[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2814 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2814
To direct the Secretary of Education to make grants to support early
college high schools and dual or concurrent enrollment programs, and
for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 14, 2023
Mr. Markey (for himself and Mr. Durbin) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Education to make grants to support early
college high schools and dual or concurrent enrollment programs, 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 ``Jumpstart on College Act''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Act is to increase the percentage of students
who complete a recognized postsecondary credential within 100 percent
of the normal time for the completion of such credential, including
low-income students and students from other populations that are
underrepresented in higher education.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) ESEA terms.--The terms ``dual or concurrent enrollment
program'', ``early college high school'', ``educational service
agency'', ``four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate'',
``local educational agency'', ``secondary school'', and
``State'' have the meanings given the terms in section 8101 of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
7801).
(2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means an
institution of higher education in partnership with one or more
local educational agencies (which may be an educational service
agency). Such partnership may also include other entities, such
as nonprofit organizations or businesses and schools in
juvenile detention centers.
(3) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001).
(4) Low-income student.--The term ``low-income student''
means a student counted under section 1124(c) of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6333(c)).
(5) Recognized postsecondary credential.--The term
``recognized postsecondary credential'' has the meaning given
the term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
(6) 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 $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2024 and each of the five
succeeding fiscal years.
(b) Reservations.--From the funds appropriated under subsection (a)
for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve--
(1) not less than 40 percent for grants to eligible
entities under section 5;
(2) not less than 55 percent for grants to States under
section 6; and
(3) not less than 5 percent for national activities under
section 8.
SEC. 5. GRANTS TO ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall award grants to eligible
entities, on a competitive basis, to assist such entities in
establishing or supporting an early college high school or dual or
concurrent enrollment program in accordance with this section.
(b) Duration.--Each grant under this section shall be awarded for a
period of 6 years.
(c) Grant Amount.--The Secretary shall ensure that the amount of
each grant under this section is sufficient to enable each grantee to
carry out the activities described in subsection (h), except that a
grant under this section may not exceed $2,000,000, of which not more
than 15 percent of the overall grant total may be used to improve data
systems for the purpose of facilitating the execution of the reporting
requirement in section 7(a).
(d) Matching Requirement.--
(1) In general.--For each year that an eligible entity
receives a grant under this section, the entity shall
contribute matching funds, in the amounts described in
paragraph (2), for the activities supported by the grant.
(2) Amounts described.--The amounts described in this
paragraph are--
(A) for each of the first and second years of the
grant period, 20 percent of the grant amount;
(B) for each of the third and fourth years of the
grant period, 30 percent of the grant amount;
(C) for the fifth year of the grant period, 40
percent of the grant amount; and
(D) for the sixth year of the grant period, 50
percent of the grant amount.
(3) Determination of amount contributed.--
(A) In-kind contributions.--The Secretary shall
allow an eligible entity to meet the requirements of
this subsection through in-kind contributions.
(B) Non-federal sources.--Not less than half of
each amount described in paragraph (2) shall be
provided by the eligible entity from non-Federal
sources.
(e) 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 a grant, be made available from other Federal, State,
or local sources for activities supported by the grant, not to supplant
such funds.
(f) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary
shall give priority to eligible entities that--
(1) propose to establish or support an early college high
school or dual or concurrent enrollment program that will serve
a student population of which not less than 51 percent are low-
income students;
(2) include a local educational agency which serves a high
school that is--
(A) identified for comprehensive support and
improvement under section 1111(c)(4)(D)(i) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6311(c)(4)(D)(i)); or
(B) implementing a targeted support and improvement
plan as described in section 1111(d)(2) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6311(d)(2));
(3) are from States that provide assistance to early
college high schools or dual or concurrent enrollment programs,
such as assistance to defray the costs of higher education
(including costs of tuition, fees, and textbooks); and
(4) propose to establish or support an early college high
school or dual or concurrent enrollment program that meets
quality standards established by--
(A) a nationally recognized accrediting agency or
association that offers accreditation specifically for
such programs; or
(B) a State process specifically for the review and
approval of such programs.
(g) Equitable Distribution.--The Secretary shall ensure, to the
extent practicable, that eligible entities receiving grants under this
section--
(1) are from a representative cross section of--
(A) urban, suburban, and rural areas; and
(B) regions of the United States; and
(2) include both two-year and four-year institutions of
higher education.
(h) Uses of Funds.--
(1) Mandatory activities.--
(A) In general.--An eligible entity shall use grant
funds received under this section--
(i) to support the activities described in
its application under subsection (i);
(ii) to create and maintain a coherent
system of supports for students, teachers,
principals, and faculty under the program,
including--
(I) college and career readiness,
academic, and social support services
for students; and
(II) professional development for
secondary school teachers, faculty, and
principals, and faculty from the
institution of higher education,
including--
(aa) joint professional
development activities; and
(bb) activities to assist
such teachers, faculty, and
principals in using effective
parent and community engagement
strategies and to help ensure
the success of students
academically at risk of not
enrolling in or completing
postsecondary education, first-
generation college students,
and each category of students
described in section
1111(b)(2)(B)(xi) of the
Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(B)(xi));
(iii) to carry out liaison activities among
the partners that comprise the eligible entity
pursuant to an agreement or memorandum of
understanding documenting commitments,
resources, roles, and responsibilities of the
partners consistent with the design of the
program;
(iv) for outreach programs to ensure that
secondary school students and their families,
including students academically at risk of not
enrolling in or completing postsecondary
education, first-generation college students,
and each category of students described in
section 1111(b)(2)(B)(xi) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
6311(b)(2)(B)(xi)), are--
(I) aware of, and recruited into,
the early college high school or dual
or concurrent enrollment program; and
(II) assisted with the process of
enrolling and succeeding in the early
college high school or dual or
concurrent enrollment program, which
may include providing academic support;
(v) to collect, share, and use data (in
compliance with section 444 of the General
Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g)) for
program improvement and program evaluation; and
(vi) to review and strengthen its program
to maximize the potential that students
participating in the program will eventually
complete a recognized postsecondary credential,
including by optimizing--
(I) the curriculum of the program;
(II) the use of high-quality
assessments of student learning, such
as performance-based, project-based, or
portfolio assessments that measure
higher-order thinking skills;
(III) the sequence of courses
offered by the program; and
(IV) the alignment of academic
calendars between the secondary schools
and the institution of higher education
participating in the program.
(B) New programs.--In the case of an eligible
entity that uses a grant under this section to
establish an early college high school or dual or
concurrent enrollment program, the entity shall use
such funds during the first year of the grant period--
(i) to design the curriculum and sequence
of courses in collaboration with, at a
minimum--
(I) faculty from the institution of
higher education;
(II) teachers and faculty from the
local educational agency; and
(III) in the case of a career and
technical education program, employers
or workforce development entities to
ensure that the program is aligned with
labor market demand;
(ii) to develop and implement an
articulation agreement between the institution
of higher education and the local educational
agency that governs how secondary and
postsecondary credits will be awarded under the
program; and
(iii) to carry out the activities described
in subparagraph (A).
(2) Allowable activities.--An eligible entity may use grant
funds received under this section to support the activities
described in its application under subsection (i), including
by--
(A) purchasing textbooks and equipment that support
the program's curriculum;
(B) pursuant to the assurance provided by the
eligible entity under subsection (i)(3)(A), paying
tuition and fees for postsecondary courses taken by
students under the program;
(C) incorporating work-based learning opportunities
(other than by paying wages of students) into the
program (which may include partnering with entities
that provide such opportunities), including--
(i) internships;
(ii) career-based capstone projects;
(iii) pre-apprenticeships and registered
apprenticeships provided by eligible providers
of apprenticeship programs described in section
122(a)(2)(B) of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3152(a)(2)(B)); and
(iv) work-based learning 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.);
(D) providing students with transportation to and
from the program;
(E) paying costs for--
(i) high school teachers to obtain the
skills, credentials, or industry certifications
necessary to teach for the institution of
higher education participating in the program;
or
(ii) postsecondary faculty to become
certified to teach high school; or
(F) providing time during which secondary school
teachers and faculty and faculty from an institution of
higher education can collaborate, which may include--
(i) professional development;
(ii) the planning of team activities for
such teachers and faculty; and
(iii) curricular design and student
assessment.
(i) Application.--
(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary
an application at such time, in such manner, and containing
such information as the Secretary may require.
(2) Contents of application.--The application under
paragraph (1) shall include, at minimum, a description of--
(A) the partnership that comprises the eligible
entity, including documentation of partner commitments,
resources and budget, roles, and responsibilities;
(B) how the partners that comprise the eligible
entity will coordinate to carry out the mandatory
activities described in subsection (h)(1);
(C) the number of students intended to be served by
the program and demographic information relating to
such students;
(D) how the eligible entity's curriculum and
sequence of courses form a program of study leading to
a recognized postsecondary credential;
(E) how postsecondary credits earned will be
transferable to institutions of higher education within
the State, including any applicable statewide transfer
agreements and any provisions of such agreements that
are specific to dual or concurrent enrollment programs;
(F) how the eligible entity will conduct outreach
to students;
(G) how the eligible entity will determine the
eligibility of students for postsecondary courses,
including an explanation of the multiple factors the
entity will take into account to assess the readiness
of students for such courses; and
(H) the sustainability plan for the early college
high school or dual or concurrent enrollment program.
(3) Assurances.--The application under paragraph (1) shall
include assurances from the eligible entity that--
(A) students participating in a program funded with
a grant under this section will not be required to pay
tuition or fees for postsecondary courses taken under
the program;
(B) postsecondary credits earned by students under
the program will be transcribed upon completion of the
required course work; and
(C) instructors of postsecondary courses under the
program will meet the same standards applicable to
other faculty at the institution of higher education
that is participating in the program.
SEC. 6. GRANTS TO STATES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall award grants to States, on a
competitive basis, to assist States in supporting or establishing early
college high schools or dual or concurrent enrollment programs.
(b) Duration.--Each grant under this section shall be awarded for a
period of 6 years.
(c) Grant Amount.--The Secretary shall ensure that the amount of
each grant under this section is sufficient to enable each grantee to
carry out the activities described in subsection (f), of which not more
than 15 percent of the overall grant total may be used to improve data
systems for the purpose of facilitating the execution of the reporting
requirement in section 7(a).
(d) Matching Requirement.--For each year that a State receives a
grant under this section, the State shall provide, from non-Federal
sources, an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount of the grant
received by the State for such year to carry out the activities
supported by the grant.
(e) Supplement, Not Supplant.--A State shall use a grant received
under this section only to supplement funds that would, in the absence
of such grant, be made available from other Federal, State, or local
sources for activities supported by the grant, not to supplant such
funds.
(f) Uses of Funds.--
(1) Mandatory activities.--A State shall use grant funds
received under this section to--
(A) support the activities described in its
application under subsection (g);
(B) plan and implement 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 recognized
postsecondary credentials, with a focus on students
academically at risk of not enrolling in or completing
postsecondary education;
(C) identify any obstacles to such a strategy under
State law or policy;
(D) provide technical assistance (either directly
or through a knowledgeable intermediary) to early
college high schools and dual or concurrent enrollment
programs, which may include--
(i) brokering relationships and agreements
that forge a strong partnership between
elementary and secondary and postsecondary
partners; and
(ii) offering statewide training,
professional development, and peer learning
opportunities for school leaders, instructors,
and counselors or advisors;
(E) identify and implement policies that will
improve the effectiveness and ensure the quality of
early college high schools and dual or concurrent
enrollment programs, such as eligibility and access,
funding, data and quality assurance, governance,
accountability, and alignment policies;
(F) update the State's requirements for a student
to receive a regular high school diploma to align with
the challenging State academic standards and entrance
requirements for credit-bearing coursework as described
in subparagraphs (A) and (D) of section 1111(b)(1) of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6311(b)(1));
(G) incorporate indicators regarding student access
to and completion of early college high schools and
dual or concurrent enrollment programs into the school
quality and student success indicators included in the
State system of annual meaningful differentiation as
described under section 1111(c)(4)(B)(v)(I) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6311(c)(4)(B)(v)(I));
(H) disseminate best practices for early college
high schools and dual or concurrent enrollment
programs, which may include best practices from
programs in the State or other States;
(I) facilitate statewide secondary and
postsecondary data collection, research and evaluation,
and reporting to policymakers and other stakeholders,
disaggregated for each category of students described
in section 1111(b)(2)(B)(xi) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
6311(b)(2)(B)(xi)); and
(J) conduct outreach programs to ensure that
secondary school students, their families, and
community members are made aware of early college high
schools and dual or concurrent enrollment programs in
the State through a new or existing State online
website that complies with the web accessibility
requirements under Federal and State laws that protect
individuals with disabilities.
(2) Allowable activities.--A State may use grant funds
received under this section to--
(A) establish a mechanism to offset the costs of
tuition, fees, standardized testing, performance
assessments, and support services for low-income
students and students from underrepresented populations
enrolled in early college high schools or dual or
concurrent enrollment programs;
(B) establish formal transfer systems within and
across State higher education systems, including two-
year and four-year public and private institutions to
maximize the transferability of college courses;
(C) provide incentives to local educational
agencies that--
(i) assist high school teachers in getting
the credentials needed to participate in early
college high school and dual or concurrent
enrollment programs;
(ii) encourage the use of instructors at
institutions of higher education to teach
higher education courses in high schools; and
(iii) participate in an annual assessment
of current availability and shortages of high
school instructors who are credentialed to
teach a dual or concurrent enrollment course,
and shortages of these instructors in specific
curricular areas; and
(D) support initiatives to improve the quality of
early college high school and dual or concurrent
enrollment programs at participating institutions,
including by assisting such institutions in aligning
programs with the quality standards described in
section 5(f)(4).
(g) State Applications.--
(1) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
this section, a State shall submit to the Secretary an
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary may require.
(2) Contents of application.--The application under
paragraph (1) shall include, at minimum, a description of--
(A) how the State will carry out the mandatory
State activities described in subsection (f)(1);
(B) how the State will ensure that any programs
funded with a grant under this section are coordinated
with programs under--
(i) the Carl D. Perkins Career and
Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301
et seq.);
(ii) the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.);
(iii) the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.);
and
(iv) the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.);
(C) how the State intends to use grant funds to
address achievement gaps for each category of students
described in section 1111(b)(2)(B)(xi) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(B)(xi));
(D) how the State will access and leverage
additional resources necessary to sustain early college
high schools and dual or concurrent enrollment
programs;
(E) 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; and
(F) such other information as the Secretary
determines to be appropriate.
SEC. 7. REPORTING AND OVERSIGHT.
(a) In General.--Not less frequently than once annually, each State
and eligible entity that receives a grant under this Act shall submit
to the Secretary a report on the progress of the State or eligible
entity in carrying out the programs supported by such grant.
(b) Form of Report.--The report under subsection (a) shall be
submitted to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing
such information as the Secretary may require. The Secretary shall
issue uniform guidelines describing the information that shall be
reported by grantees under such subsection.
(c) Contents of Report.--
(1) In general.--The report under subsection (a) shall
include, at minimum, the following:
(A) The number of students enrolled in the early
college high school or dual or concurrent enrollment
program.
(B) The number and percentage of students enrolled
in the early college high school or dual or concurrent
enrollment program who earn a recognized postsecondary
credential concurrently with a high school diploma.
(C) The number of postsecondary credits earned by
students while enrolled in the early college high
school or dual or concurrent enrollment program that
may be applied toward a recognized postsecondary
credential.
(D) The number and percentage of students enrolled
in the early college high school or dual or concurrent
enrollment program who earn a high school diploma.
(E) The number and percentage of individuals who
complete the early college high school or dual or
concurrent enrollment program and who enroll in
postsecondary education.
(2) Categories of students.--The information described in
each of subparagraphs (A) through (E) of paragraph (1) shall be
disaggregated for each category of students described in
section 1111(b)(2)(B)(xi) of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(B)(xi)).
SEC. 8. NATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
(a) Reporting by Secretary.--Not less frequently than once
annually, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that
includes--
(1) an analysis of the information received from States and
eligible entities under section 7;
(2) an identification of best practices for carrying out
programs supported by grants under this Act; and
(3) the results of the evaluation under subsection (b).
(b) National Evaluation.--Not later than 6 months after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall seek to enter into a
contract with an independent entity to perform an evaluation of the
grants awarded under this Act. Such evaluation shall apply rigorous
procedures to obtain valid and reliable data concerning student
outcomes by social and academic characteristics and monitor the
progress of students from secondary school to and through postsecondary
education.
(c) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall provide technical
assistance to States and eligible entities concerning best practices
and quality improvement programs in early college high schools and dual
or concurrent enrollment programs and shall disseminate such best
practices among eligible entities, States, and local educational
agencies.
(d) Administrative Costs.--From amounts reserved to carry out this
section under section 4(b)(3), the Secretary may reserve such sums as
may be necessary for the direct administrative costs of carrying out
the Secretary's responsibilities under this Act.
SEC. 9. 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.--For purposes of this Act and any other
Federal law, a student who graduates from an early college high school
supported by a grant under section 5 within 100 percent of the normal
time for completion described in the eligible entity's application
under such section shall be counted in the four-year adjusted cohort
graduation rate for such high school.
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