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.

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.