[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 80 (Thursday, June 16, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6763-S6767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BINGAMAN:
  S. 1267. A bill to amend title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
to reauthorize the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for 
Undergraduate Programs, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, our country is facing a crisis. Too many 
of our young people leave high school without the skills necessary to 
meet the demands of a global economy. According to a recent U.S. 
Chamber of Commerce survey, 75 percent of employers report severe 
difficulties when trying to hire qualified workers, with 40 percent of 
job applicants having poor skills. As many as 3.3 million jobs may be 
sent overseas in the next 15 years, causing American workers to lose 
$136 billion in wages. The strength of our economy, and the future of 
our nation, largely rests on our ability to improve educational 
opportunities for all of our citizens.
  An educated, skilled, and flexible workforce is essential to building 
a strong and dynamic economy, and, if we are going to maintain our 
country's ability to compete in a global economy, we must help prepare 
young people to meet the demands of the 21st century workforce. I 
introduce legislation that will ensure more students graduate high 
school ready for college and the workforce.
  Only 68 percent of all students in the U.S. graduate high school on 
time with a regular diploma. And, the numbers are worse if the student 
is Hispanic, African American, Native American, has a disability, or is 
male. Sadly, a recent report indicates that students are dropping out 
at a younger age, resulting in an even less educated workforce.
  For students who graduate with a high school diploma, too few go on 
directly to college. Astonishingly, only 38 percent of high school 
freshmen will earn a high school diploma and make the immediate 
transition to college directly after graduation. In New Mexico, the 
statistics are pretty staggering. For every 50 ninth graders in New 
Mexico, only 30 will graduate high school; 18 will enter college; 11 
are still enrolled in their sophomore year; and 5.5 graduate from 
college within 6 years. We must do better.
  We also know, unfortunately, that as many as 40 percent of this 
country's high school graduates are not prepared to meet the demands of 
college or a

[[Page S6764]]

competitive workforce. A survey of college professors reveals that half 
of all public school graduates are not adequately prepared to do 
college-level math or writing.
  There is some good news, however; we know what works. Research 
conducted by the Department of Education shows that the single best 
predictor of college success is the quality and level of a student's 
high school classes. Students who take a solid college prep curriculum 
are less likely to need remedial classes, and are more likely to earn a 
college degree. In fact, evidence shows that the intensity and quality 
of high school curriculum is the greatest measure of completion of a 
bachelor's degree. Importantly, studies also show that not only do 
college-bound students benefit from rigorous courses, but that all 
students benefit from more rigorous coursework. Accordingly, it is 
critical that all of our young people have access to rigorous 
coursework in secondary school in order to meet the demands of 
postsecondary education and a competitive workforce.
  Therefore, I introduce legislation that builds on this research and 
works toward a goal of ensuring that all secondary school students are 
enrolled in classes that prepare them to excel in college and in the 
workplace.
  The GEAR UP program, Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for 
Undergraduate Programs, was first authorized in 1998 and was designed 
to promote student achievement and access to postsecondary education 
among low-income students. Since that time, GEAR UP grants have served 
over a million students per year. In my home State of New Mexico, there 
are six GEAR UP programs that serve thousands of students in many 
different ways, including by instituting reading and math programs, 
taking students to colleges so they can begin to imagine themselves on 
a college campus, creating science fairs and technology training 
seminars, providing career and financial counseling, and many other 
vital services. And, the individuals who work with GEAR UP programs are 
some of the most dedicated professionals I have met.

  I believe we can build on the successes of GEAR UP to ensure more 
students leave high school prepared for the academic rigor of college 
and a competitive workforce. My legislation, called Gearing Up for 
Academic Success, will support and strengthen GEAR UP so that it 
promotes lasting and systemic change in the schools served by the GEAR 
UP grant.
  The legislation places a particular focus on encouraging more 
students to take college preparation courses, especially those who are 
at risk for dropping out of school. But, it also builds capacity within 
the school so that activities funded with a GEAR UP grant benefit not 
only the students who receive the services, but also future cohorts of 
students who enter GEAR UP schools after the initial grants have ended.
  My legislation does not change the fundamental structure of GEAR UP; 
it maintains States and partnerships as eligible entities. The 
legislation, however, changes the focus and the types of activities the 
eligible entities must engage in. Eligible entities will now be 
required to provide activities that ensure more students participate in 
college preparation coursework. Further, my legislation requires the 
activities to be designed so as to benefit both current students as 
well as future cohorts of students.
  As in current law, partnerships are comprised of school districts, 
institutions of higher education, and community organizations. The 
legislation also retains the focus on cohorts of students that exists 
in current law by requiring grantees to serve one grade level of 
students, beginning not later than the 7th grade, through the 12th 
grade. Unlike current law, however, partnerships will now be required 
to provide activities designed to ensure the secondary school 
completion and college enrollment of this cohort of students. The 
legislation will also require the partnership to focus on developing a 
more rigorous curriculum and on professional development opportunities 
for teachers of college prep courses. Consequently, future cohorts of 
students would benefit from the more rigorous curriculum and the 
professional development available to the teachers.
  Partnerships may also engage in a wide variety of other activities 
permissible under current law, including providing mentoring and 
advising, creating summer programs at institutions of higher education, 
providing skills assessment, personal and family counseling, financial 
aid counseling, and activities designed to foster parent involvement in 
issues surrounding completion of high school and the attainment of a 
college education.
  The State can play a more effective role in ensuring students 
graduate high school prepared for college, and accordingly, my 
legislation requires State grantees to focus on two types of 
activities. First, the State would be required to provide policy 
leadership to promote college readiness of students in the State, 
particularly those who are at risk of dropping out of school and those 
who are economically disadvantaged. And, second, the State will be 
responsible for promoting coordination and information sharing among 
all GEAR UP grantees in the state, providing technical assistance and 
training, disseminating information about best practices, and providing 
opportunities for eligible partnerships to coordinate their efforts.
  This program is so worthwhile, and leadership at the State level is 
absolutely critical, and accordingly, propose changing the formula to 
make funds available to every State. When appropriations for GEAR UP 
exceed $400,000,000 per year, one third of the funds will be made 
available to each State by formula. The remainder of the allocation 
will go to eligible partnerships on a competitive basis.
  We all can agree that it is in our national interest to ensure that 
all of our students leave high school prepared to meet the demands of 
the 21st century workforce. This legislation provides an opportunity to 
systemically change the way our secondary schools prepare all students 
for college and a competitive workforce. I ask unanimous consent the 
text of this bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1267

       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 ``Gearing Up for Academic 
     Success Act''.

     SEC. 2. GAINING EARLY AWARENESS AND READINESS FOR 
                   UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

       Chapter 2 of subpart 2 of part A of title IV of the Higher 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a-21 et seq.) is amended 
     to read as follows:

 ``CHAPTER 2--GAINING EARLY AWARENESS AND READINESS FOR UNDERGRADUATE 
                                PROGRAMS

     ``SEC. 404A. DEFINITION OF ELIGIBLE ENTITY.

       ``In this chapter, the term `eligible entity' means--
       ``(1) a State; or
       ``(2) a partnership consisting of--
       ``(A) 1 or more local educational agencies acting on behalf 
     of--
       ``(i) 1 or more elementary schools, middle schools, or 
     secondary schools; and
       ``(ii) the secondary schools that students from the schools 
     described in clause (i) would normally attend;
       ``(B) 1 or more degree granting institutions of higher 
     education; and
       ``(C) at least 2 community organizations or entities, such 
     as businesses, professional associations, community-based 
     organizations, philanthropic organizations, State agencies, 
     institutions or agencies sponsoring programs authorized under 
     subpart 4, or other public or private agencies or 
     organizations.

     ``SEC. 404B. EARLY INTERVENTION AND COLLEGE AWARENESS PROGRAM 
                   AUTHORIZED.

       ``The Secretary is authorized to award grants in accordance 
     with section 404C--
       ``(1) to eligible entities described in section 404A(1) to 
     enable the eligible entities to carry out the authorized 
     activities described in section 404D(b); and
       ``(2) to eligible entities described in section 404A(2) to 
     enable the eligible entities to carry out the authorized 
     activities described in section 404D(a).

     ``SEC. 404C. GRANTS TO ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.

       ``(a) General Reservations.--From the amount appropriated 
     under section 404H for a fiscal year the Secretary shall 
     reserve--
       ``(1) an amount sufficient to continue multiyear grant and 
     scholarship awards made under this chapter prior to the date 
     of enactment of the Gearing Up for Academic Success Act, in 
     accordance with the terms and conditions of such awards; and
       ``(2) the amount described in section 404G to carry out 
     section 404G.
       ``(b) Competitive Grant Awards.--
       ``(1) In general.--If the amount appropriated under section 
     404H for a fiscal year is less than $400,000,000, then the 
     Secretary shall use the amount that remains after reserving 
     funds under subsection (a) to award

[[Page S6765]]

     grants, on a competitive basis and in accordance with 
     paragraph (2), to eligible entities described in paragraphs 
     (1) and (2) of section 404A to enable the eligible entities 
     to carry out the authorized activities described in section 
     404D.
       ``(2) Distribution of competitive grant awards.--From the 
     amount made available under paragraph (1) that remains after 
     reserving funds under subsection (a) for a fiscal year, the 
     Secretary shall--
       ``(A) make available--
       ``(i) not less than 33 percent of the remainder to eligible 
     entities described in section 404A(1); and
       ``(ii) not less than 33 percent of the remainder to 
     eligible entities described in section 404A(2); and
       ``(B) award the remainder not made available under 
     subparagraph (A) to eligible entities described in paragraph 
     (1) or (2) of section 404A.
       ``(3) Special rule.--The Secretary shall annually 
     reevaluate the distribution of funds described in paragraph 
     (2)(B) based on the number, quality, and promise of the 
     applications and adjust the distribution accordingly.
       ``(c) Formula and Competitive Grant Awards.--
       ``(1) In general.--If the amount appropriated under section 
     404H for a fiscal year is equal to or greater than 
     $400,000,000, then the Secretary shall use the amount that 
     remains after reserving funds under subsection (a) as 
     follows:
       ``(A) 33 percent of the remainder shall be used to award 
     grants, from allotments under paragraph (2), to eligible 
     entities described in section 404A(1) to enable the eligible 
     entities to carry out the authorized activities described in 
     section 404D.
       ``(B) 67 percent of the remainder shall be used to award 
     grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities 
     described in section 404A(2) to enable the eligible entities 
     to carry out the authorized activities described in section 
     404D.
       ``(2) Formula.--
       ``(A) Reservations.--If the amount appropriated under 
     section 404H is greater than or equal to $400,000,000, then 
     the Secretary shall reserve, in addition to amounts reserved 
     under subsection (a)--
       ``(i) \1/2\ of 1 percent of the amount to award grants to 
     the outlying areas according to their respective needs for 
     assistance under this chapter to enable the outlying areas to 
     carry out activities authorized under this chapter; and
       ``(ii) 1 percent of the amount to award a grant to the 
     Bureau of Indian Affairs to enable the Bureau of Indian 
     Affairs to carry out activities authorized under this 
     chapter.
       ``(B) Formula.--If the amount appropriated under section 
     404H for a fiscal year is equal to or greater than 
     $400,000,000, then the Secretary shall allocate the amount 
     that remains after reserving funds under subsection (a) and 
     subparagraph (A) among eligible entities having plans 
     approved under section 404E as follows:
       ``(i) 50 percent of the remainder shall be allocated on the 
     basis of the number of individuals in the State; and
       ``(ii) 50 percent of the remainder shall be allocated on 
     the basis of the number of children in the State, aged 5 
     through 17, who are from families with incomes below the 
     poverty line.
       ``(C) Census data.--In allocating funds under subparagraph 
     (A) the Secretary shall use the most recent data available 
     from the Bureau of the Census.
       ``(D) Definitions.--In this paragraph;
       ``(i) Outlying area.--The term ``outlying area'' means the 
     United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the 
     Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of 
     the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and 
     the Republic of Palau.
       ``(ii) Poverty line.--The term ``poverty line'' means the 
     poverty line (as defined by the Office of Management and 
     Budget and revised annually in accordance with section 673(2) 
     of the Community Services Block Grant Act) applicable to a 
     family of the size involved.
       ``(iii) State.--The term `State' means each of the several 
     States of the United States, the District of Columbia, and 
     the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

     ``SEC. 404D. AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.

       ``(a) Uses of Funds for Partnerships.--
       ``(1) Cohort approach.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall require that 
     eligible entities described in section 404A(2)--
       ``(i) provide services under this chapter to at least 1 
     grade level of students, beginning not later than 7th grade, 
     in a participating school that has a 7th grade and in which 
     at least 50 percent of the students enrolled are eligible for 
     a free or reduced-price lunch under the Richard B. Russell 
     National School Lunch Act (or, if an eligible entity 
     determines that it would promote the effectiveness of a 
     program, an entire grade level of students, beginning not 
     later than the 7th grade, who reside in public housing as 
     defined in section 3(b)(1) of the United States Housing Act 
     of 1937); and
       ``(ii) ensure that the services are provided through the 
     12th grade to students in the participating grade level.
       ``(B) Coordination requirement.--In carrying out 
     subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall, where applicable, 
     ensure that the cohort approach is done in coordination and 
     collaboration with existing early intervention programs and 
     does not duplicate the services already provided to a school 
     or community.
       ``(2) Mandatory activities.--In order to receive a grant 
     under this chapter, an eligible entity described in section 
     404A(2) shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the 
     Secretary, in the plan submitted under section 404E, that the 
     eligible entity will provide activities designed to ensure 
     the secondary school completion and college enrollment of 
     children at risk of dropping out of school, with a focus on 
     providing access to rigorous core courses that reflect 
     challenging academic standards. Such activities shall be 
     designed so as to ensure systemic change in the school, so 
     that future cohorts of children will benefit from the changes 
     as well. Such activities shall include--
       ``(A) enrollment of participating students in a standard 
     college preparation curriculum or, in the case of younger 
     students, in a curriculum that logically articulates with a 
     college preparation curriculum;
       ``(B) professional development opportunities for 
     instructors of college preparation classes; and
       ``(C) funds for curriculum development related to the 
     institution of college preparation classes.
       ``(3) Permissible activities.--In addition to the 
     activities described in paragraph (1), an eligible entity 
     described in section 404A(2) may provide other services or 
     supports that are designed to ensure the secondary school 
     completion and college enrollment of children at risk of 
     dropping out of school, such as comprehensive mentoring, 
     counseling, outreach, and supportive services. Examples of 
     activities that meet the requirements of the preceding 
     sentence include the following:
       ``(A) Providing participating students in elementary 
     school, middle school, or secondary school through grade 12 
     with a continuing system of mentoring and advising that--
       ``(i) is coordinated with the Federal and State community 
     service initiatives; and
       ``(ii) may include such support services as after school 
     and summer tutoring, assistance in obtaining summer jobs, 
     career mentoring, and academic counseling.
       ``(B) Requiring each student to enter into an agreement 
     under which the student agrees to achieve certain academic 
     milestones, such as completing a prescribed set of courses 
     and maintaining satisfactory progress described in section 
     484(c), in exchange for receiving tuition assistance for a 
     period of time to be established by each eligible entity.
       ``(C) Activities such as the identification of children at 
     risk of dropping out of school, volunteer and parent 
     involvement, providing former or current scholarship 
     recipients as mentor or peer counselors, skills assessment, 
     personal counseling, family counseling and home visits, and 
     programs and activities that are specially designed for 
     students of limited English proficiency and students with 
     disabilities.
       ``(D) Summer programs for individuals who are in their 
     sophomore or junior years of secondary school or are planning 
     to attend an institution of higher education in the 
     succeeding academic year, that--
       ``(i) are carried out at an institution of higher education 
     which has programs of academic year supportive services for 
     disadvantaged students through projects authorized under 
     section 402D or through comparable projects funded by the 
     State or other sources;
       ``(ii) provide for the participation of the individuals who 
     are eligible for assistance under section 402D or who are 
     eligible for comparable programs funded by the State;
       ``(iii)(I) provide summer instruction in remedial, 
     developmental or supportive courses;
       ``(II) provide such summer services as counseling, 
     tutoring, or orientation; and
       ``(III) provide financial assistance to the individuals to 
     cover the individuals' summer costs for books, supplies, 
     living costs, and personal expenses; and
       ``(iv) provide the individuals with financial assistance 
     during each academic year the individuals are enrolled at the 
     participating institution after the summer program.
       ``(E) Requiring eligible students to meet other standards 
     or requirements as the State determines necessary to meet the 
     purposes of this section.
       ``(F) Financial aid counseling and information regarding 
     the opportunities for financial assistance.
       ``(G) Providing activities or information regarding--
       ``(i) fostering and improving parent involvement in--

       ``(I) promoting the advantages of a college education;
       ``(II) academic admission requirements; and
       ``(III) the need to take college preparation courses;

       ``(ii) college admission and achievement tests; and
       ``(iii) college application procedures.
       ``(b) Use of Funds for States.--
       ``(1) Mandatory activities.--In order to receive a grant 
     under this chapter, an eligible entity described in section 
     404A(1) shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the 
     Secretary, in the plan submitted under section 404E, that the 
     eligible entity will provide--
       ``(A) policy leadership designed to promote the college 
     readiness of students in the State, especially those who are 
     at risk of dropping out of school and those who are 
     economically disadvantaged; and

[[Page S6766]]

       ``(B) if there are eligible entities in the State that 
     received a grant under this chapter, services designed to 
     promote coordination and information sharing among all such 
     eligible entities in the State.
       ``(2) Permissible activities.--
       ``(A) Policy leadership.--In order to meet the requirements 
     of paragraph (1)(A), an eligible entity described in section 
     404A(1) may engage in the following activities:
       ``(i) Developing a core curriculum of college preparatory 
     classes that can be adopted by all State secondary schools.
       ``(ii) Facilitating curriculum development in individual 
     schools where needed.
       ``(iii) Supporting and creating professional development 
     opportunities for teachers in relation to the core 
     curriculum.
       ``(iv) Facilitating the alignment of kindergarten through 
     grade 12 classes with the requirements for passing college 
     entrance exams, and entering college without the need for 
     remedial courses.
       ``(v) Convening and consulting with groups of individuals 
     and organizations that can provide input and expertise 
     related to clauses (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv).
       ``(vi) Developing a comprehensive, statewide database that 
     can be used to track indicators of college readiness, and to 
     track enrollment in and completion of college, among the 
     secondary school students in the State.
       ``(vii) Other activities that will promote the college 
     readiness of students in the State, especially students who 
     are considered at risk for not completing secondary school.
       ``(C) Coordination and information sharing.--In order to 
     meet the requirements of paragraph (1)(B), an eligible entity 
     described in section 404A(1) may engage in the following 
     activities:
       ``(i) Providing technical assistance and training for 
     eligible entities described in section 404A(2) that receive a 
     grant under this chapter.
       ``(ii) Disseminating information about best practices among 
     eligible entities described in section 404A(2) that receive a 
     grant under this chapter.
       ``(iii) Providing eligible entities described in section 
     404A(2) that receive a grant under this chapter with 
     opportunities for coordinating their efforts and networking.
       ``(iv) Assisting eligible entities described in section 
     404A(2) that receive a grant under this chapter in adopting a 
     core curriculum and providing professional development 
     opportunities for teachers.
       ``(v) Providing a centralized source of information, 
     regarding college planning, college entrance requirements, 
     and opportunities for financial aid, to students in the 
     State.
       ``(vi) Providing other services that promote and support 
     the activities of eligible entities described in section 
     404A(2) in the State that receive a grant under this chapter.
       ``(c) Allowable Providers.--In the case of eligible 
     entities described in section 404A(1), the activities 
     required by this section may be provided by service providers 
     such as community-based organizations, schools, institutions 
     of higher education, public and private agencies, nonprofit 
     and philanthropic organizations, businesses, institutions and 
     agencies sponsoring programs authorized under subpart 4, and 
     other organizations the State determines appropriate.

     ``SEC. 404E. ELIGIBLE ENTITY PLANS.

       ``(a) Plan Required for Eligibility.--
       ``(1) In general.--In order for an eligible entity to 
     receive a grant under this chapter, the eligible entity shall 
     submit to the Secretary a plan for carrying out the program 
     under this chapter.
       ``(2) Contents.--Each plan submitted pursuant to paragraph 
     (1) shall be in such form, contain or be accompanied by such 
     information or assurances, and be submitted at such time as 
     the Secretary may require by regulation. Each plan shall--
       ``(A) describe the activities for which assistance under 
     this chapter is sought; and
       ``(B) provide such assurances as the Secretary determines 
     necessary to ensure compliance with the requirements of this 
     chapter.
       ``(3) Additional requirements for partnerships.--An 
     eligible entity described in section 404A(2) shall also 
     include in its plan--
       ``(A) a description of the college preparation curriculum 
     that will be instituted;
       ``(B) a description of all uses of funds;
       ``(C) a description of how the funds provided under this 
     chapter shall be used to affect systemic schoolwide change 
     that will ensure that future cohorts of students will also 
     benefit from the use of the grant funds; and
       ``(D) a needs analysis detailing the ways in which the 
     funds provided under this chapter will be most profitably 
     used to ensure the success of curricular changes (for 
     example, by spending such funds on professional development, 
     the purchase of curricular materials, or other activities).
       ``(4) Additional requirements for states.--An eligible 
     entity described in section 404A(1) shall also include in its 
     plan--
       ``(A) an assessment of the activities and programs most 
     needed to enhance the college readiness of students in the 
     State;
       ``(B) a description of how the proposed activities will 
     enhance the college readiness of students in the State;
       ``(C) a description of how the State will ensure that 
     students who are at risk of dropping out of school and those 
     who are economically disadvantaged receive and benefit from 
     the proposed activities; and
       ``(D) if applicable, a description of how the proposed 
     activities will promote coordination and information-sharing 
     among all eligible entities in the State that receive a grant 
     under this chapter.
       ``(b) Matching Requirement.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall not approve a plan 
     submitted under subsection (a) unless such plan--
       ``(A) provides that the eligible entity will provide, from 
     State, local, institutional, or private funds, not less than 
     50 percent of the cost of the program, which matching funds 
     may be provided in cash or in kind;
       ``(B) specifies the methods by which matching funds will be 
     paid; and
       ``(C) includes provisions designed to ensure that funds 
     provided under this chapter shall supplement and not supplant 
     funds expended for existing programs.
       ``(2) Special rule.--Notwithstanding the matching 
     requirement described in paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary may 
     modify, by regulation, the percentage requirement described 
     in paragraph (1)(A) for eligible entities described in 
     section 404A(2).
       ``(3) Methods for complying with matching requirement.--An 
     eligible entity may count toward the matching requirement 
     described in subsection (b)(1)(A)--
       ``(A) the amount of the financial assistance paid to 
     students from State, local, institutional, or private funds 
     under this chapter;
       ``(B) the amount of tuition, fees, room or board waived or 
     reduced for recipients of financial assistance under this 
     chapter; and
       ``(C) the amount expended on documented, targeted, long-
     term mentoring and counseling provided by volunteers or paid 
     staff of nonschool organizations, including businesses, 
     religious organizations, community groups, postsecondary 
     educational institutions, nonprofit and philanthropic 
     organizations, and other organizations.
       ``(c) Peer Review Panels.--The Secretary shall convene peer 
     review panels to assist in making determinations regarding 
     the awarding of grants under this chapter.

     ``SEC. 404F. REQUIREMENTS.

       ``(a) Coordination.--Each eligible entity shall ensure that 
     the activities assisted under this chapter are, to the extent 
     practicable, coordinated with, and complement and enhance--
       ``(1) services under this chapter provided by other 
     eligible entities serving the same school district or State; 
     and
       ``(2) related services under other Federal or non-Federal 
     programs.
       ``(b) Designation of Fiscal Agent.--An eligible entity 
     described in section 404A(2) shall designate an institution 
     of higher education or a local educational agency as the 
     fiscal agent for the eligible entity for purposes of this 
     chapter.
       ``(c) Coordinators.--Each eligible entity described in 
     section 404A(2) that receives a grant under this chapter 
     shall have a full-time program coordinator or a part-time 
     program coordinator, whose primary responsibility is to 
     assist such eligible entity in carrying out the authorized 
     activities described in section 404D(a).
       ``(d) Displacement.--An eligible entity described in 
     404A(2) shall ensure that the activities assisted under this 
     chapter will not displace an employee or eliminate a position 
     at a school assisted under this chapter, including a partial 
     displacement such as a reduction in hours, wages, or 
     employment benefits.

     ``SEC. 404G. EVALUATION AND REPORT.

       ``(a) Evaluation.--Each eligible entity receiving a grant 
     under this chapter shall biennially evaluate the activities 
     assisted under this chapter in accordance with the standards 
     described in subsection (b) and shall submit to the Secretary 
     a copy of such evaluation. The evaluation shall permit 
     service providers to track eligible student progress during 
     the period such students are participating in the activities 
     and shall be consistent with the standards developed by the 
     Secretary pursuant to subsection (b).
       ``(b) Evaluation Standards.--The Secretary shall prescribe 
     standards for the evaluation described in subsection (a). 
     Such standards shall--
       ``(1) provide for input from eligible entities and service 
     providers; and
       ``(2) ensure that data protocols and procedures are 
     consistent and uniform.
       ``(c) Federal Evaluation.--In order to evaluate and improve 
     the impact of the activities assisted under this chapter, the 
     Secretary shall, from not more than 0.75 percent of the funds 
     appropriated under section 404H for a fiscal year, award 1 or 
     more grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to or with 
     public and private institutions and organizations, to enable 
     the institutions and organizations to evaluate the 
     effectiveness of the program and, as appropriate, disseminate 
     the results of the evaluation.
       ``(d) Report.--The Secretary shall biennially report to 
     Congress regarding the activities assisted under this chapter 
     and the evaluations conducted pursuant to this section.

     ``SEC. 404H. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
     chapter $400,000,000 for fiscal year 2006 and such sums as 
     may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal 
     years.''.

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