Definitions

In this Act: (1) ESEA definitions The terms local educational agency and State educational agency have the meanings given the terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). (2) Book desert The term book desert means a geographic area (as defined by census tract, ZIP Code, or local educational agency) where children and families have limited or non-consistent access to developmentally-appropriate, high-interest, and culturally relevant books and print materials in the home, schools, or community settings, as evidenced by meeting 1 or more of the following criteria, as determined by the Secretary: (A) Fewer than 1 book available per 300 children younger than 18 years of age. (B) No public library or bookstore within a 1-mile radius in an urban area or a 10-mile radius in a rural area. (C) A high concentration of poverty, housing instability, or limited English proficiency that contributes to barriers in accessing books. (D) 40 percent of households with children lacking reading materials at home. (E) Limited or no book distribution programs, literacy events, or reading-focused community infrastructure. (3) Evidence-based literacy program The term evidence-based literacy program means any instructional or community-based program, intervention, or practice that— (A) is grounded in the science of reading and incorporates methods shown, through high-quality research, to be effective in improving literacy skills for infants, toddlers, children, teens, young adults, parents, or other caregivers; (B) demonstrates measurable outcomes in improving reading comprehension, phonemic awareness, vocabulary acquisition, early language development, fluency, or engagement with reading; (C) has been evaluated through a rigorous study, such as randomized control trials, quasi-experiential designs, or longitudinal research, and shows statistically significant positive effects on literacy outcomes for the target population; and (D) includes components for adult-child interaction, culturally responsive instruction, or family and caregiver engagement, where appropriate. (4) Family literacy The term family literacy means services that are of sufficient intensity in terms of hours, and of sufficient duration, to make sustainable changes in a family, and that integrate all of the following activities: (A) Interactive literacy activities between parents and their children. (B) Training for parents regarding how to be the primary teacher for their children and full partners in the education of their children. (C) Parent literacy training that leads to economic self-sufficiency and financial literacy. (D) A developmentally-appropriate education to prepare children for success in school and life experiences. (5) Qualified applicant The term qualified applicant means a State government, Tribal government, local government, State educational agency, State humanities council, State service commission, public library, local educational agency, public school, juvenile justice facility, community-based organization, nonprofit organization, or a consortium of such entities, that works with children and has a demonstrated record of promoting literacy for infants, toddlers, children, and young adults for not less than 1 year. (6) Qualified literacy materials The term qualified literacy materials — (A) means any developmentally-appropriate, culturally relevant, and accessible print or digital content— (i) designed to support literacy development in infants, toddlers, children, or young adults; and (ii) which may be provided in English or any other language; and (B) may include— (i) storybooks, chapter books, graphic novels, and picture books; (ii) multi-lingual and dual-language materials; (iii) books in accessible formats, such as braille and large print; (iv) comics, newspapers, magazines, poetry, play scripts, and encyclopedias; (v) educational brochures and printed media intended to support language acquisition, vocabulary building, and reading comprehension; (vi) digital materials and e-books that can be accessible offline; and (vii) reading-level-appropriate content reflecting diverse cultures, experiences, and voices. (7) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Education.