Adds a new paragraph (16) to 42 U.S.C. 1758(b) establishing direct certification improvement grants and technical assistance, including definitions, grant priority and uses, grants for the Food Distribution Program on Indian reservations, required technical assistance, and funding and set-asides.

Amends Section 9(b)(4)(F)(iii)(II)(bb) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act by inserting additional text after the existing provision (the inserted text is not provided in this section).

Adds a new paragraph (4) to subsection (b) to require that, for a State identified under clause (ii)(I) of section 9(b)(4)(F) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, the Secretary's assessment include a description of the technical assistance provided to the State and the State's progress implementing the measures and meeting the goals described in items (aa) through (cc) of clause (iii)(II) of that section. Also adjusts punctuation in existing paragraphs (2) and (3) to accommodate the new paragraph.

Amends clause (iv) and clause (x) of 42 U.S.C. 1759a(a)(1)(F) to change timing language used to determine covered school years and elections for special assistance payments, and to add a definition of 'covered school year'.