Fast Track to College Act of 2014 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award matching six-year grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) that partner with institutions of higher education (IHEs) to establish or support dual or concurrent enrollment programs, such as early college high schools, that allow secondary school students to earn credit simultaneously toward a secondary school diploma and a postsecondary degree or certificate.
Gives grant priority to applicants: (1) that propose to establish or support a dual or concurrent enrollment program for a student body at least 40% of which is impoverished; and (2) from states that provide assistance to dual or concurrent enrollment programs, such as assistance defraying the costs of higher education.
Requires applicants to make assurances that: (1) students will not be required to pay tuition or fees for postsecondary courses, and (2) those courses will be taught by faculty that meet their partner IHE's normal standards.
Authorizes the Secretary to award matching five-year grants to states to: (1) plan and implement statewide strategies to make dual or concurrent enrollment programs more accessible to students who are underrepresented in postsecondary education; (2) provide technical assistance to dual or concurrent enrollment programs; and (3) engage in outreach, assessment, and teacher training activities designed to strengthen such programs.
Directs the Secretary to: (1) contract for an independent evaluation of this Act's programs, and (2) provide technical assistance to LEAs and their partners and disseminate information concerning best practices in dual or concurrent enrollment programs.
[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2860 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2860
To authorize the Secretary of Education to make grants to support early
college high schools and other dual or concurrent enrollment programs.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 18, 2014
Mr. Coons (for himself, Mr. Brown, Mr. Johnson of South Dakota, and
Mrs. Hagan) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the Secretary of Education to make grants to support early
college high schools and other dual or concurrent enrollment programs.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Fast Track to College Act of 2014''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Act is to increase secondary school graduation
rates and the percentage of students who complete a recognized
postsecondary credential by the age of 26, including among low-income
students and students from other populations underrepresented in higher
education.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Dual or concurrent enrollment program.--The term ``dual
or concurrent enrollment program'' means an academic program
through which a secondary school student is able simultaneously
to earn credit toward a secondary school diploma and a
postsecondary degree or credential.
(2) Early college high school.--The term ``early college
high school'' means a secondary school that provides a course
of study that enables a student to earn a secondary school
diploma and either an associate's degree or 1 to 2 years of
postsecondary credit toward a postsecondary degree or
credential.
(3) Educational service agency.--The term ``educational
service agency'' has the meaning given such term in section
9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 7801).
(4) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means a
partnership between a local educational agency, which may be an
educational service agency, and an institution of higher
education. Such partnership also may include other entities,
such as a nonprofit organization with experience in youth
development.
(5) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given such
term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001).
(6) Local educational agency.--The term ``local educational
agency'' has the meaning given such term in section 9101 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
7801).
(7) Low-income student.--The term ``low-income student''
means a student described in section 1113(a)(5) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
6313(a)(5)).
(8) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Education.
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS; RESERVATIONS.
(a) In General.--To carry out this Act, there are authorized to be
appropriated $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2015 and such sums as may be
necessary for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020.
(b) Early College High Schools.--The Secretary shall reserve not
less than 45 percent of the funds appropriated under subsection (a) to
support early college high schools under section 5.
(c) Dual or Concurrent Enrollment Programs.--The Secretary shall
reserve not less than 45 percent of the funds appropriated under
subsection (a) to support dual or concurrent enrollment programs (other
than early college high schools) under section 5.
(d) State Grants.--The Secretary shall reserve 10 percent of the
funds appropriated under subsection (a), or $10,000,000, whichever is
less, for grants to States under section 9.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZED PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized to award 6-year grants
to eligible entities seeking to establish a new, or support an
existing, early college high school or other dual or concurrent
enrollment program in accordance with section 6.
(b) Grant Amount.--The Secretary shall ensure that grants are of
sufficient size to enable grantees to carry out all required activities
and otherwise meet the purposes of this Act, except that a grant under
this section may not exceed $2,000,000.
(c) Matching Requirement.--
(1) In general.--An eligible entity shall contribute
matching funds toward the costs of the early college high
school or other dual or concurrent enrollment program to be
supported under this section, of which not less than half shall
be from non-Federal sources, which funds shall represent not
less than the following:
(A) 20 percent of the grant amount received in each
of the first and second years of the grant.
(B) 30 percent in each of the third and fourth
years.
(C) 40 percent in the fifth year.
(D) 50 percent in the sixth year.
(2) Determination of amount contributed.--The Secretary
shall allow an eligible entity to satisfy the requirement of
this subsection through in-kind contributions.
(d) Supplement, Not Supplant.--An eligible entity shall use a grant
received under this section only to supplement funds that would, in the
absence of such grant, be made available from non-Federal funds for
support of the activities described in the eligible entity's
application under section 7, and not to supplant such funds.
(e) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary
shall give priority to applicants--
(1) that propose to establish or support an early college
high school or other dual or concurrent enrollment program that
will serve a student population of which 40 percent or more are
students counted under section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)); and
(2) from States that provide assistance to early college
high schools or other dual or concurrent enrollment programs,
such as assistance to defray the costs of higher education
(including costs of tuition, fees, and textbooks).
(f) Geographic Distribution.--The Secretary shall, to the maximum
extent practicable, ensure that grantees are from a representative
cross-section of urban, suburban, and rural areas.
SEC. 6. USES OF FUNDS.
(a) Mandatory Activities.--An eligible entity shall use grant funds
received under section 5 to support the activities described in its
application under section 7, including the following:
(1) Planning year.--In the case of a new early college high
school or dual or concurrent enrollment program, during the
first year of the grant--
(A) hiring a principal and staff, as appropriate;
(B) designing the curriculum and sequence of
courses (which shall not be mandated, directed, or
controlled by the Secretary or other officer or
employee of the Federal Government) in collaboration
with (at a minimum) teachers from the local educational
agency and faculty from the partner institution of
higher education;
(C) informing parents and the community about the
school or program and opportunities to become actively
involved in the school or program;
(D) establishing a course articulation process for
defining and approving courses for secondary school and
postsecondary credit or credential;
(E) outreach programs to ensure that secondary
school students and their families are aware of the
early college high school or dual or concurrent
enrollment program;
(F) liaison activities among partners in the
eligible entity; and
(G) coordinating secondary and postsecondary
support services, academic calendars, and
transportation.
(2) Implementation period.--During the remainder of the
grant period--
(A) academic and social support services, including
counseling;
(B) liaison activities among partners in the
eligible entity;
(C) data collection and use of such data for
student and instructional improvement and program
evaluation;
(D) outreach programs to ensure that secondary
school students and their families are aware of the
early college high school or dual or concurrent
enrollment program;
(E) professional development, including joint
professional development for educators from the
secondary school and faculty from the institution of
higher education; and
(F) school or program design and planning team
activities, including curriculum development.
(b) Allowable Activities.--An eligible entity may also use grant
funds received under section 5 otherwise to support the activities
described in its application under section 7, including--
(1) purchasing textbooks and equipment that support the
school or program's curriculum;
(2) developing learning opportunities for students that
complement classroom experiences, such as internships, career-
based capstone projects, and opportunities provided under
chapters 1 and 2 of subpart 2 of part A of title IV of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 et seq.);
(3) transportation; and
(4) planning time for educators from a secondary school and
educators from an institution of higher education to
collaborate.
SEC. 7. APPLICATION.
(a) In General.--To receive a grant under section 5, an eligible
entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in
such manner, and including such information as the Secretary determines
to be appropriate.
(b) Contents of Application.--At a minimum, the application
described in subsection (a) shall include a description of--
(1) the budget of the early college high school or other
dual or concurrent enrollment program;
(2) each partner in the eligible entity and such partner's
experience with early college high schools or other dual or
concurrent enrollment programs, and a description of key
personnel from each partner and their responsibilities for the
early college high school or dual or concurrent enrollment
program;
(3) how the eligible entity will work with secondary and
postsecondary teachers, other public and private entities,
community-based organizations, businesses, labor organizations,
and parents to ensure that students will be prepared to succeed
in postsecondary education and employment, which may include
the development of an advisory board;
(4) how the eligible entity will target and recruit at-risk
youth, including those at risk of dropping out of school, first
generation college students, and students from populations
described in section 1111(b)(2)(C)(v)(II) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
6311(b)(2)(C)(v)(II));
(5) a system of student supports including small group
activities, tutoring, literacy and numeracy skill development
in all academic disciplines, parental and community outreach
and engagement, extended learning time, and college readiness
activities, such as early college academic seminars and
counseling;
(6) in the case of an early college high school, how a
graduation and career plan will be developed, consistent with
State graduation requirements, for each student and reviewed
each semester;
(7) how parents or guardians of students in the early
college high school or dually enrolled students will be
informed of their academic performance and progress and,
subject to paragraph (6), involved in the development of their
career and graduation plan;
(8) coordination that will occur between the institution of
higher education and the local educational agency, including
regarding academic calendars, provision of student services,
curriculum development, and professional development;
(9) how the eligible entity will ensure that teachers in
the early college high school or other dual or concurrent
enrollment program receive appropriate professional development
and other supports, including to enable them to utilize
effective parent and community engagement strategies, and help
students with limited English proficiency, students with
disabilities, and students from diverse cultural backgrounds to
succeed;
(10) learning opportunities for students that complement
classroom experiences, such as internships, career-based
capstone projects, and opportunities provided under chapters 1
and 2 of subpart 2 of part A of title IV of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 et seq.);
(11) how policies, agreements, and courses taken will
ensure that postsecondary credits earned will be transferable
to, at a minimum, public institutions of higher education
within the State, consistent with existing statewide
articulation agreements;
(12) student assessments and other measurements of student
achievement including benchmarks for student achievement;
(13) outreach programs to provide elementary and secondary
school students, especially those in middle grades, and their
parents, teachers, school counselors, and principals
information about and academic preparation for the early
college high school or other dual or concurrent enrollment
program;
(14) how the local educational agency and institution of
higher education will work together, as appropriate, to collect
and use data for student and instructional improvement and
program evaluation;
(15) how the eligible entity will help students meet
eligibility criteria for postsecondary courses and ensure that
students understand how their credits will transfer; and
(16) how the eligible entity will access and leverage
additional resources necessary to sustain the early college
high school or other dual or concurrent enrollment program
after the grant expires, including by engaging businesses and
nonprofit organizations.
(c) Assurances.--An eligible entity's application under subsection
(a) shall include assurances that--
(1) in the case of an early college high school, the
majority of courses offered, including postsecondary courses,
will be offered at facilities of the institution of higher
education;
(2) students will not be required to pay tuition or fees
for postsecondary courses;
(3) postsecondary credits earned will be transcribed upon
completion of the requisite course work; and
(4) faculty teaching postsecondary courses meet the normal
standards for faculty established by the institution of higher
education.
(d) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the requirement of subsection
(c)(1) upon a showing that it is impractical to apply due to geographic
considerations.
SEC. 8. PEER REVIEW.
(a) Peer Review of Applications.--The Secretary shall establish
peer review panels to review applications submitted pursuant to section
7 and to advise the Secretary regarding such applications.
(b) Composition of Peer Review Panels.--The Secretary shall ensure
that each peer review panel is not comprised wholly of full-time
officers or employees of the Federal Government and includes, at a
minimum--
(1) experts in the establishment and administration of
early college high schools or other dual or concurrent
enrollment programs from the secondary and postsecondary
perspective;
(2) faculty at institutions of higher education and
secondary school teachers with expertise in dual enrollment;
and
(3) experts in the education of at-risk students.
SEC. 9. GRANTS TO STATES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized to award 5-year grants
to State agencies responsible for secondary or postsecondary education
for efforts to support or establish early college high schools or other
dual or concurrent enrollment programs.
(b) Grant Amount.--The Secretary shall ensure that grants are of
sufficient size to enable grantees to carry out all required
activities.
(c) Matching Requirement.--A State shall contribute matching funds
from non-Federal sources toward the costs of carrying out activities
under this section, which funds shall represent not less than 50
percent of the grant amount.
(d) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary
shall give priority to States that provide assistance to early college
high schools or other dual or concurrent enrollment programs, such as
assistance to defray the costs of higher education, such as tuition,
fees, and textbooks.
(e) Application.--To receive a grant under this section, a State
agency shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in
such manner, and including such information as the Secretary determines
to be appropriate.
(f) Contents of Application.--At a minimum, the application
described in subsection (e) shall include--
(1) a description of how the State will carry out all of
the required State activities described in subsection (g);
(2) a description of how the State will identify and
eliminate barriers to implementing effective early college high
schools and dual or concurrent enrollment programs after the
grant expires, including by engaging businesses and nonprofit
organizations;
(3) a description of how the State will access and leverage
additional resources necessary to sustain early college high
schools or other dual or concurrent enrollment programs; and
(4) such other information as the Secretary determines to
be appropriate.
(g) State Activities.--A State receiving a grant under this section
shall use such funds for--
(1) creating outreach programs to ensure that secondary
school students, their families, and community members are
aware of early college high schools and dual or concurrent
enrollment programs in the State;
(2) planning and implementing a statewide strategy for
expanding access to early college high schools and dual or
concurrent enrollment programs for students who are
underrepresented in higher education to raise statewide rates
of secondary school graduation, readiness for postsecondary
education, and completion of postsecondary degrees and
credentials, with a focus on at-risk students, including
identifying any obstacles to such a strategy under State law or
policy;
(3) providing technical assistance to early college high
schools and other dual or concurrent enrollment programs, such
as brokering relationships and agreements that forge a strong
partnership between elementary and secondary and postsecondary
partners;
(4) identifying policies that will improve the
effectiveness and ensure the quality of early college high
schools and dual or concurrent enrollment programs, such as
access, funding, data and quality assurance, governance,
accountability and alignment policies;
(5) planning and delivering statewide training and peer
learning opportunities for school leaders and teachers from
early college high schools and dual or concurrent enrollment
programs, which may include providing instructional coaches who
offer on-site guidance;
(6) disseminating best practices in early college high
schools and dual or concurrent enrollment programs from across
the State and from other States; and
(7) facilitating statewide data collection, research and
evaluation, and reporting to policymakers and other
stakeholders.
SEC. 10. REPORTING AND OVERSIGHT.
(a) Reporting by Grantees.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish uniform
guidelines for all grantees concerning information such
grantees annually shall report to the Secretary to demonstrate
a grantee's progress toward achieving the goals of this Act.
(2) Contents of report.--At a minimum, the report described
in paragraph (1) shall include, for eligible entities receiving
funds under section 5, for students participating in the early
college high school or other dual or concurrent enrollment
program within each category of students described in section
1111(h)(1)(C)(i) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(h)(1)(C)(i)):
(A) The number of students.
(B) The percentage of students scoring advanced,
proficient, basic, and below basic on the assessments
described in section 1111(b)(3) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(3)).
(C) The performance of students on other
assessments or measurements of achievement.
(D) The number of secondary school credits earned.
(E) The number of postsecondary credits earned.
(F) Attendance rate, as appropriate.
(G) Graduation rate.
(H) Placement in postsecondary education or
advanced training, in military service, and in
employment.
(I) A description of the school or program's
student, parent, and community outreach and engagement.
(b) Reporting by Secretary.--The Secretary annually shall compile
and analyze the information described in subsection (a) and shall
submit a report containing such analysis to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on
Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives. The report
shall include identification of best practices for achieving the goals
of this Act.
(c) Monitoring Visits.--The Secretary's designee shall visit each
grantee at least once for the purpose of helping the grantee achieve
the goals of this Act and to monitor the grantee's progress toward
achieving such goals.
(d) National Evaluation.--Not later than 6 months after the date on
which funds are appropriated to carry out this Act, the Secretary shall
enter into a contract with an independent organization to perform an
evaluation of the grants awarded under this Act. Such evaluation shall
apply rigorous procedures to obtain valid and reliable data concerning
participants' outcomes by social and academic characteristics and
monitor the progress of students from secondary school to and through
postsecondary education.
(e) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall provide technical
assistance to eligible entities concerning best practices in early
college high schools and dual or concurrent enrollment programs and
shall disseminate such best practices among eligible entities and State
and local educational agencies.
SEC. 11. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
(a) Employees.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed to alter or
otherwise affect the rights, remedies, and procedures afforded to the
employees of local educational agencies (including schools) or
institutions of higher education under Federal, State, or local laws
(including applicable regulations or court orders) or under the terms
of collective bargaining agreements, memoranda of understanding, or
other agreements between such employees and their employers.
(b) Graduation Rate.--A student who graduates from an early college
high school supported under this Act in the standard number of years
for graduation described in the eligible entity's application shall be
considered to have graduated on time for purposes of section
1111(b)(2)(C)(vi) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(C)(vi)).
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
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