[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1129 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1129
To authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to local
educational agencies to improve college enrollment.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 21, 2009
Mr. Durbin (for himself and Mr. Burr) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to local
educational agencies to improve college enrollment.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Pathways to College Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) An educated workforce is crucial to the success of the
United States economy. Access to higher education for all
students is critical to maintaining an educated workforce. More
than 80 percent of the 23,000,000 jobs that will be created in
the next 10 years will require postsecondary education. Only 36
percent of all 18- to 24-year olds are currently enrolled in
postsecondary education.
(2) Workers with bachelor's degrees earn on average $17,000
more annually than workers with only high school diplomas.
Workers who earn bachelor's degrees can be expected to earn
$1,000,000 more over a lifetime than those who only finished
high school.
(3) In order to prepare students for college, all schools
should--
(A) provide student guidance to engage students in
college and career awareness; and
(B) ensure that students enroll in a rigorous
curriculum to prepare for postsecondary education.
(4) The Department of Education reports that the average
student-to-counselor ratio in high schools is 315:1. This is
far higher than the ratio recommended by the American School
Counselor Association, which is 250:1. While school counselors
at private schools spend an average of 58 percent of their time
on postsecondary education counseling, school counselors in
public schools spend an average of 25 percent of their time on
postsecondary education counseling.
(5) While just 57 percent of students from the lowest
income quartile enroll in college, 87 percent of students from
the top income quartile enroll. Of students who were in eighth
grade in 2000, only 20 percent of the lowest-income students
are projected to attain a bachelor's degree by 2012, compared
to 68 percent of the highest income group, according to the
Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance in 2006.
(6) A recent report by the Consortium on Chicago School
Research found that only 41 percent of Chicago public school
students who aspire to go to college took the steps necessary
to apply to and enroll in a 4-year institution of higher
education. The report also reveals that only \1/3\ of Chicago
students who want to attend a 4-year institution of higher
education enroll in a school that matches their qualifications.
Even among students qualified to attend a selective college, 29
percent enrolled in a community college or did not enroll at
all.
(7) The Consortium found that many Chicago public school
students do not complete the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid, even though students who apply for Federal
financial aid are 50 percent more likely to enroll in college.
Sixty-five percent of public secondary school counselors at
low-income schools believe that students and parents are
discouraged from considering college as an option due to lack
of knowledge about financial aid.
(8) Low-income and first-generation families often
overestimate the cost of tuition and underestimate available
aid; students from these backgrounds have access to fewer
college application resources and financial aid resources than
other groups, and are less likely to fulfill their
postsecondary plans as a result.
(9) College preparation intervention programs can double
the college-going rates for at-risk youth, can expand students'
educational aspirations, and can boost college enrollment and
graduation rates.
SEC. 3. GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Definitions.--In this Act:
(1) College-going rate.--The term ``college-going rate''
means the percentage of high school graduates who enroll at an
institution of higher education in the school year immediately
following graduation from high school.
(2) Eligible local educational agency.--The term ``eligible
local educational agency'' means a local educational agency in
which a majority of the high schools served by the agency are
high-need high schools.
(3) High-need high school.--The term ``high-need high
school'' means a high school in which not less than 50 percent
of the students enrolled in the school are--
(A) eligible to receive a free or reduced price
lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School
Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.);
(B) eligible to be counted under section 1124(c) of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6333(c)); or
(C) in families eligible for assistance under the
State program funded under part A of title IV of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).
(4) High school.--The term ``high school'' means a
nonprofit institutional day or residential school, including a
public charter high school, that provides high school
education, as determined under State law.
(5) High school graduation rate.--The term ``high school
graduation rate''--
(A) means the percentage of students who graduate
from high school with a regular diploma in the standard
number of years; and
(B) is clarified in section 200.19(b)(1) of title
34, Code of Federal Regulations.
(6) 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)).
(7) Local educational agency.--The term ``local 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).
(8) Parent.--The term ``parent'' has the meaning given the
term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(9) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Education.
(b) Competitive Grants to Eligible Local Educational Agencies.--The
Secretary is authorized to award grants, on a competitive basis, to
eligible local educational agencies to carry out the activities
described in this section.
(c) Duration.--Grants awarded under this section shall be 5 years
in duration.
(d) Distribution.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Secretary shall ensure that the grants are distributed among the
different geographic regions of the United States, and among eligible
local educational agencies serving urban and rural areas.
(e) Applications.--
(1) In general.--Each eligible local 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.
(2) Contents.--Each application submitted under paragraph
(1) shall include a description of the program to be carried
out with grant funds and--
(A) a detailed description of the high school
population to be targeted by the program, the
particular college-access needs of such population, and
the resources available for meeting such needs;
(B) measurable objectives of the program, including
goals for increasing the number of college applications
submitted by each student and the number of students
submitting applications, increasing Free Application
for Federal Student Aid completion rates, and
increasing school-wide college-going rates across the
local educational agency;
(C) a description of the local educational agency's
plan to work cooperatively, where applicable, with
programs funded under chapters 1 and 2 of subpart 2 of
part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 et seq. and 1070a-21 et seq.),
including the extent to which the agency commits to
sharing facilities, providing access to students, and
developing compatible recordkeeping systems;
(D) a description of the activities, services, and
training to be provided by the program, including a
plan to provide structure and support for all students
in the college search, planning, and application
process;
(E) a description of the methods to be used to
evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of the program;
(F) an assurance that grant funds will be used to
supplement, and not supplant, any other Federal, State,
or local funds available to carry out activities of the
type carried out under the grant;
(G) an explanation of the method used for
calculating college enrollment rates for each high
school served by the eligible local educational agency
that is based on externally verified data, and, when
possible, aligned with existing State or local methods;
(H) a plan to make the program sustainable over
time, including the use of matching funds from non-
Federal sources; and
(I) a description of the local educational agency's
plan to work cooperatively, where applicable, with the
program funded under part H of title VIII of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1161h et seq.),
including the extent to which the agency commits to
using and leveraging--
(i) the needs assessment and
recommendations;
(ii) the model for measuring college
enrollment; and
(iii) comprehensive services.
(3) Method of calculating enrollment rates.--
(A) In general.--A method included in an
application under paragraph (2)(G)--
(i) shall, at a minimum, track students'
first-time enrollment in institutions of higher
education; and
(ii) may track progress toward completion
of a postsecondary degree.
(B) Development in conjunction.--An eligible local
educational agency may develop a method pursuant to
paragraph (2)(G) in conjunction with an existing public
or private entity that currently maintains such a
method.
(f) Special Consideration.--In awarding grants under this section,
the Secretary shall give special consideration to applications from
eligible local educational agencies serving schools with the highest
percentages of poverty.
(g) Use of Funds.--
(1) In general.--An eligible local educational agency that
receives a grant under this section shall develop and
implement, or expand, a program to increase the number of low-
income students who enroll in postsecondary educational
institutions, including institutions with competitive
admissions criteria.
(2) Required use of funds.--Each program funded under this
section shall--
(A) provide professional development to high school
teachers and school counselors in postsecondary
education advising;
(B) implement a comprehensive college guidance
program for all students in a high school served by an
eligible local educational agency under this section
that--
(i) ensures that all students and their
parents, are regularly notified throughout the
students' time in high school, beginning in the
first year of high school, of--
(I) high school graduation
requirements;
(II) college entrance requirements;
(III) the economic and social
benefits of higher education;
(IV) college expenses, including
information about expenses by
institutional type, differences between
sticker price and net price, and
expenses beyond tuition; and
(V) the resources for paying for
college, including the availability,
eligibility, and variety of financial
aid;
(ii) provides assistance to students in
registering for and preparing for college
entrance tests;
(iii) provides one-on-one guidance and
assistance to students in applying to an
institution of higher education and in applying
for Federal financial aid assistance and other
State, local, and private financial aid
assistance and scholarships;
(iv) provides opportunities for students to
explore postsecondary opportunities outside of
the school setting, such as college fairs,
career fairs, college tours, workplace visits,
or other similar activities; and
(v) provides not less than 1 meeting for
each student, not later than the first semester
of the first year of high school, with a school
counselor, college access personnel (including
personnel involved in programs funded under
chapters 1 and 2 of subpart 2 of part A of
title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 et seq. and 1070a-21 et
seq.)), trained teacher, or other professional
or organization, such as a community-based
organization, approved by the school, to
discuss postsecondary options, outline
postsecondary goals, and create a plan to
achieve those goals, and provides not less than
2 meetings in each year to discuss progress on
the plan;
(C) ensure that each high school served by the
eligible local educational agency develops a
comprehensive, school-wide plan of action to strengthen
the college-going culture within the high school; and
(D) create or maintain a postsecondary access
center in the school setting that provides information
on colleges and universities, career opportunities, and
financial aid options and provide a setting in which
professionals working in college access programs, such
as those funded under chapters 1 and 2 of subpart 2 of
part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 et seq. and 1070a-21 et seq.), can
meet with students.
(3) Allowable use of funds.--Each program funded under this
section may--
(A) establish mandatory postsecondary planning
classes for high school students to assist in the
college preparation and application process;
(B) hire and train postsecondary coaches with
expertise in the college-going process to supplement
existing school counselors;
(C) increase the number of school counselors who
specialize in the college-going process serving
students;
(D) train student leaders to assist in the creation
of a college-going culture in their schools;
(E) establish partnerships with programs funded
under chapters 1 and 2 of subpart 2 of part A of title
IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1070a-11 et seq. and 1070a-21 et seq.), and with
community and nonprofit organizations to increase
college-going rates at high schools served by the
eligible local educational agency;
(F) provide long-term postsecondary follow up with
graduates of the high schools served by the eligible
local educational agencies, including increasing alumni
involvement in mentoring and advising roles within the
high school; and
(G) deliver college and career planning curriculum
as a stand-alone course, or embedded in other classes,
or delivered through the guidance curriculum by the
school counselor for all students in high school.
(h) Supplement, Not Supplant.--Funds made available under this
section shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, other Federal,
State, and local funds available to carry out the activities described
in this section.
(i) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary, directly or through
contracting through a full and open process with 1 or more
organizations that have demonstrated experience providing technical
assistance to raise school-wide college-going rates in local
educational agencies in not less than 3 States, shall provide technical
assistance to grantees in carrying out this section. The technical
assistance shall--
(1) provide assistance in the calculation and analysis of
college-going rates for all grant recipients;
(2) provide semi-annual analysis to each grant recipient
recommending best practices based on a comparison of the
recipient's data with that of high schools with similar
demographics; and
(3) provide annual best practices conferences for all grant
recipients.
(j) Reporting Requirements.--Each eligible local educational agency
receiving a grant under this section shall collect and report annually
to the Secretary such information for the local educational agency and
for each high school assisted under this section on the results of the
activities assisted under the grant as the Secretary may reasonably
require, including information on--
(1) the number and percentage of students who enroll in an
institution of higher education in the school year immediately
following the students' high school graduation as measured by
externally verified school-wide college enrollment data;
(2) the number and percentage of students who graduate from
high school on time with a regular high school diploma;
(3) the number and percentage of students, at each grade
level, who are on track to graduate from high school on time
and with a regular high school diploma;
(4) the number and percentage of senior high school
students who apply to an institution of higher education and
the average number of applications completed and submitted by
students;
(5) the number and percentage of senior high school
students who file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
forms;
(6) the number and percentage of students, in grade 10, who
take early admissions assessments, such as the PSAT;
(7) the number and percentage of students, in grades 11 and
12, who take the SAT or ACT, and the students' mean scores on
such assessments;
(8) where data are available, the number and percentage of
students enrolled in remedial mathematics or English courses
during their freshman year at an institution of higher
education;
(9) the number and percentage of students, in grades 11 and
12, enrolled in not less than 2 of the following:
(A) a dual credit course; or
(B) an Advanced Placement or International
Baccalaureate course; and
(10) the number and percentage of students who meet or
exceed State reading or language arts, mathematics, or science
standards, as measured by State academic assessments required
under section 1111(b)(3) of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(3)).
(k) Reporting of Data.--Each eligible local educational agency
receiving a grant under this section shall report to the Secretary,
where possible, the information required under subsection (j)
disaggregated in the same manner as information is disaggregated under
section 1111(h)(1)(C)(i) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(h)(1)(C)(i)).
(l) Evaluations by Grantees.--Each eligible local educational
agency that receives a grant under this section shall--
(1) conduct periodic evaluations of the effectiveness of
the activities carried out under the grant toward increasing
school-wide college-going rates;
(2) use such evaluations to refine and improve activities
conducted with the grant and the performance measures for such
activities; and
(3) make the results of such evaluations publicly
available, including by providing public notice of such
availability.
(m) Report.--From the amount appropriated for any fiscal year, the
Secretary shall reserve such sums as may be necessary--
(1) to conduct an independent evaluation, by grant or by
contract, of the programs carried out under this section, which
shall include an assessment of the impact of the program on
high school graduation rates and college-going rates; and
(2) to prepare and submit a report on the results of the
evaluation described in paragraph (1) to the Committee on
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the
Committee on Education and Labor of the House of
Representatives.
(n) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary
for fiscal year 2010 and each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years.
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