[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2353 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

<DOC>
115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2353


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 26, 2017

     Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, 
                     Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 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. Tribally controlled postsecondary career and technical 
                            institutions.
Sec. 116. Occupational and employment information.
                        Part B--State Provisions

Sec. 121. State plan.
Sec. 122. Improvement plans.
Sec. 123. State leadership activities.
                        Part C--Local Provisions

Sec. 131. Local application for career and technical education 
                            programs.
Sec. 132. Local uses of funds.
                      TITLE II--GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 201. Federal and State administrative provisions.
             TITLE III--AMENDMENTS TO THE WAGNER-PEYSER ACT

Sec. 301. State responsibilities.

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, 2018.

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 (3), by striking ``, including tech prep 
        education''; and
            (3) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``and programs of 
        study'' after ``technical education programs''.

SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 3 (20 U.S.C. 2302) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraphs (16), (23), (24), (25), (26), 
        and (32);
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), 
        (13), (14), (15), (17), (18), (19), (20), (21), (22), (27), 
        (28), (29), (30), (31), (33), and (34) as paragraphs (9), (10), 
        (13), (16), (17), (19), (20), (23), (25), (27), (28), (30), 
        (32), (35), (39), (40), (41), (44), (45), (46), and (47), 
        respectively;
            (3) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``5 different 
                occupational fields to individuals'' and inserting 
                ``three different fields, especially in in-demand 
                industry sectors or occupations, that are available to 
                all students''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``not fewer 
                than 5 different occupational fields'' and inserting 
                ``not fewer than three different occupational fields'';
            (4) in paragraph (5)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) in clause (i)--
                                    (I) by striking ``coherent and 
                                rigorous content aligned with 
                                challenging academic standards'' and 
                                inserting ``content 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 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(1)), and at 
                                the postsecondary level with the 
                                rigorous academic content,'';
                                    (II) by striking ``and skills'' and 
                                inserting ``and skills,''; and
                                    (III) by inserting ``, including in 
                                in-demand industry sectors or 
                                occupations'' before the semicolon at 
                                the end;
                            (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''; 
                        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 the period at the end and 
                        inserting a semicolon; and
                            (iv) by striking ``general''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) to the extent practicable, coordinate between 
                secondary and postsecondary education programs, which 
                may include early college programs with articulation 
                agreements, dual or concurrent enrollment program 
                opportunities, or programs of study; 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 (20 U.S.C. 7801)).'';
            (5) in paragraph (7)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``(and 
                parents, as appropriate)'' and inserting ``(and, as 
                appropriate, parents and out-of-school youth)''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``financial 
                aid,'' and all that follows through the period at the 
                end and inserting ``financial aid, job training, 
                secondary and postsecondary options (including 
                baccalaureate degree programs), dual or concurrent 
                enrollment programs, work-based learning opportunities, 
                and support services.'';
            (6) 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).'';
            (7) by inserting after paragraph (10) (as so redesignated 
        by paragraph (2)) the following:
            ``(11) CTE concentrator.--The term `CTE concentrator' 
        means--
                    ``(A) at the secondary school level, a student 
                served by an eligible recipient who has--
                            ``(i) completed three or more career and 
                        technical education courses; or
                            ``(ii) completed at least two courses in a 
                        single career and technical education program 
                        or program of study; or
                    ``(B) at the postsecondary level, a student 
                enrolled in an eligible recipient who has--
                            ``(i) earned at least 12 cumulative 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.
            ``(12) CTE participant.--The term `CTE participant' means 
        an individual who completes not less than one course or earns 
        not less than one credit in a career and technical education 
        program or program of study of an eligible recipient.'';
            (8) by inserting after paragraph (13) (as so redesignated 
        by paragraph (2)) the following:
            ``(14) Dual or concurrent enrollment.--The term `dual or 
        concurrent enrollment' has the meaning given the term in 
        section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
        1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
            ``(15) 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 (20 U.S.C. 
        7801).'';
            (9) by inserting after paragraph (17) (as so redesignated 
        by paragraph (2)) the following:
            ``(18) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a 
        consortium that--
                    ``(A) shall include at least two of the following:
                            ``(i) a local educational agency;
                            ``(ii) an educational service agency;
                            ``(iii) an eligible institution;
                            ``(iv) an area career and technical 
                        education school;
                            ``(v) a State educational agency; or
                            ``(vi) the Bureau of Indian Education;
                    ``(B) may include a regional, State, or local 
                public or private organization, including a community-
                based organization, one or more employers, or a 
                qualified intermediary; and
                    ``(C) is led by an entity or partnership of 
                entities described in subparagraph (A).'';
            (10) by amending paragraph (19) (as so redesignated by 
        paragraph (2)) to read as follows:
            ``(19) Eligible institution.--The term `eligible 
        institution' means--
                    ``(A) a consortium of two 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, 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) a postsecondary educational institution 
                controlled by the Bureau of Indian Affairs 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. 
                450 et seq.) or the Act of April 16, 1934 (25 U.S.C. 
                452 et seq.); or
                    ``(F) an educational service agency.'';
            (11) by adding after paragraph (20) (as so redesignated by 
        paragraph (2)) the following:
            ``(21) 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 (20 U.S.C. 7801); 
                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 in 
                        which a language other than English is the 
                        dominant language.
            ``(22) 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 (20 U.S.C. 7801(21)(A)).'';
            (12) by inserting after paragraph (23) (as so redesignated 
        by paragraph (2)) the following:
            ``(24) 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).'';
            (13) by inserting after paragraph (25) (as so redesignated 
        by paragraph (2)) the following:
            ``(26) 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).'';
            (14) by inserting after paragraph (28) (as so redesignated 
        by paragraph (2)) the following:
            ``(29) 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.'';
            (15) by inserting after paragraph (30) (as so redesignated 
        by paragraph (2)) the following:
            ``(31) 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).'';
            (16) by inserting after paragraph (32) (as so redesignated 
        by paragraph (2)) the following:
            ``(33) Paraprofessional.--The term `paraprofessional' has 
        the meaning given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary 
        and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
            ``(34) Pay for success initiative.--The term `pay for 
        success initiative' has the meaning given the term in section 
        8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 7801), except that such term does not include an 
        initiative that--
                    ``(A) reduces the special education or related 
                services that a student would otherwise receive under 
                the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 
                U.S.C. 1400 et seq.); or
                    ``(B) otherwise reduces the rights of a student or 
                the obligations of an entity under the Individuals with 
                Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.), 
                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.'';
            (17) by inserting after paragraph (35) (as so redesignated 
        by paragraph (2)) the following:
            ``(36) Program of study.--The term `program of study' means 
        a coordinated, nonduplicative sequence of secondary and 
        postsecondary academic and technical content 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 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(1)), that--
                            ``(i) address both academic and technical 
                        knowledge and skills, including employability 
                        skills; and
                            ``(ii) are aligned with the needs of 
                        industries in the economy of the State, region, 
                        or local area;
                    ``(B) progresses in specificity (beginning with all 
                aspects of an industry or career cluster and leading to 
                more occupational specific instruction);
                    ``(C) has multiple entry and exit points that 
                incorporate credentialing; and
                    ``(D) culminates in the attainment of a recognized 
                postsecondary credential.
            ``(37) Qualified intermediary.--The term `qualified 
        intermediary' means a non-profit entity that demonstrates 
        expertise to build, connect, sustain, and measure partnerships 
        with entities such as employers, schools, community-based 
        organizations, postsecondary institutions, social service 
        organizations, economic development organizations, and 
        workforce systems to broker services, resources, and supports 
        to youth and the organizations and systems that are designed to 
        serve youth, including--
                    ``(A) connecting employers to classrooms;
                    ``(B) assisting in the design and implementation of 
                career and technical education programs 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.
            ``(38) 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).'';
            (18) in paragraph (41) (as so redesignated by paragraph 
        (2))--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``foster 
                children'' and inserting ``youth who are in or have 
                aged out of the foster care system'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (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); and
                    ``(H) 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).'';
            (19) by inserting after paragraph (41) (as so redesignated 
        by paragraph (2)) the following:
            ``(42) 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 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
            ``(43) 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 (20 U.S.C. 7801).'';
            (20) in paragraph (45) (as so redesignated by paragraph 
        (2)) by inserting ``(including paraprofessionals and 
        specialized instructional support personnel)'' after 
        ``supportive personnel''; and
            (21) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(48) 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 (20 
        U.S.C. 7801).
            ``(49) 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, first-hand engagement with 
        the tasks required of 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); and
            ``(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.''; and
            (2) by striking subsection (d) and redesignating subsection 
        (e) as subsection (d).

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 to be authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
Act (other than sections 114 and 117)--
            ``(1) $1,133,002,074 for fiscal year 2018;
            ``(2) $1,148,618,465 for fiscal year 2019;
            ``(3) $1,164,450,099 for fiscal year 2020;
            ``(4) $1,180,499,945 for fiscal year 2021;
            ``(5) $1,196,771,008 for fiscal year 2022; and
            ``(6) $1,213,266,339 for fiscal year 2023.''.

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

                    PART A--ALLOTMENT AND ALLOCATION

SEC. 110. RESERVATIONS AND STATE ALLOTMENT.

    Paragraph (5) of section 111(a) (20 U.S.C. 2321(a)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``No State'' and 
        inserting ``For each of fiscal years 2018, 2019, and 2020, no 
        State'';
            (2) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C);
            (3) by inserting after subparagraph (A), as amended by 
        paragraph (1), the following:
                    ``(B) Fiscal year 2021 and each succeeding fiscal 
                year.--For fiscal year 2021 and each of the succeeding 
                fiscal years, no State shall receive an allotment under 
                this section for a fiscal year that is less than 90 
                percent of the allotment the State received under this 
                section for the preceding fiscal year.''; and
            (4) in subparagraph (C), as redesignated by paragraph (2), 
        by striking ``subparagraph (A)'' and inserting ``subparagraph 
        (A) or (B)''.

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''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``State 
                                correctional institutions and 
                                institutions'' and inserting ``State 
                                correctional institutions, juvenile 
                                justice facilities, and educational 
                                institutions''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
                        ``available for services'' and inserting 
                        ``available to assist eligible recipients in 
                        providing services''; 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; and
                    ``(C) areas with high numbers of CTE concentrators 
                or CTE participants; 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 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 in-demand occupations or 
                industries.''.

SEC. 112. ACCOUNTABILITY.

    Section 113 (20 U.S.C. 2323) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``comprised of the 
        activities'' and inserting ``comprising the activities'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraph (B) 
                and redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B);
                    (B) in paragraph (1)(B), as so redesignated, 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 (20 U.S.C. 
                                7801)); and
                                    ``(II) at the State's discretion, 
                                the extended-year adjusted cohort 
                                graduation rate defined in such section 
                                8101 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
                            ``(ii) CTE concentrator attainment of 
                        challenging State academic standards adopted by 
                        the State under section 1111(b)(1) of the 
                        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
                        (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(1)), and measured by the 
                        academic assessments described in section 
                        1111(b)(2) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)).
                            ``(iii) The percentage of CTE concentrators 
                        who, in the second quarter following the 
                        program year after exiting from secondary 
                        education, are in postsecondary education or 
                        advanced training, military service, or 
                        unsubsidized employment.
                            ``(iv) Not less than one indicator of 
                        career and technical education program quality 
                        that--
                                    ``(I) shall include, not less than 
                                one of the following--
                                            ``(aa) the percentage of 
                                        CTE concentrators, as defined 
                                        in section 3(11)(A)(ii), 
                                        graduating from high school 
                                        having attained recognized 
                                        postsecondary credentials;
                                            ``(bb) the percentage of 
                                        CTE concentrators, as defined 
                                        in section 3(11)(A)(ii), 
                                        graduating from high school 
                                        having attained postsecondary 
                                        credits in the relevant career 
                                        and technical educational 
                                        program or program of study 
                                        earned through dual and 
                                        concurrent enrollment or 
                                        another credit transfer 
                                        agreement; or
                                            ``(cc) the percentage of 
                                        CTE concentrators, as defined 
                                        in section 3(11)(A)(ii), 
                                        graduating from high school 
                                        having participated in work-
                                        based learning; and
                                    ``(II) may include any other 
                                measure of student success in career 
                                and technical education that is 
                                statewide, valid, and reliable.
                            ``(v) The percentage of CTE concentrators, 
                        as defined in section 3(11)(A)(ii), in career 
                        and technical education programs and programs 
                        of study that lead to nontraditional 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, are in education or training 
                        activities, advanced training, or unsubsidized 
                        employment.
                            ``(ii) The median earnings of CTE 
                        concentrators in unsubsidized employment two 
                        quarters after program completion.
                            ``(iii) The percentage of CTE concentrators 
                        who receive a recognized postsecondary 
                        credential during participation in or within 1 
                        year of program completion.
                            ``(iv) The percentage of CTE concentrators 
                        in career and technical education programs and 
                        programs of study that lead to nontraditional 
                        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) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as 
                        follows:
                    ``(A) State adjusted levels of performance for core 
                indicators of performance.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Each eligible agency, 
                        with input from eligible recipients, shall 
                        establish and identify in the State plan 
                        submitted under section 122, for the first 2 
                        program years covered by the State plan, State 
                        levels of performance for each of the core 
                        indicators of performance described in 
                        subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2) for 
                        career and technical education activities 
                        authorized under this title. The levels of 
                        performance established under this subparagraph 
                        shall, at a minimum--
                                    ``(I) be expressed in a percentage 
                                or numerical form, so as to be 
                                objective, quantifiable, and 
                                measurable; and
                                    ``(II) be sufficiently ambitious to 
                                allow for meaningful evaluation of 
                                program quality.
                            ``(ii) State adjusted levels of performance 
                        for subsequent years.--Prior to the third 
                        program year covered by the State plan, each 
                        eligible agency shall revise the State levels 
                        of performance for each of the core indicators 
                        of performance for the subsequent program years 
                        covered by the State plan, taking into account 
                        the extent to which such levels of performance 
                        promote meaningful program improvement on such 
                        indicators. The State adjusted levels of 
                        performance identified under this clause shall 
                        be considered to be the State adjusted levels 
                        of performance for the State for such years and 
                        shall be incorporated into the State plan.
                            ``(iii) Reporting.--The eligible agency 
                        shall, for each year described in clauses (i) 
                        and (iii), publicly report and widely 
                        disseminate the State levels of performance 
                        described in this subparagraph.
                            ``(iv) Revisions.--If unanticipated 
                        circumstances arise in a State, the eligible 
                        agency may revise the State adjusted levels of 
                        performance required under this subparagraph, 
                        and submit such revised levels of performance 
                        with evidence supporting the revision and 
                        demonstrating public consultation, in a manner 
                        consistent with the procedure described in 
                        subsections (d) and (f) of section 122.'';
                            (ii) by striking subparagraph (B) and 
                        inserting the following:
                    ``(B) Actual levels of performance.--At the end of 
                each program year, the eligible agency shall determine 
                actual levels of performance on each of the core 
                indicators of performance and publicly report and 
                widely disseminate the actual levels of performance 
                described in this subparagraph.''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C)  Establishment of levels of performance.--An 
                eligible agency shall establish State levels of 
                performance under subparagraph (A) in a manner 
                consistent with the procedure adopted by the eligible 
                agency under section 122(d)(9).''; and
                    (E) in paragraph (4)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A)--
                                    (I) in clause (i)(I), 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 
                                levels, so as'';
                                    (II) by striking clause (i)(II) and 
                                inserting the following:
                                    ``(II) be sufficiently ambitious to 
                                allow for meaningful evaluation of 
                                program quality.'';
                                    (III) in clause (iv)--
                                            (aa) by striking ``third 
                                        and fifth program years'' and 
                                        inserting ``third program 
                                        year''; and
                                            (bb) by striking 
                                        ``corresponding'' before 
                                        ``subsequent program years'';
                                    (IV) in clause (v)--
                                            (aa) by striking ``and'' at 
                                        the end of subclause (I);
                                            (bb) by redesignating 
                                        subclause (II) as subclause 
                                        (III);
                                            (cc) by inserting after 
                                        subclause (I) the following:
                                    ``(II) local economic 
                                conditions;'';
                                            (dd) in subclause (III), as 
                                        so redesignated, by striking 
                                        ``promote continuous 
                                        improvement on the core 
                                        indicators of performance by 
                                        the eligible recipient.'' and 
                                        inserting ``advance the 
                                        eligible recipient's 
                                        accomplishments of the goals 
                                        set forth in the local 
                                        application; and''; and
                                            (ee) by adding at the end 
                                        the following:
                                    ``(IV) the eligible recipient's 
                                ability and capacity to collect and 
                                access valid, reliable, and cost 
                                effective data.'';
                                    (V) in clause (vi), by inserting 
                                ``or changes occur related to 
                                improvements in data or measurement 
                                approaches,'' after ``factors described 
                                in clause (v),''; and
                                    (VI) by adding at the end the 
                                following:
                            ``(vii) Reporting.--The eligible recipient 
                        shall, for each year described in clauses (iii) 
                        and (iv), publicly report the local levels of 
                        performance described in this subparagraph.'';
                            (ii) by striking subparagraph (B) and 
                        redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph 
                        (B); and
                            (iii) in clause (ii)(I) of subparagraph 
                        (B), as so redesignated--
                                    (I) by striking ``section 
                                1111(h)(1)(C)(i)'' and inserting 
                                ``section 1111(h)(1)(C)(ii)''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``section 3(29)'' 
                                and inserting ``section 3(40)''; and
            (3) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in the heading, by inserting ``State'' before 
                ``Report'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ``information 
                on the levels of performance achieved by the State with 
                respect to the additional indicators of performance, 
                including the'' and inserting ``the''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (2)(A)--
                            (i) by striking ``categories'' and 
                        inserting ``subgroups'';
                            (ii) by striking ``section 
                        1111(h)(1)(C)(i)'' and inserting ``section 
                        1111(h)(1)(C)(ii)''; and
                            (iii) by striking ``section 3(29)'' and 
                        inserting ``section 3(40)''.

SEC. 113. NATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

    Section 114 (20 U.S.C. 2324) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``The Secretary shall'' the 
                        first place it appears and inserting ``The 
                        Secretary shall, in consultation with the 
                        Director of the Institute for Education 
                        Sciences,''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``from eligible agencies 
                        under section 113(c)'' after ``pursuant to this 
                        title''; and
                    (B) by striking paragraph (3);
            (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)--
                            (i) by striking ``may'' and inserting 
                        ``shall'';
                            (ii) by striking ``, directly or through 
                        grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements,'' 
                        and inserting ``directly or through grants''; 
                        and
                            (iii) by striking ``and assessment''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``, 
                        acting through the Director of the Institute 
                        for Education Sciences,'' after ``describe how 
                        the Secretary''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``, 
                        in consultation with the Director of the 
                        Institute for Education Sciences,'' after ``the 
                        Secretary'';
            (4) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A)--
                                    (I) by inserting ``, acting through 
                                the Director of the Institute for 
                                Education Sciences,'' 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''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B)--
                                    (I) in clause (v), by striking ``; 
                                and'' and inserting a semicolon;
                                    (II) in clause (vi), 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''; and
                                    (III) by adding at the end the 
                                following:
                            ``(vii) representatives of special 
                        populations.'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in the heading, by striking ``and 
                        assessment'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (A)--
                                    (I) by inserting ``, acting through 
                                the Director of the Institute for 
                                Education Sciences,'' after ``the 
                                Secretary'';
                                    (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'';
                                    (IV) by striking ``, contracts, and 
                                cooperative agreements that are'' and 
                                inserting ``to institutions of higher 
                                education or a consortia of one or more 
                                institutions of higher education and 
                                one or more private nonprofit 
                                organizations or agencies''; and
                                    (V) by adding at the end the 
                                following: ``Such evaluation shall, 
                                whenever possible, use the most recent 
                                data available.''; 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 1111(b)(1) of the 
                        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
                        (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(1)) 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 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 (20 U.S.C. 
                        7801(25)(A)(ii)(I)(bb)));
                            ``(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, which may 
                        include computer science, skills are critical), 
                        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 extent to which career and 
                        technical education programs supported by this 
                        Act are grounded on evidence-based research;
                            ``(vii) 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(b);
                                    ``(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 (20 
                                U.S.C. 6301 et seq.);
                            ``(viii) 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; and
                            ``(ix) changes in student enrollment 
                        patterns.''; and
                            (iv) in subparagraph (C)--
                                    (I) in clause (i)--
                                            (aa) by inserting ``, in 
                                        consultation with the Director 
                                        of the Institute for Education 
                                        Sciences,'' after ``The 
                                        Secretary'';
                                            (bb) in subclause (I)--

                                                    (AA) by striking 
                                                ``assessment'' and 
                                                inserting ``evaluation 
                                                and summary of research 
                                                activities carried out 
                                                under this section''; 
                                                and

                                                    (BB) by striking 
                                                ``2010'' and inserting 
                                                ``2021''; and

                                            (cc) in subclause (II)--

                                                    (AA) by striking 
                                                ``assessment'' and 
                                                inserting ``evaluation 
                                                and summary of research 
                                                activities carried out 
                                                under this section''; 
                                                and

                                                    (BB) by striking 
                                                ``2011'' and inserting 
                                                ``2023''; and

                                    (II) 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 
                        that are most likely to produce positive 
                        educational and employment outcomes.''; and
                    (C) by striking paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) and 
                inserting the following:
            ``(3) Innovation.--
                    ``(A) Grant program.--To identify and support 
                evidence-based and innovative strategies and activities 
                to improve career and technical education and align 
                workforce skills with labor market needs as part of the 
                plan developed under subsection (c) and the 
                requirements of this subsection, the Secretary may 
                award grants to eligible entities to--
                            ``(i) create, develop, implement, or take 
                        to scale evidence-based, field initiated 
                        innovations, including through a pay for 
                        success initiative, to improve student outcomes 
                        in career and technical education; and
                            ``(ii) rigorously evaluate such 
                        innovations.
                    ``(B) Matching funds.--
                            ``(i) Matching funds required.--Except as 
                        provided under clause (ii), to receive a grant 
                        under this paragraph, an eligible entity shall, 
                        through cash or in-kind contributions, provide 
                        matching funds from public or private sources 
                        in an amount equal to at least 50 percent of 
                        the funds provided under such grant.
                            ``(ii) Exception.--The Secretary may waive 
                        the matching fund requirement under clause (i) 
                        if the eligible entity demonstrates exceptional 
                        circumstances.
                    ``(C) Application.--To receive a grant under this 
                paragraph, an eligible entity shall submit to the 
                Secretary at such a time as the Secretary may require, 
                an application that--
                            ``(i) identifies and designates the agency, 
                        institution, or school responsible for the 
                        administration and supervision of the program 
                        assisted under this paragraph;
                            ``(ii) identifies the source and amount of 
                        the matching funds required under subparagraph 
                        (B)(i);
                            ``(iii) describes how the eligible entity 
                        will use the grant funds, including how such 
                        funds will directly benefit students, including 
                        special populations, served by the eligible 
                        entity;
                            ``(iv) describes how the program assisted 
                        under this paragraph will be coordinated with 
                        the activities carried out under section 124 or 
                        135;
                            ``(v) describes how the program assisted 
                        under this paragraph aligns with the single 
                        plan described in subsection (c); and
                            ``(vi) describes how the program assisted 
                        under this paragraph will be evaluated and how 
                        that evaluation may inform the report described 
                        in subsection (d)(2)(C).
                    ``(D) Priority.--In awarding grants under this 
                paragraph, the Secretary shall give priority to 
                applications from eligible entities that will 
                predominantly serve students from low-income families.
                    ``(E) Geographic diversity.--
                            ``(i) In general.--In awarding grants under 
                        this paragraph, the Secretary shall award no 
                        less than 25 percent of the total available 
                        funds for any fiscal year to eligible entities 
                        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--
                                            ``(aa) an educational 
                                        service agency or a nonprofit 
                                        organization; and
                                            ``(bb) such a local 
                                        educational agency or such an 
                                        institution of higher 
                                        education; or
                                    ``(V) a partnership between--
                                            ``(aa) a grant recipient 
                                        described in subclause (I) or 
                                        (II); and
                                            ``(bb) a State educational 
                                        agency.
                            ``(ii) Exception.--Notwithstanding clause 
                        (i), 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.
                    ``(F) Uses of funds.--An eligible entity that is 
                awarded a grant under this paragraph shall use the 
                grant funds, in a manner consistent with subparagraph 
                (A)(i), to--
                            ``(i) improve career and technical 
                        education outcomes of students served by 
                        eligible entities under this title;
                            ``(ii) improve career and technical 
                        education teacher effectiveness;
                            ``(iii) improve the transition of students 
                        from secondary education to postsecondary 
                        education or employment;
                            ``(iv) improve the incorporation of 
                        comprehensive work-based learning into career 
                        and technical education;
                            ``(v) increase the effective use of 
                        technology within career and technical 
                        education programs;
                            ``(vi) support new models for integrating 
                        academic content and career and technical 
                        education content in such programs;
                            ``(vii) support the development and 
                        enhancement of innovative delivery models for 
                        career and technical education;
                            ``(viii) work with industry to design and 
                        implement courses or programs of study aligned 
                        to labor market needs in new or emerging 
                        fields;
                            ``(ix) integrate science, technology, 
                        engineering, and mathematics fields, including 
                        computer science education, with career and 
                        technical education;
                            ``(x) support 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;
                            ``(xi) improve CTE concentrator employment 
                        outcomes in nontraditional fields; or
                            ``(xii) support 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.
                    ``(G) Evaluation.--Each eligible entity receiving a 
                grant under this paragraph shall provide for an 
                independent evaluation of the activities carried out 
                using such grant and submit to the Secretary an annual 
                report that includes--
                            ``(i) a description of how funds received 
                        under this paragraph were used;
                            ``(ii) the performance of the eligible 
                        entity 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 (20 U.S.C. 6311(c)(2)(B));
                                    ``(II) special populations; and
                                    ``(III) as appropriate, each career 
                                and technical education program and 
                                program of study; and
                            ``(iii) a quantitative analysis of the 
                        effectiveness of the project carried out under 
                        this paragraph.''; and
            (5) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:
    ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section--
            ``(1) $7,523,285 for fiscal year 2018;
            ``(2) $7,626,980 for fiscal year 2019;
            ``(3) $7,732,104 for fiscal year 2020;
            ``(4) $7,838,677 for fiscal year 2021;
            ``(5) $7,946,719 for fiscal year 2022; and
            ``(6) $8,056,251 for fiscal year 2023.''.

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. TRIBALLY CONTROLLED POSTSECONDARY CAREER AND TECHNICAL 
              INSTITUTIONS.

    Section 117(i) (20 U.S.C. 2327(i)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section--
            ``(1) $8,400,208 for fiscal year 2018;
            ``(2) $8,515,989 for fiscal year 2019;
            ``(3) $8,633,367 for fiscal year 2020;
            ``(4) $8,752,362 for fiscal year 2021;
            ``(5) $8,872,998 for fiscal year 2022; and
            ``(6) $8,995,296 for fiscal year 2023.''.

SEC. 116. OCCUPATIONAL AND EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION.

    Section 118 (20 U.S.C. 2328) is repealed.

                        PART B--STATE PROVISIONS

SEC. 121. 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''; 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''; and
                    (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, and community 
                organizations)''; and
            (2) by amending subsections (b), (c), (d), and (e) to read 
        as follows:
    ``(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), unless the eligible agency 
        opts to submit a single plan under paragraph (2) and informs 
        the Secretary of such decision.
            ``(2) Single plan.--If the eligible agency elects not to 
        submit a combined plan as described in paragraph (1), such 
        eligible agency shall submit a single State 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 in States where such 
                        institutions are in existence, and charter 
                        school representatives in States where such 
                        schools are in existence, which shall include 
                        teachers, faculty, school leaders, specialized 
                        instructional support personnel (including 
                        guidance counselors), and paraprofessionals;
                            ``(ii) interested community 
                        representatives, including parents and 
                        students;
                            ``(iii) the State workforce development 
                        board described in section 101 of the Workforce 
                        Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
                        3111);
                            ``(iv) 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; and
                            ``(vii) representatives of Indian tribes 
                        located in the State; 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.
    ``(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 such 
        activities;
            ``(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-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 summary of the strategic planning elements of the 
        unified State plan required under section 102(b)(1) of the 
        Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
        3112(b)(1)), including the elements related to system alignment 
        under section 102(b)(2)(B) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 
        3112(b)(2)(B));
            ``(4) a description of the career and technical education 
        programs or programs of study that will be supported, 
        developed, or improved, 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
                    ``(C) how the eligible agency will--
                            ``(i) make information on approved programs 
                        of study and career pathways, including career 
                        exploration, work-based learning opportunities, 
                        dual and concurrent enrollment opportunities, 
                        and guidance and advisement resources, 
                        available to students and parents;
                            ``(ii) ensure nonduplication of eligible 
                        recipients' development of programs of study 
                        and career pathways;
                            ``(iii) determine alignment of eligible 
                        recipients' programs of study to the State, 
                        regional or local economy, including in-demand 
                        fields and occupations identified by the State 
                        workforce development board as appropriate;
                            ``(iv) provide equal access to activities 
                        assisted under this Act for special 
                        populations;
                            ``(v) coordinate with the State workforce 
                        board to support the local development of 
                        career pathways and articulate processes by 
                        which career pathways will be developed by 
                        local workforce development boards;
                            ``(vi) use State, regional, or local labor 
                        market data to align career and technical 
                        education with State labor market needs;
                            ``(vii) support effective and meaningful 
                        collaboration between secondary schools, 
                        postsecondary institutions, and employers, 
                        which may include the development of 
                        articulation agreements described in section 
                        124(b)(3); and
                            ``(viii) improve outcomes for CTE 
                        concentrators, including those who are members 
                        of special populations;
            ``(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 local 
                needs assessment under section 134 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, administrators, specialized 
        instructional support personnel, and paraprofessionals to 
        provide career and technical education instruction, leadership, 
        and support;
            ``(7) a description of how the eligible agency will use 
        State leadership funding to meet the requirements of section 
        124(b);
            ``(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 procedure the eligible agency 
        will adopt for determining State adjusted levels of performance 
        described in section 113, which at a minimum shall include--
                    ``(A) consultation with stakeholders identified in 
                paragraph (1);
                    ``(B) opportunities for the public to comment in 
                person and in writing on the State adjusted levels of 
                performance included in the State plan; and
                    ``(C) submission of public comment on State 
                adjusted levels of performance as part of the State 
                plan; and
            ``(10) 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 occupations and nontraditional fields, as 
                identified by the State;
                    ``(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.
    ``(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 the--
                    ``(A) State agency responsible for supervision of 
                community colleges, technical institutes, or other 2-
                year postsecondary institutions primarily engaged in 
                providing postsecondary career and technical education;
                    ``(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.
    ``(f) Plan Approval.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall approve a State plan 
        not later than 120 days after its submission to the Secretary 
        unless the Secretary--
                    ``(A) determines that the State plan does not meet 
                the requirements of this Act, including the 
                requirements described in section 113; and
                    ``(B) meets the requirements of paragraph (2) with 
                respect to such plan.
            ``(2) Disapproval.--The Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) 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) 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. 122. 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''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``appropriate agencies,'' 
                        and inserting ``appropriate State agencies,'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by striking ``purposes of this Act,'' 
                        and inserting ``purposes of this section, 
                        including after implementation of the 
                        improvement plan described in paragraph (1),'' 
                        and
                            (ii) by striking ``work with the eligible 
                        agency'' and inserting ``provide the eligible 
                        agency technical assistance''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (3)--
                            (i) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as 
                        follows:
                    ``(A) In general.--If the eligible agency fails to 
                make any improvement in meeting any of the State 
                adjusted levels of performance for any of the core 
                indicators of performance identified under paragraph 
                (1) during the first 2 years of implementation of the 
                improvement plan required under paragraph (1), the 
                eligible agency--
                            ``(i) shall develop and implement, in 
                        consultation with the stakeholders described in 
                        section 122(c)(1)(A), a revised improvement 
                        plan (with special consideration of performance 
                        gaps identified under section 113(c)(2)(B)) to 
                        address the reasons for such failure; and
                            ``(ii) shall continue to implement such 
                        improvement plan until the eligible agency 
                        meets at least 90 percent of the State adjusted 
                        level of performance for the same core 
                        indicators of performance for which the plan is 
                        revised.'';
                            (ii) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as 
                        subparagraph (C);
                            (iii) by inserting after subparagraph (A), 
                        the following:
                    ``(B) Revised performance improvement plan 
                implementation.--The Secretary shall provide technical 
                assistance, monitoring, and oversight to each eligible 
                agency with a plan revised under subparagraph (A)(i) 
                until such agency meets the requirements of 
                subparagraph (A)(ii).''; and
                            (iv) in subparagraph (C), as redesignated 
                        by clause (ii), by striking ``sanction in'' and 
                        inserting ``requirements of''; and
                    (D) by striking paragraph (4);
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``the eligible 
                agency, appropriate agencies, individuals, and 
                organizations'' and inserting ``local stakeholders 
                included in section 134(d)(1)'';
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``shall work with 
                the eligible recipient to implement improvement 
                activities consistent with the requirements of this 
                Act.'' and inserting ``shall provide technical 
                assistance to assist the eligible recipient in meeting 
                its responsibilities under section 134.'';
                    (C) in paragraph (4)--
                            (i) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as 
                        follows:
                    ``(A) In general.--If the eligible recipient fails 
                to make any improvement in meeting any of the local 
                adjusted levels of performance for any of the core 
                indicators of performance identified under paragraph 
                (2) during a number of years determined by the eligible 
                agency, the eligible recipient--
                            ``(i) shall revise the improvement plan 
                        described in paragraph (2) to address the 
                        reasons for such failure; and
                            ``(ii) shall continue to implement such 
                        improvement plan until such recipient meets at 
                        least 90 percent of an agreed upon local 
                        adjusted level of performance for the same core 
                        indicators of performance for which the plan is 
                        revised.''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B)--
                                    (I) in the matter preceding clause 
                                (i)--
                                            (aa) by striking ``In 
                                        determining whether to impose 
                                        sanctions under subparagraph 
                                        (A), the'' and inserting 
                                        ``The''; and
                                            (bb) by striking ``waive 
                                        imposing sanctions'' and 
                                        inserting ``waive the 
                                        requirements of subparagraph 
                                        (A)'';
                                    (II) in clause (i), by striking 
                                ``or'' at the end;
                                    (III) in clause (ii), by striking 
                                the period at the end and inserting ``; 
                                or''; and
                                    (IV) by adding at the end the 
                                following:
                            ``(iii) in response to a public request 
                        from an eligible recipient consistent with 
                        clauses (i) and (ii).''; and
                    (D) by striking paragraph (5); and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Plan Development.--Except for consultation described in 
subsection (b)(2), the State and local improvement plans, and the 
elements of such plans, required under this section shall be developed 
solely by the eligible agency or the eligible recipient, 
respectively.''.

SEC. 123. 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 directly; and
            ``(2) report on the effectiveness of such use of funds in 
        achieving the goals described in section 122(d)(2) and the 
        State adjusted levels of performance described in section 
        113(b)(3)(A).'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by striking paragraphs (1) through (4) 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 partnerships among local 
        educational agencies, institutions of higher education, and 
        employers, including small businesses, to develop and implement 
        programs of study aligned to State and local economic and 
        education needs, including as appropriate, in-demand industry 
        sectors and occupations;''; and
                    (B) by striking paragraphs (6) through (9) and 
                inserting the following:
            ``(6) support services for individuals in State 
        institutions, such as State correctional institutions, 
        including juvenile justice facilities, and educational 
        institutions that serve individuals with disabilities;
            ``(7) for faculty and teachers 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 (20 U.S.C. 6601 et seq.) and title II of 
        the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1021 et seq.)), 
        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 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(1)) and 
                relevant technical knowledge and skills;
                    ``(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; and
                    ``(C) increases understanding of industry 
                standards, as appropriate, for faculty providing career 
                and technical education instruction; and
            ``(8) technical assistance for eligible recipients.''; and
            (3) in subsection (c), by striking paragraphs (1) through 
        (17) and inserting the following:
            ``(1) 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 adjusted level 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);
            ``(2) providing support for the adoption and integration of 
        recognized postsecondary credentials or for consultation and 
        coordination with other State agencies for the identification, 
        consolidation, or elimination of licenses or certifications 
        which pose an unnecessary barrier to entry for aspiring workers 
        and provide limited consumer protection;
            ``(3) the creation, implementation, and support of pay-for-
        success initiatives leading to recognized postsecondary 
        credentials;
            ``(4) 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;
            ``(5) the creation, evaluation, and support of competency-
        based curricula;
            ``(6) 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);
            ``(7) providing support for dual or concurrent enrollment 
        programs, such as early college high schools;
            ``(8) 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;
            ``(9) support for the integration of employability skills 
        into career and technical education programs and programs of 
        study;
            ``(10) support for programs and activities that increase 
        access, student engagement, and success in science, technology, 
        engineering, and mathematics fields (including computer 
        science), 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;
            ``(11) support for career and technical student 
        organizations, especially with respect to efforts to increase 
        the participation of students who are members of special 
        populations;
            ``(12) support for establishing and expanding work-based 
        learning opportunities;
            ``(13) support for preparing, retaining, and training of 
        career and technical education teachers, faculty, specialized 
        instructional support personnel, and paraprofessionals, such as 
        preservice, professional development, and leadership 
        development programs;
            ``(14) integrating and aligning programs of study and 
        career pathways;
            ``(15) supporting the use of career and technical education 
        programs and programs of study aligned with State, regional, or 
        local in-demand industry sectors or occupations identified by 
        State or local workforce development boards;
            ``(16) making all forms of instructional content widely 
        available, which may include use of open educational resources;
            ``(17) support for the integration of arts and design 
        skills, when appropriate, into career and technical education 
        programs and programs of study; and
            ``(18) support for accelerated learning programs (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)) when any 
        such program is part of a program of study.''.

                        PART C--LOCAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 131. 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 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 programs of study approved by a 
        State under section 124(b)(2) supported by the eligible 
        recipient with funds under this part, 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; and
                    ``(B) a description of any new programs of study 
                the eligible recipient will develop and submit to the 
                State for approval;
            ``(3) a description of how the eligible recipient will 
        provide--
                    ``(A) career exploration and career development 
                coursework, activities, or services;
                    ``(B) career information; 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; and
            ``(4) a description of how the eligible recipient will--
                    ``(A) provide activities to prepare special 
                populations for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand 
                occupations that will lead to self-sufficiency; and
                    ``(B) prepare CTE participants for nontraditional 
                fields.
    ``(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
                    ``(B) not less than once every 2 years, update such 
                comprehensive local needs assessment.
            ``(2) Requirements.--The comprehensive local needs 
        assessment described under paragraph (1) shall include--
                    ``(A) an evaluation of the performance of the 
                students served by the eligible recipient with respect 
                to State and local adjusted levels of performance 
                established pursuant to section 113, including an 
                evaluation of performance for special populations;
                    ``(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, or 
                        local in-demand industry sectors or occupations 
                        identified by the State or local workforce 
                        development board, including career pathways, 
                        where appropriate; or
                            ``(II) designed to meet local education or 
                        economic needs not identified by State or local 
                        workforce development boards;
                    ``(C) an evaluation of progress toward the 
                implementation of career and technical education 
                programs and programs of study;
                    ``(D) an evaluation of strategies needed to 
                overcome barriers that result in lowering rates of 
                access to, or lowering success in, career and technical 
                education programs for special populations, which may 
                include strategies to establish or utilize existing 
                flexible learning and manufacturing facilities, such as 
                makerspaces;
                    ``(E) 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, academic, and guidance 
                counselors, including individuals in groups 
                underrepresented in such professions; and
                    ``(F) a description of how the eligible recipient 
                will support the transition to teaching from business 
                and industry.
    ``(d) Consultation.--In conducting the comprehensive needs 
assessment under subsection (c), 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 and administrators;
            ``(2) representatives of career and technical education 
        programs at postsecondary educational institutions, including 
        faculty and administrators;
            ``(3) representatives of State or local workforce 
        development boards and a range of local or regional businesses 
        or industries;
            ``(4) parents and students;
            ``(5) representatives of special populations; and
            ``(6) 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)).
    ``(e) Continued Consultation.--An eligible recipient receiving 
financial assistance under this part shall consult with the entities 
described in subsection (d) on an ongoing basis to--
            ``(1) provide input on annual updates to the comprehensive 
        needs assessment required under subsection (c);
            ``(2) ensure programs of study are--
                    ``(A) responsive to community employment needs;
                    ``(B) aligned with employment priorities in the 
                State, regional, 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 programs 
                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. 132. 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--
            ``(1) provide career exploration and career development 
        activities through an organized, systematic framework designed 
        to aid students, 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;
                    ``(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 or local 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; or
                    ``(E) any other activity that advances knowledge of 
                career opportunities and assists students in making 
                informed decisions about future education and 
                employment goals;
            ``(2) provide professional development for teachers, 
        principals, school leaders, administrators, faculty, and career 
        and guidance counselors with respect to content and pedagogy 
        that--
                    ``(A) supports individualized academic and career 
                and technical education instructional approaches, 
                including the integration of academic and career and 
                technical education standards and curriculum;
                    ``(B) ensures labor market information is used to 
                inform the programs, guidance, and advisement offered 
                to students;
                    ``(C) provides educators with opportunities to 
                advance knowledge, skills, and understanding of all 
                aspects of an industry, including the latest workplace 
                equipment, technologies, standards, and credentials;
                    ``(D) supports administrators in managing career 
                and technical education programs in the schools, 
                institutions, or local educational agencies of such 
                administrators;
                    ``(E) supports the implementation of strategies to 
                improve student achievement and close gaps in student 
                participation and performance in career and technical 
                education programs; and
                    ``(F) provides educators 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;
            ``(3) provide career and technical education students, 
        including special populations, with the skills necessary to 
        pursue high-skill, high-wage occupations;
            ``(4) support integration of academic skills into career 
        and technical education programs and programs of study to 
        support 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 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(1)) by the State in which the 
        eligible recipient is located;
            ``(5) plan and carry out elements that support the 
        implementation of career and technical education programs and 
        programs of study and student achievement of the local adjusted 
        levels of performance established under section 113, which may 
        include--
                    ``(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 in demand in the 
                State, regional, or local economy;
                    ``(C) dual or concurrent enrollment programs, 
                including early college high schools, and the 
                development or implementation of articulation 
                agreements;
                    ``(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;
                    ``(F) industry-recognized certification exams or 
                other assessments leading toward industry-recognized 
                postsecondary credentials;
                    ``(G) efforts to recruit and retain career and 
                technical education program administrators and 
                educators;
                    ``(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 (20 U.S.C. 1400 et 
                seq.);
                    ``(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;
                    ``(M) supporting programs and activities that 
                increase access, student engagement, and success in 
                science, technology, engineering, and mathematics 
                fields (including computer science) 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 a 
                school-aged individual who has dropped out of a 
                secondary school to complete secondary school education 
                or upgrade technical skills;
                    ``(O) career and technical student organizations, 
                including student preparation for and participation in 
                technical skills competitions aligned with career and 
                technical education program standards and curriculum;
                    ``(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) where appropriate, expanding opportunities 
                for CTE concentrators to participate in accelerated 
                learning programs (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)) 
                as part of a program of study; and
                    ``(S) 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)(C).
    ``(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 not less than one other eligible recipient 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.

    The Act (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) in section 311(b)--
                    (A) 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 after subparagraph (C), the 
                        following new subparagraph:
                    ``(D) Establishing the state baseline.--
                            ``(i) In general.--For purposes of 
                        subparagraph (A), the State may--
                                    ``(I) continue 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) establish 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 90 
                                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) Amount.--The amount of the new level 
                        described in clause (i)(II) shall be 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 enactment of the 
                        Strengthening Career and Technical Education 
                        for the 21st Century Act.''; and
                    (B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(2) Failure to meet.--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.
            ``(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).'';
            (2) in section 317(b)(1)--
                    (A) by striking ``may, upon written request, use 
                funds made available under this Act to'' and inserting 
                ``may use funds made available under this Act to''; and
                    (B) by striking ``who reside in the geographical 
                area served by'' and inserting ``located in or near the 
                geographical area served by'';
            (3) by striking title II and redesignating title III as 
        title II;
            (4) by redesignating sections 311 through 318 as sections 
        211 through 218, respectively;
            (5) by redesignating sections 321 through 324 as sections 
        221 through 224, respectively; and
            (6) 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 specific subgroup of students identified 
                in section 1111(h)(1)(C)(ii) of the Elementary and 
                Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                6311(h)(1)(C)(ii)) in pursuing and completing programs 
                of study aligned to high-skill, high-wage occupations 
                in fields in which such 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 CTE students for nontraditional fields;
            ``(4) special populations; and
            ``(5) 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.''.

             TITLE III--AMENDMENTS TO THE WAGNER-PEYSER ACT

SEC. 301. STATE RESPONSIBILITIES.

    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'' at the end;
            (3) in subparagraph (H), by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting ``; and''; and
            (4) by inserting after subparagraph (H) the following new 
        subparagraph:
                    ``(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).''.

            Passed the House of Representatives June 22, 2017.

            Attest:

                                                 KAREN L. HAAS,

                                                                 Clerk.