II 108th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2819 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 21, 2004 Mr. Specter introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To provide education to students in grades 8, 9, and 10 about the importance of higher education.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Higher Education Preparation Program Act of 2004.

2.

Definitions

In this Act: (1)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Education. (2)

Secondary school

The term secondary school has the meaning given the term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). (3)

Institution of higher education

The term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)). (4)

State educational agency

The term State educational agency has the meaning given the term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

3.

Higher education preparation program curriculum

(a)

Program authorized

From amounts appropriated under section 6 for fiscal year 2005, the Secretary shall award, on a competitive basis, a grant to a nonprofit organization to enable the nonprofit organization to develop a curriculum-based higher education preparation program curriculum for students in grades 8, 9, and 10 that— (1)educates such students about the opportunities for and the importance of higher education and prepares such students for the process of applying to institutions of higher education; and (2)provides 1 class hour of higher education preparation instruction each week for students in grades 8, 9, and 10. (b)

Application

Each nonprofit organization desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may reasonably require. (c)

Award basis

In awarding a grant under this section, the Secretary shall take into consideration the ability of the nonprofit organization to develop the higher education preparation program curriculum described in subsection (a).

4.

Higher education preparation program demonstration project

(a)

Program authorized

(1)

In general

From amounts appropriated under section 6, the Secretary shall establish a demonstration project under which the Secretary shall award, on a competitive basis, grants to State educational agencies to enable the State educational agencies to provide higher education preparation programs, using the higher education preparation program curriculum designed under section 3, to students in grades 8, 9, and 10 in middle schools and secondary schools served by the State educational agencies. (2)

Number

The Secretary shall award grants under paragraph (1) to not more than 5 State educational agencies. (3)

Duration

The Secretary shall award each grant under paragraph (1) for a period of 5 years. (b)

Application

Each State educational agency desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may reasonably require. (c)

Authorized activities

A State educational agency receiving a grant under this section— (1)shall use grant funds to implement the higher education preparation program curriculum developed under section 3 in middle schools and secondary schools served by the State educational agency; and (2)may use grant funds, or any other funds including private funds, to supplement the program described in paragraph (1) with appropriate enrichments, such as guest speakers, videos, or web-based services. (d)

Award basis

In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall take into consideration the number of middle schools and secondary schools served by the State educational agency that have historically low rates of student application and admission to institutions of higher education. (e)

Requirement

In selecting students in grades 8, 9, and 10 to participate in the higher education preparation program, a State educational agency receiving a grant under this section shall give priority to students in the middle schools and secondary schools served by the State educational agency that have historically low rates of student application and admission to institutions of higher education. (f)

State educational agency reports

A State educational agency receiving a grant under this section shall— (1)require that each middle school and secondary school participating in the higher education preparation program submit an annual report on the progress of the demonstration project to the State educational agency; and (2)submit an annual report on the progress of the demonstration project to the Secretary.

5.

Reports to Congress

(a)

Annual reports

The Secretary shall submit to Congress an annual report on the progress of the demonstration project described under section 4. (b)

Final report

Not less than 90 days after the conclusion of the demonstration project described under section 4, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a final report on the results of the demonstration project, together with recommendations for such legislative or administrative action as the Secretary determines appropriate.

6.

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2010.