[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8231 Introduced in House (IH)]
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117th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8231
To authorize a grant program to support equitable access to
postsecondary STEM pathways.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 24, 2022
Mr. Neguse introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Education and Labor
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize a grant program to support equitable access to
postsecondary STEM pathways.
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 ``STEM Pathways Through College Act''.
SEC. 2. POSTSECONDARY STEM PATHWAYS GRANTS.
(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to support equitable
access to postsecondary STEM pathways to increase the number of
students exposed to high-quality STEM advanced coursework, support
students in reducing college costs, improve postsecondary credit
transfers, and increase postsecondary completion.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Advanced coursework.--The term ``advanced coursework''
means coursework designed for students to earn postsecondary
credit upon its successful completion while still in high
school, including coursework or assessments associated with
Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, a dual or
concurrent enrollment program, or an early college high school
program.
(2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means a
partnership that--
(A) shall include--
(i) the State educational agency;
(ii) one or more local educational agencies
located in the State, which may include an
educational service agency; and
(iii) either--
(I) the State public higher
education system inclusive of all 2-
year and 4-year public institutions of
higher education in the State; or
(II) a consortium of the State's
public higher education institutions or
systems that, together, is inclusive of
all 2-year and 4-year public
institutions of higher education in the
State; and
(B) may include 1 or more businesses, associations,
or nonprofit organizations representing businesses,
private nonprofit institutions of higher education,
nonprofit organizations, a State workforce agency, or a
State workforce development board established under
section 101 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act (29 U.S.C. 3111).
(3) ESEA definitions.--The terms ``dual or concurrent
enrollment program'', ``early college high school'',
``educational service agency'' ``elementary school'', ``English
learner'', ``evidence-based'', ``high school'', ``institution
of higher education'', ``local educational agency'', ``middle
grades'', ``other staff'', ``professional development'',
``regular high school diploma'', ``Secretary'', ``State'',
``State educational agency'', and ``technology'' shall have the
meaning given the terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(4) Governor.--The term ``Governor'' means the chief
executive officer of a State.
(5) Perkins definitions.--The terms ``career and technical
education'' and ``work-based learning'' have the meaning given
the terms in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and
Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302).
(6) Postsecondary stem pathway.--The term ``postsecondary
STEM pathway'' means a sequence of courses focused on STEM
education, including advanced coursework approved by the
eligible entity taken at any point during high school that--
(A) when taken together, provide at least 12 credit
hours or the equivalent coursework toward an associate
degree or baccalaureate degree, or, in the case of
postsecondary credit in career and technical education
earned through such sequence of courses, credit toward
a recognized postsecondary credential for a high-skill,
high-wage, or in-demand industry sector or occupation;
and
(B) if completed successfully, results in credit
that--
(i) satisfies requirements for the State's
regular high school diploma; and
(ii) is a part of the statewide
articulation agreement described in subsection
(d)(2)(B); and
(C) may include work-based learning in a STEM field
aligned with the academic coursework offered in a
postsecondary STEM pathway.
(7) STEM education.--The term ``STEM education'' means
courses, activities, high-quality instruction, and learning in
the subjects of science, technology, engineering, or
mathematics, including computer science.
(8) Subgroup of students.--The term ``subgroup of
students'' means--
(A) students from a family with a low income;
(B) students of color;
(C) children with disabilities, as defined in
section 602(3) of the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1401(3));
(D) English learners;
(E) migratory children, as described in section
1309(3) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6399(3));
(F) homeless children and youths, as defined in
section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance
Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a);
(G) students who are in foster care or are aging
out of the foster care system; and
(H) first-generation college students.
(9) WIOA definitions.--The terms ``in-demand industry
sector or occupation'' and ``recognized postsecondary
credential'' have the meanings given the terms in section 3 of
the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
(10) Students from a family with a low income.--The term
``students from a family with a low income'' includes any
student who is identified by any of the measures described in
section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)).
(11) First-generation college student.--The term ``first-
generation college student'' has the meaning given the term in
section 402A(h) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1070a-11(h)).
(c) Authorization of Grants.--
(1) In general.--From the amounts appropriated under
subsection (i) and not reserved under paragraph (2), the
Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to
eligible entities to enable those eligible entities to
implement activities described under subsection (e).
(2) Reservations.--From the total amount appropriated under
subsection (i) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve--
(A) 1 percent for the Bureau of Indian Education to
improve access to postsecondary STEM pathways;
(B) 2 percent to conduct the evaluation described
under subsection (g); and
(C) 2 percent for technical assistance and
dissemination, which may include--
(i) providing, directly or through grants,
contracts, or cooperative agreements, technical
assistance on using evidence-based practices to
improve the outcomes of activities funded under
this section; and
(ii) disseminating information on evidence-
based practices that are successful in
improving the quality of activities funded
under this section.
(3) Duration.--A grant awarded under this section shall be
for a period of not more than 5 years.
(4) Renewal.--The Secretary may renew a grant awarded under
this section for 1 additional 2-year period for programs that
meet the goals specified in subsection (d)(4)(B) of the initial
grant.
(5) Diversity of projects.--In awarding grants under this
section, the Secretary shall ensure that, to the extent
practicable, grants are distributed among eligible entities
that will serve geographically diverse areas, including urban,
suburban, and rural areas.
(6) Sufficient size and scope.--Each grant awarded under
this section shall be of sufficient size and scope to allow the
eligible entity to carry out the purposes of this section.
(7) Priorities.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Secretary shall give priority to applications that--
(A) provide postsecondary STEM pathways to a high
proportion of the State's students enrolled in high
schools operated by local educational agencies;
(B) prioritize evidence-based strategies to ensure
subgroups of students have equitable access to
postsecondary STEM pathways; and
(C) are submitted by eligible entities that include
local educational agencies who are in the highest
quartile of local educational agencies, in a ranking of
all qualified local educational agencies in the State,
ranked in descending order by the number or percentage
of children in each agency counted under section
1124(c) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6333(c)).
(d) Eligible Entity Application.--In order to receive a grant under
subsection (c)(1), the eligible entity shall submit an application to
the Secretary, at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary may reasonably require. Such application
shall include, at a minimum--
(1) signatures from the Governor, chief State school
officer, and State higher education executive officer verifying
the eligible entity shall meet the requirements described in
paragraph (2) within the specified timeframe;
(2) a description of how the eligible entity will, not
later than 2 years after the date of the initial receipt of
funds under this section--
(A) ensure STEM postsecondary pathways are aligned
with entrance requirements for credit-bearing
coursework at the State's public institutions of higher
education; and
(B) develop a formal, universal statewide
articulation agreement among all public institutions of
higher education or systems in the State--
(i) to guarantee that--
(I) all advanced coursework
successfully completed as part of a
postsecondary STEM pathway results in
credit that--
(aa) counts as credit for a
regular high school diploma;
(bb) fully transfers to,
and is credited by, all public
institutions of higher
education in the State, and
that such credits will count
toward meeting related degree
or certificate requirements;
and
(cc) is transferable to any
private nonprofit institution
of higher education or public
institution of higher education
located in another State that
chooses to participate in the
articulation agreement; and
(II) if a student earns an
associate degree (including an
associate degree in applied science) as
part of a postsecondary STEM pathway,
such associate degree, awarded by a
participating institution of higher
education in the State, shall be fully
acceptable in transfer and credited as
the first 2 years of a related
baccalaureate program at a public
institution of higher education in such
State; and
(ii) to facilitate the seamless transfer of
credit earned in the postsecondary STEM pathway
among such institutions of higher education,
including between 2-year and 4-year public
institutions of higher education and private
nonprofit institutions of higher education (if
such private nonprofit institutions of higher
education choose to participate in the
articulation agreement), by using methods such
as--
(I) common course numbering;
(II) a general education core
curriculum; and
(III) management systems regarding
course equivalency, transfer of credit,
and articulation;
(3) a description of how the eligible entity will
disseminate information to subgroups of students in the middle
grades and high school served by the eligible entity, including
their families, about the opportunity to participate in a
postsecondary STEM pathway and the benefits of participation;
(4) a description of how the eligible entity will implement
postsecondary STEM pathways in all local educational agencies
participating in the eligible entity, including--
(A) the timeline and plan to provide, by the end of
the grant period, a substantial number of students in
the State the opportunity to participate in a
postsecondary STEM pathway; and
(B) annual goals for participation in advanced
coursework and postsecondary STEM pathways among
subgroups of students such that, if the goals are met--
(i) significant progress will be made
toward improving equity in access to advanced
coursework and postsecondary STEM pathways
across the local educational agencies within
the eligible entity in the State; and
(ii) the demographics of students
participating in advanced coursework and
postsecondary STEM pathways will be similar to
the demographics of total student enrollment in
the State the eligible entity is located in by
the end of the grant period;
(5) a description of how the eligible entity has, or will,
ensure that postsecondary STEM pathways are aligned with in-
demand industries or occupations and provide students with
opportunities for work-based learning;
(6) a description of how the eligible entity consulted with
stakeholders in development of its application and how the
eligible entity will continue to engage, collaborate, and
solicit feedback with stakeholders to improve implementation of
the application requirements described in this subsection and
uses of funds described in subsection (e), including--
(A) the State board of education (if the State has
a State board of education);
(B) the State higher education governing or
coordinating entity (if the State has such an entity);
(C) a State board or local board, as defined in
section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act (29 U.S.C. 3102)
(D) the State agency responsible for the
administration of career and technical education in the
State or for the supervision of the administration of
career and technical education in the State (if the
State has such an entity);
(E) institutions of higher education in the State;
(F) local educational agencies, including those
located in rural areas and with the highest enrollments
of students from low income families, as described in
subsection (c)(7)(C);
(G) representatives of Indian Tribes located in the
State;
(H) charter school leaders (if the State has
charter schools);
(I) civil rights organizations in the State;
(J) business leaders or their representatives in
the State;
(K) teachers, principals, and other school leaders;
and
(L) parents and students;
(7) an assurance that the eligible entity will provide
postsecondary STEM pathways at no cost to students and
families, including that students and their parents shall not
be required to pay the cost of tuition, fees (including
examination fees associated with Advanced Placement,
International Baccalaureate, and similar examinations), books,
and supplies necessary to successfully complete postsecondary
STEM pathways;
(8) an assurance that not less than half of grant funds
received by the eligible entity will be used to support
subgroups of students in accessing and completing postsecondary
STEM pathways; and
(9) an assurance that the State will comply with the
supplement, not supplant requirement described under subsection
(h).
(e) Uses of Funds.--
(1) Required uses.--An eligible entity receiving a grant
under this section shall use grant funds to carry out the
following:
(A) Activities to implement the alignment
requirements pursuant to subsection (d)(2) for a period
of time not to exceed the first 2 fiscal years for
which the grant is provided.
(B) Supporting the development and implementation
of postsecondary STEM pathways consistent with the
timeline, plan, and goals specified in subsection
(d)(4) in order to increase the number of students
accessing and completing postsecondary STEM pathways in
the State, including--
(i) expanding advanced coursework offered
to students served by the eligible entity to
increase the availability of postsecondary STEM
pathways;
(ii) covering tuition, fees (including
examination fees associated with Advanced
Placement, International Baccalaureate, and
similar examinations), books, and supplies for
students participating in postsecondary STEM
pathways, in accordance with subsection (d)(7);
and
(iii) covering transportation costs
necessary for full participation in
postsecondary STEM pathways for students from a
family with a low income.
(C) Implementing programs and activities to improve
student preparation for, and participation in
postsecondary STEM pathways, with a priority for
students enrolled in local educational agencies
described in subsection (c)(7)(C) and subgroups of
students, which may include--
(i) using data from evidence-based early
warning indicator systems;
(ii) providing supplemental advising or
counseling activities that are voluntary to
students, including information on choosing
postsecondary options, applying for financial
aid, completing applications to institutions of
higher education, and career counseling and
advising, beginning as early as the middle
grades; and
(iii) other evidence-based activities to
support the successful implementation of
postsecondary STEM pathways and students'
transition from high school to postsecondary
education.
(D) Conducting outreach and communicating with
subgroups of students, including their families, to
build awareness about the opportunity to participate in
a postsecondary STEM pathway and the benefits of
participation.
(2) Permitted uses.--An eligible entity receiving a grant
under this section may also use grant funds to--
(A) provide training, professional development, or
recruitment for educators employed by the local
educational agencies within the eligible entity and for
faculty who teach courses that are included in a
postsecondary STEM pathway, including increasing the
number of educators qualified to teach dual or
concurrent enrollment programs in STEM courses, to
improve access and completion of such pathways,
particularly for subgroups of students; and
(B) carry out capacity-building efforts to improve
the coordination between the elementary and secondary
education system and the higher education system,
including through stakeholder engagement and
monitoring.
(3) Transportation cap.--An eligible entity shall not use
more than 25 percent of grant funds to cover transportation
costs authorized under paragraph (1)(B)(iii).
(f) Reporting Requirements.--
(1) Eligible entity reporting.--Not later than 1 year after
the enactment of this section and every year thereafter, the
eligible entity shall provide a report to the Secretary
containing such information as the Secretary may require,
including, at a minimum--
(A) information on the progress of the eligible
entity in establishing the policies and completing the
required activities as specified in subsection (d)(2);
(B) the number and percentage of local educational
agencies and institutions of higher education in the
State offering a postsecondary STEM pathway, including
changes year-over-year, and the extent to which the
eligible entity was meeting its timeline, plan, and
goals specified in subsection (d)(4);
(C) the eligible entity's progress in meeting the
goals established by the eligible entity for the
participation of subgroups of students in postsecondary
STEM pathways as specified in subsection (d)(4);
(D) evidence demonstrating how the eligible entity
certified each such pathway meets all the requirements
of this section;
(E) the number and percentage of students in the
State, including disaggregated by each subgroup of
students, and by sex, who--
(i) participate in a postsecondary STEM
pathway; and
(ii) participate in a postsecondary STEM
pathway and--
(I) successfully complete a
postsecondary STEM pathway;
(II) enroll in an institution of
higher education and received credit,
in accordance with the alignment
requirements described in subsection
(d)(2);
(III) receive credit toward a
recognized postsecondary credential for
a high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand
industry sector or occupation; and
(IV) earn a postsecondary
credential; and
(F) any additional information as the Secretary may
reasonably require to ensure compliance with the
requirements of this section and to effectively
evaluate, monitor, and improve grant implementation.
(2) Secretary's report.--Not later than 6 months after
receiving the initial report described in paragraph (1) and
annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report to the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the
Senate and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of
Representatives that includes a summary of reports submitted by
eligible entities and identifies best practices related to
improving access to STEM education and postsecondary education,
particularly for subgroups of students, through the
implementation of postsecondary STEM pathways.
(g) Evaluation.--The Secretary, acting through the Director of the
Institute of Education Sciences, shall conduct an independent
evaluation after the initial award of grants under this section, of the
policies and services provided under this section, including at a
minimum, the impact of such policies and services on outcomes for all
students, particularly for subgroups of students, with regard to each
of the following:
(1) Enrollment in and completion of advanced coursework
during high school, including the number of courses students
take and the number of credits students earn.
(2) Postsecondary enrollment, remediation, first-year
credit attainment, persistence, and completion including the
number of students who enrolled in a STEM field, and the number
of students who received a credential in a STEM field.
(3) The rate at which credits earned through postsecondary
STEM pathways are recognized for credit by public institutions
of higher education institutions.
(4) Postsecondary degree attainment, including completion
of an associate degree, baccalaureate degree, or recognized
postsecondary credential, and the time it takes students to
earn a degree.
(5) Changes in access and rigor of STEM education offered
to students served by local educational agencies in eligible
entities.
(6) To the extent practicable, analysis of student outcomes
described in paragraphs (1) through (5) by STEM field.
(h) Supplement, Not Supplant.--Federal funds provided under this
section shall be used to supplement, not supplant, other Federal,
State, or local funds available to carry out activities described in
this section.
(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying
out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as
may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
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