,,ii #aahth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #bhac ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,september #ad1 #bjbc,mr4 ,padilla 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,blumenthal1 ,ms4 ,cortez ,masto1 ,mr4 ,durbin1 ,mrs4 ,feinstein1 ,mr4 ,heinrich1 ,mr4 ,menendez1 ,mr4 ,murphy1 and ,ms4 ,warren7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to promote and support collaboration between ,hispanic-serving institutions and local educational agencies with high enrollments of ,hispanic or ,latino students1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,hispanic ,educational ,resources and ,empowerment ,act of #bjbc4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,hispanics and ,latinos are the largest1 youngest1 and second-fastest growing minority population in the ,united ,states1 accounting for half of the ,nation's population growth between #bjaj and #bjbj4 7#b7 ,while ,hispanics and ,latinos compose #ah percent of the population of the ,united ,states1 they compose #bf percent of the prekindergarten through grade #ab public school student enrollment in the ,united ,states4 7#c7 ,over #c1cjj local educational agencies have #be percent or more ,hispanic and ,latino enrollment and those local educational agencies enroll #gh percent of all prekindergarten through grade #ab ,hispanic and ,latino students in the ,united ,states4 7#d7 ,hispanic and ,latino students face disparities in educational outcomes1 including lower grades1 lower scores on standardized tests1 and higher dropout rates4 7#e7 ,hispanic and ,latino students tend to face greater barriers once in college than their non-,hispanic and ,latino peers4 ,seventy percent of ,hispanic and ,latino college students are first-generation college students and nearly half of ,hispanic and ,latino college students are eligible to receive a ,federal ,pell ,grant4 7#f7 ,hispanics and ,latinos have less access to enrolling in1 or graduating from1 institutions of higher education4 7#g7 ,more ,hispanics and ,latinos are going to college than ever before1 but only slightly more than half of the ,hispanic and ,latino students who enroll earn a bachelor's degree4 7#h7 ,hispanics and ,latinos lag behind non-,hispanic ,whites1 ,blacks1 and ,asian ,american and ,native ,american ,pacific ,islanders in educational attainment of high school diplomas1 associate's degrees1 and bachelor's degrees4 7#i7 ,in #bjai1 the median weekly earnings among high school graduates with no postsecondary degree were lower than such earnings for individuals holding associate's degrees by #abc1 and for individuals holding bachelor's degrees by #fce4 ,given this information1 and the growth in the ,hispanic and ,latino population relative to the nearly stagnant population growth of the ,nation as a whole1 gains in ,hispanic and ,latino educational attainment are crucial to economic gains for the ,united ,states4 7#aj7 ,hispanics and ,latinos are an increasingly vital component of the workforce of the ,united ,states4 ,the number of ,hispanics and ,latinos in the labor force is expected to grow by approximately #f1ijj1jjj between #bjbj and #bjcj4 7#aa7 ,to help ensure that the ,united ,states is prepared to meet the needs of its changing workforce1 ,hispanics and ,latinos and the institutions that enroll them most1 ,hispanic-serving institutions1 must be afforded the resources and support necessary to close the achievement and opportunity gaps4 #c4 ,collaboration between ,hispanic-serving institutions and local educational agencies ,title ,v of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following new part3 ,d ,collaboration between ,hispanic-serving institutions and local educational agencies with high enrollments of ,hispanic or ,latino students #eca4 ,purposes ,the purposes of this part are-- 7#a7 to promote and support opportunities for academic alliances and collaborative partnerships between ,hispanic-serving institutions and local educational agencies with high enrollments of ,hispanic or ,latino students for the purpose of improving postsecondary educational attainment of ,hispanic and ,latino students2 and 7#b7 to expand and enhance the course offerings1 program quality1 and overall functionality of the colleges1 universities1 and local educational agencies that educate the majority of ,hispanic and ,latino students4 #ecb4 ,program authority1 application1 and eligibility 7a7 ,program authority ,subject to the availability of funds appropriated to carry out this part1 the ,secretary shall award grants1 on a competitive basis1 to ,hispanic-serving institutions serving as grant recipient and fiscal agent for an eligible entity1 to enable the eligible entity to carry out activities described under section #ecc to improve and expand the capacity to develop innovative collaboration agreements between local educational agencies and institutions of higher education to better serve ,hispanic and ,latino students4 7b7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means a partnership that-- 7#a7 shall include-- 7,a7 one or more ,hispanic-serving institutions1 one of which shall serve as the grant recipient and fiscal agent for the eligible entity2 and 7,b7 one or more local educational agencies with high enrollments of ,hispanic or ,latino students2 and 7#b7 may include-- 7,a7 one or more emerging ,hispanic-serving institutions2 7,b7 one or more local educational agencies with high enrollments of ,hispanic or ,latino students2 and 7,c7 one or more nonprofit or community-based organizations1 or public or private nonprofit entities with a demonstrated record of success in implementing activities similar to the activities authorized under section #ecc4 7c7 ,application ,an eligible entity that desires to receive a grant under this part shall-- 7#a7 designate a ,hispanic-serving institution that is a member of the eligible entity to serve as the grant applicant1 grant recipient1 and fiscal agent for the eligible entity2 and 7#b7 through such designated ,hispanic-serving institution1 submit an application to the ,secretary at such time1 in such manner1 and accompanied by such information as the ,secretary may require under part ,c and this part4 #ecc4 ,authorized activities ,an eligible entity that receives a grant under this part shall use the grant funds for #a or more of the following activities to support eligible students3 7#a7 ,creating a college-bound culture among students1 which may include activities to promote the early exposure of such students and their families to the opportunities and requirements of postsecondary education1 and other evidence-based services1 including services determined to have proven positive outcomes by the ,what ,works ,clearinghouse maintained by the ,institute of ,education ,sciences4 7#b7 ,improvements to school-based and institutional practices to prepare students for postsecondary education1 and provide high quality postsecondary supports when necessary1 which may include-- 7,a7 aligning high school coursework and high school graduation requirements with the requirements for entrance into credit-bearing coursework at #d-year institutions of higher education1 including ,hispanic-serving institutions2 7,b7 early identification and support for students at risk of not graduating from high school within #d years1 or at risk of requiring remediation upon enrolling in postsecondary education2 7,c7 developing and implementing pathways to postsecondary education that-- 7i7 provide students with advanced coursework and result in a recognized postsecondary credential1 as defined in section #c of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cajb72 or 7ii7 integrate rigorous and challenging career and technical education1 work-based learning1 and advanced coursework or other academic instruction aligned with the challenging ,state academic standards adopted by the ,state in which the eligible entity is located under section #aaaa7;b77#a7 of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #fcaa7;b77#a772 7,d7 co-requisite courses2 7,e7 technology-enhanced diagnostics and delivery of remedial education2 7,f7 use of multiple measures by institutions of higher education for the purposes of placement2 7,g7 analysis of a given placement approach and how the approach affected equity2 7,h7 faculty development to ensure effective instruction2 and 7,i7 practices to teach college success skills4 7#c7 ,support for students for high school completion and transition to postsecondary education1 which may include-- 7,a7 assistance with the college application process2 7,b7 assistance with applying for financial aid2 and 7,c7 assistance with selecting institutions of higher education to which a student should apply based on the needs and attributes of the student1 available degree programs1 and outcomes of the institutions4 7#d7 ,addressing non-academic needs that are barriers to college enrollment1 persistence1 and completion for students1 which may include-- 7,a7 activities to address the comprehensive needs of students1 including child care1 housing and food insecurity1 finances1 health issues1 and transportation2 and 7,b7 activities to promote a positive campus climate at institutions of higher education and to increase the sense of belonging among students1 including through first year support programs such as mentoring and peer networks and advisories4 7#e7 ,developing and offering grow your own programs that encourage students to pursue careers in education and that provide pathways to meet applicable certification and licensure requirements in the ,state such program is operating in1 including any requirements for certification obtained through alternative routes to certification1 which may include-- 7,a7 opportunities for students to take dual credit courses in education1 where such courses align with the regular high school diploma 7as defined in section #haja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife7 and count for credit at the institution of higher education2 7,b7 opportunities for students to engage in work-based learning opportunities in the field of education2 7,c7 experiential learning that supports the success of students and increases students' interest in pursuing a teaching career2 7,d7 providing direct supports1 including wrap-around services1 for students to enroll and be successful in postsecondary enrollment options for courses that would meet degree requirements for teacher licensure2 and 7,e7 scholarships to students who have completed a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent to enroll in teacher preparation programs4 #ecd4 ,reporting ,each eligible entity receiving a grant under this part shall1 through the ,hispanic-serving institution designated under section #ecb7;b71 submit to the ,secretary1 at the end of each grant period1 a report that includes information the ,secretary may require4 ,such report shall include information on the outcomes of the activities carried out by the eligible entity1 before and after such activities were funded under this part1 on the number and percentage of students entering1 persisting1 and completing postsecondary education4 ,such information shall be disaggregated to measure the specific impact on economically disadvantaged students1 students from each major racial and ethnic group1 students with disabilities1 ,english learners1 students of different genders1 and migrant students4 #ece4 ,technical assistance and evaluation 7a7 ,reservations ,from the total amount appropriated for this part under section #ebh7;a7 for a fiscal year1 the ,secretary shall reserve not more than the lesser of #e percent or #e1jjj1jjj for-- 7#a7 providing technical assistance to eligible entities1 directly or through grants1 contracts1 or cooperative agreements1 by qualified experts on using practices grounded in evidence to improve the outcomes of programs funded under this part2 and 7#b7 conducting the evaluation described in subsection 7b74 7b7 ,evaluation ,the ,secretary1 in partnership with the ,director of the ,institute of ,education ,sciences1 shall contract with a third party to conduct an independent evaluation of the activities funded under this part4 ,such evaluation shall include the impact of the policies and services resulting from such activities on the number and percentage of students entering1 persisting1 and completing postsecondary education4 ,the data collected by such evaluation shall be disaggregated to measure the specific impact on economically disadvantaged students1 students from each major racial and ethnic group1 students with disabilities1 ,english learners1 students of different genders1 and migrant students4 #ecf4 ,definitions ,in this part3 7#a7 ,advanced coursework ,the term advanced coursework means coursework designed for students to earn postsecondary credit upon successful completion of the coursework while still in secondary school1 such as ,advanced ,placement1 ,international ,baccalaureate1 dual or concurrent enrollment programs1 and early college high school programs4 7#b7 ,co-requisite courses ,the term co-requisite courses means courses designed for students at institutions of higher education that combine credit-bearing postsecondary-level coursework with supplemental instruction or additional academic support4 7#c7 ,dual or concurrent enrollment program ,the term dual or concurrent enrollment program has the meaning given the term in section #haja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja74 7#d7 ,early college high school ,the term early college high school has the meaning given the term in section #haja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja74 7#e7 ,eligible student ,the term eligible student means-- 7,a7 any student who is enrolled or eligible to enroll in a secondary school that is served by a local educational agency with high enrollments of ,hispanic or ,latino students2 and 7,b7 any student who is enrolled or has been accepted for enrollment at a ,hispanic-serving institution or an emerging ,hispanic-serving institution4 7#f7 ,emerging ,hispanic-serving institution ,the term emerging ,hispanic-serving institution means an institution of higher education that-- 7,a7 is an eligible institution1 as defined in section #ejb2 and 7,b7 has an enrollment of undergraduate full-time equivalent students that is at least #ae percent but less than #be percent ,hispanic students at the end of the award year immediately preceding the date of the application for a grant under this part4 7#g7 ,local educational agency with high enrollments of hispanic or latino students ,the term local educational agency with high enrollments of ,hispanic or ,latino students means a local educational agency-- 7,a7 in which at least #be percent of the students served by the local educational agency are ,hispanic or ,latino students1 as determined by the enrollment data of the local educational agency no later than the date by which student membership data is collected annually by ,state educational agencies for submission to the ,national ,center for ,education ,statistics under section #aec of the ,education ,sciences ,reform ,act of #bjjb 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #iedc72 and 7,b7 in which at least #ej percent of the students served by the local educational agency meet a measure of poverty described in section #aaac7;a77#e7 of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #fcac7;a77#e774 4 #d4 ,authorization of appropriations ,section #ebh7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #aajc;g7a77 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#c7 ,part ,d ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out part ,d #aej1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbd and such sums as may be necessary for each of the #e succeeding fiscal years4 4