[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2718 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






114th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 2718

To amend the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 
to support innovative approaches to career and technical education and 
redesign the high school experience for students by providing students 
 with equitable access to rigorous, engaging, and relevant real world 
 education through partnerships with business and industry and higher 
education that prepare students to graduate from high school and enroll 
into postsecondary education without the need for remediation and with 
     the ability to use knowledge to solve complex problems, think 
   critically, communicate effectively, collaborate with others, and 
                       develop academic mindsets.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 17, 2016

Mr. Kaine (for himself, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Portman, Mrs. Capito, and Ms. 
    Ayotte) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
  referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To amend the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 
to support innovative approaches to career and technical education and 
redesign the high school experience for students by providing students 
 with equitable access to rigorous, engaging, and relevant real world 
 education through partnerships with business and industry and higher 
education that prepare students to graduate from high school and enroll 
into postsecondary education without the need for remediation and with 
     the ability to use knowledge to solve complex problems, think 
   critically, communicate effectively, collaborate with others, and 
                       develop academic mindsets.

    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 ``Perkins Fund for Equity and 
Excellence''.

SEC. 2. CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION FUND FOR EXCELLENCE AND EQUITY.

    (a) In General.--Title II of the Carl D. Perkins Career and 
Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2371 et seq.) is amended to 
read as follows:

  ``TITLE II--CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION FUND FOR EXCELLENCE AND 
                                 EQUITY

``SEC. 201. PURPOSE.

    ``The purpose of this title is to support innovative approaches to 
career and technical education and redesign the high school experience 
for students by providing students with equitable access to rigorous, 
engaging, and relevant real world education through partnerships with 
business and industry and higher education that prepare students to 
graduate from high school and enroll into postsecondary education--
            ``(1) without the need for remediation; and
            ``(2) with the ability to use knowledge to solve complex 
        problems, think critically, communicate effectively, 
        collaborate with others, and develop academic mindsets.

``SEC. 202. DEFINITIONS.

    ``In this title:
            ``(1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in section 
        3 or this section, the terms used in this title have the 
        meanings given the terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965.
            ``(2) Career and technical education program of study.--The 
        term `career and technical education program of study' means a 
        coordinated, nonduplicative sequence of high school and 
        postsecondary academic and technical courses that--
                    ``(A) incorporates rigorous, State-identified 
                college and career readiness standards, including 
                State-identified career and technical education 
                standards that address both academic and technical 
                knowledge and skills that are aligned with the needs of 
                in-demand industry sectors or occupations for the 
                State, region, or local area;
                    ``(B) supports attainment of employability and 
                career readiness skills;
                    ``(C) progresses in content specificity (by 
                beginning with all aspects of an industry or career 
                cluster and leading to more occupationally specific 
                instruction and by preparing students for ongoing 
                postsecondary career preparation);
                    ``(D) incorporates multiple entry and exit points 
                with portable demonstrations of technical or career 
                competency, which may include credit-transfer 
                agreements or industry-recognized credentials; and
                    ``(E) culminates in the attainment of a recognized 
                postsecondary credential.
            ``(3) Certificate.--The term `certificate' means--
                    ``(A) an occupation-specific certificate that--
                            ``(i) is aligned with State standards of 
                        career and technical education, or other 
                        standards developed by a State industry sector 
                        in an in-demand industry sector or occupation;
                            ``(ii) provides for skills that can be 
                        assessed; and
                            ``(iii) identifies clearly the specific 
                        skills that the certificate qualifies the 
                        receiving candidate to demonstrate; or
                    ``(B) a career pathways program certificate that is 
                based on quality program standards and provides for 
                individual assessments of skill attainment and college 
                and career readiness.
            ``(4) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a 
        local educational agency, or a consortium of local educational 
        agencies--
                    ``(A) in partnership with--
                            ``(i) 1 or more institutions of higher 
                        education;
                            ``(ii) 1 or more employers, or a consortium 
                        of employers; and
                            ``(iii) a qualified intermediary, which may 
                        include a local workforce development board, 
                        established under section 107 of the Workforce 
                        Innovation and Opportunity Act; and
                    ``(B) that may be in partnership with 1 or more 
                additional external partners.
            ``(5) In-demand industry sector or occupation.--The term 
        `in-demand industry sector or occupation' has the meaning given 
        the term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and 
        Opportunity Act.
            ``(6) Integrated course.--The term `integrated course' 
        means a course offered by a high school for credit toward a 
        regular high school diploma that combines instruction in core 
        academic subjects with career and technical education that, 
        where applicable, is fully aligned with the State's challenging 
        State academic standards required under section 1111(b) of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
            ``(7) Qualified intermediary.--The term `qualified 
        intermediary' means an entity that demonstrates expertise to 
        build, connect, sustain, and measure partnerships with entities 
        such as employers, schools, community-based organizations, 
        postsecondary institutions, social service organizations, 
        economic development organizations, and workforce systems to 
        broker services, resources, and supports to youth and the 
        organizations and systems that are designed to serve youth, 
        including--
                    ``(A) connecting employers to classrooms;
                    ``(B) assisting in the design and implementation of 
                career and technical education programs of study;
                    ``(C) assisting in the development of curricula and 
                assessments;
                    ``(D) delivering professional development; and
                    ``(E) connecting students to internships and other 
                work-based learning opportunities.
            ``(8) Recognized postsecondary credential.--The term 
        `recognized postsecondary credential' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity 
        Act.

``SEC. 203. GRANTS AUTHORIZED.

    ``(a) Reservation.--From the total amount of funds available under 
section 207 for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve--
            ``(1) not more than 5 percent for national activities, 
        which the Secretary shall use for technical assistance, 
        including the development of State career readiness indicators, 
        data collection and dissemination, and evaluation and reporting 
        activities; and
            ``(2) not less than 5 percent for the Bureau of Indian 
        Education for activities consistent with the purpose of this 
        title.
    ``(b) Grants.--From the total amount of funds available under 
section 207 for a fiscal year and not reserved under subsection (a), 
the Secretary shall award grants on a competitive basis to eligible 
entities, based on the quality of the applications submitted under 
section 204, to implement activities described under section 205.
    ``(c) Grant Duration.--Grants awarded under this title shall be for 
a period of 5 years, conditional after 3 years on satisfactory progress 
on the performance indicators described in section 206(b), as 
determined by the Secretary.
    ``(d) Priority.--In awarding grants under this title, the Secretary 
shall give priority to applications from eligible entities that--
            ``(1) will serve the greatest percentage of students in 
        poverty based on--
                    ``(A) the poverty rate of the geographic area to be 
                served under the grant according to the most recent 
                census;
                    ``(B) the number and percentage of students from 
                low-income families, adjusted for cost-of-living; and
                    ``(C) the median income level of the geographic 
                area to be served under the grant according to the most 
                recent census;
            ``(2) include a process for measuring career-readiness for 
        the purposes described under section 206(c)(1);
            ``(3) propose a strategy to enroll participating students 
        in--
                    ``(A) multiple integrated courses per academic 
                year; and
                    ``(B) a progression of integrated courses with 
                enhanced rigor from 9th through the 12th grade;
            ``(4) provide students with paid internships or other paid 
        work-based learning experiences; and
            ``(5) include partnerships with employers from an in-demand 
        industry sector or occupation.
    ``(e) Matching Requirement.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each eligible entity awarded a grant 
        under this title shall provide, from non-Federal sources, an 
        amount (which may be provided in cash or in kind) to carry out 
        the activities supported by the grant--
                    ``(A) in year 4 of the grant, equal to 25 percent 
                of the amount of the grant; and
                    ``(B) in year 5 of the grant, equal to 50 percent 
                of the amount of the grant.
            ``(2) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the matching 
        requirement described under paragraph (1) based on a 
        determination that the eligible entity is unable to provide the 
        matching funds due to inadequate financial resources.

``SEC. 204. APPLICATION.

    ``(a) In General.--An eligible entity that seeks a grant under this 
title shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in 
such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may 
reasonably require.
    ``(b) Contents.--Each application submitted under subsection (a) 
shall include, at a minimum, a description of the following:
            ``(1) The integrated courses that will be offered to 
        students in at least one core academic subject per student 
        enrolled in a participating school, per year, in courses that 
        meet college and university admissions requirements, as 
        validated by the Secretary based on evidence submitted by the 
        eligible entity.
            ``(2) Articulation and placement agreements between 
        participating local educational agencies and institutions of 
        higher education for at least one career and technical 
        education program of study aligned with an in-demand industry 
        sector or occupation that ensures that student completion of 
        such program of study results in either a recognized 
        postsecondary credential or academic credit toward a recognized 
        postsecondary credential.
            ``(3) The role of employer partnerships under the grant, 
        including how such partnerships will be utilized to--
                    ``(A) provide students with a continuum of work-
                based learning experiences, including opportunities 
                such as career exploration, job shadowing, pre-
                apprenticeship programs, mentoring, internships, 
                school-based enterprises, and virtual work-based 
                learning opportunities;
                    ``(B) engage employers in program design, 
                curriculum development, program evaluation, and 
                assessments of student work; and
                    ``(C) provide educators with externship 
                opportunities.
            ``(4) The integrated student supports that will be made 
        available to address the comprehensive needs of students, which 
        may include--
                    ``(A) accelerated and targeted instruction for 
                historically underserved students served under this Act 
                who require additional support in order to meet 
                proficiency requirements in core academic or technical 
                subjects;
                    ``(B) universal and individualized academic and 
                nonacademic, college and career guidance and 
                counseling, beginning in middle school that includes 
                the development of individual development plans for 
                each student and is reviewed at regular intervals 
                throughout the school year and annually;
                    ``(C) a system of timely, consistent, and 
                structured student supports that include an assessment 
                of academic and career and technical coursework needed 
                for high school completion and successful postsecondary 
                education transition, work-based learning experiences, 
                the development of career objectives, and college 
                planning, including financial planning; and
                    ``(D) a community-based approach that provides 
                wraparound academic, social and emotional, and health 
                supports to improve overall youth development.
            ``(5) The accelerated and differentiated learning 
        opportunities supported by evidence-based strategies for 
        special populations, including students underrepresented in the 
        fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, 
        English learners, students with disabilities, Native students, 
        pregnant and parenting students, foster youth, court-involved 
        youth, and homeless youth.
            ``(6) The roles and responsibilities of each partner within 
        the eligible entity, including--
                    ``(A) a description of which partner will serve as 
                the fiscal agent and why that entity is best qualified 
                to serve in this capacity; and
                    ``(B) a description of the role of the qualified 
                intermediary, including how such entity will coordinate 
                activities between the participating local educational 
                agencies, institutions of higher education, employers, 
                and other local partners, as appropriate, and how it 
                will provide resources and services aligned with the 
                activities included within the application described 
                under this section, including technical assistance, 
                professional development, and coordinating internships 
                and work-based learning opportunities.
            ``(7) An assurance that the activities under this grant are 
        coordinated and aligned, as appropriate, with the State plan 
        under section 122 of the State in which the entity is located.

``SEC. 205. ALLOWABLE ACTIVITIES.

    ``An eligible entity receiving a grant under this title may use 
grant funds to implement the following:
            ``(1) Career and technical education programs of study, 
        including relevant work-based learning opportunities, aligned 
        to postsecondary education training, degrees, and certificates.
            ``(2) Dual or concurrent enrollment programs and early 
        college high school programs that provide equitable access to 
        high-quality, credit bearing community college courses, and 
        programs that accelerate and facilitate the completion of a 
        recognized postsecondary credential.
            ``(3) Evidence-based transitional support strategies for 
        students who have yet to meet postsecondary education 
        eligibility requirements or who require remediation in 
        mathematics or English in order to progress to credit-bearing 
        and degree-applicable coursework.
            ``(4) Teacher and leader experiential and information-
        gathering site visits for the purpose of effectively 
        implementing the activities under the grant.
            ``(5) Supporting professional development of educators and 
        business partners, which may include--
                    ``(A) integrated professional development between 
                core academic teachers and teachers of career and 
                technical education;
                    ``(B) allocating time for integrated curriculum 
                design and development;
                    ``(C) evidence-based delivery models of 
                professional development that are structured to improve 
                the quality of course delivery for career and technical 
                education and core subject integration;
                    ``(D) evidence-based strategies that effectively 
                prepare teachers, counselors, principals, and service 
                providers, including through professional development 
                with a focus on equity, that addresses the needs of 
                historically underserved students;
                    ``(E) structured interdisciplinary collaboration 
                and common planning time built into a school's master 
                schedule;
                    ``(F) teacher and leader externship programs 
                developed in partnership with business or industry and 
                local postsecondary education institutions;
                    ``(G) cross-credentialing to provide teachers with 
                both an academic single-subject credential and a career 
                and technical education credential; and
                    ``(H) outreach and recruitment efforts that 
                diversify and ensure equitable student access to 
                pathways and career and technical education programs of 
                study.
            ``(6) Research-based strategies used to provide additional 
        support and facilitate accelerated instruction such as extended 
        learning time opportunities.
            ``(7) Paid student internships or other paid work-based 
        learning experiences.
            ``(8) Guidance counseling and other activities that support 
        student transitions to postsecondary education.

``SEC. 206. REPORTING AND EVALUATION.

    ``(a) In General.--Each eligible entity that receives a grant under 
this title shall annually, for each year of the grant, provide a report 
to the Secretary that includes a description of outcomes on the 
indicators described under subsection (b), disaggregated by special 
populations, and the subgroups described in section 1111(b)(2)(B)(xi) 
of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
    ``(b) Indicators.--Each eligible entity that receives a grant under 
this title shall report on the following indicators:
            ``(1) Performance on the assessments required under section 
        1111 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, including 
        the number and percentage of participating students 
        demonstrating academic growth.
            ``(2) The number and percentage of students graduating with 
        a regular high school diploma within 4 years, including 
        disaggregation by diploma type, and, where available, who meet 
        any of the following:
                    ``(A) Enroll in a registered apprenticeship 
                program.
                    ``(B) Enroll in at least one remedial course at an 
                institution of higher education.
                    ``(C) Enroll in a 2-year or 4-year institution of 
                higher education and persist beyond the first year of 
                postsecondary education.
                    ``(D) Graduate from a 2-year or 4-year program at 
                an institution of higher education.
                    ``(E) Secure employment within 6 months of 
                graduating from an institution of higher education.
            ``(3) The number and percentage of students receiving--
                    ``(A) a recognized postsecondary credential or an 
                industry-recognized credential in in-demand industry 
                sectors or occupations while enrolled in high school; 
                or
                    ``(B) academic credit toward recognized 
                postsecondary credentials while enrolled in high 
                school.
            ``(4) The number and percentage of students participating 
        in work-based learning opportunities while enrolled in high 
        school, including pre-apprenticeship programs, that include an 
        employer assessment of student performance.
    ``(c) Permissible Indicators.--Each eligible entity that receives a 
grant under this title may report on the following indicators:
            ``(1) The number and percentage of students scoring 
        proficient or advanced on assessments of career readiness.
            ``(2) The number and percentage of students scoring 
        proficient or advanced on capstone experiences that are 
        evaluated by peers, educators, and employers.
            ``(3) The number and percentage of students who have 
        mentors and participate in a formal mentoring program.
            ``(4) Student attendance rates, including rates of chronic 
        absenteeism.
            ``(5) As appropriate, any indicators described in section 
        116(b)(2) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
    ``(d) Grant or Contract for Evaluation.--From among funds reserved 
under section 203(a)(1), the Secretary shall award a grant or contract 
to an entity outside the Department to conduct an evaluation of the 
activities assisted under this title and their impact as measured by 
the indicators described under this section. Results from the 
evaluation shall provide information on effective practices that can be 
replicated.

``SEC. 207. FUNDING.

    ``For any fiscal year for which the amount appropriated to carry 
out title I is more than $1,200,000,000, not more than $500,000,000 
shall be made available to implement activities under this title.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--The Carl D. Perkins Career and 
Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) in section 3--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (23); and
                    (B) by striking paragraph (32);
            (2) in section 113(c)(2), by striking ``or 201''; and
            (3) in section 122(d), by striking paragraph (1).
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