(a) Authority.—
The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, may carry out a program to make grants to eligible entities to assist such entities in providing education in covered subjects to students in the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.
(b) Coordination.—In carrying out a program under subsection (a), the Secretary may coordinate with the following:
(c) Activities.—Activities funded with grants under this section may include the following:
(2)
The acquisition of materials, hardware, and software necessary for the instruction of covered subjects.
(3)
Activities that improve the quality of educational materials, training opportunities, and curricula available to students and instructors in covered subjects.
(4)
Development of travel opportunities, demonstrations, mentoring programs, and informal education in covered subjects for students and instructors.
(d) Preference.—
In making any grants under this section, the Secretary shall give preference to eligible entities that are eligible for assistance under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.).
(e) Evaluations.—
In carrying out a program under this section, the Secretary shall establish outcome-based metrics and internal and external assessments to evaluate the merits and benefits of the activities funded with grants under this section with respect to the needs of the Department of Defense.
(g) Definitions.—In this section:
(1)
The term “eligible entity” means a local education agency that hosts a unit of the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.
(Added Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title V, § 513(a)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3587; amended Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title V, § 511, Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1682.)