[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2353 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        H.R.2353

                     One Hundred Fifteenth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE SECOND SESSION

         Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday,
           the third day of January, two thousand and eighteen


                                 An Act


 
To reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 
                                  2006.

    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 ``Strengthening Career and Technical 
Education for the 21st Century Act''.
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.
    The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
Sec. 3. References.
Sec. 4. Effective date.
Sec. 5. Table of contents of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical 
          Education Act of 2006.
Sec. 6. Purpose.
Sec. 7. Definitions.
Sec. 8. Transition provisions.
Sec. 9. Prohibitions.
Sec. 10. Authorization of appropriations.

    TITLE I--CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION ASSISTANCE TO THE STATES

                    PART A--Allotment and Allocation

Sec. 110. Reservations and State allotment.
Sec. 111. Within State allocation.
Sec. 112. Accountability.
Sec. 113. National activities.
Sec. 114. Assistance for the outlying areas.
Sec. 115. Native American Programs.
Sec. 116. Tribally controlled postsecondary career and technical 
          institutions.
Sec. 117. Occupational and employment information.

                        PART B--State Provisions

Sec. 121. State administration.
Sec. 122. State plan.
Sec. 123. Improvement plans.
Sec. 124. State leadership activities.

                        PART C--Local Provisions

Sec. 131. Distribution of funds to secondary education programs.
Sec. 132. Special rules for career and technical education.
Sec. 133. Local application for career and technical education programs.
Sec. 134. Local uses of funds.

                      TITLE II--GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 201. Federal and State administrative provisions.

                   TITLE III--AMENDMENTS TO OTHER LAWS

Sec. 301. Amendments to the Wagner-Peyser Act.
Sec. 302. Amendments to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
          1965.
Sec. 303. Amendment to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
SEC. 3. REFERENCES.
    Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an 
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal 
of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to 
be made to a section or other provision of the Carl D. Perkins Career 
and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.).
SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.
    This Act, and the amendments made by this Act, shall take effect 
beginning on July 1, 2019.
SEC. 5. TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE CARL D. PERKINS CAREER AND TECHNICAL 
EDUCATION ACT OF 2006.
    Section 1(b) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

``Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
``Sec. 2. Purpose.
``Sec. 3. Definitions.
``Sec. 4. Transition provisions.
``Sec. 5. Privacy.
``Sec. 6. Limitation.
``Sec. 7. Special rule.
``Sec. 8. Prohibitions.
``Sec. 9. Authorization of appropriations.

   ``TITLE I--CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION ASSISTANCE TO THE STATES

                   ``Part A--Allotment and Allocation

``Sec. 111. Reservations and State allotment.
``Sec. 112. Within State allocation.
``Sec. 113. Accountability.
``Sec. 114. National activities.
``Sec. 115. Assistance for the outlying areas.
``Sec. 116. Native American programs.
``Sec. 117. Tribally controlled postsecondary career and technical 
          institutions.

                       ``Part B--State Provisions

``Sec. 121. State administration.
``Sec. 122. State plan.
``Sec. 123. Improvement plans.
``Sec. 124. State leadership activities.

                       ``Part C--Local Provisions

``Sec. 131. Distribution of funds to secondary education programs.
``Sec. 132. Distribution of funds for postsecondary education programs.
``Sec. 133. Special rules for career and technical education.
``Sec. 134. Local application for career and technical education 
          programs.
``Sec. 135. Local uses of funds.

                     ``TITLE II--GENERAL PROVISIONS

               ``Part A--Federal Administrative Provisions

``Sec. 211. Fiscal requirements.
``Sec. 212. Authority to make payments.
``Sec. 213. Construction.
``Sec. 214. Voluntary selection and participation.
``Sec. 215. Limitation for certain students.
``Sec. 216. Federal laws guaranteeing civil rights.
``Sec. 217. Participation of private school personnel and children.
``Sec. 218. Limitation on Federal regulations.
``Sec. 219. Study on programs of study aligned to high-skill, high-wage 
          occupations.

                ``Part B--State Administrative Provisions

``Sec. 221. Joint funding.
``Sec. 222. Prohibition on use of funds to induce out-of-State 
          relocation of businesses.
``Sec. 223. State administrative costs.
``Sec. 224. Student assistance and other Federal programs.''.

SEC. 6. PURPOSE.
    Section 2 (20 U.S.C. 2301) is amended--
        (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
            (A) by striking ``academic and career and technical 
        skills'' and inserting ``academic knowledge and technical and 
        employability skills''; and
            (B) by inserting ``and programs of study'' after 
        ``technical education programs'';
        (2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``high demand occupations'' 
    and inserting ``in-demand occupations'';
        (3) in paragraph (3), by striking ``, including tech prep 
    education'';
        (4) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``and programs of study'' 
    after ``technical education programs'';
        (5) in paragraph (6), by striking ``and'' after the semicolon;
        (6) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and 
    inserting ``; and''; and
        (7) by adding at the end the following:
        ``(8) increasing the employment opportunities for populations 
    who are chronically unemployed or underemployed, including 
    individuals with disabilities, individuals from economically 
    disadvantaged families, out-of-workforce individuals, youth who are 
    in, or have aged out of, the foster care system, and homeless 
    individuals.''.
SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.
    Section 3 (20 U.S.C. 2302) is amended--
        (1) by striking paragraphs (10), (16), (23), (24), (25), (26), 
    and (32);
        (2) by redesignating paragraphs (8), (9), (11), (12), (13), 
    (14), (15), (17), (18), (19), (20), (21), (22), (27), (28), (29), 
    (30), (31), (33), and (34) as paragraphs (9), (10), (17), (18), 
    (20), (21), (24), (28), (30), (31), (33), (34), (39), (44), (45), 
    (48), (49), (50), (51), and (52), respectively;
        (3) in paragraph (2), by striking ``, including information as 
    described in section 118''.
        (4) in paragraph (3)--
            (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``5 different 
        occupational fields to individuals who are available for study 
        in preparation for entering the labor market'' and inserting 
        ``3 different fields that are available to all students, 
        especially in high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry 
        sectors or occupations''; and
            (B) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``not fewer than 5 
        different occupational fields'' and inserting ``not fewer than 
        3 different occupational fields'';
        (5) in paragraph (5)--
            (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                (i) by amending clause (i) to read as follows:
                ``(i) provides individuals with rigorous academic 
            content and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed 
            to prepare for further education and careers in current or 
            emerging professions, which may include high-skill, high-
            wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations, which 
            shall be, at the secondary level, aligned with the 
            challenging State academic standards adopted by a State 
            under section 1111(b)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary 
            Education Act of 1965;'';
                (ii) in clause (ii), by striking ``, an industry-
            recognized credential, a certificate, or an associate 
            degree'' and inserting ``or a recognized postsecondary 
            credential, which may include an industry-recognized 
            credential, a certificate, or an associate degree''; and
                (iii) in clause (iii), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (B) in subparagraph (B)--
                (i) by inserting ``, work-based, or other'' after 
            ``competency-based'';
                (ii) by striking ``contributes to the'' and inserting 
            ``supports the development of'';
                (iii) by striking ``general''; and
                (iv) by striking the period at the end and inserting a 
            semicolon; and
            (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(C) to the extent practicable, coordinate between 
        secondary and postsecondary education programs through programs 
        of study, which may include coordination through articulation 
        agreements, early college high school programs, dual or 
        concurrent enrollment program opportunities, or other credit 
        transfer agreements that provide postsecondary credit or 
        advanced standing; and
            ``(D) may include career exploration at the high school 
        level or as early as the middle grades (as such term is defined 
        in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
        of 1965).'';
        (6) in paragraph (7)--
            (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                (i) by striking ``(and parents, as appropriate)'' and 
            inserting ``(and, as appropriate, parents and out-of-school 
            youth)'';
                (ii) by inserting ``exploration opportunities'' after 
            ``regarding career awareness''; and
                (iii) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon;
            (B) in subparagraph (B)--
                (i) by inserting ``to students (and, as appropriate, 
            parents and out-of-school youth)'' after ``provides 
            information''; and
                (ii) by striking ``financial aid,'' and all that 
            follows through the end of the subparagraph and inserting 
            ``financial aid, job training, secondary and postsecondary 
            options (including associate and baccalaureate degree 
            programs), dual or concurrent enrollment programs, work-
            based learning opportunities, early college high schools, 
            financial literacy, and support services, as appropriate; 
            and''; and
            (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(C) may provide assistance for special populations with 
        respect to direct support services that enable students to 
        persist in and complete career and technical education, 
        programs of study, or career pathways.'';
        (7) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following:
        ``(8) Career pathways.--The term `career pathways' has the 
    meaning given the term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and 
    Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).'';
        (8) by inserting after paragraph (10) (as redesignated by 
    paragraph (2)) the following:
        ``(11) Credit transfer agreement.--The term `credit transfer 
    agreement' means a formal agreement, such as an articulation 
    agreement, among and between secondary and postsecondary education 
    institutions or systems that grant students transcripted 
    postsecondary credit, which may include credit granted to students 
    in dual or concurrent enrollment programs or early college high 
    school, dual credit, articulated credit, and credit granted on the 
    basis of performance on technical or academic assessments.
        ``(12) CTE concentrator.--The term `CTE concentrator' means--
            ``(A) at the secondary school level, a student served by an 
        eligible recipient who has completed at least 2 courses in a 
        single career and technical education program or program of 
        study; and
            ``(B) at the postsecondary level, a student enrolled in an 
        eligible recipient who has--
                ``(i) earned at least 12 credits within a career and 
            technical education program or program of study; or
                ``(ii) completed such a program if the program 
            encompasses fewer than 12 credits or the equivalent in 
            total.
        ``(13) CTE participant.--The term `CTE participant' means an 
    individual who completes not less than one course in a career and 
    technical education program or program of study of an eligible 
    recipient.
        ``(14) Director.--The term `Director' means the Director of the 
    Institute of Education Sciences.
        ``(15) Dual or concurrent enrollment program.--The term `dual 
    or concurrent enrollment program' has the meaning given the term in 
    section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
        ``(16) Early college high school.--The term `early college high 
    school' has the meaning given the term in section 8101 of the 
    Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.'';
        (9) by inserting after paragraph (18) (as redesignated by 
    paragraph (2)) the following:
        ``(19) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a 
    consortium that includes the following:
            ``(A) Representatives of not less than 2 of the following 
        categories of entities, 1 of which shall serve as the fiscal 
        agent for the consortium:
                ``(i) A local educational agency or a consortium of 
            such agencies.
                ``(ii) An educational service agency serving secondary 
            school students.
                ``(iii) An area career and technical education school 
            or a consortium of such schools.
                ``(iv) An Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or Tribal 
            educational agency.
                ``(v) An institution of higher education whose most 
            common degree awarded is an associate degree, or a 
            consortium of such institutions.
                ``(vi) An institution of higher education whose most 
            common degree awarded is a bachelor's or higher degree, or 
            a consortium of such institutions.
                ``(vii) A State educational agency.
            ``(B) One or more business or industry representative 
        partners, which may include representatives of local or 
        regional businesses or industries, including industry or sector 
        partnerships in the local area, local workforce development 
        boards, or labor organizations.
            ``(C) One or more stakeholders, which may include--
                ``(i) parents and students;
                ``(ii) representatives of local agencies serving out-
            of-school youth, homeless children and youth, and at-risk 
            youth (as defined in section 1432 of the Elementary and 
            Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6472));
                ``(iii) representatives of Indian tribes and Tribal 
            organizations, where applicable;
                ``(iv) representatives of minority-serving institutions 
            (as described in paragraphs (1) through (7) of section 
            371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
            1067q(a)), where applicable;
                ``(v) representatives of special populations;
                ``(vi) representatives of adult career and technical 
            education providers; or
                ``(vii) other relevant community stakeholders.'';
        (10) by amending paragraph (20) (as redesignated by paragraph 
    (2)) to read as follows:
        ``(20) Eligible institution.--The term `eligible institution' 
    means--
            ``(A) a consortium of 2 or more of the entities described 
        in subparagraphs (B) through (F);
            ``(B) a public or nonprofit private institution of higher 
        education that offers and will use funds provided under this 
        title in support of career and technical education courses that 
        lead to technical skill proficiency or a recognized 
        postsecondary credential, including an industry-recognized 
        credential, a certificate, or an associate degree;
            ``(C) a local educational agency providing education at the 
        postsecondary level;
            ``(D) an area career and technical education school 
        providing education at the postsecondary level;
            ``(E) an Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or Tribal 
        education agency that operates a school or may be present in 
        the State;
            ``(F) a postsecondary educational institution controlled by 
        the Bureau of Indian Education or operated by or on behalf of 
        any Indian Tribe that is eligible to contract with the 
        Secretary of the Interior for the administration of programs 
        under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
        Act (25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.) or the Act of April 16, 1934 (25 
        U.S.C. 5342 et seq.);
            ``(G) a tribally controlled college or university; or
            ``(H) an educational service agency.'';
        (11) in paragraph (21) (as redesignated by paragraph (2)), by 
    inserting ``an Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or Tribal 
    educational agency'' after ``service agency,'';
        (12) by inserting after paragraph (21) (as redesignated by 
    paragraph (2)) the following:
        ``(22) English learner.--The term `English learner' means--
            ``(A) a secondary school student who is an English learner, 
        as defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
        Education Act of 1965; or
            ``(B) an adult or an out-of-school youth who has limited 
        ability in speaking, reading, writing, or understanding the 
        English language and--
                ``(i) whose native language is a language other than 
            English; or
                ``(ii) who lives in a family environment or community 
            in which a language other than English is the dominant 
            language.
        ``(23) Evidence-based.--The term `evidence-based' has the 
    meaning given the term in section 8101(21)(A) of the Elementary and 
    Secondary Education Act of 1965.'';
        (13) by inserting after paragraph (24) (as redesignated by 
    paragraph (2)) the following:
        ``(25) High school.--The term `high school' has the meaning 
    given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
    Education Act of 1965.
        ``(26) 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 
    (29 U.S.C. 3102).
        ``(27) Indian; indian tribe.--The terms `Indian' and `Indian 
    Tribe' have the meanings given the terms `Indian' and `Indian 
    tribe', respectively, in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination 
    and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).'';
        (14) by inserting after paragraph (28) (as redesignated by 
    paragraph (2)) the following:
        ``(29) Industry or sector partnership.--The term `industry or 
    sector partnership' has the meaning given the term in section 3 of 
    the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).'';
        (15) by inserting after paragraph (31) (as redesignated by 
    paragraph (2)) the following:
        ``(32) Local workforce development board.--The term `local 
    workforce development board' means a local workforce development 
    board established under section 107 of the Workforce Innovation and 
    Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3122).'';
        (16) in paragraph (33) (as redesignated by paragraph (2)), by 
    striking ``including'' and inserting ``such as'';
        (17) by inserting after paragraph (34) (as redesignated by 
    paragraph (2)) the following:
        ``(35) Out-of-school youth.--The term `out-of-school youth' has 
    the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation 
    and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
        ``(36) Out-of-workforce individual.--The term `out-of-workforce 
    individual' means--
            ``(A) an individual who is a displaced homemaker, as 
        defined in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and 
        Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102); or
            ``(B) an individual who--
                ``(i)(I) has worked primarily without remuneration to 
            care for a home and family, and for that reason has 
            diminished marketable skills; or
                ``(II) is a parent whose youngest dependent child will 
            become ineligible to receive assistance under part A of 
            title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) 
            not later than 2 years after the date on which the parent 
            applies for assistance under such title; and
                ``(ii) is unemployed or underemployed and is 
            experiencing difficulty in obtaining or upgrading 
            employment.
        ``(37) Paraprofessional.--The term `paraprofessional' has the 
    meaning given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and 
    Secondary Education Act of 1965.
        ``(38) Pay for success initiative.--
            ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the term 
        `pay for success initiative' means a performance-based grant, 
        contract, or cooperative agreement awarded by a State or local 
        public entity (such as a local educational agency) to a public 
        or private nonprofit entity--
                ``(i) in which a commitment is made to pay for improved 
            outcomes that result in increased public value and social 
            benefit to students and the public sector, such as improved 
            student outcomes as evidenced by the indicators of 
            performance described in section 113(b)(2) and direct cost 
            savings or cost avoidance to the public sector; and
                ``(ii) that includes--

                    ``(I) a feasibility study on the initiative 
                describing how the proposed intervention is based on 
                evidence of effectiveness;
                    ``(II) a rigorous, third-party evaluation that uses 
                experimental or quasi-experimental design or other 
                research methodologies that allow for the strongest 
                possible causal inferences to determine whether the 
                initiative has met its proposed outcomes;
                    ``(III) an annual, publicly available report on the 
                progress of the initiative; and
                    ``(IV) a requirement that payments are made to the 
                recipient of a grant, contract, or cooperative 
                agreement only when agreed upon outcomes are achieved, 
                except that the entity may make payments to the third 
                party conducting the evaluation described in subclause 
                (II).

            ``(B) Exclusion.--The term `pay for success initiative' 
        does not include any initiative that--
                ``(i) reduces the special education or related services 
            that a student would otherwise receive under the 
            Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; or
                ``(ii) otherwise reduces the rights of a student or the 
            obligations of an entity under the Individuals with 
            Disabilities Education Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 
            (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.), the Americans with Disabilities 
            Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), or any other law.''.
        (18) in paragraph (39)(C) (as redesignated by paragraph (2)), 
    by striking ``apprenticeship'' and inserting ``other skilled 
    training'';
        (19) by inserting after paragraph (39) (as redesignated by 
    paragraph (2)) the following:
        ``(40) Professional development.--The term `professional 
    development' means activities that--
            ``(A) are an integral part of eligible agency, eligible 
        recipient, institution, or school strategies for providing 
        educators (including teachers, principals, other school 
        leaders, administrators, specialized instructional support 
        personnel, career guidance and academic counselors, and 
        paraprofessionals) with the knowledge and skills necessary to 
        enable students to succeed in career and technical education, 
        to meet challenging State academic standards under section 
        1111(b)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, or to 
        achieve academic skills at the postsecondary level; and
            ``(B) are sustained (not stand-alone, 1-day, or short-term 
        workshops), intensive, collaborative, job-embedded, data-
        driven, and classroom-focused, to the extent practicable 
        evidence-based, and may include activities that--
                ``(i) improve and increase educators'--

                    ``(I) knowledge of the academic and technical 
                subjects;
                    ``(II) understanding of how students learn; and
                    ``(III) ability to analyze student work and 
                achievement from multiple sources, including how to 
                adjust instructional strategies, assessments, and 
                materials based on such analysis;

                ``(ii) are an integral part of eligible recipients' 
            improvement plans;
                ``(iii) allow personalized plans for each educator to 
            address the educator's specific needs identified in 
            observation or other feedback;
                ``(iv) support the recruitment, hiring, and training of 
            effective educators, including educators who became 
            certified through State and local alternative routes to 
            certification;
                ``(v) advance educator understanding of--

                    ``(I) effective instructional strategies that are 
                evidence-based; and
                    ``(II) strategies for improving student academic 
                and technical achievement or substantially increasing 
                the knowledge and teaching skills of educators;

                ``(vi) are developed with extensive participation of 
            educators, parents, students, and representatives of Indian 
            Tribes (as applicable), of schools and institutions served 
            under this Act;
                ``(vii) are designed to give educators of students who 
            are English learners in career and technical education 
            programs or programs of study the knowledge and skills to 
            provide instruction and appropriate language and academic 
            support services to those students, including the 
            appropriate use of curricula and assessments;
                ``(viii) as a whole, are regularly evaluated for their 
            impact on increased educator effectiveness and improved 
            student academic and technical achievement, with the 
            findings of the evaluations used to improve the quality of 
            professional development;
                ``(ix) are designed to give educators of individuals 
            with disabilities in career and technical education 
            programs or programs of study the knowledge and skills to 
            provide instruction and academic support services to those 
            individuals, including positive behavioral interventions 
            and supports, multi-tier system of supports, and use of 
            accommodations;
                ``(x) include instruction in the use of data and 
            assessments to inform and instruct classroom practice;
                ``(xi) include instruction in ways that educators may 
            work more effectively with parents and families;
                ``(xii) provide follow-up training to educators who 
            have participated in activities described in this paragraph 
            that are designed to ensure that the knowledge and skills 
            learned by the educators are implemented in the classroom;
                ``(xiii) promote the integration of academic knowledge 
            and skills and relevant technical knowledge and skills, 
            including programming jointly delivered to academic and 
            career and technical education teachers; or
                ``(xiv) increase the ability of educators providing 
            career and technical education instruction to stay current 
            with industry standards.
        ``(41) Program of study.--The term `program of study' means a 
    coordinated, nonduplicative sequence of academic and technical 
    content at the secondary and postsecondary level that--
            ``(A) incorporates challenging State academic standards, 
        including those adopted by a State under section 1111(b)(1) of 
        the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965;
            ``(B) addresses both academic and technical knowledge and 
        skills, including employability skills;
            ``(C) is aligned with the needs of industries in the 
        economy of the State, region, Tribal community, or local area;
            ``(D) progresses in specificity (beginning with all aspects 
        of an industry or career cluster and leading to more 
        occupation-specific instruction);
            ``(E) has multiple entry and exit points that incorporate 
        credentialing; and
            ``(F) culminates in the attainment of a recognized 
        postsecondary credential.
        ``(42) Qualified intermediary.--The term `qualified 
    intermediary' means a nonprofit entity, which may be part of an 
    industry or sector partnership, that demonstrates expertise in 
    building, connecting, sustaining, and measuring partnerships with 
    entities such as employers, schools, community-based organizations, 
    postsecondary institutions, social service organizations, economic 
    development organizations, Indian tribes or Tribal 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 and programs of study;
            ``(C) delivering professional development;
            ``(D) connecting students to internships and other work-
        based learning opportunities; and
            ``(E) developing personalized student supports.
        ``(43) Recognized postsecondary credential.--The term 
    `recognized postsecondary credential' has the meaning given the 
    term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 
    (29 U.S.C. 3102).'';
        (20) by inserting after paragraph (45) (as redesignated by 
    paragraph (2)) the following:
        ``(46) Specialized instructional support personnel.--The term 
    `specialized instructional support personnel' has the meaning given 
    the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
    Act of 1965.
        ``(47) Specialized instructional support services.--The term 
    `specialized instructional support services' has the meaning given 
    the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
    Act of 1965.'';
        (21) in paragraph (48) (as redesignated by paragraph (2))--
            (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``foster children'' 
        and inserting ``low-income youth and adults'';
            (B) by striking subparagraph (E) and inserting the 
        following:
            ``(E) out-of-workforce individuals;'';
            (C) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``individuals with 
        limited English proficiency.'' and inserting ``English 
        learners;''; and
            (D) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(G) homeless individuals described in section 725 of the 
        McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a);
            ``(H) youth who are in, or have aged out of, the foster 
        care system; and
            ``(I) youth with a parent who--
                ``(i) is a member of the armed forces (as such term is 
            defined in section 101(a)(4) of title 10, United States 
            Code); and
                ``(ii) is on active duty (as such term is defined in 
            section 101(d)(1) of such title).'';
        (22) in paragraph (50) (as redesignated by paragraph (2)), by 
    inserting ``(including paraprofessionals and specialized 
    instructional support personnel)'' after ``supportive personnel'';
        (23) in paragraph (52) (as redesignated by paragraph (2))--
            (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``Indian tribe or 
        Indian tribes'' and inserting ``Indian Tribe or Indian 
        Tribes''; and
            (B) in subparagraph (D)--
                (i) by striking ``tribal'' and inserting ``Tribal''; 
            and
                (ii) by inserting ``or tribal lands'' after 
            ``reservations''; and
        (24) by adding at the end the following:
        ``(53) Tribal organization.--The term `Tribal organization' has 
    the meaning given the term `tribal organization' in section 4 of 
    the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 
    U.S.C. 5304).
        ``(54) Universal design for learning.--The term `universal 
    design for learning' has the meaning given the term in section 8101 
    of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
        ``(55) Work-based learning.--The term `work-based learning' 
    means sustained interactions with industry or community 
    professionals in real workplace settings, to the extent 
    practicable, or simulated environments at an educational 
    institution that foster in-depth, firsthand engagement with the 
    tasks required in a given career field, that are aligned to 
    curriculum and instruction.''.
SEC. 8. TRANSITION PROVISIONS.
    Section 4 (20 U.S.C. 2303) is amended--
        (1) by striking ``the Secretary determines to be appropriate'' 
    and inserting ``are necessary'';
        (2) by striking ``Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical 
    Education Improvement Act of 2006'' each place it appears and 
    inserting ``Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 
    21st Century Act''; and
        (3) by striking ``1998'' and inserting ``2006''.
SEC. 9. PROHIBITIONS.
    Section 8 (20 U.S.C. 2306a) is amended--
        (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``Federal Government to 
    mandate,'' and all that follows through the period at the end and 
    inserting ``Federal Government--
        ``(1) to condition or incentivize the receipt of any grant, 
    contract, or cooperative agreement, or the receipt of any priority 
    or preference under such grant, contract, or cooperative agreement, 
    upon a State, local educational agency, eligible agency, eligible 
    recipient, eligible entity, or school's adoption or implementation 
    of specific instructional content, academic standards and 
    assessments, curricula, or program of instruction (including any 
    condition, priority, or preference to adopt the Common Core State 
    Standards developed under the Common Core State Standards 
    Initiative, any other academic standards common to a significant 
    number of States, or any assessment, instructional content, or 
    curriculum aligned to such standards);
        ``(2) through grants, contracts, or other cooperative 
    agreements, to mandate, direct, or control a State, local 
    educational agency, eligible agency, eligible recipient, eligible 
    entity, or school's specific instructional content, academic 
    standards and assessments, curricula, or program of instruction 
    (including any requirement, direction, or mandate to adopt the 
    Common Core State Standards developed under the Common Core State 
    Standards Initiative, any other academic standards common to a 
    significant number of States, or any assessment, instructional 
    content, or curriculum aligned to such standards); or
        ``(3) except as required under sections 112(b), 211(b), and 
    223--
            ``(A) to mandate, direct, or control the allocation of 
        State or local resources; or
            ``(B) to mandate that a State or a political subdivision of 
        a State spend any funds or incur any costs not paid for under 
        this Act.'';
        (2) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
    ``(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section affects the 
applicability of subchapter II of chapter 5, and chapter 7, of title 5, 
United States Code, (commonly known as the ``Administrative Procedure 
Act'') or chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, commonly known as 
the ``Congressional Review Act'').''; and
        (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(f) Congressional Notice and Comment.--
        ``(1) Notice to congress.--Not less than 15 business days prior 
    to issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking related to this Act in 
    the Federal Register, the Secretary shall provide to the Committee 
    on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, the 
    Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of 
    Representatives, and other relevant congressional committees, 
    notice of the Secretary's intent to issue a notice of proposed 
    rulemaking that shall include--
            ``(A) a copy of the proposed regulation;
            ``(B) the need to issue the regulation;
            ``(C) a description of how the regulation is consistent 
        with the scope of this Act;
            ``(D) the anticipated burden (including the time, cost, and 
        paperwork burden) the regulation will impose on an eligible 
        agency, institution, or recipient that may be impacted by the 
        regulation, including the potential impact on rural areas;
            ``(E) the anticipated benefits to an eligible agency, 
        institution, or recipient that may be impacted by the 
        regulation, including in rural areas; and
            ``(F) any regulations that will be repealed when the new 
        regulation is issued.
        ``(2) Comment period for congress.--The Secretary shall--
            ``(A) before issuing any notice of proposed rulemaking 
        under this subsection, provide Congress with a comment period 
        of 15 business days to make comments on the proposed 
        regulation, beginning on the date that the Secretary provides 
        the notice of intent to the appropriate committees of Congress 
        under paragraph (1); and
            ``(B) include and seek to address all comments submitted by 
        members of Congress in the public rulemaking record for the 
        regulation published in the Federal Register.
        ``(3) Comment and review period; emergency situations.--The 
    comment and review period for any proposed regulation shall be not 
    less than 60 days unless an emergency requires a shorter period, in 
    which case the Secretary shall--
            ``(A) designate the proposed regulation as an emergency 
        with an explanation of the emergency in the notice to Congress 
        under paragraph (1);
            ``(B) publish the length of the comment and review period 
        in such notice and in the Federal Register; and
            ``(C) conduct immediately thereafter regional meetings to 
        review such proposed regulation before issuing any final 
        regulation.''.
  SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
    Section 9 (20 U.S.C. 2307) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
    ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act 
(other than sections 114 and 117)--
        ``(1) $1,229,568,538 for fiscal year 2019;
        ``(2) $1,246,782,498 for fiscal year 2020;
        ``(3) $1,264,237,452 for fiscal year 2021;
        ``(4) $1,281,936,777 for fiscal year 2022;
        ``(5) $1,299,883,892 for fiscal year 2023; and
        ``(6) $1,318,082,266 for fiscal year 2024.''.

    TITLE I--CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION ASSISTANCE TO THE STATES

                    PART A--ALLOTMENT AND ALLOCATION

    SEC. 110. RESERVATIONS AND STATE ALLOTMENT.
    Section 111 (20 U.S.C. 2321) is amended to read as follows:
    ``SEC. 111. RESERVATIONS AND STATE ALLOTMENT.
    ``(a) Reservations and State Allotment.--
        ``(1) Reservations.--From the amount appropriated under section 
    9 for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve--
            ``(A) 0.13 percent to carry out section 115; and
            ``(B) 1.50 percent to carry out section 116, of which--
                ``(i) 1.25 percent of the sum shall be available to 
            carry out section 116(b); and
                ``(ii) 0.25 percent of the sum shall be available to 
            carry out section 116(h).
        ``(2) Foundational grant.--
            ``(A) In general.--From the remainder of the amount 
        appropriated under section 9 and not reserved under paragraph 
        (1) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall allot to a State for 
        the fiscal year an amount equal to the amount the State 
        received in fiscal year 2018.
            ``(B) Ratable reduction.--If for any fiscal year the amount 
        appropriated for allotments under this section is insufficient 
        to satisfy the provisions of subparagraph (A), the payments to 
        all States under such subparagraph shall be ratably reduced.
        ``(3) Additional funds.--Subject to paragraph (4), from the 
    additional funds remaining from the amount appropriated under 
    section 9 and not expended under paragraphs (1) and (2) for a 
    fiscal year, the Secretary shall allot to a State for the fiscal 
    year--
            ``(A) an amount that bears the same ratio to 50 percent of 
        the sum being allotted as the product of the population aged 15 
        to 19, inclusive, in the State in the fiscal year preceding the 
        fiscal year for which the determination is made and the State's 
        allotment ratio bears to the sum of the corresponding products 
        for all the States;
            ``(B) an amount that bears the same ratio to 20 percent of 
        the sum being allotted as the product of the population aged 20 
        to 24, inclusive, in the State in the fiscal year preceding the 
        fiscal year for which the determination is made and the State's 
        allotment ratio bears to the sum of the corresponding products 
        for all the States;
            ``(C) an amount that bears the same ratio to 15 percent of 
        the sum being allotted as the product of the population aged 25 
        to 65, inclusive, in the State in the fiscal year preceding the 
        fiscal year for which the determination is made and the State's 
        allotment ratio bears to the sum of the corresponding products 
        for all the States; and
            ``(D) an amount that bears the same ratio to 15 percent of 
        the sum being allotted as the amounts allotted to the State 
        under subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) for such years bears to 
        the sum of the amounts allotted to all the States under 
        subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) for such year.
        ``(4) Minimum allotment for years with additional funds.--
            ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), for a 
        fiscal year for which there are additional funds described in 
        paragraph (3), no State shall receive for such fiscal year 
        under paragraph (3) less than 1/2 of 1 percent of the 
        additional funds available for such fiscal year. Amounts 
        necessary for increasing such payments to States to comply with 
        the preceding sentence shall be obtained by ratably reducing 
        the amounts to be paid to other States.
            ``(B) Special rule.--In the case of a qualifying State, the 
        minimum allotment under subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year for 
        the qualifying State shall be the lesser of--
                ``(i) 1/2 of 1 percent of the additional funds 
            available for such fiscal year; and
                ``(ii) the product of--

                    ``(I) 1/3 of the additional funds; multiplied by
                    ``(II) the quotient of--

                        ``(aa) the qualifying State's ratio described 
                    in subparagraph (C) for the fiscal year for which 
                    the determination is made; divided by
                        ``(bb) the sum of all such ratios for all 
                    qualifying States for the fiscal year for which the 
                    determination is made.
            ``(C) Ratio.--For purposes of subparagraph (B)(ii)(II)(aa), 
        the ratio for a qualifying State for a fiscal year shall be 
        1.00 less the quotient of--
                ``(i) the amount the qualifying State is allotted under 
            paragraph (3) for the fiscal year; divided by
                ``(ii) 1/2 of 1 percent of the amount appropriated 
            under paragraph (3) for the fiscal year for which the 
            determination is made.
            ``(D) Definitions.--In this paragraph, the term `qualifying 
        State' means a State (except the United States Virgin Islands) 
        that, for the fiscal year for which a determination under this 
        paragraph is made, would receive, under the allotment formula 
        under paragraph (3) (without the application of this 
        paragraph), an amount that would be less than the amount the 
        State would receive under subparagraph (A) for such fiscal 
        year.
    ``(b) Reallotment.--If the Secretary determines that any amount of 
any State's allotment under subsection (a) for any fiscal year will not 
be required for such fiscal year for carrying out the activities for 
which such amount has been allotted, the Secretary shall make such 
amount available for reallotment. Any such reallotment among other 
States shall occur on such dates during the same year as the Secretary 
shall fix, and shall be made on the basis of criteria established by 
regulation. No funds may be reallotted for any use other than the use 
for which the funds were appropriated. Any amount reallotted to a State 
under this subsection for any fiscal year shall remain available for 
obligation during the succeeding fiscal year and shall be deemed to be 
part of the State's allotment for the year in which the amount is 
obligated.
    ``(c) Allotment Ratio.--
        ``(1) In general.--The allotment ratio for any State shall be 
    1.00 less the product of--
            ``(A) 0.50; and
            ``(B) the quotient obtained by dividing the per capita 
        income for the State by the per capita income for all the 
        States (exclusive of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the 
        United States Virgin Islands), except that--
                ``(i) the allotment ratio in no case shall be more than 
            0.60 or less than 0.40; and
                ``(ii) the allotment ratio for the Commonwealth of 
            Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands shall be 
            0.60.
        ``(2) Promulgation.--The allotment ratios shall be promulgated 
    by the Secretary for each fiscal year between October 1 and 
    December 31 of the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which 
    the determination is made. Allotment ratios shall be computed on 
    the basis of the average of the appropriate per capita incomes for 
    the 3 most recent consecutive fiscal years for which satisfactory 
    data are available.
        ``(3) Definition of per capita income.--For the purpose of this 
    section, the term `per capita income' means, with respect to a 
    fiscal year, the total personal income in the calendar year ending 
    in such year, divided by the population of the area concerned in 
    such year.
        ``(4) Population determination.--For the purposes of this 
    section, population shall be determined by the Secretary on the 
    basis of the latest estimates available to the Department of 
    Education.
    ``(d) Definition of State.--For the purpose of this section, the 
term `State' means each of the several States of the United States, the 
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the United 
States Virgin Islands.''.
    SEC. 111. WITHIN STATE ALLOCATION.
    Section 112 (20 U.S.C. 2322) is amended--
        (1) in subsection (a)--
            (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``10 percent'' and 
        inserting ``15 percent'';
            (B) in paragraph (2)--
                (i) in subparagraph (A)--

                    (I) by striking ``1 percent'' and inserting ``2 
                percent'';
                    (II) by striking ``State correctional institutions 
                and institutions'' and inserting ``State correctional 
                institutions, juvenile justice facilities, and 
                educational institutions''; and
                    (III) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon; and

                (ii) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
            ``(C) an amount shall be made available for the recruitment 
        of special populations to enroll in career and technical 
        education programs, which shall be not less than the lesser 
        of--
                ``(i) an amount equal to 0.1 percent; or
                ``(ii) $50,000; and'';
            (C) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking ``a local plan;'' and 
        inserting ``local applications;''; and
        (2) in subsection (c), by striking ``section 135'' and all that 
    follows through the end and inserting ``section 135--
        ``(1) in--
            ``(A) rural areas;
            ``(B) areas with high percentages of CTE concentrators or 
        CTE participants;
            ``(C) areas with high numbers of CTE concentrators or CTE 
        participants; and
            ``(D) areas with disparities or gaps in performance as 
        described in section 113(b)(3)(C)(ii)(II); and
        ``(2) in order to--
            ``(A) foster innovation through the identification and 
        promotion of promising and proven career and technical 
        education programs, practices, and strategies, which may 
        include programs, practices, and strategies that prepare 
        individuals for nontraditional fields; or
            ``(B) promote the development, implementation, and adoption 
        of programs of study or career pathways aligned with State-
        identified high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand occupations or 
        industries.''.
    SEC. 112. ACCOUNTABILITY.
    Section 113 (20 U.S.C. 2323) is amended--
        (1) in subsection (b)--
            (A) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``Determined'' 
        after ``State'';
            (B) in paragraph (1)--
                (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
            inserting ``State determined'' before ``performance'';
                (ii) by striking subparagraph (B) and redesignating 
            subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B);
                (iii) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``and'' after 
            the semicolon; and
                (iv) in subparagraph (B), as so redesignated--

                    (I) by striking ``a State adjusted level of 
                performance'' and inserting ``a State determined level 
                of performance''; and
                    (II) by striking ``, and State levels of 
                performance described in paragraph (3)(B) for each 
                additional indicator of performance''; and

            (C) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
        ``(2) Indicators of performance.--
            ``(A) Core indicators of performance for cte concentrators 
        at the secondary level.--Each eligible agency shall identify in 
        the State plan core indicators of performance for CTE 
        concentrators at the secondary level that are valid and 
        reliable, and that include, at a minimum, measures of each of 
        the following:
                ``(i) The percentage of CTE concentrators who graduate 
            high school, as measured by--

                    ``(I) the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate 
                (defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and 
                Secondary Education Act of 1965); and
                    ``(II) at the State's discretion, the extended-year 
                adjusted cohort graduation rate defined in such section 
                8101.

                ``(ii) CTE concentrator proficiency in the challenging 
            State academic standards adopted by the State under section 
            1111(b)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
            1965, as measured by the academic assessments described in 
            section 1111(b)(2) of such Act.
                ``(iii) The percentage of CTE concentrators who, in the 
            second quarter after exiting from secondary education, are 
            in postsecondary education or advanced training, military 
            service or a service program that receives assistance under 
            title I of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 
            (42 U.S.C. 12511 et seq.), are volunteers as described in 
            section 5(a) of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504(a)), or 
            are employed.
                ``(iv) Indicators of career and technical education 
            program quality as follows:

                    ``(I) That shall include at least 1 of the 
                following:

                        ``(aa) The percentage of CTE concentrators 
                    graduating from high school having attained a 
                    recognized postsecondary credential.
                        ``(bb) The percentage of CTE concentrators 
                    graduating from high school having attained 
                    postsecondary credits in the relevant career and 
                    technical education program or program of study 
                    earned through a dual or concurrent enrollment 
                    program or another credit transfer agreement.
                        ``(cc) The percentage of CTE concentrators 
                    graduating from high school having participated in 
                    work-based learning.

                    ``(II) That may include any other measure of 
                student success in career and technical education that 
                is statewide, valid, and reliable, and comparable 
                across the State.

                ``(v) The percentage of CTE concentrators in career and 
            technical education programs and programs of study that 
            lead to non-traditional fields.
            ``(B) Core indicators of performance for cte concentrators 
        at the postsecondary level.--Each eligible agency shall 
        identify in the State plan core indicators of performance for 
        CTE concentrators at the postsecondary level that are valid and 
        reliable, and that include, at a minimum, measures of each of 
        the following:
                ``(i) The percentage of CTE concentrators who, during 
            the second quarter after program completion, remain 
            enrolled in postsecondary education, are in advanced 
            training, military service, or a service program that 
            receives assistance under title I of the National and 
            Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12511 et seq.), 
            are volunteers as described in section 5(a) of the Peace 
            Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504(a)), or are placed or retained in 
            employment.
                ``(ii) The percentage of CTE concentrators who receive 
            a recognized postsecondary credential during participation 
            in or within 1 year of program completion.
                ``(iii) The percentage of CTE concentrators in career 
            and technical education programs and programs of study that 
            lead to non-traditional fields.
            ``(C) Alignment of performance indicators.--In developing 
        core indicators of performance under subparagraphs (A) and (B), 
        an eligible agency shall, to the greatest extent possible, 
        align the indicators so that substantially similar information 
        gathered for other State and Federal programs, or for any other 
        purpose, may be used to meet the requirements of this 
        section.'';
            (D) in paragraph (3)--
                (i) in the paragraph heading, by inserting 
            ``determined'' after ``State'';
                (ii) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows:
            ``(A) State determined levels of performance for core 
        indicators of performance.--
                ``(i) In general.--

                    ``(I) Levels determined by the eligible agency.--
                Each eligible agency, with input from eligible 
                recipients, shall establish in the State plan submitted 
                under section 122, for each year covered by the State 
                plan, State determined levels of performance for each 
                of the core indicators described under subparagraphs 
                (A) and (B) of paragraph (2) for career and technical 
                education activities authorized under this title. The 
                level of performance for a core indicator shall be the 
                same for all CTE concentrators in the State.
                    ``(II) Technical assistance.--The Secretary may 
                assist an eligible agency in establishing the State 
                determined levels of performance under this 
                subparagraph only at the request of that eligible 
                agency.
                    ``(III) Requirements.--Such State determined levels 
                of performance shall, at a minimum--

                        ``(aa) be expressed in a percentage or 
                    numerical form, so as to be objective, 
                    quantifiable, and measurable;
                        ``(bb) require the State to continually make 
                    meaningful progress toward improving the 
                    performance of all career and technical education 
                    students, including the subgroups of students 
                    described in section 1111(h)(1)(C)(ii) of the 
                    Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, and 
                    special populations, as described in section 3(48); 
                    and
                        ``(cc) have been subject to the public comment 
                    process described in subparagraph (B), and the 
                    eligible agency has provided a written response;
                        ``(dd) when being adjusted pursuant to clause 
                    (ii), take into account how the levels of 
                    performance involved compare with the State levels 
                    of performance established for other States, 
                    considering factors including the characteristics 
                    of actual (as opposed to anticipated) CTE 
                    concentrators when the CTE concentrators entered 
                    the program, and the services or instruction to be 
                    provided;
                        ``(ee) when being adjusted pursuant to clause 
                    (ii), be higher than the average actual performance 
                    of the 2 most recently completed program years, 
                    except in the case of unanticipated circumstances 
                    that require revisions in accordance with clause 
                    (iii); and
                        ``(ff) take into account the extent to which 
                    the State determined levels of performance advance 
                    the eligible agency's goals, as set forth in the 
                    State plan.
                ``(ii) Allowable adjustment of state determined levels 
            of performance for subsequent years.--Prior to the third 
            program year covered by the State plan, each eligible 
            agency may revise the State determined levels of 
            performance for any of the core indicators of performance 
            for the subsequent program years covered by the State plan, 
            and submit the revised State determined levels of 
            performance to the Secretary. If the eligible agency 
            adjusts any levels of performance, the eligible agency 
            shall adjust those levels in accordance with clause (i), 
            and address written comments of stakeholders as described 
            in subparagraph (B). The Secretary shall approve those 
            revised levels of performance if those levels meet the 
            requirements described in subclause (III) of clause (i). 
            The State determined adjusted levels of performance 
            identified under this clause shall be considered to be the 
            State determined levels of performance for the State for 
            such years and shall be incorporated into the State plan.
                ``(iii) Unanticipated circumstances.--If unanticipated 
            circumstances arise in a State or changes occur related to 
            improvements in data or measurement approaches, the 
            eligible agency, at the end of the program year, may revise 
            the State determined levels of performance required under 
            this subparagraph. After public comment, as described in 
            subparagraph (B), the eligible agency shall submit such 
            revised levels of performance to the Secretary with 
            evidence supporting the revision. The Secretary shall 
            approve any such revision if that revision meets the 
            requirements of clause (ii).'';
                (iii) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the 
            following:
            ``(B) Public comment.--
                ``(i) In general.--Each eligible agency shall develop 
            the levels of performance under subparagraph (A) in 
            consultation with the stakeholders identified in section 
            122(c)(1)(A).
                ``(ii) Written comments.--Not less than 60 days prior 
            to submission of the State plan, the eligible agency shall 
            provide such stakeholders with the opportunity to provide 
            written comments to the eligible agency, which shall be 
            included in the State plan, regarding how the levels of 
            performance described under subparagraph (A)--

                    ``(I) meet the requirements of the law;
                    ``(II) support the improvement of performance of 
                all CTE concentrators, including subgroups of students, 
                as described in section 1111(h)(1)(C)(ii) of the 
                Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, and 
                special populations, as described in section 3(48); and
                    ``(III) support the needs of the local education 
                and business community.

                ``(iii) Eligible agency response.--Each eligible agency 
            shall provide, in the State plan, a written response to the 
            comments provided by stakeholders under clause (ii).''; and
                (iv) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(C)  State report.--
                ``(i) In general.--Each eligible agency that receives 
            an allotment under section 111 shall annually prepare and 
            submit to the Secretary a report regarding--

                    ``(I) the progress of the State in achieving the 
                State determined levels of performance on the core 
                indicators of performance; and
                    ``(II) the actual levels of performance for all CTE 
                concentrators, and for each of the subgroups of 
                students, as described in section 1111(h)(1)(C)(ii) of 
                the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, and 
                special populations, as described in section 3(48).

                ``(ii) Data.--Except as provided in subparagraph (E), 
            each eligible agency that receives an allotment under 
            section 111 shall--

                    ``(I) disaggregate data for each of the indicators 
                of performance under paragraph (2)--

                        ``(aa) for subgroups of students, as described 
                    in section 1111(h)(1)(C)(ii) of the Elementary and 
                    Secondary Education Act of 1965, and special 
                    populations, as described in section 3(48), that 
                    are served under this Act; and
                        ``(bb) by the career and technical education 
                    programs or programs of study of the CTE 
                    concentrators, except that in a case in which 
                    reporting by such program or program of study is 
                    impractical, the data may be disaggregated by the 
                    career clusters of the CTE concentrators, if 
                    appropriate;

                    ``(II) identify and quantify any disparities or 
                gaps in performance on the State determined levels of 
                performance under subparagraph (A) between any such 
                subgroup or special population and the performance of 
                all CTE concentrators served by the eligible agency 
                under this Act, which shall include a quantifiable 
                description of the progress each such subgroup or 
                special population of students served by the eligible 
                agency under this Act has made in meeting the State 
                determined levels of performance; and
                    ``(III) for CTE concentrators described in 
                paragraph (2)(A)(iii) and paragraph (2)(B)(i), 
                disaggregate data, to the extent such data is 
                available, by each of the following:

                        ``(aa) Individuals enrolled in postsecondary 
                    education (disaggregated by postsecondary award 
                    level, including certificate, associate, or 
                    baccalaureate degree).
                        ``(bb) Individuals in advanced training.
                        ``(cc) Individuals in military service or a 
                    service program that receives assistance under 
                    title I of the National and Community Service Act 
                    of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12511 et seq.) or volunteers as 
                    described in section 5(a) of the Peace Corps Act 
                    (22 U.S.C. 2504(a)).
                        ``(dd) Individuals in employment (including 
                    those individuals who are employed in a high-skill, 
                    high-wage, or in-demand sector or occupation).
                ``(iii) Nonduplication.--The Secretary shall ensure 
            that each eligible agency does not report duplicative 
            information under this section.
                ``(iv) Information dissemination.--The Secretary 
            shall--

                    ``(I) make the information contained in such 
                reports available to the general public through a 
                variety of formats, including electronically through 
                the Internet;
                    ``(II) disseminate State-by-State comparisons of 
                the information contained in such reports; and
                    ``(III) provide the appropriate committees of 
                Congress with copies of such reports.

            ``(D) State dissemination of actual levels of 
        performance.--At the end of each program year, the eligible 
        agency shall disseminate the actual levels of performance 
        described in subparagraph (C)(i)(II)--
                ``(i) widely, including to students, parents, and 
            educators;
                ``(ii) through a variety of formats, including 
            electronically through the Internet; and
                ``(iii) in user-friendly formats and languages that are 
            easily accessible, as determined by the eligible agency.
            ``(E) Rules for reporting data.--The disaggregation of data 
        under this paragraph shall not be required when the number of 
        students in a category is insufficient to yield statistically 
        reliable information or when the results would reveal 
        personally identifiable information about an individual 
        student.''; and
            (E) in paragraph (4)--
                (i) in subparagraph (A)--

                    (I) in the subparagraph heading, by striking 
                ``adjusted'';
                    (II) by striking clauses (iii) and (v), and 
                redesignating clauses (iv) and (vi) as clauses (iii) 
                and (v), respectively;
                    (III) in clause (i)--

                        (aa) in the matter preceding subclause (I)--
                            (AA) by striking ``State adjusted levels of 
                        performance'' and inserting ``State determined 
                        levels of performance for each year of the 
                        plan''; and
                            (BB) by striking ``local adjusted levels'' 
                        and inserting ``local levels'' each place the 
                        term appears;
                        (bb) in subclause (I)--
                            (AA) by striking ``consistent with the 
                        State levels of performance established under 
                        paragraph (3), so as'' and inserting 
                        ``consistent with the form expressed in the 
                        State determined levels, so as''; and
                            (BB) by striking ``and'' after the 
                        semicolon; and
                        (cc) in subclause (II), by striking 
                    ``continually make progress toward improving the 
                    performance of career and technical education 
                    students.'' and inserting ``continually make 
                    meaningful progress toward improving the 
                    performance of all CTE concentrators, including 
                    subgroups of students described in section 
                    1111(h)(1)(C)(ii) of the Elementary and Secondary 
                    Education Act of 1965 and special populations, as 
                    described in section 3(48);''; and
                        (dd) by adding at the end the following:

                    ``(III) when being adjusted as described in clause 
                (iii), be higher than the average actual performance 
                levels of the previous 2 program years, except in a 
                case in which unanticipated circumstances arise with 
                respect to the eligible recipient and that eligible 
                recipient meets the requirements for revisions under 
                clause (iv);
                    ``(IV) when being adjusted as described in clause 
                (iii), take into account how the local levels of 
                performance compare with the local levels of 
                performance established for other eligible recipients, 
                considering factors including the characteristics of 
                actual (as opposed to anticipated) CTE concentrators at 
                the time those CTE concentrators entered the program, 
                and the services or instruction to be provided; and
                    ``(V) set the local levels of performance using 
                valid and reliable data that measures--

                        ``(aa) the differences within the State in 
                    actual economic conditions (including differences 
                    in unemployment rates and job losses or gains in 
                    particular industries); and
                        ``(bb) the abilities of the State and the 
                    eligible recipient to collect and access valid, 
                    reliable, and cost-effective data.'';

                    (IV) in clause (ii)--

                        (aa) in the clause heading, by striking 
                    ``plan'' and inserting ``application'';
                        (bb) by striking ``plan'' and inserting 
                    ``application''; and
                        (cc) by striking ``the first 2'' and inserting 
                    ``each of the'';

                    (V) by amending clause (iii), as redesignated by 
                subclause (II), to read as follows:

                ``(iii) Allowable adjustments of local levels of 
            performance for subsequent years.--Prior to the third 
            program year covered by the local application, the eligible 
            recipient may, if the eligible recipient reaches an 
            agreement with the eligible agency, adjust the local levels 
            of performance for any of the core indicators of 
            performance for the subsequent program years covered by the 
            local application, in accordance with that agreement and 
            with this subparagraph. The local adjusted levels of 
            performance agreed to under this clause shall be considered 
            to be the local levels of performance for the eligible 
            recipient for such years and shall be incorporated into the 
            local application.''; and

                    (VI) in clause (v), as redesignated by subclause 
                (II), by striking ``If unanticipated circumstances 
                arise with respect to an eligible recipient resulting 
                in a significant change in the factors described in 
                clause (v), the eligible recipient may request that the 
                local adjusted levels of performance agreed to under 
                clause (iii) or (iv) be revised.'' and inserting ``If 
                unanticipated circumstances arise, or changes occur 
                related to improvements in data or measurement 
                approaches, the eligible recipient may request that the 
                local levels of performance agreed to under clauses (i) 
                and (iii) be revised.'';

                (ii) by striking subparagraph (B) and redesignating 
            subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B); and
                (iii) in subparagraph (B), as redesignated by clause 
            (ii)--

                    (I) in clause (i), by striking ``the data described 
                in clause (ii)(I), regarding the progress of such 
                recipient in achieving the local adjusted levels of 
                performance'' and inserting ``the data on the actual 
                performance levels described in clause (ii), including 
                the progress of such recipient in achieving the local 
                levels of performance'';
                    (II) in clause (ii)--

                        (aa) in subclause (I)--
                            (AA) by striking ``section 
                        1111(h)(1)(C)(i)'' and inserting ``section 
                        1111(h)(1)(C)(ii)'';
                            (BB) by striking ``section 3(29)'' and 
                        inserting ``section 3(48)''; and
                            (CC) by striking ``and'' after the 
                        semicolon; and
                        (bb) in subclause (II)--
                            (AA) by inserting ``, as described in 
                        paragraph 3(C)(ii)(II),'' after ``gaps in 
                        performance'';
                            (BB) by inserting ``as described in 
                        subclause (I) (including special populations)'' 
                        after ``category of students'';
                            (CC) by striking ``all students'' and 
                        inserting ``all CTE concentrators''; and
                            (DD) by adding at the end the following:

                    ``(III) disaggregate data by the career and 
                technical education programs or programs of study of 
                the CTE concentrators, except that in a case in which 
                reporting by such program or program of study is 
                impractical, the data may be disaggregated by the 
                career clusters of the CTE concentrators, if 
                appropriate; and
                    ``(IV) for CTE concentrators described in paragraph 
                (2)(A)(iii) and paragraph (2)(B)(i), disaggregate data, 
                to the extent such data is available, by each of the 
                following:

                        ``(aa) Individuals enrolled in postsecondary 
                    education (disaggregated by postsecondary award 
                    level, including certificate, associate, or 
                    baccalaureate degree).
                        ``(bb) Individuals in advanced training.
                        ``(cc) Individuals in military service or a 
                    service program that receives assistance under 
                    title I of the National and Community Service Act 
                    of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12511 et seq.) or volunteers as 
                    described in section 5(a) of the Peace Corps Act 
                    (22 U.S.C. 2504(a)).
                        ``(dd) Individuals in employment (including 
                    those individuals who are employed in a high-skill, 
                    high-wage, or in-demand sector or occupation).'';

                    (III) in clause (iii), by striking ``subsection 
                (c)(3)'' and inserting ``paragraph (3)(C)(iii)'';
                    (IV) in clause (iv), by striking ``clause (ii)'' 
                and inserting ``this paragraph''; and
                    (V) by striking clause (v) and inserting the 
                following:

                ``(v) Availability.--The report described in clause (i) 
            shall be made available by the eligible recipient through a 
            variety of formats, including electronically through the 
            Internet, to students, parents, educators, and the public, 
            and the information contained in such report shall be in a 
            format that is understandable and uniform, and to the 
            extent practicable, provided in a language that students, 
            parents, and educators can understand.''; and
        (2) by striking subsection (c).
    SEC. 113. NATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
    Section 114 (20 U.S.C. 2324) is amended--
        (1) in subsection (a)(1)--
            (A) by striking ``The Secretary shall'' the first place it 
        appears and inserting ``The Secretary shall, in consultation 
        with the Director,''; and
            (B) by inserting ``from eligible agencies under section 
        113(b)(3)(C)'' after ``pursuant to this title'';
        (2) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
    ``(b) Reasonable Cost.--The Secretary shall take such action as may 
be necessary to secure at reasonable cost the information required by 
this title. To ensure reasonable cost, the Secretary, in consultation 
with the National Center for Education Statistics and the Office of 
Career, Technical, and Adult Education shall determine the methodology 
to be used and the frequency with which such information is to be 
collected.'';
        (3) in subsection (c)--
            (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Secretary may'' and 
        inserting ``Secretary shall'';
            (B) in paragraph (2)--
                (i) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``, acting 
            through the Director,'' after ``describe how the 
            Secretary''; and
                (ii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``, in 
            consultation with the Director,'' after ``Secretary'';
        (4) in subsection (d)--
            (A) in paragraph (1)--
                (i) in subparagraph (A)--

                    (I) by inserting ``, acting through the Director,'' 
                after ``The Secretary'';
                    (II) by inserting ``and the plan developed under 
                subsection (c)'' after ``described in paragraph (2)''; 
                and
                    (III) by striking ``assessment'' each place such 
                term appears and inserting ``evaluation'';

                (ii) in subparagraph (B)--

                    (I) in clause (v), by striking ``; and'' and 
                inserting a semicolon;
                    (II) in clause (vi)--

                        (aa) by inserting ``qualified'' before 
                    ``intermediaries''; and
                        (bb) by striking the period at the end and 
                    inserting ``, which may include individuals with 
                    expertise in addressing inequities in access to, 
                    and in opportunities for, academic and technical 
                    skill attainment;''; and

                    (III) by adding at the end the following:

                ``(vii) representatives of Indian Tribes and Tribal 
            organizations; and
                ``(viii) representatives of special populations.''; and
                (iii) in subparagraph (C)--

                    (I) by inserting ``the Director,'' after ``the 
                Secretary,''; and
                    (II) by striking ``assessment'' and inserting 
                ``evaluation'';

            (B) in paragraph (2)--
                (i) in the heading, by striking ``and assessment'';
                (ii) in subparagraph (A)--

                    (I) by striking ``subsection (e), the Secretary'' 
                and inserting ``subsection (f), the Secretary, acting 
                through the Director,'';
                    (II) by striking ``an independent evaluation and 
                assessment'' and inserting ``a series of research and 
                evaluation initiatives for each year for which funds 
                are appropriated to carry out this Act, which are 
                aligned with the plan in subsection (c)(2),'';
                    (III) by striking ``Carl D. Perkins Career and 
                Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006'' and 
                inserting ``Strengthening Career and Technical 
                Education for the 21st Century Act''; and
                    (IV) by adding at the end the following: ``Whenever 
                possible, data used for the evaluation for a fiscal 
                year shall be data from the most recent fiscal year for 
                which such data are available, and from the 5-year 
                period preceding that fiscal year.''; and

                (iii) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows:
            ``(B) Contents.--The evaluation required under subparagraph 
        (A) shall include descriptions and evaluations of--
                ``(i) the extent and success of the integration of 
            challenging State academic standards adopted under section 
            1111(b)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
            1965 and career and technical education for students 
            participating in career and technical education programs, 
            including a review of the effect of such integration on the 
            academic and technical proficiency achievement of such 
            students, including--

                    ``(I) the number of such students that receive a 
                regular high school diploma, as such term is defined 
                under section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
                Education Act of 1965 or a State-defined alternative 
                diploma described in section 8101(25)(A)(ii)(I)(bb) of 
                such Act;
                    ``(II) the number of such students that are high 
                school students that receive a recognized postsecondary 
                credential; and
                    ``(III) the number of such students that are high 
                school students that earn credit toward a recognized 
                postsecondary credential;

                ``(ii) the extent to which career and technical 
            education programs and programs of study prepare students, 
            including special populations, for subsequent employment in 
            high-skill, high-wage occupations (including those in which 
            mathematics and science skills are critical, which may 
            include computer science), or for participation in 
            postsecondary education;
                ``(iii) employer involvement in, benefit from, and 
            satisfaction with, career and technical education programs 
            and programs of study and career and technical education 
            students' preparation for employment;
                ``(iv) efforts to expand access to career and technical 
            education programs of study for all students;
                ``(v) innovative approaches to work-based learning 
            programs that increase participation and alignment with 
            employment in high-growth industries, including in rural 
            and low-income areas;
                ``(vi) the effectiveness of different delivery systems 
            and approaches for career and technical education, 
            including comprehensive high schools, technical high 
            schools, area technical centers, career academies, 
            community and technical colleges, early college high 
            schools, pre-apprenticeship programs, voluntary after-
            school programs, and individual course offerings, including 
            dual or concurrent enrollment program courses, as well as 
            communication strategies for promoting career and technical 
            education opportunities involving teachers, school 
            counselors, and parents or other guardians;
                ``(vii) the extent to which career and technical 
            education programs supported by this Act are grounded on 
            evidence-based research;
                ``(viii) the impact of the amendments to this Act made 
            under the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for 
            the 21st Century Act, including comparisons, where 
            appropriate, of--

                    ``(I) the use of the comprehensive needs assessment 
                under section 134(c);
                    ``(II) the implementation of programs of study; and
                    ``(III) coordination of planning and program 
                delivery with other relevant laws, including the 
                Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
                3101 et seq.) and the Elementary and Secondary 
                Education Act of 1965;

                ``(ix) changes in career and technical education 
            program accountability as described in section 113 and any 
            effects of such changes on program delivery and program 
            quality;
                ``(x) changes in student enrollment patterns; and
                ``(xi) efforts to reduce disparities or performance 
            gaps described in section 113(b)(3)(C)(ii)(II).''; and
                (iv) in subparagraph (C)--

                    (I) in clause (i)--

                        (aa) in the matter preceding subclause (I), by 
                    inserting ``, in consultation with the Director,'' 
                    after ``The Secretary''; and
                        (bb) by striking subclauses (I) and (II) and 
                    inserting the following:

                    ``(I) not later than 2 years after the date of 
                enactment of the Strengthening Career and Technical 
                Education for the 21st Century Act, an interim report 
                regarding the evaluation and summary of research 
                activities carried out under this section that builds 
                on studies and analyses existing as of such date of 
                enactment;
                    ``(II) not later than 4 years after the date of 
                enactment of the Strengthening Career and Technical 
                Education for the 21st Century Act, a final report 
                summarizing the studies and analyses that relate to the 
                evaluation and summary of research activities carried 
                out under this section; and
                    ``(III) a biennial update to such final report for 
                succeeding years.'';
                    (II) in clause (ii), by inserting ``the Director,'' 
                after ``the President, the Secretary,'' each place the 
                term appears; and
                    (III) by adding after clause (ii) the following:

                ``(iii) Dissemination.--In addition to submitting the 
            reports required under clause (i), the Secretary shall 
            disseminate the results of the evaluation widely and on a 
            timely basis in order to increase the understanding among 
            State and local officials and educators of the 
            effectiveness of programs and activities supported under 
            the Act and of the career and technical education programs 
            and programs of study that are most likely to produce 
            positive educational and employment outcomes.'';
            (C) in subparagraph (3)(A), by striking ``State adjusted 
        levels of performance described in section 113(b)'' and 
        inserting ``State determined levels of performance described in 
        section 113(b), as long as such information does not reveal any 
        personally identifiable information''; and
            (D) by striking paragraphs (4) and (5) and inserting the 
        following:
        ``(4) Research.--
            ``(A) In general.--From amounts made available under 
        subsection (f), the Secretary, after consultation with the 
        Director, the Commissioner for Education Research, and the 
        States, and with input from the independent advisory panel 
        established under subsection (d)(1)(A), shall award a grant, 
        contract, or cooperative agreement, on a competitive basis, to 
        an institution of higher education or to a consortium of one or 
        more institutions of higher education and one or more private 
        nonprofit organizations or agencies, to carry out one or more 
        of the activities described in subparagraph (B).
            ``(B) Grant activities.--An institution or consortium 
        receiving a grant under this paragraph shall use grant funds to 
        carry out one or more of the following activities:
                ``(i) Evidence-based research and evaluation for the 
            purpose of developing, improving, and identifying the most 
            successful methods for--

                    ``(I) eliminating inequities in access to, and in 
                opportunities for, learning, skill development, or 
                effective teaching in career and technical education 
                programs; and
                    ``(II) addressing the education, employment, and 
                training needs of CTE participants, including special 
                populations, in career and technical education programs 
                or programs of study.

                ``(ii) Research on, and evaluation of, the impact of 
            changes made by the Strengthening Career and Technical 
            Education for the 21st Century Act, including State-by-
            State comparisons, where appropriate, of--

                    ``(I) the use of the needs assessment under section 
                134(c);
                    ``(II) the implementation of programs of study;
                    ``(III) how States have implemented provisions of 
                the Act, including both fiscal and programmatic 
                elements;
                    ``(IV) career and technical education funding and 
                finance models; and
                    ``(V) coordination with other relevant laws, 
                including the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 
                (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.), the Elementary and Secondary 
                Education Act of 1965, and the Higher Education Act of 
                1965.

                ``(iii) Evidence-based research and analyses that 
            provide longitudinal information with respect to career and 
            technical education programs and programs of study and 
            student achievement.
                ``(iv) The implementation of, evaluation of, or 
            evidence-based research of, innovative methods that support 
            high-quality implementation of career and technical 
            education programs and programs of study and student 
            achievement related to career and technical education, 
            including--

                    ``(I) creating or expanding dual or concurrent 
                enrollment program activities and early college high 
                schools;
                    ``(II) awarding of academic credit or academic 
                alignment for industry recognized credentials, 
                competency-based education, or work-based learning;
                    ``(III) making available open, searchable, and 
                comparable information on the quality of industry 
                recognized credentials, including the related skills or 
                competencies, attainment by CTE concentrators, related 
                employment and earnings outcomes, labor market value, 
                and use by employers; or
                    ``(IV) initiatives to facilitate the transition of 
                sub-baccalaureate career and technical education 
                students into baccalaureate degree programs, including 
                barriers affecting rural students and special 
                populations.

            ``(C) Report.--The institution or consortium receiving a 
        grant under this paragraph shall annually prepare a report 
        containing information about the key research findings of such 
        entity under this paragraph and shall submit copies of the 
        report to the Secretary and the Director. The Secretary shall 
        submit copies of the report to the relevant committees of 
        Congress, the Library of Congress, and each eligible agency.
            ``(D) Dissemination.--The institution or consortium 
        receiving a grant under this paragraph shall conduct 
        dissemination and training activities based on the research 
        carried out under this paragraph on a timely basis, including 
        through dissemination networks and, as appropriate and 
        relevant, technical assistance providers within the 
        Department.'';
        (5) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f);
        (6) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
    ``(e) Innovation and Modernization.--
        ``(1) Grant program.--To identify, support, and rigorously 
    evaluate evidence-based and innovative strategies and activities to 
    improve and modernize career and technical education and align 
    workforce skills with labor market needs as part of the State plan 
    under section 122 and local application under section 134 and the 
    requirements of this subsection, the Secretary may use not more 
    than 20 percent of the amounts appropriated under subsection (f) to 
    award grants to eligible entities, eligible institutions, or 
    eligible recipients to carry out the activities described in 
    paragraph (7).
        ``(2) Non-federal match.--
            ``(A) Matching funds required.--Except as provided under 
        subparagraph (B), to receive a grant under this subsection, an 
        eligible entity, eligible institution, or eligible recipient 
        shall, through cash or in-kind contributions, provide matching 
        funds from non-Federal sources in an amount equal to not less 
        than 50 percent of the funds provided under such grant.
            ``(B) Exception.--The Secretary may waive the matching fund 
        requirement under subparagraph (A) if the eligible entity, 
        eligible institution, or eligible recipient demonstrates 
        exceptional circumstances.
        ``(3) Application.--To receive a grant under this subsection, 
    an eligible entity, eligible institution, or eligible recipient 
    shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such 
    manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may 
    require, including, at a minimum--
            ``(A) an identification and designation of the agency, 
        institution, or school responsible for the administration and 
        supervision of the program assisted under this paragraph;
            ``(B) a description of the budget for the project, the 
        source and amount of the matching funds required under 
        paragraph (2)(A), and how the applicant will continue the 
        project after the grant period ends, if applicable;
            ``(C) a description of how the applicant will use the grant 
        funds, including how such funds will directly benefit students, 
        including special populations, served by the applicant;
            ``(D) a description of how the program assisted under this 
        subsection will be coordinated with the activities carried out 
        under section 124 or 135;
            ``(E) a description of how the career and technical 
        education programs or programs of study to be implemented with 
        grant funds reflect the needs of regional, State, or local 
        employers, as demonstrated by the comprehensive needs 
        assessment under section 134(c);
            ``(F) a description of how the program assisted under this 
        subsection will be evaluated and how that evaluation may inform 
        the report described in subsection (d)(2)(C); and
            ``(G) an assurance that the applicant will--
                ``(i) provide information to the Secretary, as 
            requested, for evaluations that the Secretary may carry 
            out; and
                ``(ii) make data available to third parties for 
            validation, in accordance with applicable data privacy 
            laws, including section 444 of the General Education 
            Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g, commonly known as the 
            `Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974').
        ``(4) Priority.--In awarding grants under this subsection, the 
    Secretary shall give priority to applications from eligible 
    entities, eligible institutions, or eligible recipients that will 
    predominantly serve students from low-income families.
        ``(5) Geographic diversity.--
            ``(A) In general.--In awarding grants under this 
        subsection, the Secretary shall award no less than 25 percent 
        of the total available funds for any fiscal year to eligible 
        entities, eligible institutions, or eligible recipients 
        proposing to fund career and technical education activities 
        that serve--
                ``(i) a local educational agency with an urban-centric 
            district locale code of 32, 33, 41, 42, or 43, as 
            determined by the Secretary;
                ``(ii) an institution of higher education primarily 
            serving the one or more areas served by such a local 
            educational agency;
                ``(iii) a consortium of such local educational agencies 
            or such institutions of higher education;
                ``(iv) a partnership between--

                    ``(I) an educational service agency or a nonprofit 
                organization; and
                    ``(II) such a local educational agency or such an 
                institution of higher education; or

                ``(v) a partnership between--

                    ``(I) a grant recipient described in clause (i) or 
                (ii); and
                    ``(II) a State educational agency.

            ``(B) Exception.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the 
        Secretary shall reduce the amount of funds made available under 
        such clause if the Secretary does not receive a sufficient 
        number of applications of sufficient quality.
        ``(6) Duration.--
            ``(A) In general.--Grants awarded under this subsection 
        shall be for a period of not more than 3 years.
            ``(B) Extension.--The Secretary may extend such grants for 
        not more than 1 additional 2-year period if the grantee 
        demonstrates to the Secretary that the grantee is achieving the 
        grantee's program objectives and, as applicable, has improved 
        education outcomes for career and technical education students, 
        including special populations.
        ``(7) Uses of funds.--An eligible entity, eligible institution, 
    or eligible recipient that is awarded a grant under this subsection 
    shall use the grant funds to create, develop, implement, replicate, 
    or take to scale evidence-based, field-initiated innovations to 
    modernize and improve effectiveness and alignment of career and 
    technical education and to improve student outcomes in career and 
    technical education, and rigorously evaluate such innovations, 
    through one or more of the following activities:
            ``(A) Designing and implementing courses or programs of 
        study aligned to labor market needs in new or emerging fields 
        and working with industry to upgrade equipment, technology, and 
        related curriculum used in career and technical education 
        programs, which is needed for the development, expansion, and 
        implementation of State-approved career and technical education 
        programs of study, including--
                ``(i) the development or acquisition of instructional 
            materials associated with the equipment and technology 
            purchased by an eligible entity, eligible institution, or 
            eligible recipient through the grant; or
                ``(ii) efforts to expand, develop, or implement 
            programs designed to increase opportunities for students to 
            take rigorous courses in coding or computer science subject 
            areas, and support for statewide efforts to increase access 
            and implementation of coding or computer science courses in 
            order to meet local labor market needs in occupations that 
            require skills in those subject areas.
            ``(B) Improving career and technical education outcomes of 
        students served by eligible entities, eligible institutions, or 
        eligible recipients through activities such as--
                ``(i) supporting the development and enhancement of 
            innovative delivery models for career and technical 
            education related work-based learning, including school-
            based simulated work sites, mentoring, work site visits, 
            job shadowing, project-based learning, and skills-based and 
            paid internships;
                ``(ii) increasing the effective use of technology 
            within career and technical education programs and programs 
            of study;
                ``(iii) supporting new models for integrating academic 
            content at the secondary and postsecondary level in career 
            and technical education; or
                ``(iv) integrating science, technology, engineering, 
            and mathematics fields, including computer science 
            education, with career and technical education.
            ``(C) Improving the transition of students--
                ``(i) from secondary education to postsecondary 
            education or employment through programs, activities, or 
            services that may include the creation, development, or 
            expansion of dual or concurrent enrollment programs, 
            articulation agreements, credit transfer agreements, and 
            competency-based education; or
                ``(ii) from the completion of one postsecondary program 
            to another postsecondary program that awards a recognized 
            postsecondary credential.
            ``(D) Supporting the development and enhancement of 
        innovative delivery models for career and technical education.
            ``(E) Working with industry to design and implement courses 
        or programs of study aligned to labor market needs in new or 
        emerging fields.
            ``(F) Supporting innovative approaches to career and 
        technical education by redesigning the high school experience 
        for students, which may include evidence-based transitional 
        support strategies for students who have not met postsecondary 
        education eligibility requirements.
            ``(G) Creating or expanding recruitment, retention, or 
        professional development activities for career and technical 
        education teachers, faculty, school leaders, administrators, 
        specialized instructional support personnel, career guidance 
        and academic counselors, and paraprofessionals, which may 
        include--
                ``(i) providing resources and training to improve 
            instruction for, and provide appropriate accommodations to, 
            special populations;
                ``(ii) externships or site visits with business and 
            industry;
                ``(iii) the integration of coherent and rigorous 
            academic content standards and career and technical 
            education curricula, including through opportunities for 
            appropriate academic and career and technical education 
            teachers to jointly develop and implement curricula and 
            pedagogical strategies;
                ``(iv) mentoring by experienced teachers;
                ``(v) providing resources or assistance with meeting 
            State teacher licensure and credential requirements; or
                ``(vi) training for career guidance and academic 
            counselors at the secondary level to improve awareness of 
            postsecondary education and postsecondary career options, 
            and improve the ability of such counselors to communicate 
            to students the career opportunities and employment trends.
            ``(H) Improving CTE concentrator employment outcomes in 
        non-traditional fields.
            ``(I) Supporting the use of career and technical education 
        programs and programs of study in a coordinated strategy to 
        address identified employer needs and workforce shortages, such 
        as shortages in the early childhood, elementary school, and 
        secondary school education workforce.
            ``(J) Providing integrated student support that addresses 
        the comprehensive needs of students, such as incorporating 
        accelerated and differentiated learning opportunities supported 
        by evidence-based strategies for special populations.
            ``(K) Establishing an online portal for career and 
        technical education students, including special populations, 
        preparing for postsecondary career and technical education, 
        which may include opportunities for mentoring, gaining 
        financial literacy skills, and identifying career opportunities 
        and interests, and a platform to establish online savings 
        accounts to be used exclusively for postsecondary career and 
        technical education programs and programs of study.
            ``(L) Developing and implementing a pay for success 
        initiative.
        ``(8) Evaluation.--Each eligible entity, eligible institution, 
    or eligible recipient receiving a grant under this subsection shall 
    provide for an independent evaluation of the activities carried out 
    using such grant and submit to the Secretary an annual report that 
    includes--
            ``(A) a description of how funds received under this 
        paragraph were used;
            ``(B) the performance of the eligible entity, eligible 
        institution, or eligible recipient with respect to, at a 
        minimum, the performance indicators described under section 
        113, as applicable, and disaggregated by--
                ``(i) subgroups of students described in section 
            1111(c)(2)(B) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
            of 1965;
                ``(ii) special populations; and
                ``(iii) as appropriate, each career and technical 
            education program and program of study; and
            ``(C) a quantitative analysis of the effectiveness of the 
        project carried out under this paragraph.''; and
        (7) by amending subsection (f), as redesignated by paragraph 
    (5), to read as follows:
    ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section--
        ``(1) $7,651,051 for fiscal year 2019;
        ``(2) $7,758,166 for fiscal year 2020;
        ``(3) $7,866,780 for fiscal year 2021;
        ``(4) $7,976,915 for fiscal year 2022;
        ``(5) $8,088,592 for fiscal year 2023; and
        ``(6) $8,201,832 for fiscal year 2024.''.
    SEC. 114. ASSISTANCE FOR THE OUTLYING AREAS.
    Section 115 (20 U.S.C. 2325) is amended--
        (1) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ``subject to subsection 
    (d)'' and inserting ``subject to subsection (b)'';
        (2) by striking subsections (b) and (c); and
        (3) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (b).
    SEC. 115. NATIVE AMERICAN PROGRAMS.
    Section 116 (20 U.S.C. 2326) is amended--
        (1) in subsection (a)--
            (A) in paragraph (1), in the paragraph heading, by striking 
        ``native'' and inserting ``Native'';
            (B) by striking paragraph (3);
            (C) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs 
        (3) and (4), respectively;
            (D) in paragraph (3) (as redesignated by subparagraph (C)), 
        in the paragraph heading, by striking ``hawaiian'' and 
        inserting ``Hawaiian''; and
            (E) in paragraph (4) (as redesignated by subparagraph 
        (C))--
                (i) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``hawaiian'' 
            and inserting ``Hawaiian''; and
                (ii) by inserting ``(20 U.S.C. 7517)'' after ``Act'';
        (2) in subsection (b)--
            (A) in paragraph (1)--
                (i) by striking ``tribes'' and inserting ``Tribes''; 
            and
                (ii) by striking ``tribal'' and inserting ``Tribal'';
            (B) in paragraph (2)--
                (i) by striking the paragraph heading and inserting 
            ``Indian tribes and tribal organizations.--'';
                (ii) by striking ``Indian tribe or tribal 
            organization'' and inserting ``Indian Tribe or Tribal 
            organization'';
                (iii) by striking ``450f'' and inserting ``5321''; and
                (iv) by striking ``455-457'' and inserting ``5345-
            5347'';
            (C) in paragraph (3)--
                (i) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``bureau of 
            indian affairs'' and inserting ``Bureau of indian 
            education'';
                (ii) by striking ``tribe'' and inserting ``Tribe'';
                (iii) by striking ``tribal'' and inserting ``Tribal''; 
            and
                (iv) by striking ``Bureau of Indian Affairs'' and 
            inserting ``Bureau of Indian Education'';
            (D) in paragraph (4)--
                (i) by striking ``Bureau of Indian Affairs'' each place 
            the term appears and inserting ``Bureau of Indian 
            Education''; and
                (ii) by striking ``Assistant Secretary of the Interior 
            for Indian Affairs'' and inserting ``Director of the Bureau 
            of Indian Education'';
            (E) in paragraph (5)(A), by striking ``Indian tribes, 
        tribal organizations, and individual tribal members'' and 
        inserting ``Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and individual 
        Tribal members''; and
            (F) in paragraph (6)--
                (i) by striking ``tribe'' each place the term appears 
            and inserting ``Tribe''; and
                (ii) by striking ``tribal'' each place the term appears 
            and inserting ``Tribal'';
        (3) in subsection (c)--
            (A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
            (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
        ``(2) Special rule.--Notwithstanding section 3(5)(A)(iii), 
    funds made available under this section may be used to provide 
    preparatory, refresher, and remedial education services that are 
    designed to enable students to achieve success in career and 
    technical education programs or programs of study.'';
        (4) in subsection (d), by striking ``tribe'' each place the 
    term appears and inserting ``Tribe'';
        (5) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ``tribal'' and inserting 
    ``Tribal'';
        (6) in subsection (f), by striking ``tribe'' and inserting 
    ``Tribe''; and
        (7) in subsection (g), by striking ``tribe'' each place the 
    term appears and inserting ``Tribe''.
    SEC. 116. TRIBALLY CONTROLLED POSTSECONDARY CAREER AND TECHNICAL 
      INSTITUTIONS.
    Section 117 (20 U.S.C. 2327) is amended--
        (1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``(25 U.S.C. 640a et 
    seq.)'' and inserting ``(Public Law 92-189; 85 Stat. 646)'';
        (2) in subsection (d), by striking ``(25 U.S.C. 640a et seq.)'' 
    and inserting ``(Public Law 92-189; 85 Stat. 646)'';
        (3) in subsection (f)(3), by striking ``tribe'' each place the 
    term appears and inserting ``Tribe'';
        (4) in subsection (h)--
            (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``indian tribe'' 
        and inserting ``Indian tribe''; and
            (B) by striking ``terms `Indian' and `Indian tribe' have 
        the meanings given the terms in'' and inserting ``terms 
        `Indian' and `Indian Tribe' have the meanings given the terms 
        `Indian' and `Indian tribe', respectively, in''; and
        (5) by striking subsection (i) and inserting the following:
    ``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section--
        ``(1) $9,762,539 for fiscal year 2019;
        ``(2) $9,899,215 for fiscal year 2020;
        ``(3) $10,037,804 for fiscal year 2021;
        ``(4) $10,178,333 for fiscal year 2022;
        ``(5) $10,320,829 for fiscal year 2023; and
        ``(6) $10,465,321 for fiscal year 2024.''.
    SEC. 117. OCCUPATIONAL AND EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION.
    Section 118 (20 U.S.C. 2328) is repealed.

                        PART B--STATE PROVISIONS

    SEC. 121. STATE ADMINISTRATION.
    Section 121(a)(2) (20 U.S.C. 2341(a)(2)) is amended by striking 
``parents'' and all that follows through the end of the paragraph and 
inserting ``teachers, faculty, specialized instructional support 
personnel, paraprofessionals, school leaders, authorized public 
chartering agencies and charter school leaders (consistent with State 
law), employers, representatives of business (including small 
businesses), labor organizations, eligible recipients, local program 
administrators, State and local officials, Indian Tribes or Tribal 
organizations present in the State, parents, students, and community 
organizations;''.
    SEC. 122. STATE PLAN.
    Section 122 (20 U.S.C. 2342) is amended--
        (1) in subsection (a)--
            (A) in paragraph (1)--
                (i) by striking ``6-year period,'' and inserting ``4-
            year period, consistent with subsection (b) and paragraph 
            (5),''; and
                (ii) by striking ``Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical 
            Education Improvement Act of 2006'' and inserting 
            ``Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st 
            Century Act'';
            (B) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking ``6-year period'' and 
        inserting ``4-year period'';
            (C) in paragraph (3), by striking ``(including charter 
        school'' and all that follows through ``and community 
        organizations)'' and inserting ``(including teachers, faculty, 
        specialized instructional support personnel, paraprofessionals, 
        school leaders, authorized public chartering agencies and 
        charter school leaders (consistent with State law), employers, 
        labor organizations, parents, students, Indian Tribes and 
        Tribal organizations that may be present in the State, and 
        community organizations)''; and
            (D) by adding at the end the following:
        ``(4) Public comment.--Each eligible agency shall make the 
    State plan publicly available for public comment for a period of 
    not less than 30 days, by electronic means and in an easily 
    accessible format, prior to submission to the Secretary for 
    approval under this subsection. In the plan the eligible agency 
    files under this subsection, the eligible agency shall provide an 
    assurance that public comments were taken into account in the 
    development of the State plan.
        ``(5) Optional submission of subsequent plans.--An eligible 
    agency may, after the first 4-year State plan is submitted under 
    this section, submit subsequent 4-year plans not later than 120 
    days prior to the end of the 4-year period covered by the preceding 
    State plan or, if an eligible agency chooses not to submit a State 
    plan for a subsequent 4-year period, the eligible agency shall 
    submit, and the Secretary shall approve, annual revisions to the 
    State determined levels of performance in the same manner as 
    revisions submitted and approved under section 113(b)(3)(A)(ii).''; 
    and
        (2) by striking subsections (b) through (e) and inserting the 
    following:
    ``(b) Options for Submission of State Plan.--
        ``(1) Combined plan.--The eligible agency may submit a combined 
    plan that meets the requirements of this section and the 
    requirements of section 103 of the Workforce Innovation and 
    Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3113).
        ``(2) Notice to secretary.--The eligible agency shall inform 
    the Secretary of whether the eligible agency intends to submit a 
    combined plan described in paragraph (1) or a single plan.
    ``(c) Plan Development.--
        ``(1) In general.--The eligible agency shall--
            ``(A) develop the State plan in consultation with--
                ``(i) representatives of secondary and postsecondary 
            career and technical education programs, including eligible 
            recipients and representatives of 2-year minority-serving 
            institutions and historically Black colleges and 
            universities and tribally controlled colleges or 
            universities in States where such institutions are in 
            existence, adult career and technical education providers, 
            and charter school representatives in States where such 
            schools are in existence, which shall include teachers, 
            faculty, school leaders, specialized instructional support 
            personnel, career and academic guidance counselors, and 
            paraprofessionals;
                ``(ii) interested community representatives, including 
            parents, students, and community organizations;
                ``(iii) representatives of the State workforce 
            development board established under section 101 of the 
            Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3111) 
            (referred to in this section as the `State board');
                ``(iv) members and representatives of special 
            populations;
                ``(v) representatives of business and industry 
            (including representatives of small business), which shall 
            include representatives of industry and sector partnerships 
            in the State, as appropriate, and representatives of labor 
            organizations in the State;
                ``(vi) representatives of agencies serving out-of-
            school youth, homeless children and youth, and at-risk 
            youth, including the State Coordinator for Education of 
            Homeless Children and Youths established or designated 
            under section 722(d)(3) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless 
            Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11432(d)(3));
                ``(vii) representatives of Indian Tribes and Tribal 
            organizations located in, or providing services in, the 
            State; and
                ``(viii) individuals with disabilities; and
            ``(B) consult the Governor of the State, and the heads of 
        other State agencies with authority for career and technical 
        education programs that are not the eligible agency, with 
        respect to the development of the State plan.
        ``(2) Activities and procedures.--The eligible agency shall 
    develop effective activities and procedures, including access to 
    information needed to use such procedures, to allow the individuals 
    and entities described in paragraph (1) to participate in State and 
    local decisions that relate to development of the State plan.
        ``(3) Consultation with the governor.--The consultation 
    described in paragraph (1)(B) shall include meetings of officials 
    from the eligible agency and the Governor's office and shall 
    occur--
            ``(A) during the development of such plan; and
            ``(B) prior to submission of the plan to the Secretary.
    ``(d) Plan Contents.--The State plan shall include--
        ``(1) a summary of State-supported workforce development 
    activities (including education and training) in the State, 
    including the degree to which the State's career and technical 
    education programs and programs of study are aligned with and 
    address the education and skill needs of the employers in the State 
    identified by the State board;
        ``(2) the State's strategic vision and set of goals for 
    preparing an educated and skilled workforce (including special 
    populations) and for meeting the skilled workforce needs of 
    employers, including in existing and emerging in-demand industry 
    sectors and occupations as identified by the State, and how the 
    State's career and technical education programs will help to meet 
    these goals;
        ``(3) a strategy for any joint planning, alignment, 
    coordination, and leveraging of funds--
            ``(A) between the State's career and technical education 
        programs and programs of study with the State's workforce 
        development system, to achieve the strategic vision and goals 
        described in paragraph (2), including the core programs defined 
        in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 
        (29 U.S.C. 3102) and the elements related to system alignment 
        under section 102(b)(2)(B) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 
        3112(b)(2)(B)); and
            ``(B) for programs carried out under this title with other 
        Federal programs, which may include programs funded under the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and the Higher 
        Education Act of 1965;
        ``(4) a description of the career and technical education 
    programs or programs of study that will be supported, developed, or 
    improved at the State level, including descriptions of--
            ``(A) the programs of study to be developed at the State 
        level and made available for adoption by eligible recipients;
            ``(B) the process and criteria to be used for approving 
        locally developed programs of study or career pathways, 
        including how such programs address State workforce development 
        and education needs and the criteria to assess the extent to 
        which the local application under section 132 will--
                ``(i) promote continuous improvement in academic 
            achievement and technical skill attainment;
                ``(ii) expand access to career and technical education 
            for special populations; and
                ``(iii) support the inclusion of employability skills 
            in programs of study and career pathways;
            ``(C) how the eligible agency will--
                ``(i) make information on approved programs of study 
            and career pathways (including career exploration, work-
            based learning opportunities, early college high schools, 
            and dual or concurrent enrollment program opportunities) 
            and guidance and advisement resources, available to 
            students (and parents, as appropriate), representatives of 
            secondary and postsecondary education, and special 
            populations, and to the extent practicable, provide that 
            information and those resources in a language students, 
            parents, and educators can understand;
                ``(ii) facilitate collaboration among eligible 
            recipients in the development and coordination of career 
            and technical education programs and programs of study and 
            career pathways that include multiple entry and exit 
            points;
                ``(iii) use State, regional, or local labor market data 
            to determine alignment of eligible recipients' programs of 
            study to the needs of the State, regional, or local 
            economy, including in-demand industry sectors and 
            occupations identified by the State board, and to align 
            career and technical education with such needs, as 
            appropriate;
                ``(iv) ensure equal access to approved career and 
            technical education programs of study and activities 
            assisted under this Act for special populations;
                ``(v) coordinate with the State board to support the 
            local development of career pathways and articulate 
            processes by which career pathways will be developed by 
            local workforce development boards, as appropriate;
                ``(vi) support effective and meaningful collaboration 
            between secondary schools, postsecondary institutions, and 
            employers to provide students with experience in, and 
            understanding of, all aspects of an industry, which may 
            include work-based learning such as internships, 
            mentorships, simulated work environments, and other hands-
            on or inquiry-based learning activities; and
                ``(vii) improve outcomes and reduce performance gaps 
            for CTE concentrators, including those who are members of 
            special populations; and
            ``(D) how the eligible agency may include the opportunity 
        for secondary school students to participate in dual or 
        concurrent enrollment programs, early college high school, or 
        competency-based education;
        ``(5) a description of the criteria and process for how the 
    eligible agency will approve eligible recipients for funds under 
    this Act, including how--
            ``(A) each eligible recipient will promote academic 
        achievement;
            ``(B) each eligible recipient will promote skill 
        attainment, including skill attainment that leads to a 
        recognized postsecondary credential; and
            ``(C) each eligible recipient will ensure the comprehensive 
        needs assessment under section 134(c) takes into consideration 
        local economic and education needs, including, where 
        appropriate, in-demand industry sectors and occupations;
        ``(6) a description of how the eligible agency will support the 
    recruitment and preparation of teachers, including special 
    education teachers, faculty, school principals, administrators, 
    specialized instructional support personnel, and paraprofessionals 
    to provide career and technical education instruction, leadership, 
    and support, including professional development that provides the 
    knowledge and skills needed to work with and improve instruction 
    for special populations;
        ``(7) a description of how the eligible agency will use State 
    leadership funds under section 124;
        ``(8) a description of how funds received by the eligible 
    agency through the allotment made under section 111 will be 
    distributed--
            ``(A) among career and technical education at the secondary 
        level, or career and technical education at the postsecondary 
        and adult level, or both, including how such distribution will 
        most effectively provide students with the skills needed to 
        succeed in the workplace; and
            ``(B) among any consortia that may be formed among 
        secondary schools and eligible institutions, and how funds will 
        be distributed among the members of the consortia, including 
        the rationale for such distribution and how it will most 
        effectively provide students with the skills needed to succeed 
        in the workplace;
        ``(9) a description of the eligible agency's program strategies 
    for special populations, including a description of how individuals 
    who are members of special populations--
            ``(A) will be provided with equal access to activities 
        assisted under this Act;
            ``(B) will not be discriminated against on the basis of 
        status as a member of a special population;
            ``(C) will be provided with programs designed to enable 
        individuals who are members of special populations to meet or 
        exceed State determined levels of performance described in 
        section 113, and prepare special populations for further 
        learning and for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry 
        sectors or occupations;
            ``(D) will be provided with appropriate accommodations; and
            ``(E) will be provided instruction and work-based learning 
        opportunities in integrated settings that support competitive, 
        integrated employment;
        ``(10) a description of the procedure the eligible agency will 
    adopt for determining State determined levels of performance 
    described in section 113, which, at a minimum, shall include--
            ``(A) a description of the process for public comment under 
        section 113(b)(3)(B) as part of the development of the State 
        determined levels of performance under section 113(b);
            ``(B) an explanation of the State determined levels of 
        performance; and
            ``(C) a description of how the State determined levels of 
        performance set by the eligible agency align with the levels, 
        goals, and objectives of other Federal and State laws;
        ``(11) a description of how the eligible agency will address 
    disparities or gaps in performance, as described in section 
    113(b)(3)(C)(ii)(II), in each of the plan years, and if no 
    meaningful progress has been achieved prior to the third program 
    year, a description of the additional actions the eligible agency 
    will take to eliminate these disparities or gaps;
        ``(12) describes how the eligible agency will involve parents, 
    academic and career and technical education teachers, 
    administrators, faculty, career guidance and academic counselors, 
    local business (including small businesses), labor organizations, 
    and representatives of Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations, as 
    appropriate, in the planning, development, implementation, and 
    evaluation of such career and technical education programs; and
        ``(13) assurances that--
            ``(A) the eligible agency will comply with the requirements 
        of this Act and the provisions of the State plan, including the 
        provision of a financial audit of funds received under this 
        Act, which may be included as part of an audit of other Federal 
        or State programs;
            ``(B) none of the funds expended under this Act will be 
        used to acquire equipment (including computer software) in any 
        instance in which such acquisition results in a direct 
        financial benefit to any organization representing the 
        interests of the acquiring entity or the employees of the 
        acquiring entity, or any affiliate of such an organization;
            ``(C) the eligible agency will use the funds to promote 
        preparation for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry 
        sectors or occupations and non-traditional fields, as 
        identified by the eligible agency;
            ``(D) the eligible agency will use the funds provided under 
        this Act to implement career and technical education programs 
        and programs of study for individuals in State correctional 
        institutions, including juvenile justice facilities; and
            ``(E) the eligible agency will provide local educational 
        agencies, area career and technical education schools, and 
        eligible institutions in the State with technical assistance, 
        including technical assistance on how to close gaps in student 
        participation and performance in career and technical education 
        programs; and
        ``(14) a description of the opportunities for the public to 
    comment in person and in writing on the State plan under this 
    subsection.
    ``(e) Consultation.--
        ``(1) In general.--The eligible agency shall develop the 
    portion of each State plan relating to the amount and uses of any 
    funds proposed to be reserved for adult career and technical 
    education, postsecondary career and technical education, and 
    secondary career and technical education after consultation with--
            ``(A) the State agency responsible for supervision of 
        community colleges, technical institutes, other 2-year 
        postsecondary institutions primarily engaged in providing 
        postsecondary career and technical education, or, where 
        applicable, institutions of higher education that are engaged 
        in providing postsecondary career and technical education as 
        part of their mission;
            ``(B) the State agency responsible for secondary education; 
        and
            ``(C) the State agency responsible for adult education.
        ``(2) Objections of state agencies.--If a State agency other 
    than the eligible agency finds that a portion of the final State 
    plan is objectionable, that objection shall be filed together with 
    the State plan. The eligible agency shall respond to any objections 
    of such State agency in the State plan submitted to the Secretary.
        ``(3) Joint signature authority.--A Governor shall have 30 days 
    prior to the eligible agency submitting the State plan to the 
    Secretary to sign such plan. If the Governor has not signed the 
    plan within 30 days of delivery by the eligible agency to the 
    Governor, the eligible agency shall submit the plan to the 
    Secretary without such signature.
    ``(f) Plan Approval.--
        ``(1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the eligible 
    agency submits its State plan, the Secretary shall approve such 
    State plan, or a revision of the plan under subsection (a)(2) 
    (including a revision of State determined levels of performance in 
    accordance with section 113(b)(3)(A)(iii)), if the Secretary 
    determines that the State has submitted in its State plan State 
    determined levels of performance that meet the criteria established 
    in section 113(b)(3), including the minimum requirements described 
    in section 113(b)(3)(A)(i)(III), unless the Secretary--
            ``(A) determines that the State plan does not meet the 
        requirements of this Act, including the minimum requirements as 
        described in section 113(b)(3)(A)(i)(III); and
            ``(B) meets the requirements of paragraph (2) with respect 
        to such plan.
        ``(2) Disapproval.--The Secretary--
            ``(A) shall have the authority to disapprove a State plan 
        only if the Secretary--
                ``(i) determines how the State plan fails to meet the 
            requirements of this Act; and
                ``(ii) provides to the eligible agency, in writing, 
            notice of such determination and the supporting information 
            and rationale to substantiate such determination; and
            ``(B) shall not finally disapprove a State plan, except 
        after making the determination and providing the information 
        described in subparagraph (A), and giving the eligible agency 
        notice and an opportunity for a hearing.''.
    SEC. 123. IMPROVEMENT PLANS.
    Section 123 (20 U.S.C. 2343) is amended--
        (1) in subsection (a)--
            (A) in paragraph (1)--
                (i) by striking ``percent of an agreed upon'' and 
            inserting ``percent of the'';
                (ii) by striking ``State adjusted level of 
            performance'' and inserting ``State determined level of 
            performance'' each place the term appears;
                (iii) by striking ``section 113(b)(3)'' and inserting 
            ``113(b)(2) for all CTE concentrators'';
                (iv) by striking ``(with special consideration to 
            performance gaps identified under section 113(c)(2))'' and 
            inserting ``(that includes an analysis of the performance 
            disparities or gaps identified under section 
            113(b)(3)(C)(ii)(II), and actions that will be taken to 
            address such gaps)'';
            (B) in paragraph (2)--
                (i) by striking ``State's adjusted levels of 
            performance'' and inserting ``State determined levels of 
            performance''; and
                (ii) by striking ``purposes of this Act'' and inserting 
            ``purposes of this section, including after implementation 
            of the improvement plan described in paragraph (1),'';
            (C) in paragraph (3)(A)--
                (i) in clause (i), by inserting ``or'' after the 
            semicolon; and
                (ii) by striking clauses (ii) and (iii) and inserting 
            the following:
                ``(ii) with respect to any specific core indicator of 
            performance that was identified in a program improvement 
            plan under paragraph (1), fails to meet at least 90 percent 
            of a State determined level of performance for such core 
            indicator for 2 consecutive years after the eligible agency 
            has been identified for improvement under such 
            paragraph.''; and
            (D) by adding at the end the following:
        ``(5) Adjustments prohibited.--An eligible agency shall not be 
    eligible to adjust performance levels while executing an 
    improvement plan under this section.''; and
        (2) in subsection (b)--
            (A) by striking ``adjusted'' each place the term appears;
            (B) in paragraph (2)--
                (i) by inserting ``for all CTE concentrators'' after 
            ``section 113(b)(4)''; and
                (ii) by striking ``(with special consideration to 
            performance gaps identified under section 
            113(b)(4)(C)(ii)(II) in consultation with the eligible 
            agency,'' and inserting ``(that includes an analysis of the 
            performance disparities or gaps identified under section 
            113(b)(3)(C)(ii)(II), and actions that will be taken to 
            address such gaps) in consultation with local stakeholders 
            described in section 134(d)(1), the eligible agency, and'';
            (C) in paragraph (4)--
                (i) in subparagraph (A)--

                    (I) in clause (i), by inserting ``or'' after the 
                semicolon; and
                    (II) by striking clauses (ii) and (iii) and 
                inserting the following:

                ``(ii) with respect to any specific core indicator of 
            performance that was identified in a program improvement 
            plan under paragraph (2), fails to meet at least 90 percent 
            of the local level of performance for such core indicator 
            for 2 consecutive years after the eligible recipient has 
            been identified for improvement under such paragraph.''; 
            and
                (ii) in subparagraph (B)--

                    (I) in clause (i), by striking ``or'' after the 
                semicolon;
                    (II) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the 
                end and inserting ``; or''; and
                    (III) by adding at the end the following:

                ``(iii) in response to a public request from an 
            eligible recipient, if the eligible agency determines that 
            the requirements described in clause (i) or (ii) have been 
            met.''; and
            (D) by adding at the end the following:
        ``(6) Adjustments prohibited.--An eligible recipient shall not 
    be eligible to adjust performance levels while executing an 
    improvement plan under this section.''.
    SEC. 124. STATE LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES.
    Section 124 (20 U.S.C. 2344) is amended--
        (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``shall conduct State 
    leadership activities.'' and inserting ``shall--
        ``(1) conduct State leadership activities to improve career and 
    technical education, which shall include support for--
            ``(A) preparation for non-traditional fields in current and 
        emerging professions, programs for special populations, and 
        other activities that expose students, including special 
        populations, to high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand 
        occupations;
            ``(B) individuals in State institutions, such as State 
        correctional institutions, including juvenile justice 
        facilities, and educational institutions that serve individuals 
        with disabilities;
            ``(C) recruiting, preparing, or retaining career and 
        technical education teachers, faculty, specialized 
        instructional support personnel, or paraprofessionals, such as 
        preservice, professional development, or leadership development 
        programs; and
            ``(D) technical assistance for eligible recipients; and
        ``(2) report on the effectiveness of such use of funds in 
    achieving the goals described in section 122(d)(2) and the State 
    determined levels of performance described in section 113(b)(3)(A), 
    and reducing disparities or performance gaps as described in 
    section 113(b)(3)(C)(ii)(II).'';
        (2) in subsection (b)--
            (A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Required'' and 
        inserting ``Permissible'';
            (B) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
        ``shall'' and inserting ``may''; and
            (C) by striking paragraphs (1) through (9) and inserting 
        the following:
        ``(1) developing statewide programs of study, which may include 
    standards, curriculum, and course development, and career 
    exploration, guidance, and advisement activities and resources;
        ``(2) approving locally developed programs of study that meet 
    the requirements established in section 122(d)(4)(B);
        ``(3) establishing statewide articulation agreements aligned to 
    approved programs of study;
        ``(4) establishing statewide industry or sector partnerships 
    among local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, 
    adult education providers, Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations 
    that may be present in the State, employers, including small 
    businesses, and parents, as appropriate to--
            ``(A) develop and implement programs of study aligned to 
        State and local economic and education needs, including, as 
        appropriate, in-demand industry sectors and occupations;
            ``(B) facilitate the establishment, expansion, and 
        integration of opportunities for students at the secondary 
        level to--
                ``(i) successfully complete coursework that integrates 
            rigorous and challenging technical and academic instruction 
            aligned with the challenging State academic standards 
            adopted by the State under section 1111(b)(1) of the 
            Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; and
                ``(ii) earn a recognized postsecondary credential or 
            credit toward a recognized postsecondary credential, which 
            may be earned through a dual or concurrent enrollment 
            program or early college high school, at no cost to the 
            student or the student's family; and
            ``(C) facilitate work-based learning opportunities 
        (including internships, externships, and simulated work 
        environments) into programs of study;
        ``(5) for teachers, faculty, specialized instructional support 
    personnel, and paraprofessionals providing career and technical 
    education instruction, support services, and specialized 
    instructional support services, high-quality comprehensive 
    professional development that is, to the extent practicable, 
    grounded in evidence-based research (to the extent a State 
    determines that such evidence is reasonably available) that 
    identifies the most effective educator professional development 
    process and is coordinated and aligned with other professional 
    development activities carried out by the State (including under 
    title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and 
    title II of the Higher Education Act of 1965), including 
    programming that--
            ``(A) promotes the integration of the challenging State 
        academic standards adopted by the State under section 
        1111(b)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
        1965 and relevant technical knowledge and skills, including 
        programming jointly delivered to academic and career and 
        technical education teachers;
            ``(B) prepares career and technical education teachers, 
        faculty, specialized instructional support personnel, and 
        paraprofessionals to provide appropriate accommodations for 
        students who are members of special populations, including 
        through the use of principles of universal design for learning, 
        multi-tier systems of supports, and positive behavioral 
        interventions and support; and
            ``(C) increases the ability of teachers, faculty, 
        specialized instructional support personnel, and 
        paraprofessionals providing career and technical education 
        instruction to stay current with industry standards and earn an 
        industry-recognized credential or license, as appropriate, 
        including by assisting those with relevant industry experience 
        in obtaining State teacher licensure or credential 
        requirements;
        ``(6) supporting eligible recipients in eliminating inequities 
    in student access to--
            ``(A) high-quality programs of study that provide skill 
        development; and
            ``(B) effective teachers, faculty, specialized 
        instructional support personnel, and paraprofessionals;
        ``(7) awarding incentive grants to eligible recipients--
            ``(A) for exemplary performance in carrying out programs 
        under this Act, which awards shall be based on--
                ``(i) eligible recipients exceeding the local level of 
            performance on a core indicator of performance established 
            under section 113(b)(4)(A) in a manner that reflects 
            sustained or significant improvement;
                ``(ii) eligible recipients effectively developing 
            connections between secondary education and postsecondary 
            education and training;
                ``(iii) the integration of academic and technical 
            standards;
                ``(iv) eligible recipients' progress in closing 
            achievement gaps among subpopulations who participate in 
            programs of study; or
                ``(v) other factors relating to the performance of 
            eligible recipients under this Act as the eligible agency 
            determines are appropriate; or
            ``(B) if an eligible recipient elects to use funds as 
        permitted under section 135(c);
        ``(8) providing support for--
            ``(A) the adoption and integration of recognized 
        postsecondary credentials and work-based learning into programs 
        of study, and for increasing data collection associated with 
        recognized postsecondary credentials and employment outcomes; 
        or
            ``(B) consultation and coordination with other State 
        agencies for the identification and examination of licenses or 
        certifications that--
                ``(i) pose an unwarranted barrier to entry into the 
            workforce for career and technical education students; and
                ``(ii) do not protect the health, safety, or welfare of 
            consumers;
        ``(9) the creation, implementation, and support of pay for 
    success initiatives leading to a recognized postsecondary 
    credential;
        ``(10) support for career and technical education programs for 
    adults and out-of-school youth concurrent with their completion of 
    their secondary school education in a school or other educational 
    setting;
        ``(11) the creation, evaluation, and support of competency-
    based curricula;
        ``(12) support for the development, implementation, and 
    expansion of programs of study or career pathways in areas declared 
    to be in a state of emergency under section 501 of the Robert T. 
    Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
    5191);
        ``(13) partnering with qualified intermediaries to improve 
    training, the development of public-private partnerships, systems 
    development, capacity-building, and scalability of the delivery of 
    high-quality career and technical education;
        ``(14) improvement of career guidance and academic counseling 
    programs that assist students in making informed academic and 
    career and technical education decisions, including academic and 
    financial aid counseling;
        ``(15) support for the integration of employability skills into 
    career and technical education programs and programs of study;
        ``(16) support for programs and activities that increase 
    access, student engagement, and success in science, technology, 
    engineering, and mathematics fields (including computer science, 
    coding, and architecture), support for the integration of arts and 
    design skills, and support for hands-on learning, particularly for 
    students who are members of groups underrepresented in such subject 
    fields, such as female students, minority students, and students 
    who are members of special populations;
        ``(17) support for career and technical student organizations, 
    especially with respect to efforts to increase the participation of 
    students in nontraditional fields and students who are members of 
    special populations;
        ``(18) support for establishing and expanding work-based 
    learning opportunities that are aligned to career and technical 
    education programs and programs of study;
        ``(19) integrating and aligning programs of study and career 
    pathways;
        ``(20) supporting the use of career and technical education 
    programs and programs of study aligned with State, regional, or 
    local high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or 
    occupations identified by the State workforce development board 
    described in section 101 of the Workforce Innovation and 
    Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3111) or local workforce development 
    boards;
        ``(21) making all forms of instructional content widely 
    available, which may include use of open educational resources;
        ``(22) developing valid and reliable assessments of 
    competencies and technical skills and enhancing data systems to 
    collect and analyze data on secondary and postsecondary academic 
    and employment outcomes;
        ``(23) support for accelerated learning programs, as described 
    in section 4104(b)(3)(A)(i)(IV) of the Elementary and Secondary 
    Education Act of 1965, in the case of any such program that is part 
    of a career and technical education program of study;
        ``(24) support for career academies to implement a 
    postsecondary education and workforce-ready curriculum at the 
    secondary education level that integrates rigorous academic, 
    technical, and employability contents through career and technical 
    education programs and programs of study that address needs 
    described in the comprehensive needs assessment under section 
    134(c); and
        ``(25) other State leadership activities that improve career 
    and technical education.'';
        (3) by striking subsection (c);
        (4) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c); and
        (5) in subsection (c), as redesignated by paragraph (4), by 
    striking the period at the end and inserting ``, unless expressly 
    authorized under subsection (a).''.

                        PART C--LOCAL PROVISIONS

    SEC. 131. DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS TO SECONDARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
    Section 131 (20 U.S.C. 2351) is amended--
        (1) in subsection (a)(3)(B), by striking ``Bureau of Indian 
    Affairs'' and inserting ``Bureau of Indian Education'';
        (2) in subsection (c)(2)(A)(ii), by inserting ``or programs of 
    study'' after ``technical education programs'';
        (3) in subsection (g), by inserting ``and programs of study'' 
    after ``technical education programs''; and
        (4) in subsection (h), by striking ``Bureau of Indian Affairs'' 
    and inserting ``Bureau of Indian Education''.
    SEC. 132. SPECIAL RULES FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
    Section 133 (20 U.S.C. 2353) is amended by inserting ``or programs 
of study'' after ``career and technical education programs'' each place 
the term appears.
    SEC. 133. LOCAL APPLICATION FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION 
      PROGRAMS.
    Section 134 (20 U.S.C. 2354) is amended--
        (1) in the section heading, by striking ``local plan'' and 
    inserting ``local application'';
        (2) in subsection (a)--
            (A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Local Plan'' 
        and inserting ``Local Application'';
            (B) by striking ``submit a local plan'' and inserting 
        ``submit a local application''; and
            (C) by striking ``Such local plan'' and inserting ``Such 
        local application''; and
        (3) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
    ``(b) Contents.--The eligible agency shall determine the 
requirements for local applications, except that each local application 
shall contain--
        ``(1) a description of the results of the comprehensive needs 
    assessment conducted under subsection (c);
        ``(2) information on the career and technical education course 
    offerings and activities that the eligible recipient will provide 
    with funds under this part, which shall include not less than 1 
    program of study approved by a State under section 124(b)(2), 
    including--
            ``(A) how the results of the comprehensive needs assessment 
        described in subsection (c) informed the selection of the 
        specific career and technical education programs and activities 
        selected to be funded;
            ``(B) a description of any new programs of study the 
        eligible recipient will develop and submit to the State for 
        approval; and
            ``(C) how students, including students who are members of 
        special populations, will learn about their school's career and 
        technical education course offerings and whether each course is 
        part of a career and technical education program of study;
        ``(3) a description of how the eligible recipient, in 
    collaboration with local workforce development boards and other 
    local workforce agencies, one-stop delivery systems described in 
    section 121(e)(2) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 
    (29 U.S.C. 3151(e)(2)), and other partners, will provide--
            ``(A) career exploration and career development coursework, 
        activities, or services;
            ``(B) career information on employment opportunities that 
        incorporate the most up-to-date information on high-skill, 
        high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations, as 
        determined by the comprehensive needs assessment described in 
        subsection (c); and
            ``(C) an organized system of career guidance and academic 
        counseling to students before enrolling and while participating 
        in a career and technical education program;
        ``(4) a description of how the eligible recipient will improve 
    the academic and technical skills of students participating in 
    career and technical education programs by strengthening the 
    academic and career and technical education components of such 
    programs through the integration of coherent and rigorous content 
    aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant career and 
    technical education programs to ensure learning in the subjects 
    that constitute a well-rounded education (as defined in section 
    8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965);
        ``(5) a description of how the eligible recipient will--
            ``(A) provide activities to prepare special populations for 
        high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or 
        occupations that will lead to self-sufficiency;
            ``(B) prepare CTE participants for non-traditional fields;
            ``(C) provide equal access for special populations to 
        career and technical education courses, programs, and programs 
        of study; and
            ``(D) ensure that members of special populations will not 
        be discriminated against on the basis of their status as 
        members of special populations;
        ``(6) a description of the work-based learning opportunities 
    that the eligible recipient will provide to students participating 
    in career and technical education programs and how the recipient 
    will work with representatives from employers to develop or expand 
    work-based learning opportunities for career and technical 
    education students, as applicable;
        ``(7) a description of how the eligible recipient will provide 
    students participating in career and technical education programs 
    with the opportunity to gain postsecondary credit while still 
    attending high school, such as through dual or concurrent 
    enrollment programs or early college high school, as practicable;
        ``(8) a description of how the eligible recipient will 
    coordinate with the eligible agency and institutions of higher 
    education to support the recruitment, preparation, retention, and 
    training, including professional development, of teachers, faculty, 
    administrators, and specialized instructional support personnel and 
    paraprofessionals who meet applicable State certification and 
    licensure requirements (including any requirements met through 
    alternative routes to certification), including individuals from 
    groups underrepresented in the teaching profession; and
        ``(9) a description of how the eligible recipient will address 
    disparities or gaps in performance as described in section 
    113(b)(3)(C)(ii)(II) in each of the plan years, and if no 
    meaningful progress has been achieved prior to the third program 
    year, a description of the additional actions such recipient will 
    take to eliminate those disparities or gaps.
    ``(c) Comprehensive Needs Assessment.--
        ``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive financial 
    assistance under this part, an eligible recipient shall--
            ``(A) conduct a comprehensive local needs assessment 
        related to career and technical education and include the 
        results of the needs assessment in the local application 
        submitted under subsection (a); and
            ``(B) not less than once every 2 years, update such 
        comprehensive local needs assessment.
        ``(2) Requirements.--The comprehensive local needs assessment 
    described in paragraph (1) shall include each of the following:
            ``(A) An evaluation of the performance of the students 
        served by the eligible recipient with respect to State 
        determined and local levels of performance established pursuant 
        to section 113, including an evaluation of performance for 
        special populations and each subgroup described in section 
        1111(h)(1)(C)(ii) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
        of 1965.
            ``(B) A description of how career and technical education 
        programs offered by the eligible recipient are--
                ``(i) sufficient in size, scope, and quality to meet 
            the needs of all students served by the eligible recipient; 
            and
                ``(ii)(I) aligned to State, regional, Tribal, or local 
            in-demand industry sectors or occupations identified by the 
            State workforce development board described in section 101 
            of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
            3111) (referred to in this section as the `State board') or 
            local workforce development board, including career 
            pathways, where appropriate; or
                ``(II) designed to meet local education or economic 
            needs not identified by State boards or local workforce 
            development boards.
            ``(C) An evaluation of progress toward the implementation 
        of career and technical education programs and programs of 
        study.
            ``(D) A description of how the eligible recipient will 
        improve recruitment, retention, and training of career and 
        technical education teachers, faculty, specialized 
        instructional support personnel, paraprofessionals, and career 
        guidance and academic counselors, including individuals in 
        groups underrepresented in such professions.
            ``(E) A description of progress toward implementation of 
        equal access to high-quality career and technical education 
        courses and programs of study for all students, including--
                ``(i) strategies to overcome barriers that result in 
            lower rates of access to, or performance gaps in, the 
            courses and programs for special populations;
                ``(ii) providing programs that are designed to enable 
            special populations to meet the local levels of 
            performance; and
                ``(iii) providing activities to prepare special 
            populations for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand 
            industry sectors or occupations in competitive, integrated 
            settings that will lead to self-sufficiency.
    ``(d) Consultation.--In conducting the comprehensive needs 
assessment under subsection (c), and developing the local application 
described in subsection (b), an eligible recipient shall involve a 
diverse body of stakeholders, including, at a minimum--
        ``(1) representatives of career and technical education 
    programs in a local educational agency or educational service 
    agency, including teachers, career guidance and academic 
    counselors, principals and other school leaders, administrators, 
    and specialized instructional support personnel and 
    paraprofessionals;
        ``(2) representatives of career and technical education 
    programs at postsecondary educational institutions, including 
    faculty and administrators;
        ``(3) representatives of the State board or local workforce 
    development boards and a range of local or regional businesses or 
    industries;
        ``(4) parents and students;
        ``(5) representatives of special populations;
        ``(6) representatives of regional or local agencies serving 
    out-of-school youth, homeless children and youth, and at-risk youth 
    (as defined in section 1432 of the Elementary and Secondary 
    Education Act of 1965);
        ``(7) representatives of Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations 
    in the State, where applicable; and
        ``(8) any other stakeholders that the eligible agency may 
    require the eligible recipient to consult.
    ``(e) Continued Consultation.--An eligible recipient receiving 
financial assistance under this part shall consult with stakeholders 
described in subsection (d) on an ongoing basis, as determined by the 
eligible agency. This may include consultation in order to--
        ``(1) provide input on annual updates to the comprehensive 
    needs assessment required under subsection (c)(1)(B);
        ``(2) ensure programs of study are--
            ``(A) responsive to community employment needs;
            ``(B) aligned with employment priorities in the State, 
        regional, tribal, or local economy identified by employers and 
        the entities described in subsection (d), which may include in-
        demand industry sectors or occupations identified by the local 
        workforce development board;
            ``(C) informed by labor market information, including 
        information provided under section 15(e)(2)(C) of the Wagner-
        Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 491-2(e)(2)(C));
            ``(D) designed to meet current, intermediate, or long-term 
        labor market projections; and
            ``(E) allow employer input, including input from industry 
        or sector partnerships in the local area, where applicable, 
        into the development and implementation of programs of study to 
        ensure such programs of study align with skills required by 
        local employment opportunities, including activities such as 
        the identification of relevant standards, curriculum, industry-
        recognized credentials, and current technology and equipment;
        ``(3) identify and encourage opportunities for work-based 
    learning; and
        ``(4) ensure funding under this part is used in a coordinated 
    manner with other local resources.''.
    SEC. 134. LOCAL USES OF FUNDS.
    Section 135 (20 U.S.C. 2355) is amended to read as follows:
    ``SEC. 135. LOCAL USES OF FUNDS.
    ``(a) General Authority.--Each eligible recipient that receives 
funds under this part shall use such funds to develop, coordinate, 
implement, or improve career and technical education programs to meet 
the needs identified in the comprehensive needs assessment described in 
section 134(c).
    ``(b) Requirements for Uses of Funds.--Funds made available to 
eligible recipients under this part shall be used to support career and 
technical education programs that are of sufficient size, scope, and 
quality to be effective and that--
        ``(1) provide career exploration and career development 
    activities through an organized, systematic framework designed to 
    aid students, including in the middle grades, before enrolling and 
    while participating in a career and technical education program, in 
    making informed plans and decisions about future education and 
    career opportunities and programs of study, which may include--
            ``(A) introductory courses or activities focused on career 
        exploration and career awareness, including non-traditional 
        fields;
            ``(B) readily available career and labor market 
        information, including information on--
                ``(i) occupational supply and demand;
                ``(ii) educational requirements;
                ``(iii) other information on careers aligned to State, 
            local, or Tribal (as applicable) economic priorities; and
                ``(iv) employment sectors;
            ``(C) programs and activities related to the development of 
        student graduation and career plans;
            ``(D) career guidance and academic counselors that provide 
        information on postsecondary education and career options;
            ``(E) any other activity that advances knowledge of career 
        opportunities and assists students in making informed decisions 
        about future education and employment goals, including non-
        traditional fields; or
            ``(F) providing students with strong experience in, and 
        comprehensive understanding of, all aspects of an industry;
        ``(2) provide professional development for teachers, faculty, 
    school leaders, administrators, specialized instructional support 
    personnel, career guidance and academic counselors, or 
    paraprofessionals, which may include--
            ``(A) professional development on supporting individualized 
        academic and career and technical education instructional 
        approaches, including the integration of academic and career 
        and technical education standards and curricula;
            ``(B) professional development on ensuring labor market 
        information is used to inform the programs, guidance, and 
        advisement offered to students, including information provided 
        under section 15(e)(2)(C) of the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 
        49l-2(e)(2)(C));
            ``(C) providing teachers, faculty, school leaders, 
        administrators, specialized instructional support personnel, 
        career guidance and academic counselors, or paraprofessionals, 
        as appropriate, with opportunities to advance knowledge, 
        skills, and understanding of all aspects of an industry, 
        including the latest workplace equipment, technologies, 
        standards, and credentials;
            ``(D) supporting school leaders and administrators in 
        managing career and technical education programs in the 
        schools, institutions, or local educational agencies of such 
        school leaders or administrators;
            ``(E) supporting the implementation of strategies to 
        improve student achievement and close gaps in student 
        participation and performance in career and technical education 
        programs;
            ``(F) providing teachers, faculty, specialized 
        instructional support personnel, career guidance and academic 
        counselors, principals, school leaders, or paraprofessionals, 
        as appropriate, with opportunities to advance knowledge, 
        skills, and understanding in pedagogical practices, including, 
        to the extent the eligible recipient determines that such 
        evidence is reasonably available, evidence-based pedagogical 
        practices;
            ``(G) training teachers, faculty, school leaders, 
        administrators, specialized instructional support personnel, 
        career guidance and academic counselors, or paraprofessionals, 
        as appropriate, to provide appropriate accommodations for 
        individuals with disabilities, and students with disabilities 
        who are provided accommodations under the Rehabilitation Act of 
        1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.) or the Individuals with 
        Disabilities Education Act;
            ``(H) training teachers, faculty, specialized instructional 
        support personnel, career guidance and academic counselors, and 
        paraprofessionals in frameworks to effectively teach students, 
        including a particular focus on students with disabilities and 
        English learners, which may include universal design for 
        learning, multi-tier systems of supports, and positive 
        behavioral interventions and support; or
            ``(I) training for the effective use of community spaces 
        that provide access to tools, technology, and knowledge for 
        learners and entrepreneurs, such as makerspaces or libraries;
        ``(3) provide within career and technical education the skills 
    necessary to pursue careers in high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand 
    industry sectors or occupations;
        ``(4) support integration of academic skills into career and 
    technical education programs and programs of study to support--
            ``(A) CTE participants at the secondary school level in 
        meeting the challenging State academic standards adopted under 
        section 1111(b)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
        Act of 1965 by the State in which the eligible recipient is 
        located; and
            ``(B) CTE participants at the postsecondary level in 
        achieving academic skills;
        ``(5) plan and carry out elements that support the 
    implementation of career and technical education programs and 
    programs of study and that result in increasing student achievement 
    of the local levels of performance established under section 113, 
    which may include--
            ``(A) a curriculum aligned with the requirements for a 
        program of study;
            ``(B) sustainable relationships among education, business 
        and industry, and other community stakeholders, including 
        industry or sector partnerships in the local area, where 
        applicable, that are designed to facilitate the process of 
        continuously updating and aligning programs of study with 
        skills that are in demand in the State, regional, or local 
        economy, and in collaboration with business outreach staff in 
        one-stop centers, as defined in section 3 of the Workforce 
        Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102), and other 
        appropriate organizations, including community-based and youth-
        serving organizations;
            ``(C) where appropriate, expanding opportunities for CTE 
        concentrators to participate in accelerated learning programs 
        (as described in section 4104(b)(3)(A)(i)(IV) of the Elementary 
        and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        7114(b)(3)(A)(i)(IV)), including dual or concurrent enrollment 
        programs, early college high schools, and the development or 
        implementation of articulation agreements as part of a career 
        and technical education program of study;
            ``(D) appropriate equipment, technology, and instructional 
        materials (including support for library resources) aligned 
        with business and industry needs, including machinery, testing 
        equipment, tools, implements, hardware and software, and other 
        new and emerging instructional materials;
            ``(E) a continuum of work-based learning opportunities, 
        including simulated work environments;
            ``(F) industry-recognized certification examinations or 
        other assessments leading toward a recognized postsecondary 
        credential;
            ``(G) efforts to recruit and retain career and technical 
        education program teachers, faculty, school leaders, 
        administrators, specialized instructional support personnel, 
        career guidance and academic counselors, and paraprofessionals;
            ``(H) where applicable, coordination with other education 
        and workforce development programs and initiatives, including 
        career pathways and sector partnerships developed under the 
        Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et 
        seq.) and other Federal laws and initiatives that provide 
        students with transition-related services, including the 
        Individuals with Disabilities Education Act;
            ``(I) expanding opportunities for students to participate 
        in distance career and technical education and blended-learning 
        programs;
            ``(J) expanding opportunities for students to participate 
        in competency-based education programs;
            ``(K) improving career guidance and academic counseling 
        programs that assist students in making informed academic and 
        career and technical education decisions, including academic 
        and financial aid counseling;
            ``(L) supporting the integration of employability skills 
        into career and technical education programs and programs of 
        study, including through family and consumer science programs;
            ``(M) supporting programs and activities that increase 
        access, student engagement, and success in science, technology, 
        engineering, and mathematics fields (including computer science 
        and architecture) for students who are members of groups 
        underrepresented in such subject fields;
            ``(N) providing career and technical education, in a school 
        or other educational setting, for adults or out-of-school youth 
        to complete secondary school education or upgrade technical 
        skills;
            ``(O) supporting career and technical student 
        organizations, including student preparation for and 
        participation in technical skills competitions aligned with 
        career and technical education program standards and curricula;
            ``(P) making all forms of instructional content widely 
        available, which may include use of open educational resources;
            ``(Q) supporting the integration of arts and design skills, 
        when appropriate, into career and technical education programs 
        and programs of study;
            ``(R) partnering with a qualified intermediary to improve 
        training, the development of public-private partnerships, 
        systems development, capacity-building, and scalability of the 
        delivery of high-quality career and technical education;
            ``(S) support to reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket expenses 
        for special populations participating in career and technical 
        education, including those participating in dual or concurrent 
        enrollment programs or early college high school programs, and 
        supporting the costs associated with fees, transportation, 
        child care, or mobility challenges for those special 
        populations; or
            ``(T) other activities to improve career and technical 
        education programs; and
        ``(6) develop and implement evaluations of the activities 
    carried out with funds under this part, including evaluations 
    necessary to complete the comprehensive needs assessment required 
    under section 134(c) and the local report required under section 
    113(b)(4)(B).
    ``(c) Pooling Funds.--An eligible recipient may pool a portion of 
funds received under this Act with a portion of funds received under 
this Act available to one or more eligible recipients to support 
implementation of programs of study through the activities described in 
subsection (b)(2).
    ``(d) Administrative Costs.--Each eligible recipient receiving 
funds under this part shall not use more than 5 percent of such funds 
for costs associated with the administration of activities under this 
section.''.

                      TITLE II--GENERAL PROVISIONS

    SEC. 201. FEDERAL AND STATE ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.
    (a) In General.--The Act (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.) is amended--
        (1) in section 311--
            (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``and tech prep program 
        activities''; and
            (B) in subsection (b)--
                (i) in paragraph (1)--

                    (I) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as 
                follows:

            ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
        (C), or (D), in order for a State to receive its full allotment 
        of funds under this Act for any fiscal year, the Secretary must 
        find that the State's fiscal effort per student, or the 
        aggregate expenditures of such State, with respect to career 
        and technical education for the preceding fiscal year was not 
        less than the fiscal effort per student, or the aggregate 
        expenditures of such State, for the second preceding fiscal 
        year.'';

                    (II) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``shall 
                exclude capital expenditures, special 1-time project 
                costs, and the cost of pilot programs.'' and inserting 
                ``shall, at the request of the State, exclude 
                competitive or incentive-based programs established by 
                the State, capital expenditures, special one-time 
                project costs, and the cost of pilot programs.''; and
                    (III) by adding at the end the following:

            ``(D) Establishing the state baseline.--For purposes of 
        applying subparagraph (A) for years which require the 
        calculation of the State's fiscal effort per student, or 
        aggregate expenditures of such State, with respect to career 
        and technical education for the first full fiscal year 
        following the date of enactment of the Strengthening Career and 
        Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, the State may 
        determine the State's fiscal effort per student, or aggregate 
        expenditures of such State, with respect to career and 
        technical education for such first full fiscal year by--
                ``(i) continuing to use the State's fiscal effort per 
            student, or aggregate expenditures of such State, with 
            respect to career and technical education, as was in effect 
            on the day before the date of enactment of the 
            Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st 
            Century Act; or
                ``(ii) establishing a new level of fiscal effort per 
            student, or aggregate expenditures of such State, with 
            respect to career and technical education, which is not 
            less than 95 percent of the State's fiscal effort per 
            student, or the aggregate expenditures of such State, with 
            respect to career and technical education for the preceding 
            fiscal year.'';
                (ii) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the 
            following:
        ``(2) Failure to meet.--
            ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall reduce the amount of 
        a State's allotment of funds under this Act for any fiscal year 
        in the exact proportion by which the State fails to meet the 
        requirement of paragraph (1) by falling below the State's 
        fiscal effort per student or the State's aggregate expenditures 
        (using the measure most favorable to the State), if the State 
        failed to meet such requirement (as determined using the 
        measure most favorable to the State) for 1 or more of the 5 
        immediately preceding fiscal years.
            ``(B) Special rule.--No such lesser amount shall be used 
        for computing the effort required under paragraph (1) for 
        subsequent years.
        ``(3) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive paragraph (2) due to 
    exceptional or uncontrollable circumstances affecting the ability 
    of the State to meet the requirement of paragraph (1) such as a 
    natural disaster or an unforeseen and precipitous decline in 
    financial resources. No level of funding permitted under such a 
    waiver may be used as the basis for computing the fiscal effort or 
    aggregate expenditures required under this section for years 
    subsequent to the year covered by such waiver. The fiscal effort or 
    aggregate expenditures for the subsequent years shall be computed 
    on the basis of the level of funding that would, but for such 
    waiver, have been required.'';
        (2) in section 314(1), by striking ``career path or major'' and 
    inserting ``career pathway or program of study'';
        (3) in section 315--
            (A) by inserting ``or programs of study'' after ``career 
        and technical education programs''; and
            (B) by striking ``seventh grade'' and inserting ``the 
        middle grades (as such term is defined in section 8101 of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965)'';
        (4) in section 317(b)--
            (A) in paragraph (1)--
                (i) by inserting ``, including programs of study,'' 
            after ``activities''; and
                (ii) by striking ``who reside in the geographical area 
            served by'' and inserting ``in areas served by''; and
            (B) in paragraph (2)--
                (i) by striking ``the geographical area'' and inserting 
            ``areas''; and
                (ii) by inserting ``, including programs of study,'' 
            after ``activities'';
        (5) by striking title II and redesignating title III as title 
    II;
        (6) by redesignating sections 311 through 318, as amended by 
    this section, as sections 211 through 218, respectively;
        (7) by redesignating sections 321 through 324 as sections 221 
    through 224, respectively; and
        (8) by inserting after section 218 (as so redesignated) the 
    following:
    ``SEC. 219. STUDY ON PROGRAMS OF STUDY ALIGNED TO HIGH-SKILL, HIGH-
      WAGE OCCUPATIONS.
    ``(a) Scope of Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States 
shall conduct a study to evaluate--
        ``(1) the strategies, components, policies, and practices used 
    by eligible agencies or eligible recipients receiving funding under 
    this Act to successfully assist--
            ``(A) all students in pursuing and completing programs of 
        study aligned to high-skill, high-wage occupations; and
            ``(B) any special population or specific subgroup of 
        students identified in section 1111(h)(1)(C)(ii) of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 in pursuing and 
        completing programs of study aligned to high-skill, high-wage 
        occupations in fields in which such special population or 
        subgroup is underrepresented; and
        ``(2) any challenges associated with replication of such 
    strategies, components, policies, and practices.
    ``(b) Consultation.--In carrying out the study conducted under 
subsection (a), the Comptroller General of the United States shall 
consult with a geographically diverse (including urban, suburban, and 
rural) representation of--
        ``(1) students and parents;
        ``(2) eligible agencies and eligible recipients;
        ``(3) teachers, faculty, specialized instructional support 
    personnel, and paraprofessionals, including those with expertise in 
    preparing career and technical education students for non-
    traditional fields;
        ``(4) Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations;
        ``(5) special populations; and
        ``(6) representatives of business and industry.
    ``(c) Submission.--Upon completion, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall submit the study conducted under subsection (a) to 
the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions of the Senate.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 8(a) (20 U.S.C. 2306a(a)) is 
amended by striking ``311(b), and 323'' and inserting ``211(b), and 
223''.

                  TITLE III--AMENDMENTS TO OTHER LAWS

    SEC. 301. AMENDMENTS TO THE WAGNER-PEYSER ACT.
    Section 15(e)(2) of the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49l-2(e)(2)) 
is amended--
        (1) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:
            ``(B) consult with eligible agencies (defined in section 3 
        of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 
        2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302)), State educational agencies, and local 
        educational agencies concerning the provision of workforce and 
        labor market information in order to--
                ``(i) meet the needs of secondary school and 
            postsecondary school students who seek such information; 
            and
                ``(ii) annually inform the development and 
            implementation of programs of study defined in section 3 of 
            the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 
            2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302), and career pathways;'';
        (2) in subparagraph (G), by striking ``and'' after the 
    semicolon;
        (3) in subparagraph (H), by striking the period at the end and 
    inserting ``; and''; and
        (4) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(I) provide, on an annual and timely basis to each 
        eligible agency (defined in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins 
        Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302)), 
        the data and information described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) 
        of subsection (a)(1).''.
    SEC. 302. AMENDMENTS TO THE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT 
      OF 1965.
        (1) Section 1111(h)(1)(C)(xiv) of the Elementary and Secondary 
    Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(h)(1)(C)(xiv)) is amended by 
    striking ``attaining career and technical proficiencies (as defined 
    by section 113(b) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical 
    Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2323(b)) and reported by States 
    only in a manner consistent with section 113(c) of such Act (20 
    U.S.C. 2323(c))'' and inserting ``meeting State determined levels 
    of performance for core indicators, as defined by section 
    113(b)(3)(A) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education 
    Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2323(b)(3)(A)), and reported by States only 
    in a manner consistent with section 113(b)(3)(C) of such Act (20 
    U.S.C. 2323(b)(3)(C))''.
        (2) Section 6115(b)(6) of the Elementary and Secondary 
    Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7425(b)(6)) is amended by striking 
    ``tech-prep education, mentoring,'' and inserting ``mentoring''.
        (3) Section 6304(a)(3)(K) of the Elementary and Secondary 
    Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7544(a)(3)(K)) is amended by 
    striking ``tech-prep,''.
    SEC. 303. AMENDMENT TO THE WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY 
      ACT.
    Section 134(c)(2)(A)(vii) of the Workforce Innovation and 
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(2)(A)(vii)) is amended by striking 
``school dropouts'' and inserting ``out-of-school youth''.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and    
                                               President of the Senate.