,,ii #aacth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #bcdi ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,may #ae1 #bjad ,mr4 ,sanders 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,leahy1 ,mr4 ,murphy1 ,mr4 ,kaine1 and ,mr4 ,reed7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to establish a grant program to enable ,states to promote participation in dual enrollment programs1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,supporting ,college ,success ,through ,dual ,enrollment ,act4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,the future strength of the democracy of the ,united ,states1 as well as the ,nation's economy1 depends upon ensuring a highly educated population and a skilled workforce with the knowledge necessary to compete in a globalized economy4 7#b7 ,the ,bureau of ,labor ,statistics estimates that a majority of the fastest-growing and highest-paying occupations require some form of postsecondary education1 be it a #b-year degree1 a #d-year degree1 or an industry-recognized credential4 7#c7 ,according to research conducted by the ,georgetown ,university ,center on ,education and the ,workforce1 #fc percent of all new job openings by #bjah will require at least some college education4 7#d7 ,the cost of a college education is often the most significant obstacle that many students face in obtaining a college degree4 ,programs that help students accumulate college credit in high school can help reduce the overall cost of a college degree by as much as #ab4e percent1 thus reducing the financial burden on students and taxpayers4 ,research has found that for every #a1jjj1jjj students entering college with a semester's worth of credit1 overall college expenditures are reduced by #i1ejj1jjj1jjj4 7#e7 ,although more students begin college today than did #bj years ago1 many are not graduating due to substantial challenges in negotiating the transition from high school to college4 ,fewer than #bj percent of students in grade #i will graduate with a baccalaureate degree by the age of #bd4 7#f7 ,research conducted by the ,department of ,education has found that postsecondary success is predicated on both rigorous academic preparation and a clear understanding of the expectations in college4 ,the academic intensity of a student's high school courses is a better predictor of whether a student will complete a bachelor's degree than class rank1 grade point average1 or standardized admission test scores4 7#g7 ,according to research conducted at the ,teachers' ,college at ,columbia ,university1 participation in dual enrollment programs is especially beneficial for students who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education1 including low-income1 first generation1 and minority students4 7#h7 ,students participating in dual enrollment programs have better academic outcomes4 ,research conducted in ,florida1 ,new ,york1 and ,california found that students in dual enrollment programs were1 on average1 more likely to graduate from high school1 transition into a #d-year institution of higher education1 persist in postsecondary education1 and have a higher postsecondary grade point average1 as demonstrated by the following3 7,a7 ,participants in ,new ,york ,city's dual enrollment program1 ,college ,now1 were more likely than their peers to pursue a baccalaureate degree and had higher grade point averages than nonparticipants4 ,further1 there was a positive correlation between participation in dual enrollment and completion of a baccalaureate degree4 7,b7 ,florida's dual enrollment program participants were #d4c percent more likely than their peers to earn a high school diploma and #g4g percent more likely to enroll in a #d-year institution of higher education1 and earned1 on average1 #ae4a more college credits than nonparticipants4 7,c7 ,in ,missouri1 dual enrollment students had an #hi percent likelihood of returning for their second year of college1 compared to #gf percent for students who entered college with no previous college credit4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,dual enrollment ,the term dual enrollment means a program through which a secondary school student-- 7,a7 takes courses offered through an institution of higher education while the student is enrolled in secondary school2 and 7,b7 earns both secondary school and postsecondary credit for the courses described in subparagraph 7,a74 7#b7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section #aja7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja7;a774 7#c7 ,moderate- to low-income student ,the term moderate- to low-income student means a student from a family whose income is less than #ij percent of the median income for the ,state for a family of the size involved4 7#d7 ,poverty line ,the term poverty line means the poverty line 7as defined in section #fgc7b7 of the ,community ,services ,block ,grant ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #iijb7b777 applicable to a family of the size involved4 7#e7 ,secondary school ,the term secondary school has the meaning given the term in section #iaja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja et seq474 7#f7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,education4 7#g7 ,state ,the term ,state means the several ,states of the ,united ,states1 the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 ,guam1 ,american ,samoa1 the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 and the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands4 #d4 ,grants authorized 7a7 ,program authorized ,from amounts appropriated to carry out this ,act1 the ,secretary shall make grants1 from allotments under subsection 7b71 to ,states to enable the ,states to pay the ,federal share of the costs of activities designed to promote participation in dual-enrollment programs by moderate- to low-income students4 7b7 ,determination of allotment 7#a7 ,amount of allotment ,subject to paragraph 7#b71 the allotment provided under this subsection to each ,state that submits an approved application for a fiscal year shall be equal to the sum of-- 7,a7 the amount that bears the same relation to #ej percent of the amount appropriated under section #h for such fiscal year as the number of residents in the ,state aged #e through #ag who are living below the poverty line bears to the total number of such residents in all ,states that submitted approved applications2 and 7,b7 the amount that bears the same relation to #ej percent of the amount appropriated under section #h for such fiscal year as the number of residents in the ,state aged #ae through #dd who are living below the poverty line bears to the total number of such residents in all ,states that submitted approved applications4 7#b7 ,minimum amount ,the allotment for each ,state under this section for a fiscal year shall not be an amount that is less than #j4e percent of the total amount appropriated under section #h for such fiscal year4 7c7 ,federal share ,the ,federal share of the cost of the activities funded under this ,act shall not exceed #hj percent4 ,the non-,federal share of the cost of such activities may be provided in cash or in kind1 fairly evaluated1 including services4 7d7 ,supplement1 not supplant ,funds received by a ,state under a grant under this ,act shall be used to supplement1 and not supplant1 non-,federal funds expended for dual enrollment programs4 #e4 ,application and approval 7a7 ,application ,a ,state desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 ,the application shall-- 7#a7 describe the ,state's proposed program to support dual enrollment programs1 which shall include-- 7,a7 aligning the kindergarten through grade #ab1 higher education1 and career and technical education systems of the ,state to support dual enrollment programs2 7,b7 requiring each local educational agency in the ,state1 or each public institution of higher education that is partnering with a local educational agency pursuant to paragraph 7#b71 to provide a counselor1 advisor1 or advisor working in conjunction with a school counselor1 who specializes in dual enrollment1 to provide high-quality advice to secondary school students and their parents on the dual enrollment program options1 course selection1 and other related issues2 7,c7 ensuring that every public secondary school1 including every public charter school1 in the ,state offers a high-quality dual enrollment program1 and that all secondary school students are informed about1 or engaged in1 the dual enrollment program by grade #aj or an earlier grade2 7,d7 directly addressing participation in dual enrollment programs among low-income students2 7,e7 developing a plan to ensure that pathways are available1 and barriers are removed1 in order to allow secondary school students participating in dual enrollment programs to matriculate to institutions of higher education1 and attain a degree or appropriate certification2 7,f7 developing a system of accountability2 and 7,g7 addressing the problems that students and schools in small communities face with respect to dual enrollment programs1 including the difficulties in providing such students with the opportunity to participate at campuses of institutions of higher education2 7#b7 include an assurance that every local educational agency in the ,state will form a partnership with #a or more #b-year or #d-year degree-granting institutions of higher education to coordinate dual enrollment programs1 under which the institution of higher education-- 7,a7 has the responsibility to administer the dual enrollment program1 with the cooperation of the local educational agency2 and 7,b7 determines the curriculum1 standards1 and instructors to be used in the dual enrollment program2 7#c7 include an assurance that the ,state will align ,state policy to ensure1 to the maximum extent practicable1 credits earned through a dual enrollment program are recognized throughout the system of public higher education of the ,state and count as credits earned for both secondary school graduation and graduation from a public institution of higher education2 7#d7 include an assurance that the ,state will establish a policy to encourage matriculation and credit agreements among local educational agencies and institutions of higher education to encourage low-income students to attain a baccalaureate degree2 7#e7 include an assurance that the ,state will establish a policy to encourage access to dual enrollment courses for as many students as possible and to prevent student disqualification for participation as much as possible1 with eligibility requirements that-- 7,a7 are based on quantifiable1 valid1 and reliable measures of a student's ability to succeed in a postsecondary education course2 7,b7 use a consistent standard of readiness for postsecondary education for all secondary schools and public institutions of higher education in the ,state2 and 7,c7 are consistent with the eligibility standards established by the partner institution of higher education of the dual enrollment program2 7#f7 include an assurance that the ,state will establish policies that-- 7,a7 maximize1 to the extent practicable1 the number of dual enrollment program students who take courses on the campuses of institutions of higher education1 in classrooms with postsecondary education students1 and with professors of the institutions of higher education2 7,b7 in any case where providing courses of the dual enrollment program on a campus of an institution of higher education is not practicable1 ensure that each course of the dual enrollment program that is taught in secondary schools-- 7i7 is developed by the institution of higher education partner2 7ii7 is fully comparable with the courses offered at the campus of the institution of higher education2 7iii7 is augmented with campus experiences when reasonably achievable2 and 7iv7 is taught by an instructor from the partner institution of higher education1 where practicable1 or1 if not practicable1 by an instructor who is selected1 supervised1 and evaluated by the institution of higher education2 and 7,c7 provide that all instructors of dual enrollment program classes are assessed by the partner institution of higher education in the same way that such institutions assess their own faculty2 7#g7 describe how the ,state will incorporate dual enrollment program opportunities with programs and services provided under subpart #b of part ,a of title ,,iv of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#ajgj;a-#ba et seq472 7#h7 include an assurance that the ,state educational agency and the ,state system of public institutions of higher education will develop a plan to increase enrollment in postsecondary education among moderate- or low-income students and populations underrepresented in higher education1 including underrepresented minorities1 throughout the ,state2 7#i7 describe how the ,state will align the ,state's career and technical education policy with dual enrollment programs1 which may include-- 7,a7 establishing flexible pathways1 which are career sequences that begin in secondary school and continue in postsecondary education2 and 7,b7 establishing ,state policies that-- 7i7 broaden access to career and technical education and that provide needed supports to students participating in career and technical education2 and 7ii7 support inclusion of work-based learning in flexible pathways1 as described in subparagraph 7,a72 7#aj7 demonstrate that the ,state has enacted funding models that ensure that local educational agencies and institutions of higher education who participate in dual enrollment programs do not lose per-pupil funding for dually enrolled students2 and 7#aa7 include an assurance that a student's participation in a dual enrollment program shall not negatively impact the student's eligibility for ,state financial assistance for postsecondary education4 7b7 ,approval ,the ,secretary shall approve any application for a ,state program that includes the components described in subsection 7a74 #f4 ,use of funds 7a7 ,in general 7#a7 ,in general ,a ,state receiving a grant under this ,act shall use grant funds to carry out any of the following activities3 7,a7 ,paying for tuition for moderate- to low-income students to take postsecondary-level courses while enrolled in secondary school through a dual enrollment program4 7,b7 ,textbooks1 fees1 and other expenses associated with a student's attendance of a course offered through a dual enrollment program4 7,c7 ,counseling and support services for students and families regarding dual enrollment programs1 including services that will improve the postsecondary education enrollment and program completion rates of students in dual enrollment programs or reduce the postsecondary education costs for such students4 7,d7 ,creation of a credit-bearing1 or noncredit-bearing1 course to ensure that low-income and first generation college students-- 7i7 are prepared for postsecondary education studies to be offered through a dual enrollment program2 and 7ii7 have the requisite academic and nonacademic skills and resources necessary to succeed1 understand expectations1 help navigate the postsecondary education environment1 and be able to advocate for themselves4 7,e7 ,options to encourage participation in dual enrollment programs by students and schools from small communities4 7,f7 ,other activities that support the purposes of this ,act1 as proposed and approved by the ,secretary in the application4 7#b7 ,transportation costs ,a ,state receiving a grant under this ,act that has additional grant funds available after carrying out activities described in paragraph 7#a71 may use such funds to pay for the costs of providing transportation for students in rural areas to participate in dual enrollment programs4 7b7 ,focus areas ,a ,state receiving a grant under this ,act shall focus the activities supported under this section on dual enrollment programs offered through secondary schools in the ,state that-- 7#a7 are located in an area of high poverty2 7#b7 serve a large number or percentage of students from populations underrepresented in higher education2 7#c7 have a high secondary school dropout rate2 7#d7 have a low percentage of graduates who enter postsecondary education2 7#e7 are in a county or region of the ,state with low postsecondary education aspiration and attainment rates2 or 7#f7 are small schools whose academic offerings are limited by scale4 #g4 ,student financial aid eligibility ,the ,secretary shall ensure that-- 7#a7 a student's participation in a dual enrollment program does not negatively impact the student's eligibility for financial assistance under the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja et seq472 and 7#b7 for purposes of part ,c of title ,i1 title ,,iv1 and any other provision1 of such ,act-- 7,a7 students participating in a dual enrollment program are not classified as first-time1 full-time students of the partner institution of higher education of the program during the student's participation2 and 7,b7 in the case of a student who attends a dual enrollment program and then matriculates to an institution of higher education1 the student's first year at such institution shall be considered to be the student's first year of a program of undergraduate education1 regardless of the number of postsecondary credits that the student has previously earned through the dual enrollment program4 #h4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this ,act #aej1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjae and each succeeding fiscal year4