Funds under a school-based service learning grant may be used for the purposes described in this section.

(a) Planning and capacity-building.

(1) A State, Indian Tribe, or community-based entity may use funds to pay for planning and building its capacity to implement school-based service-learning programs. These entities may use funds either directly or through subgrants or contracts with qualified organizations.

(2) Authorized activities include the following:

(i) Providing training for teachers, supervisors, personnel from community-based agencies (particularly with regard to the utilization of participants) and trainers, conducted by qualified individuals or organizations experienced in service-learning.

(ii) Developing service-learning curricula, consistent with State or local academic content standards, to be integrated into academic programs, including the age-appropriate learning components for students to analyze and apply their service experiences.

(iii) Forming local partnerships described in §2516.120 to develop school-based service-learning programs in accordance with this part.

(iv) Devising appropriate methods for research and evaluation of the educational value of service-learning and the effect of service-learning activities on communities.

(v) Establishing effective outreach and dissemination of information to ensure the broadest possible involvement of community-based agencies with demonstrated effectiveness in working with school-age youth in their communities.

(vi) Establishing effective outreach and dissemination of information to ensure the broadest possible participation of schools throughout the State, Territory or serving the Indian Tribe involved, with particular attention to schools not making adequate yearly progress for two or more consecutive years under section 1111 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.).

(b) Implementing, operating, and expanding school-based programs.

(1) A State, Indian Tribe or community-based entity may use funds to make subgrants to local partnerships described in §2516.120(b) to implement, operate, or expand school-based service-learning programs.

(2) If a State does not submit an application that meets the requirements for an allotment grant under §2516.400, the Corporation may use the allotment to fund applications from community-based entities for programs in that State.

(3) Authorized activities include paying the costs of the recruitment, training, supervision, placement, salaries and benefits of service-learning coordinators.

(c) Planning programs.

(1) A State may use funds to make subgrants to LEAs for planning school-based service-learning programs.

(2) If a State does not submit an application that meets the requirements for an allotment grant under §2516.400, the Corporation may use the allotment to fund applications from community-based entities for planning programs in that State.

(3) Authorized activities include paying the costs of—

(i) The salaries and benefits of service-learning coordinators as defined in §2510.20 of this chapter; and

(ii) The recruitment, training, supervision, and placement of service-learning coordinators who may be, but are not required to be, participants in an AmeriCorps program described in parts 2520 through 2524 of this chapter, or who receive AmeriCorps education awards, or who may be participants in a project under section 201 of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 5001), or who may participate in a Youthbuild program under section 173A of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2918a).

(d) Adult volunteer programs.

(1) A State, Indian Tribe, or community-based entity may use funds to make subgrants to local partnerships described in §2516.120(c) to implement, operate, or expand school-based programs involving adult volunteers to utilize service-learning to improve the education of students.

(2) If a State does not submit an application that meets the requirements for an allotment grant under §2516.400, the Corporation may use the allotment to fund applications from those local partnerships for adult volunteer programs in that State.

(e) Planning by Indian Tribes and U.S. Territories. If the Corporation makes a grant to an Indian Tribe or a U.S. Territory to plan school-based service-learning programs, the grantee may use the funds for that purpose.

(f) Civic engagement programs. A State, Indian Tribe, Territory or qualified organization may use funds to support service-learning civic engagement programs that promote a better understanding of:

(1) The principles of the Constitution, the heroes of United States history (including military history), and the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance;

(2) How the Nation's government functions; and

(3) The importance of service in the Nation's character.

[74 FR 46503, Sept. 10, 2009]