No official summary available for this bill.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9170 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9170
To reauthorize title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965 in order to
improve and encourage innovation in international education, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 25, 2024
Ms. Ross (for herself, Mrs. Foushee, and Mr. Panetta) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and
the Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To reauthorize title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965 in order to
improve and encourage innovation in international education, and for
other purposes.
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 ``Advancing International and Foreign
Language Education Act''.
SEC. 2. GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE LANGUAGE AND AREA CENTERS AND
PROGRAMS.
Section 602(b)(2)(B)(ii) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1122(b)(2)(B)(ii)) is amended--
(1) in subclause (III), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(2) in subclause (IV), by striking the period and inserting
``; or''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(V) the beginning, intermediate, or
advanced study of a foreign language related to
the graduate student's area of
specialization.''.
SEC. 3. INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH AND INNOVATION.
Part A of title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1121 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by striking sections 605 and 606 and inserting the
following:
``SEC. 605. INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH AND INNOVATION.
``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to support
international and foreign language education research and innovation
projects that encourage and contribute to comprehensive and ongoing
assessment and strengthening of the United States capacity in
international education, including program development, coordination,
delivery, and outcomes in order to meet national needs.
``(b) Definition of Eligible Grant Recipient.--In this section, the
term `eligible grant recipient' means the following:
``(1) An institution of higher education.
``(2) A public or private nonprofit library.
``(3) A nonprofit educational organization.
``(4) An entity that, as of the date of application for a
grant under this section--
``(A) has received a grant under this title for a
preceding year; or
``(B) is receiving a grant under this title.
``(5) A partnership or consortium of 2 or more entities
described in paragraphs (1) through (4).
``(c) Program Authorized.--
``(1) In general.--From amounts made available to carry out
this section, the Secretary may--
``(A) conduct research and studies that contribute
to the purposes of this title, including research to
provide a systematic understanding of the United States
international and foreign language education capacity,
structures, and effectiveness in meeting growing
demands in the education, government, business, and
nonprofit sectors;
``(B) create innovative paradigms, or enhance or
scale up proven strategies and practices, that address
systemic challenges to developing and delivering
international and foreign language education resources
and expertise--
``(i) for incorporating across educational
disciplines and institutions; and
``(ii) for employers and other
stakeholders; and
``(C) develop and manage a national standardized
database on the strengths, gaps, and trends in the
international and foreign language education capacity
of the United States, and document the outcomes of
programs funded under this title every grant cycle.
``(2) Method of implementation.--The Secretary may carry
out the activities described in paragraph (1) directly or
through grants or contracts to eligible grant recipients in
accordance with subsection (d) or (e).
``(d) Research and Study Grants.--For any fiscal year for which the
Secretary carries out activities to achieve the outcomes described in
subsection (c)(1) through research and study grants under this section,
the Secretary may award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible
entities to pay for the Federal share of research and studies relating
to the systematic development, collection, analysis, publication, and
dissemination of data and other information resources in a manner that
is easily understandable and made publicly available, and that
contributes to achieving the purposes of this title. Such research and
studies may include any of the following:
``(1) Assessing and documenting international and foreign
language education capacity and supply, such as--
``(A) studies and surveys to determine the numbers
of foreign language courses, programs, and enrollments
at all levels of education and in all languages,
including a determination of gaps in those courses or
programs determined to be critical to the national
interest;
``(B) studies and surveys of the number and types
of degrees or certificates awarded in foreign language
studies, area studies, global studies, and
international business and professional studies,
including identification of gaps in those areas of
study determined critical to the national interest;
``(C) studies and surveys, by language, degree, and
world area, of--
``(i) the number of foreign language
studies, area studies, global studies, or
international studies faculty, including
international business faculty; and
``(ii) the number of foreign language
studies teachers in grades kindergarten through
grade 12; and
``(D) studies and surveys of the number of
undergraduate and graduate students engaging in long-
or short-term education abroad or internship abroad
programs as part of their curriculum, including the
countries of destination.
``(2) Assessing the demands for international and foreign
language education, the outcomes of international and foreign
language education programs, and the alignment of such demand
and outcomes, such as--
``(A) studies, surveys, and research symposia to
determine--
``(i) the demand for increased or improved
instruction in foreign language studies, area
studies, global studies, or other international
fields; and
``(ii) the demand for employees with such
skills and knowledge in government, education,
and the private sector;
``(B) studies, surveys, and research symposia to
assess the employment or utilization of graduates of
programs supported under this title by governmental,
educational, and private sector entities; and
``(C) studies, surveys, and research symposia to
assess standardized outcomes and the effectiveness and
benchmarking of programs supported under this title.
``(3) The development and publication of specialized
materials for use in foreign language studies, area studies,
global studies, and other international studies, including in
international business and other professional education, as
appropriate.
``(4) Studies and surveys that identify and document
systemic challenges and changes needed in higher education and
elementary school and secondary school systems to make
international and foreign language education available to all
students as part of the basic curriculum, which may include--
``(A) challenges in current evaluation standards;
``(B) program entrance and graduation requirements;
``(C) program accreditation;
``(D) student postsecondary degree requirements; or
``(E) legal or workplace barriers for teachers and
faculty to education and research abroad.
``(5) Studies and surveys that identify and document, in
underrepresented institutions of higher education (including
minority-serving institutions and community colleges)--
``(A) systemic challenges and changes, incentives,
and partnerships needed to internationalize educational
programming in a comprehensive and sustainable way; and
``(B) short- and long-term outcomes of successful
internationalization strategies and funding models.
``(6) Evaluation of the extent to which programs supported
under this title reflect diverse perspectives and a wide range
of views and generate debate on world regions and international
affairs, as described in the application submitted by the
eligible recipient under subsection (f).
``(e) Innovation Project Grants Authorized.--
``(1) In general.--For any fiscal year for which the
Secretary carries out activities to achieve the outcomes
described in subsection (c)(1) through innovation grants under
this subsection, the Secretary shall award such grants, on a
competitive basis, to eligible entities.
``(2) Types of innovation projects.--Innovation projects
carried out under this subsection may include any of the
following:
``(A) Innovative paradigms to improve
communication, sharing, and delivery of resources that
further the objectives of this title, such as--
``(i) networking and placement structures
and systems to more effectively match
postsecondary graduates with international and
foreign language education skills with the
needs of employers across the workforce;
``(ii) sharing international specialist
expertise across institutions of higher
education or in the workforce to pursue
specialization or learning opportunities not
available at any single institution of higher
education, such as shared courses for
studying--
``(I) less commonly taught
languages, world areas, or regions;
``(II) international business; or
``(III) specialized research topics
of national strategic interest;
``(iii) producing, collecting, organizing,
preserving, and widely disseminating
international and foreign language education
expertise, resources, courses, and other
information through the use of electronic
technologies and other networking techniques
that contribute to the purposes of this title;
``(iv) coordinating initiatives to
identify, implement, and provide ongoing access
to and creation of digital global library
resources; and
``(v) utilizing technology to create open
source resources in international studies, area
studies, global studies, and foreign language
studies that--
``(I) are adaptable to multiple
educational settings; and
``(II) promote interdisciplinary
partnerships between technologists,
curriculum designers, international and
foreign language education experts,
language teachers, and librarians.
``(B) Innovative curriculum, teaching, and learning
paradigms that further the purposes of this title, such
as--
``(i) new paradigms for collaborations of
disciplinary programs with foreign language
studies, area studies, global studies, and
international studies, and education abroad
programs, that address the internationalization
of such disciplinary studies for the purpose of
producing globally competent graduates in their
fields;
``(ii) innovative collaborations between
established centers of international and
foreign language education excellence and
underrepresented institutions and populations
seeking to further their goals for
strengthening international, area, global, and
foreign language studies, including minority-
serving institutions and community colleges;
``(iii) teaching and learning
collaborations among foreign language studies,
area studies, global studies, or other
international studies programs with diaspora
communities, including heritage students; and
``(iv) new approaches and methods to
teaching emerging global issues, cross-regional
interactions, and underrepresented regions or
countries, such as project- and team-based
learning.
``(C) Innovative assessment and outcome tools and
techniques that further the purposes of this title,
such as--
``(i) international and foreign language
education assessment techniques that are
coupled with outcome-focused training modules
and that meet the purposes of this title, such
as certificates and badges, immersion learning,
or e-portfolio systems; and
``(ii) more effective and easily accessible
methods of assessing professionally useful
levels of proficiency in foreign languages, or
competencies in area studies, culture and
global knowledge, or other international fields
in programs supported under this title, which
may include use of open access online and other
cost-effective tools for students and educators
at all educational levels and in the workplace.
``(f) Application.--
``(1) In general.--Each eligible entity desiring a grant
under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary
at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such
information and assurances as the Secretary may reasonably
require.
``(2) Contents.--An application submitted under this
subsection shall include evidence that any proposed innovation
project described in subsection (e) has a reasonable and
demonstrable expectation of sustainability once the support
provided under the grant is completed.
``(g) Federal and Non-Federal Share.--
``(1) Federal share.--The Federal share of the total cost
of carrying out a program supported by a grant under this
section shall be not more than 66\2/3\ percent.
``(2) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal share of the
total cost of carrying out a program supported by a grant under
this section shall be not less than 33\1/3\ percent. Such share
may be provided either in kind or in cash, or from
institutional and non-institutional funds, including
contributions from State entities and private sector
corporations or foundations.
``(3) Special rule.--The Secretary may waive or reduce the
required non-Federal share under this subsection for any
eligible entity that is, or includes, an institution that--
``(A) is a minority-serving institution or a
community college; and
``(B) has demonstrated a need for a waiver or
reduction in the application submitted under subsection
(f).
``(h) Database Website; 5-Year Report.--The Secretary shall,
directly or through a grant or contract to an eligible grant
recipient--
``(1) establish, curate, maintain, and update at least once
every grant cycle, a web-based site that--
``(A) showcases results of the activities supported
under this section; and
``(B) serves as a repository and landing site for
access to the information, resources, and best
practices generated through activities supported under
this section; and
``(2) prepare, publish and disseminate to Congress and the
public every 5 years, a report that summarizes--
``(A) key findings from the activities conducted
under this section; and
``(B) policy issues the findings may raise with
respect to international and foreign language education
and outcomes.''; and
(2) by redesignating sections 607 through 610 as sections
606 through 609, respectively.
SEC. 4. GLOBAL BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
Part B of title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1130 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in the title heading, by striking ``BUSINESS AND
INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS'' and inserting ``GLOBAL
BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS''; and
(2) in section 611 (20 U.S.C. 1130)--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting
the following:
``(1) the future economic welfare of the United States will
depend substantially on increasing international and global
skills in the business, educational, and other professional
communities and creating an awareness among the American public
of the internationalization of the economy of the United States
and numerous other professional areas important to our national
interest in the 21st century;'';
(ii) in paragraph (2)--
(I) by striking ``language and area
study programs'' and inserting
``professional schools and programs,
language, area study, and global study
programs''; and
(II) by inserting ``and security''
before ``interests'';
(iii) in paragraph (3)--
(I) by striking ``between the'' and
inserting ``among--
``(A) the'';
(II) by striking ``business and the
international education'' and inserting
the following: ``business and other
professional fields;
``(B) the international and global education''; and
(III) by striking ``States, and
public'' and inserting the following:
``States; and
``(C) public''; and
(iv) in paragraph (4)--
(I) by striking ``and State
departments of commerce'' and inserting
``, State departments of commerce, and
other professional organizations''; and
(II) by striking ``universities and
business'' and inserting ``institutions
of higher education with businesses or
other professions''; and
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) in paragraph (1)--
(I) by striking ``and economic
enterprise'' and inserting ``, economic
enterprise, and security''; and
(II) by inserting ``and other
professional'' before ``personnel'';
and
(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking ``to
prosper in an international'' and inserting
``and other professional fields to prosper in
an international global''.
SEC. 5. PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION FOR GLOBAL
COMPETITIVENESS.
Section 613 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1130a)
is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 613. PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION FOR GLOBAL
COMPETITIVENESS.
``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to support
innovative strategies that provide undergraduate and graduate students
with the global professional competencies, perspectives, and skills
needed to strengthen and enrich the global engagement and
competitiveness of the United States in a wide variety of professional
and technical fields important to the national interest in the 21st
century.
``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
``(A) an institution of higher education;
``(B) a consortium of institutions of higher
education; or
``(C) a partnership consisting of 1 or more
institutions of higher education and 1 or more
corporate entity or nonprofit organization.
``(2) Professional education and technical training.--The
term `professional education and technical training' means a
program at an institution of higher education that offers
undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate level education in a
professional or technical field that is determined by the
Secretary as meeting a national need for global or
international competency (which may include a program in the
field of business, science, technology, engineering, law,
health, energy, environment, agriculture, transportation, or
education).
``(c) Program Authorized.--From amounts made available to carry out
this section and subject to subsection (g), the Secretary shall award
grants or contracts, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to
enable the eligible entities to carry out programs designed to--
``(1) establish an interdisciplinary global dimension in
the undergraduate and graduate curricula of programs of
business, science, technology, engineering, mathematics,
health, environment, energy, agriculture, law, civics, and
other professional education and technical training, to be
determined by the Secretary based on national needs;
``(2) produce graduates with proficiencies in both the
global aspects of their professional fields and international,
cross-cultural, and foreign language skills; and
``(3) provide appropriate services to or linkages with
corporate, government, and nonprofit communities that--
``(A) will expand the knowledge and capacity of
such communities for global engagement and
competitiveness; and
``(B) provide internship or employment
opportunities for postsecondary students and graduates
with international skills.
``(d) Applications.--Each eligible entity desiring a grant or
contract under this section shall submit an application to the
Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such
information and assurances as the Secretary may reasonably require,
including--
``(1) evidence that each project proposed in the
application has a reasonable and demonstrable expectation of
sustainability and replicability once the grant or contract
period is completed;
``(2) a copy of the agreement entered into by the eligible
entity with a private entity or nonprofit organization engaged
in international economic or other relevant professional
activity, or a combination or consortium of such entities or
organizations, for the purpose of demonstrating compliance with
subsection (c);
``(3) assurances that the institution of higher education
will use the assistance provided under this section for
activities that supplement, and not supplant, activities
described in subsection (e) that were carried out by the
institution of higher education before receiving the grant or
contract; and
``(4) assurances that, where applicable, the activities
funded by the grant or contract will reflect diverse
perspectives and a wide range of views on world regions and
international affairs.
``(e) Authorized Activities.--
``(1) Mandatory activities.--An eligible entity receiving a
grant or contract under this section shall use funds provided
under the grant or contract to carry out all of the following
activities:
``(A) Combining or incorporating into undergraduate
or graduate professional education and technical
training curricula all of the following:
``(i) Foreign language programs that lead
to proficiency, including immersion
opportunities.
``(ii) International studies, area studies,
or global studies programs.
``(iii) Educational programs abroad,
internships abroad, or other innovative or
technological linkages abroad.
``(iv) Global business, economic, and trade
studies, as appropriate.
``(B) Innovation and improvement in international,
global, and foreign language education curricula to
serve the needs of business and other professional and
nonprofit communities, including development of new
programs for nontraditional, midcareer, or part-time
students.
``(C) Establishment of educational programs abroad
or internship programs abroad, or other innovative
approaches to enable undergraduate or graduate
professional students to develop their foreign language
skills and knowledge of foreign cultures and societies
and global dimensions of their professional fields.
``(D) Development of collaborations on issues of
common interest to institutions of higher education,
corporations, or nonprofit sector organizations
designed to strengthen engagement and competitiveness
in global business or trade or other global
professional activity.
``(2) Permissible activities.--An eligible entity receiving
a grant or contract under this section may use funds provided
under the grant to carry out any of the following activities:
``(A) Development of specialized teaching materials
and courses (including foreign language studies, area
studies, or global studies materials) and innovative
technological delivery systems appropriate to
professionally oriented students.
``(B) Establishment of student fellowships or other
innovative support opportunities for education and
training in global professional development activities,
including for underrepresented populations, first
generation students, and heritage students.
``(C) Development of opportunities or fellowships
for professional school faculty, including junior
faculty, to acquire or strengthen international and
global skills and perspectives, including faculty in
minority-serving institutions or community colleges.
``(D) Summer, or other academic break, institutes,
or technology-delivered institutes, in global business,
science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or other
professional fields, foreign language studies, area
studies, and global and other international studies
designed to carry out the purposes of this section.
``(E) Internationalization of curricula at the
community college level and at minority-serving
institutions to further the purposes of this section.
``(F) Establishment of linkages overseas--
``(i) with institutions of higher
education, corporations and other private
entities, and nonprofit organizations; and
``(ii) that contribute to the educational
purpose of this section.
``(G) Development of programs to inform the public
of--
``(i) increasing global interdependence in
a wide variety of professional fields such as
business, science, technology, engineering,
mathematics, health, environment, energy,
agriculture, law, civics, and other areas; and
``(ii) the role of the United States within
the global system.
``(H) Establishment of trade education programs
through cooperative arrangements with--
``(i) regional, national, and global trade
centers and councils; and
``(ii) bilateral and multilateral trade
associations.
``(f) Federal Share; Non-Federal Share.--
``(1) In general.--Any funds provided through a grant under
this section shall be used to pay the Federal share of the
activities carried out under the grant.
``(2) Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost of a
program supported by a grant under this section shall not be
more than 50 percent.
``(3) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal share of the cost
of the program supported by a grant under this section--
``(A) shall be not less than 50 percent; and
``(B) may be provided either in cash or in kind,
from institutional and non-institutional funds,
including contributions from State entities and private
sector corporations or foundations.
``(4) Special rule.--Notwithstanding paragraphs (2) and
(3), the Secretary may waive or reduce the required non-Federal
share under this section for an eligible entity that is, or
includes, an institution that--
``(A) is a minority-serving institution or is a
community college; and
``(B) has submitted a grant application under this
section that demonstrates a need for a waiver or
reduction.
``(g) Funding Rule.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this
title, the Secretary shall only award grants or contracts under this
section for a fiscal year if the total amount of funding under this
title is greater than the total of such amount for fiscal year 2025.''.
SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.
Section 631(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1132(a)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4), (5)
through (8), and (9) through (10), as paragraphs (3) through
(5), (7) through (10), and (12) through (13), respectively;
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) the term `community college' has the meaning given
the term `junior or community college' in section 312(f);'';
(3) by inserting after paragraph (5), as redesignated by
paragraph (1), the following:
``(6) the term `heritage student' means a postsecondary
student who--
``(A) was born in the United States to immigrant
parents or immigrated to the United States at an early
age;
``(B) is proficient in English, but raised in a
family primarily speaking 1 or more languages of the
country of origin; and
``(C) maintains a close affinity with the family's
culture and language of origin;''; and
(4) by inserting after paragraph (10), as redesignated by
paragraph (1), the following:
``(11) the term `minority-serving institution' means an
eligible institution under section 371(a);''.
SEC. 7. REPEAL OF UNFUNDED PROGRAMS AND DUPLICATIVE REQUIREMENTS.
Title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1121 et
seq.) is amended--
(1) by striking part C;
(2) by redesignating part D as part C; and
(3) by striking sections 637 and 638.
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1121 et
seq.), as amended by this Act, is further amended--
(1) by striking sections 609 (as redesignated under section
3(2) of this Act) and 614; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 637. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title
such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025 and each of the 5
succeeding fiscal years.''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
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