a contract to an independent entity outside of the Department of Education to carry out an evaluation of the grants provided under this Act. Such evaluation shall evaluate the summertime learning pilot program carried out by each eligible entity using a grant under this Act by-- (A) analyzing and documenting the strategies (for increasing on-time promotion to the next grade level, reducing summer learning loss, strengthening academic achievement, increasing physical activity, promoting healthy lifestyle choices, and promoting positive youth development) implemented by the eligible entities under the program, and the key lessons learned by the entity (such as lessons with respect to program design, collaboration among nonprofit organizations, local educational agencies, and schools that offer camps, and program implementation); (B) measuring progress toward the goals identified under subparagraph (A) through the strategies identified under such subparagraph; (C) evaluating the performance of the program using the indicators of performance described in paragraph (2); and (D) determining the level of performance achieved on each such indicator of performance as measured by the level of performance measure described in paragraph (3). (2) Indicators of performance.--The indicators of performance described in this paragraph shall consist of the following: (A) The number and percentage of students served in grade 5 through grade 9 who are promoted to the next grade level on-time. (B) The number and percentage of students passing the State's academic assessments in reading and mathematics required under section 1111(b)(3) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(3)). (C) Student school behavior during the summer and the regular school year, as measured by truancy or teacher or principal behavior reports. (D) Number or percentage of students participating in 60 minutes or more of moderate-vigorous physical activity during the program. (E) Developmental outcomes of the students, including-- (i) positive self-identity; (ii) social and interpersonal skills; (iii) responsibility and independence; (iv) positive values and character; (v) creativity and exploration; and (vi) leadership and civic engagement. (3) Level of performance measure.--For each indicator of performance described in paragraph (2), the Secretary, in coordination with eligible entities, shall develop a level of performance measure expressed in an objective and quantifiable form that measures the level of performance achieved by the eligible entity on such indicator. SEC. 8. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND BEST PRACTICES. From the amounts appropriated under section 11, the Secretary shall provide a grant or contract to 1 or more national nonprofit organizations to collect best practices from among grantees under this Act and provide grantees with training, technical assistance, and professional development. A national organization receiving a grant or contract under this section shall have demonstrated expertise in providing technical assistance and training on quality activities for children and youth during the summer, and shall have experience implementing a national system of accreditation to strengthen the quality of summer camp experiences for children and youth. SEC. 9. MATCHING FUNDS. (a) In General.--The Secretary shall require each eligible entity receiving a grant under this Act to provide matching funds from non- Federal sources in an amount determined under subsection (b). (b) Determination of Amount of Match.-- (1) Sliding scale.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall determine the amount of matching funds to be required of an eligible entity under this subsection based on a sliding fee scale that takes into account-- (A) the poverty level of the population to be targeted by the eligible entity; and (B) the ability of the eligible entity to obtain such matching funds. (2) Maximum amount.--The Secretary may not require any eligible entity under this section to provide matching funds in an amount that exceeds the amount of the grant award under this Act. (3) Level of poverty.--In determining the poverty level for purposes of subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall use the criteria of poverty used by the Bureau of the Census in compiling the most recent decennial census, as the criteria have been updated by increases in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (c) In-Kind Contributions.--The Secretary shall permit eligible entities under this section to match funds in whole or in part with in- kind contributions. (d) Consideration.--Notwithstanding this section, the Secretary shall not consider an applicant's ability to match funds when determining which applicants will receive grants under this Act. SEC. 10. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Camp activities.--The term ``camp'' refers to an intentional set of evidence-based youth development and academic activities taking place primarily during the summer weeks when school is not in regular session. (2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means-- (A) a nonprofit organization; (B) a for-profit organization, (C) a local educational agency; and (D) a consortium of 2 or more local educational agencies. (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Education. SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2015. (b) Allocations.--Of the amount appropriated under subsection (a), the Secretary shall use-- (1) not less than 90 percent for grants to eligible entities under this Act; and (2) not more than the greater of 10 percent or $5,000,000 for technical assistance and evaluations under sections 7(b) and 8.
summary: Promoting Students Using the Camp Community for Enrichment, Strength, and Success Act or the Promoting SUCCESS Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to award competitive matching grants to nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, and local educational agencies to carry out summertime learning pilot programs for students during their summers after grades five through nine. Requires such programs to provide students with camp activities geared toward: (1) reducing childhood obesity through increased physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices; (2) strengthening high school graduation rates by reducing summer learning loss and improving academic achievement; and (3) promoting positive youth development. Directs the Secretary to arrange for an independent evaluation of the pilot programs. Requires the Secretary to provide a grant or contract to one or more national nonprofit organizations to collect best practices from among this Act's grantees and provide grantees with training, technical assistance, and professional development.