,,ii #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #afab ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,may #bb1 #bjai,ms4 ,duckworth 7for herself1 ,mrs4 ,feinstein1 ,mr4 ,durbin1 ,mrs4 ,shaheen1 ,mr4 ,van ,hollen1 and ,ms4 ,smith7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife to support community college and industry partnerships1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,community ,college to ,career ,fund in ,higher ,education ,act4 #b4 ,community college to career fund ,title ,,viii of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #aafa;a et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 ,,bb ,community ,college to ,career ,fund #hii4 ,community college and industry partnerships grant program 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,,wioa definitions ,the terms career pathway1 integrated education and training1 individual with a barrier to employment1 industry or sector partnership1 and in-demand industry sector or occupation have the meanings given to such terms in section #c of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cajb74 7#b7 ,community college ,the term community college means a public institution of higher education at which the highest degree that is predominantly awarded to students is an associate's degree1 including #b-year ,tribal ,colleges or ,universities1 as defined in section #caf1 and public #b-year institutions of higher education4 7#c7 ,education and workforce training program ,the term education and workforce training program-- 7,a7 means a career pathway program1 or a program that utilizes integrated education and training strategies1 that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential2 and 7,b7 includes a registered apprenticeship program1 on-the-job training program1 or paid internship1 if the program or internship meets the requirements of subparagraph 7,a74 7#d7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means an institution of higher education1 or a consortium of institutions of higher education1 that-- 7,a7 is part of an industry or sector partnership1 or is working directly with an industry or sector partnership for purposes of a grant under this section2 and 7,b7 may1 for purposes of a grant under this section and in addition to the industry or sector partnership1 partner with one or more of the following3 7i7 ,an eligible provider1 as defined in section #bjc of the ,adult ,education and ,family ,literacy ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cbgb74 7ii7 ,an institution of higher education1 as defined in section #aja4 7iii7 ,an elementary school or secondary school1 as such terms are defined in section #haja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife4 7iv7 ,any other entity that the ,secretaries consider appropriate4 7#e7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education-- 7,a7 means-- 7i7 a community college2 or 7ii7 a #d-year public institution of higher education 7as defined in section #aja7;a77 or a ,tribal ,college or ,university 7as defined in section #caf7;b77 that-- 7,i7 offers an associate degree2 and 7,,ii7 will use funds provided under this section for education and workforce training programs or activities for courses of study that culminate with a recognized postsecondary credential1 and not for courses of study culminating in a baccalaureate or advanced degree2 and 7,b7 includes institutions described in subparagraph 7,a7 that are located in the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 ,guam1 the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 ,american ,samoa1 the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands1 the ,republic of the ,marshall ,islands1 the ,federated ,states of ,micronesia1 or the ,republic of ,palau4 7#f7 ,recognized postsecondary credential ,the term recognized postsecondary credential means a credential consisting of an industry-recognized certificate or certification1 a certificate of completion of an apprenticeship1 a license recognized by the ,state involved or ,federal ,government1 or an associate degree4 7#g7 ,secretaries ,the term ,secretaries means the ,secretary of ,education and the ,secretary of ,labor1 acting jointly in accordance with the interagency agreement described in subsection 7h74 7b7 ,grants authorized 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than the last day of the first full fiscal year following the date of enactment of the ,community ,college to ,career ,fund in ,higher ,education ,act and from funds appropriated under subsection 7g71 the ,secretaries shall award competitive grants to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to carry out education and workforce training programs or activities described in subsection 7e74 7#b7 ,duration of grants ,a grants awarded under this section shall be for a period of not more than #e years1 subject to subsection 7f77#c74 7c7 ,application ,an eligible entity desiring a grant under this section shall submit to the ,secretaries an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretaries determine is required4 ,the application shall contain-- 7#a7 a grant proposal for each education and workforce training program or activity to be supported under the grant that includes a detailed description of-- 7,a7 the specific education and workforce training program or activity that will be supported1 and the quality of the program or activity2 7,b7 the extent to which the program or activity aligns with-- 7i7 an overall strategic plan developed by the eligible entity in collaboration with an industry sector partnership and1 if applicable1 other partner organizations2 7ii7 a statewide or regional workforce development strategy1 including strategies established under the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cbja et seq47 and the ,carl ,d4 ,perkins ,career and ,technical ,education ,act of #bjjf2 and 7iii7 in-demand industry sectors or occupations2 7,c7 quantitative data and evidence that demonstrates the extent to which the program or activity to be supported will meet the needs of employers in the area for skilled workers in in-demand industry sectors or occupations2 7,d7 the extent to which the program or activity to be supported will meet the needs of students in the area2 7,e7 how the program or activity to be supported meets the criteria established under subsection 7d71 including the manner in which the grant will be used to develop1 offer1 improve1 or provide the program or activity2 and 7,f7 any previous experience of the eligible entity in providing education and workforce training programs or activities1 the absence of which shall not automatically disqualify an eligible entity from receiving a grant under this section2 and 7#b7 7,a7 a detailed description of how the eligible entity will ensure that any education and workforce training programs or activities supported under the grant will meet the performance measures described in subsection 7f72 and 7,b7 an assurance that the entity will annually submit to the ,secretaries information on the performance of each education and workforce training program or activity supported under the grant1 in the context of the performance measures described in subsection 7f74 7d7 ,criteria for award 7#a7 ,in general ,grants under this section shall be awarded based on criteria established by the ,secretaries that shall include1 at a minimum1 the following3 7,a7 ,a determination of the merits of the grant proposal submitted by the eligible entity to develop1 offer1 improve1 or provide an education and workforce training program or activity to be made available to students4 7,b7 ,an assessment of the likely employment opportunities available in the area to individuals who complete an education and workforce training program or activity that the eligible entity proposes to develop1 offer1 improve or provide under the grant1 based on ,state or local labor market data4 7#b7 ,priority ,in awarding grants under this section1 the ,secretaries shall give priority to eligible entities that-- 7,a7 are working with an industry or sector partnership that prioritizes facilitating the hiring of individuals who have obtained a recognized postsecondary credential from the education and workforce training programs or activities offered by the eligible entity2 7,b7 are focused on serving individuals with barriers to employment1 veterans1 spouses of members of the ,armed ,forces1 or incumbent workers who are low-skilled and who need to increase their employability skills2 7,c7 serve areas with high unemployment rates2 or 7,d7 commit to increasing access to education and workforce training programs or activities that meet the needs of employers in in-demand industry sectors or occupations4 7e7 ,use of funds ,an eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall use grant funds for one or more of the following3 7#a7 ,the development1 offering1 improvement1 or provision of one or more education and workforce training programs or activities leading to recognized postsecondary credentials that will meet the needs of employers in in-demand industry sectors or occupations4 7#b7 ,the development and implementation of policies1 programs1 or activities that expand opportunities for students to earn a recognized postsecondary credential in in-demand industry sectors or occupations1 including by-- 7,a7 facilitating the transfer of academic credits between institutions of higher education 7as defined in section #aja71 including the transfer of academic credits for courses in the same field or program of study2 7,b7 expanding articulation agreements and policies that guarantee transfers between such institutions1 including through common course numbering and use of general core curriculum2 7,c7 developing or enhancing student support service programs or activities2 and 7,d7 establishing policies and processes for assessing and awarding postsecondary credit for work-related learning or work-based learning 7as defined in section #c of the ,carl ,d4 ,perkins ,career and ,technical ,education ,act of #bjjf74 7#c7 ,the creation or alignment of career pathways that provide a sequence of education and occupational training that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential1 including programs or activities that-- 7,a7 blend basic skills and occupational training2 7,b7 facilitate means of transitioning participants from noncredit occupational1 basic skills1 or developmental coursework to for-credit coursework within and across institutions2 7,c7 build or enhance linkages between secondary education or adult education and literacy programs 7including those programs established under the ,carl ,d4 ,perkins ,career and ,technical ,education ,act of #bjjf or the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cbja et seq477 and postsecondary institutions1 including the development of dual or concurrent enrollment programs2 or 7,d7 are designed to increase the provision of workforce training for students1 including students who are members of the ,armed ,forces 7including members of the ,national ,guard or ,reserves7 and veterans1 in order to facilitate their entry into high-skill1 high-wage jobs or in-demand industry sectors or occupations4 7f7 ,performance measures 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretaries shall establish performance measures for the education and workforce training programs and activities supported under this section1 which shall consist of-- 7,a7 the primary indicators of performance1 as described in section #aaf7;b77#b77;,a77i7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cada7;b77#b77;,a77i772 and 7,b7 a level of performance for each indicator described in subparagraph 7,a74 7#b7 ,monitoring progress ,the ,secretaries shall-- 7,a7 monitor the progress of eligible entities that receive grants under this section to ensure their education and workforce training programs or activities supported under this section meet the performance measures established under paragraph 7#a72 and 7,b7 annually publish a report regarding the progress of such programs or activities in meeting the performance measures1 including the results for each performance measure disaggregated by-- 7i7 race and ethnicity2 7ii7 age intervals2 7iii7 gender2 and 7iv7 ,federal ,pell ,grant recipient status4 7#c7 ,satisfactory progress ,the ,secretaries shall not continue to provide funds under a grant under this section after the third year of the grant period unless the eligible entity has achieved satisfactory progress toward meeting the levels of performance on the performance measures1 as determined by the ,secretaries4 7g7 ,authorization of appropriations 7#a7 ,in general ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary4 7#b7 ,administrative cost ,not more than #e percent of the amounts made available under paragraph 7#a7 for a fiscal year may be used by the ,secretaries for the ,federal administration of the program under this section1 including providing technical assistance and carrying out evaluations4 7#c7 ,period of availability ,funds appropriated under paragraph 7#a7 for a fiscal year shall remain available for obligation for that fiscal year and the succeeding #d fiscal years4 7h7 ,interagency agreement ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of the ,community ,college to ,career ,fund in ,higher ,education ,act1 the ,secretaries shall enter into a formal interagency agreement establishing the terms by which the ,secretaries shall jointly administer the program under this section4 4