,,ii #aahth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #dehj ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,june #ah1 #bjbd ,mr4 ,warnock 7for himself and ,mr4 ,braun7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to establish1 improve1 or expand high-quality workforce development programs at community colleges1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,pathways to ,prosperity ,act4 #b4 ,strengthening community colleges grant program ,subtitle ,d of title ,i of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cbba et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating section #agb as section #agc2 and 7#b7 by inserting after section #aga the following3 #agb4 ,strengthening community colleges workforce development grants program 7a7 ,purposes ,the purposes of this section are-- 7#a7 to establish1 improve1 or expand high-quality workforce development programs at community colleges2 7#b7 to expand opportunities for individuals to obtain recognized postsecondary credentials that are nationally or regionally portable and stackable for in-demand industry sectors or occupations2 7#c7 to better align high-quality workforce development programs at community colleges with local industry needs and in-demand industry sectors or occupations2 and 7#d7 to strengthen partnerships between employers in in-demand industry sectors or occupations and community colleges for the purpose of ensuring high-quality workforce development curriculums4 7b7 ,strengthening community colleges workforce development grants program 7#a7 ,in general ,from the amounts appropriated to carry out this section under section #agc7;e7 and not reserved under paragraph 7#b71 the ,secretary shall1 on a competitive basis1 award grants to eligible institutions1 to work with eligible partnerships to carry out the activities described in subsection 7e74 7#b7 ,reservation ,of the amounts appropriated to carry out this section under section #agc7;e71 the ,secretary may reserve not more than #b percent for the administration of grants awarded under this section1 including-- 7,a7 providing technical assistance and targeted outreach to support eligible institutions serving a high number or high percentage of low-income individuals or individuals with barriers to employment1 and rural-serving eligible institutions1 to provide guidance and assistance in the process of applying for grants under this section2 and 7,b7 evaluating and reporting on the performance and impact of programs funded under this section in accordance with subsections 7f7 through 7h74 7c7 ,award period 7#a7 ,initial grant period ,each grant awarded under this section shall be awarded for an initial period of not more than #d years4 7#b7 ,subsequent grants ,an eligible institution that receives an initial grant under this section may receive one or more additional grants under this section1 for additional periods of not more than #d years each1 if the eligible institution demonstrates that1 during the most recently completed grant period for a grant received under this section1 the institution's eligible partnership achieved the levels of performance established under subsection 7f7 with respect to the indicators of performance specified in subsection 7f74 7d7 ,application 7#a7 ,in general ,to be eligible to receive a grant under this section1 an eligible institution shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time and in such manner as the ,secretary may require4 7#b7 ,contents ,an application submitted by an eligible institution under paragraph 7#a7 shall include a description of each the following3 7,a7 ,the extent to which the eligible institution has demonstrated success building partnerships with local employers in in-demand industry sectors or occupations to carry out activities to provide students with the skills needed for such occupations or occupations in such industry sectors and an explanation of the results of any such partnership activities4 7,b7 ,the methods and strategies the eligible institution will use to engage with employers in in-demand industry sectors or occupations1 including any arrangements the institution will make to place individuals who complete the workforce development program supported by the grant into employment with such employers4 7,c7 ,the proposed eligible partnership that the eligible institution will establish and maintain to comply with subsection 7e77#a7 7referred to in this section as an eligible partnership71 including-- 7i7 the roles and responsibilities 7including serving as a provider71 determined by the eligible institution1 of each employer1 organization1 agency1 or institution of higher education that the eligible institution will partner with to carry out the activities under this section2 and 7ii7 the needs that will be addressed by such eligible partnership4 7,d7 ,one or more industry sectors or occupations that such partnership will target and real-time labor market data demonstrating that those sectors or occupations are aligned with employer demand in the geographic area to be served by the eligible institution4 7,e7 ,information that consists of-- 7i7 a description of the extent to which the eligible institution will leverage additional resources to support the program to be funded with the grant1 and an assurance that the eligible institution will obtain a written commitment for any leveraged funds 7such as matching funds7 for the program2 7ii7 information demonstrating the future sustainability of such program2 and 7iii7 a description of any investments or matching funds provided by employers participating in the eligible partnerships4 7,f7 ,the steps the institution will take to ensure the high quality of the program to be funded with the grant1 including the career pathways within such program4 7,g7 ,the population and geographic area to be served by the eligible institution1 including the number of individuals the eligible institution intends to serve during the grant period4 7,h7 ,the workforce development program to be supported by the grant4 7,i7 ,the recognized postsecondary credential that is expected to be earned by participants in such workforce development program and the related in-demand industry sector or occupation for which such program will prepare participants4 7,j7 ,the evidence upon which the education and skills development strategies to be used in such workforce development program are based and an explanation of how such evidence influenced the design of the program to improve education and employment outcomes4 7,k7 ,how activities of the eligible institution and its eligible partnership carried out through the program are expected to align with the workforce strategies identified in-- 7i7 any ,state plan or local plan submitted under this ,act by the ,state1 outlying area1 or locality in which the eligible institution is expected to operate2 7ii7 any ,state plan submitted under section #abb of the ,carl ,d4 ,perkins ,career and ,technical ,education ,act of #bjjf 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #bcdb7 by such ,state or outlying area2 and 7iii7 any economic development plan of the chief executive of such ,state or outlying area4 7,l7 ,the expected measures of the eligible institution1 for the eligible partnership1 with respect to-- 7i7 a capacity building indicator 7as described in subsection 7f77#a77;,b772 and 7ii7 the expected levels of performance of individuals participating in the program to be offered by the eligible institution1 with respect to any indicators of performance applicable under subsection 7f74 7,m7 ,in the case of an eligible institution proposing a workforce development program that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential described in subsection 7e77#b77;,c77i71 the information described in subclauses 7,i7 through 7,,vi7 of subsection 7e77#b77;,c77i74 7,n7 ,how the eligible institution will keep tuition and other costs of attendance 7as described in subsection 7e77#c77;,d77 low or affordable for students who are participants4 7,o7 ,how the eligible institution will work with employers and industry partners in an eligible partnership to design curricula and training programs aligned to industry needs for the workforce development programs4 7#c7 ,consideration of previous experience ,the ,secretary may not disqualify an eligible institution from receiving a grant under this section solely because such institution lacks previous experience in building partnerships1 as described in paragraph 7#b77;,a74 7#d7 ,priority ,in awarding grants under this section1 the ,secretary shall give priority to eligible institutions that-- 7,a7 will use such a grant to serve-- 7i7 individuals with barriers to employment2 or 7ii7 incumbent workers who need to gain or improve foundational skills to enhance their employability2 7,b7 use competency-based assessments1 such as the covered assessment identified by the ,state in which the eligible institution is located1 to award academic credit for prior learning for the program supported by the grant2 or 7,c7 have1 or will seek to have1 the provider of the career education program within the program supported by the grant included on the list of eligible providers of training services under section #abb7;d7 for the ,state in which the eligible institution is located4 7e7 ,uses of funds 7#a7 ,eligible partnership ,for the purpose of carrying out the activities specified in paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c71 an eligible institution that receives a grant under this section shall establish a partnership 7including continuing an existing partnership7 that shall include one or more employers in an in-demand industry sector or occupation and may include other organizations1 agencies1 or institutions of higher education4 ,the eligible institution shall maintain such eligible partnership for the duration of the grant period4 ,the eligible institution shall ensure that the partnership1 in carrying out its roles and responsibilities under subsection 7d77#b77;,c7 for the program under the grant-- 7,a7 targets one or more specific in-demand industry sectors or occupations2 7,b7 carries out activities that include collaboration with the workforce development system2 7,c7 serves adult and dislocated workers1 incumbent workers1 and new entrants to the workforce2 7,d7 uses an evidence-based program design that is appropriate for the activities carried out by the partnership2 7,e7 incorporates work-based learning opportunities1 as defined in section #c of the ,carl ,d4 ,perkins ,career and ,technical ,education ,act of #bjjf 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #bcjb72 and 7,f7 incorporates1 to the extent appropriate1 virtual service delivery to facilitate technology-enabled learning4 7#b7 ,required activities ,an eligible institution that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds1 in consultation with the employers in the eligible partnership described in paragraph 7#a71 to-- 7,a7 establish1 improve1 or expand a high-quality1 evidence-based workforce development program1 such as a career pathway program1 or work-based learning program 7including apprenticeship programs or pre-apprenticeships72 7,b7 provide career services to individuals participating in the program funded with the grant to facilitate retention and program completion1 which may include-- 7i7 career navigation1 coaching1 mentorship1 and case management services1 including providing information and outreach to individuals with barriers to employment to encourage such individuals to participate in the program funded with the grant2 and 7ii7 providing access to course materials1 technological devices1 required equipment1 and other supports necessary for participation in and successful completion of such program2 and 7,c7 make available1 in a format that is open1 searchable1 and easily comparable1 information on-- 7i7 curricula and recognized postsecondary credentials offered through the program funded with the grant1 including any curricula or credentials created or further developed using such grant1 which for each recognized postsecondary credential shall include-- 7,i7 the issuing entity of such credential2 7,,ii7 any third-party endorsement of such credential2 7,,iii7 the occupations for which the credential prepares individuals2 7,,iv7 the skills and competencies necessary to achieve to earn such credential2 7,v7 the level of mastery of such skills and competencies 7including how mastery necessary to achieve to earn such credential is assessed72 and 7,,vi7 any transfer value or stackability of the credential2 7ii7 any skills or competencies developed by individuals who participate in such program beyond the skills and competencies identified as necessary to earn such credential2 and 7iii7 related employment and earnings outcomes on the primary indicators of performance described in subclauses 7,i7 through 7,,iii7 of section #aaf7;b77#b77;,a77i74 7#c7 ,additional activities ,in addition to the activities required under paragraph 7#b71 an eligible institution that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds1 in consultation with the employers in the eligible partnership described in paragraph 7#a71 to carry out one or more of the following activities3 7,a7 ,establish1 improve1 or expand for the workforce development program carried out under the grant-- 7i7 articulation agreements 7as defined in section #dhf;,a7a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajic;a7a7772 7ii7 credit transfer agreements2 7iii7 a corequisite remediation program that enables a student to receive remedial education services while enrolled in a postsecondary course rather than requiring the student to receive remedial education before enrolling in a such a course2 7iv7 a dual or concurrent enrollment program2 7v7 competency-based education and assessment2 or 7vi7 policies and processes to award academic credit for prior learning or for a program described in paragraph 7#b77;,a74 7,b7 ,establish or implement plans for providers of the program described in paragraph 7#b77;,a7 to meet the criteria and information requirements and carry out the procedures necessary to be included on the eligible training services provider list described in section #abb7;d71 to provide training services through the program4 7,c7 ,purchase1 lease1 or refurbish specialized equipment as necessary to carry out such program1 except that not more than #ae percent of the funds awarded to the eligible institution under this section may be used for activities described in this subparagraph4 7,d7 ,reduce or eliminate unmet financial need relating to the cost of attendance 7as defined under section #dgb of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhgll77 of participants in such program4 7#d7 ,administrative cost limit ,an eligible institution may use not more than #g percent of the funds awarded to the institution under this section for administrative costs1 including costs related to collecting information1 analysis1 and coordination for purposes of subsection 7f74 7f7 ,performance levels and performance reviews 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall develop and implement guidance that establishes the levels of performance that are expected to be achieved by the eligible partnership established or maintained by the eligible institution under subsection 7e77#a7 receiving a grant under this section4 ,such levels of performance shall be established on the following indicators of performance3 7,a7 ,each of the primary indicators of performance for adults described in section #aaf7;b71 which shall be applied for all individuals who participate in a program that receives funding from a grant under this section4 7,b7 ,an indicator for the extent to which the eligible partnership built capacity by-- 7i7 increasing the breadth and depth of employer engagement and investment in a workforce development program in the in-demand industry sector or occupation targeted by the eligible partnership2 7ii7 designing or implementing new and accelerated instructional techniques or technologies1 including the use of advanced online and technology-enabled learning 7such as learning through immersive technology72 and 7iii7 increasing program and policy alignment across systems and decreasing duplicative services or service gaps4 7,c7 ,indicators1 with respect to individuals who participated in the workforce development program funded with the grant1 for-- 7i7 the percentage of participants who successfully completed the program2 and 7ii7 of the participants who were incumbent workers at the time of enrollment in the program1 the percentage who advanced into higher-level positions during or after completing the program4 7#b7 ,consultation and determination of performance levels 7,a7 ,consideration ,in developing levels of performance for the indicators of performance described in paragraph 7#a7 in accordance with paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall take into consideration the expected measures of the eligible institution pursuant to subsection 7d77#b77,l74 7,b7 ,determination ,after completing the consideration required under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,secretary shall separately determine the levels of performance that will apply to each eligible partnership for the indicators1 taking into account-- 7i7 the expected levels of performance of the corresponding eligible institution with respect to the expected measures described by the eligible institution pursuant to subsection 7d77#b77,l72 and 7ii7 local economic conditions in the geographic area to be served by the eligible institution1 including differences in unemployment rates and job losses or gains in particular industry sectors or occupations4 7,c7 ,notice and acknowledgment 7i7 ,notice ,the ,secretary shall provide each eligible institution with a written notification that sets forth the levels of performance that will apply to the eligible partnership on the indicators as determined under subparagraph 7,b74 7ii7 ,acknowledgment ,after receiving the notification described in clause 7i71 each eligible institution shall submit to the ,secretary written confirmation that the eligible institution-- 7,i7 received the notification2 and 7,,ii7 agrees that the eligible partnership shall be evaluated in accordance with the levels of performance determined by the ,secretary4 7#c7 ,performance reviews ,on an annual basis during each year of the grant period1 the ,secretary shall evaluate the performance on the indicators of performance during such year of the eligible partnership of each eligible institution receiving a grant under this section in a manner consistent with the levels of performance determined for such partnership pursuant to paragraph 7#b74 7#d7 ,failure to meet performance levels ,after conducting an evaluation under paragraph 7#c71 if the ,secretary determines that an eligible partnership did not achieve the levels of performance applicable to the eligible partnership under paragraph 7#b71 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 provide technical assistance to the eligible partnership2 and 7,b7 develop a performance improvement plan for the eligible partnership4 7g7 ,evaluations and reports 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #d years after the date on which the first grant is awarded under this section1 the ,secretary shall design and conduct an evaluation to determine the overall effectiveness of the eligible partnerships of eligible institutions receiving grants under this section4 7#b7 ,elements ,the evaluation of the effectiveness of eligible partnerships conducted under paragraph 7#a7 shall include an assessment of the general effectiveness of programs and activities supported by the grants awarded to the corresponding eligible institutions under this section1 including the extent to which the eligible partnerships1 through the programs and activities-- 7,a7 developed new1 or expanded existing1 successful industry sector or occupation strategies1 including the extent to which such eligible partnerships deepened employer engagement in workforce development programs1 and developed such programs that met industry skill needs2 7,b7 created1 expanded1 or enhanced career pathways1 including the extent to which the eligible partnerships developed or improved provision of competency-based assessment and education1 credit for prior learning1 modularized and self-paced curricula1 integrated education and workforce development1 dual enrollment in secondary and postsecondary career pathways1 stacked and latticed credentials1 and online and distance learning2 7,c7 created alignment between eligible institutions and the workforce development system2 7,d7 assisted individuals with finding1 retaining1 or advancing in employment2 7,e7 assisted individuals with earning recognized postsecondary credentials2 and 7,f7 provided equal access to various demographic groups1 including people of different geographic locations1 ages1 races1 national origins1 and sexes4 7#c7 ,design requirements ,the evaluation under this subsection shall-- 7,a7 be designed by the ,secretary 7acting through the ,chief ,evaluation ,officer7 in conjunction with the eligible partnerships being evaluated2 7,b7 include analysis of program participant feedback and include outcome and process measures2 and 7,c7 use designs that employ the most rigorous analytical and statistical methods that are reasonably feasible1 such as the use of control groups4 7#d7 ,data accessibility ,the ,secretary shall make available on a publicly accessible website of the ,department of ,labor data collected as part of the evaluation under this subsection4 ,such data shall be made available in an aggregated format that does not reveal personally identifiable information and that ensures compliance with relevant ,federal laws1 including section #ddd of the ,general ,education ,provisions ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #abcb;g71 which shall be applied as if the programs described in this section are applicable programs under that section4 7#e7 ,publication and reporting of evaluation findings ,the ,secretary 7acting through the ,chief ,evaluation ,officer7 shall-- 7,a7 in accordance with the timeline determined to be appropriate by the ,chief ,evaluation ,officer1 publish an interim report on the preliminary results of the evaluation conducted under this subsection2 7,b7 not later than #fj days after the date on which the evaluation is completed under this subsection1 submit to the ,committee on ,education and the ,workforce of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate a report on such evaluation2 and 7,c7 not later than #ij days after such completion date1 publish and make the results of such evaluation available on a publicly accessible website of the ,department of ,labor4 7h7 ,annual reports ,the ,secretary shall make available on a publicly accessible website of the ,department of ,labor1 in transparent1 linked1 open1 and interoperable data formats1 information on each of the following3 7#a7 ,the performance of eligible partnerships on the indicators of performance set forth under subparagraphs 7,a71 7,b71 and 7,c7 of subsection 7f77#a74 7#b7 ,the number of individuals enrolled in workforce development programs funded with a grant under this section4 7i7 ,supplement not supplant ,funds made available to carry out this section shall be used to supplement1 and not supplant1 other ,federal1 ,state1 and local public funds made available for carrying out the activities described in this section4 7j7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,community college ,the term community college means-- 7,a7 a public institution of higher education 7as defined in section #aja7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja7;a7771 at which-- 7i7 the highest degree awarded is an associate degree2 or 7ii7 an associate degree is the most frequently awarded degree2 7,b7 a branch campus of a #d-year public institution of higher education 7as defined in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja771 if1 at such branch campus-- 7i7 the highest degree awarded is an associate degree2 or 7ii7 an associate degree is the most frequently awarded degree2 7,c7 a #b-year ,tribal ,college or ,university 7as defined in section #caf7;b77#c7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;c7b77#c7772 or 7,d7 a degree-granting ,tribal ,college or ,university 7as defined in section #caf7;b77#c7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;c7b77#c777 at which-- 7i7 the highest degree awarded is an associate degree2 or 7ii7 an associate degree is the most frequently awarded degree4 7#b7 ,eligible institution ,the term eligible institution means-- 7,a7 a community college2 7,b7 a postsecondary vocational institution 7as defined in section #ajb7;c7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajjb7;c7772 or 7,c7 a consortium of such colleges or institutions4 4 #c4 ,table of contents ,the table of contents in section #a7;b7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act is amended by striking the item relating to section #agb and inserting the following3 ,sec4 #agb4 ,strengthening community colleges workforce development grants program4 ,sec4 #agc4 ,authorization of appropriations4 4