[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 25, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S225-S227]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. KOHL (for himself and Mr. Brown of Ohio):
  S. 154. A bill to authorize the Secretary of Education to make grants 
to support early college high schools and other dual enrollment 
programs; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, today I am reintroducing the Fast Track to 
College Act, a bill to support the expansion of dual enrollment 
programs and Early College High Schools. Such programs allow young 
people to earn up to two years of college credit while also earning 
their high school diploma.
  I believe the key to our country's economic recovery is a strong 
investment in our young people. By investing in education, we ensure 
that today's students are well prepared to compete in a global economy.
  Far too many of our students are falling behind in school, and as 
students struggle with their studies or drop out of school altogether, 
their futures and the health of our workforce are at risk. Young people 
who drop out of high school are at increased risk for negative outcomes 
such as unemployment and incarceration, as well as reliance on public 
assistance for healthcare, housing, and other basic needs--outcomes 
that have high costs for their communities and our economy. Conversely, 
adults who earn bachelor's degrees earn on average two-thirds more than 
high school graduates and $1 million more than high school dropouts 
over their working lives.
  Studies show many youth drop out because they don't see a practical 
reason to complete high school or go on to get a college degree. Maybe 
they don't think they can get into college, don't think they can afford 
to go, or just don't see the point in going. Dual enrollment programs 
and Early College High Schools address these issues by showing students 
that they can succeed in college courses while saving time and money. 
They don't drop out because they can see that they are on track to a 
degree--and ultimately a job. By earning college credit, and possibly 
even an Associate's Degree, students are better prepared after high 
school to continue their education or pursue career training.
  That is why I ask my colleagues to support this bill, which provides 
competitive grant funding for Early College High Schools and other dual 
enrollment programs that allow low-income students to earn college 
credit and a high school diploma at the same time. These programs put 
students on the fast track to college and increase the odds that they 
will not only graduate, but also go on to continue their education and 
secure higher-paying jobs.
  This bill authorizes $140,000,000 for competitive 6-year grants to 
schools, with priority given to schools that serve low-income students. 
The funding will help defray the costs of implementing new programs, 
strengthening existing programs, and providing students and teachers 
with the resources they need to succeed in early college high schools 
and other dual enrollment programs. The bill also includes $10 million 
for states to provide support for these programs, as well as an 
evaluation component so we can measure the program's effectiveness.
  I am proud to sponsor this legislation, with the support of Senator 
Brown of Ohio, because I believe this investment in our schools will 
help solve the dropout crisis and secure America's future by ensuring 
that all young people can compete in today's global economy. Further, I 
believe that all children, regardless of income or other factors, 
deserve equal opportunities to fulfill their potential, and it is both 
morally and fiscally responsible for this Congress to invest in high-
quality educational programs that help our youth reach their potential.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 154

       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 ``Fast Track to College Act of 
     2011''.

     SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

       The purpose of this Act is to increase secondary school 
     graduation rates and the percentage of students who complete 
     a recognized postsecondary credential by the age of 26, 
     including among low-income students and students from other 
     populations underrepresented in higher education.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Dual enrollment program.--The term ``dual enrollment 
     program'' means an academic program through which a secondary 
     school student is able simultaneously to earn credit toward a 
     secondary school diploma and a postsecondary degree or 
     credential.
       (2) Early college high school.--The term ``early college 
     high school'' means a public secondary school, as defined in 
     section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
     1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801), that provides a course of study that 
     enables a student to earn a secondary school diploma and 
     either an associate's degree or 1 to 2 years of postsecondary 
     credit toward a postsecondary degree or credential.
       (3) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means a 
     local educational agency in a collaborative partnership with 
     an institution of higher education. Such partnership also may 
     include other entities, such as a nonprofit organization with 
     experience in youth development.
       (4) Institution of higher education.--The term 
     ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given 
     such term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 1001).
       (5) Local educational agency.--The term ``local educational 
     agency'' has the meaning given such term in section 9101 of 
     the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     7801).
       (6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Education.
       (7) Low-income student.--The term ``low-income student'' 
     means a student who meets a measure of poverty described in 
     section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
     Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)).

     SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS; RESERVATIONS.

       (a) In General.--To carry out this Act, there are 
     authorized to be appropriated $150,000,000 for fiscal year 
     2012 and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal 
     years 2013-2017.
       (b) Early College High Schools.--The Secretary shall 
     reserve not less than 45 percent of the funds appropriated 
     under subsection (a) to support early college high schools 
     under section 5.
       (c) Other Dual Enrollment Programs.--The Secretary shall 
     reserve not less than 45 percent of such funds to support 
     other dual enrollment programs (not including early college 
     high schools) under section 5.
       (d) State Grants.--The Secretary shall reserve 10 percent 
     of such funds, or $10,000,000, whichever is less, for grants 
     to States under section 9.

     SEC. 5. AUTHORIZED PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized to award, on a 
     competitive basis, 6-year grants to eligible entities seeking 
     to establish a new, or support an existing, early college 
     high school or other dual enrollment program.
       (b) Grant Amount.--The Secretary shall ensure that each 
     grant under this section is of sufficient size to enable 
     grantees to carry out all required activities and otherwise 
     meet the purposes of this Act, except that a grant under this 
     section may not exceed $2,000,000.
       (c) Matching Requirement.--
       (1) In general.--An eligible entity shall contribute 
     matching funds toward the costs of the early college high 
     school or other dual enrollment program to be supported under 
     this section, of which not less than half shall be from non-
     Federal sources, which funds shall represent not less than 
     the following:
       (A) 20 percent of the grant amount received in each of the 
     first and second years of the grant.

[[Page S226]]

       (B) 30 percent in each of the third and fourth years.
       (C) 40 percent in the fifth year.
       (D) 50 percent in the sixth year.
       (2) Determination of amount contributed.--The Secretary 
     shall allow an eligible entity to satisfy the requirements of 
     this subsection through in-kind contributions.
       (d) Supplement, Not Supplant.--An eligible entity shall use 
     a grant received under this section only to supplement funds 
     that would, in the absence of such grant, be made available 
     from non-Federal funds for support of the activities 
     described in the eligible entity's application under section 
     7, and not to supplant such funds.
       (e) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the 
     Secretary shall give priority to applicants--
       (1) that propose to establish or support an early college 
     high school or other dual enrollment program that will serve 
     a student population of which 40 percent or more are students 
     counted under section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and 
     Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)); and
       (2) from States that provide assistance to early college 
     high schools or other dual enrollment programs, such as 
     assistance to defray the costs of higher education, such as 
     tuition, fees, and textbooks.
       (f) Geographic Distribution.--The Secretary shall, to the 
     maximum extent practicable, ensure that recipients of grants 
     under this section are from a representative cross-section of 
     urban, suburban, and rural areas.

     SEC. 6. USE OF FUNDS.

       (a) Mandatory Activities.--An eligible entity shall use 
     grant funds received under section 5 to support the 
     activities described in its application under section 7, 
     including the following:
       (1) Planning year.--In the case of a new early college high 
     school or other dual enrollment program, during the first 
     year of the grant--
       (A) hiring a principal and staff, as appropriate;
       (B) designing the curriculum and sequence of courses in 
     collaboration with, at a minimum, teachers from the local 
     educational agency and faculty from the partner institution 
     of higher education;
       (C) informing parents and the community about the school or 
     program and opportunities to become actively involved in the 
     school or program;
       (D) establishing a course articulation process for defining 
     and approving courses for secondary school credit and credit 
     toward a postsecondary degree or credential;
       (E) outreach programs to ensure that secondary school 
     students and their families are aware of the school or 
     program;
       (F) liaison activities among partners in the eligible 
     entity; and
       (G) coordinating secondary and postsecondary support 
     services, academic calendars, and transportation.
       (2) Implementation period.--During the remainder of the 
     grant period--
       (A) academic and social support services, including 
     counseling;
       (B) liaison activities among partners in the eligible 
     entity;
       (C) data collection and use of such data for student and 
     instructional improvement and program evaluation;
       (D) outreach programs to ensure that secondary school 
     students and their families are aware of the early college 
     high school or other dual enrollment program;
       (E) professional development, including joint professional 
     development for secondary school personnel and faculty from 
     the institution of higher education; and
       (F) school or program design and planning team activities, 
     including curriculum development.
       (b) Allowable Activities.--An eligible entity may use grant 
     funds received under section 5 to support the activities 
     described in its application under section 7, including--
       (1) purchasing textbooks and equipment that support the 
     curriculum of the early college high school or other dual 
     enrollment program;
       (2) developing learning opportunities for students that 
     complement classroom experiences, such as internships, 
     career-based capstone projects, and opportunities to 
     participate in the activities provided under chapters 1 and 2 
     of subpart 2 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education 
     Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 et seq., 1070a-21 et seq.);
       (3) transportation; and
       (4) planning time for secondary school educators and 
     educators from an institution of higher education to 
     collaborate.

     SEC. 7. APPLICATION.

       (a) In General.--To receive a grant under section 5, an 
     eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application 
     at such time, in such manner, and including such information 
     as the Secretary may require.
       (b) Contents of Application.--At a minimum, the application 
     described in subsection (a) shall include a description of--
       (1) the budget of the early college high school or other 
     dual enrollment program;
       (2) each partner in the eligible entity and the partner's 
     experience with early college high schools or other dual 
     enrollment programs, key personnel from each partner and such 
     personnel's responsibilities for the school or program, and 
     how the eligible entity will work with secondary and 
     postsecondary teachers, other public and private entities, 
     community-based organizations, businesses, labor 
     organizations, and parents to ensure that students will be 
     prepared to succeed in postsecondary education and 
     employment, which may include the development of an advisory 
     board;
       (3) how the eligible entity will target and recruit at-risk 
     youth, including those at risk of dropping out of school, 
     students who are among the first generation in their family 
     to attend an institution of higher education, and students 
     from populations described in section 1111(b)(2)(C)(v)(II) of 
     the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     6311(b)(2)(C)(v)(II));
       (4) a system of student supports, including small group 
     activities, tutoring, literacy and numeracy skill development 
     in all academic disciplines, parental and community outreach 
     and engagement, extended learning time, and activities to 
     improve readiness for postsecondary education, such as 
     academic seminars and counseling;
       (5) in the case of an early college high school, how a 
     graduation and career plan will be developed, consistent with 
     State graduation requirements, for each student and reviewed 
     each semester;
       (6) how parents or guardians of students participating in 
     the early college high school or other dual enrollment 
     program will be informed of the students' academic 
     performance and progress and, if required under paragraph 
     (5), involved in the development of the students' career and 
     graduation plans;
       (7) coordination between the institution of higher 
     education and the local educational agency, including 
     regarding academic calendars, provision of student services, 
     curriculum development, and professional development;
       (8) how the eligible entity will ensure that teachers in 
     the early college high school or other dual enrollment 
     program--
       (A) receive appropriate professional development and other 
     supports, including professional development and supports to 
     enable the teachers to utilize effective parent and community 
     engagement strategies; and
       (B) help English-language learners, students with 
     disabilities, and students from diverse cultural backgrounds 
     to succeed;
       (9) learning opportunities for students that complement 
     classroom experiences, such as internships, career-based 
     capstone projects, and opportunities to participate in the 
     activities provided under chapters 1 and 2 of subpart 2 of 
     part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
     U.S.C. 1070a-11 et seq., 1070a-21 et seq.);
       (10) how policies, agreements, and the courses in the 
     program will ensure that postsecondary credits earned will be 
     transferable to, at a minimum, public institutions of higher 
     education within the State, consistent with existing 
     statewide articulation agreements (as of the time of the 
     application);
       (11) student assessments and other measurements of student 
     achievement, including benchmarks for student achievement;
       (12) outreach programs to provide elementary and secondary 
     school students, especially those in middle grades, and their 
     parents, teachers, school counselors, and principals with 
     information about, and academic preparation for, the early 
     college high school or other dual enrollment program;
       (13) how the local educational agency and institution of 
     higher education will work together, as appropriate, to 
     collect and use data for student and instructional 
     improvement and program evaluation;
       (14) how the eligible entity will help students meet 
     eligibility criteria for postsecondary courses and ensure 
     that students understand how their credits will transfer; and
       (15) how the eligible entity will access and leverage 
     additional resources necessary to sustain the early college 
     high school or other dual enrollment program after the grant 
     expires, including by engaging businesses and non-profit 
     organizations.
       (c) Assurances.--An eligible entity's application under 
     subsection (a) shall include assurances that--
       (1) in the case of an early college high school, the 
     majority of courses offered, including of postsecondary 
     courses, will be offered at facilities of the partnering 
     institution of higher education;
       (2) students will not be required to pay tuition or fees 
     for postsecondary courses offered as part of the early 
     college high school or other dual enrollment program;
       (3) upon completion of the requisite coursework, each 
     student shall receive an official record of postsecondary 
     credits that have been earned;
       (4) faculty teaching such postsecondary courses meet the 
     normal standards for faculty established by the institution 
     of higher education.
       (d) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the requirement of 
     subsection (c)(1) upon a showing that it is impractical to 
     apply due to geographic considerations.

     SEC. 8. PEER REVIEW.

       (a) Peer Review of Applications.--The Secretary shall 
     establish peer review panels to review applications submitted 
     pursuant to section 7 and to advise the Secretary regarding 
     such applications.
       (b) Composition of Peer Review Panels.--The Secretary shall 
     ensure that each peer review panel is not comprised wholly of 
     full-time officers or employees of the Federal Government and 
     includes, at a minimum--
       (1) experts in the establishment and administration of 
     early college high schools or other dual enrollment programs 
     from the secondary and postsecondary perspective;

[[Page S227]]

       (2) faculty at institutions of higher education and 
     secondary school teachers with expertise in dual enrollment; 
     and
       (3) experts in the education of students who may be at risk 
     of not completing their secondary school education.

     SEC. 9. GRANTS TO STATES.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized to award, on a 
     competitive basis, 5-year grants to State agencies 
     responsible for secondary or postsecondary education for 
     efforts to support or establish early college high schools or 
     other dual enrollment programs.
       (b) Grant Amount.--The Secretary shall ensure that each 
     grant awarded under this section is of sufficient size to 
     enable the grantee to carry out all required activities.
       (c) Matching Requirement.--A State receiving a grant under 
     this section shall contribute matching funds from non-Federal 
     sources toward the costs of carrying out activities under 
     this section, which funds shall represent not less than 50 
     percent of the grant amount received in each year of the 
     grant.
       (d) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the 
     Secretary shall give priority to States that, as of the time 
     of the application for the grant, provide assistance to early 
     college high schools or other dual enrollment programs, such 
     as assistance to defray the costs of higher education, such 
     as tuition, fees, and textbooks.
       (e) Application.--
       (1) In general.--To receive a grant under this section, a 
     State agency shall submit to the Secretary an application at 
     such time, in such manner, and including such information as 
     the Secretary may require.
       (2) Contents of application.--At a minimum, the application 
     described in paragraph (1) shall include a description of--
       (A) how the State will carry out all of the required State 
     activities described in subsection (f);
       (B) how the State will identify and eliminate barriers to 
     implementing effective early college high schools and other 
     dual enrollment programs after the grant expires, including 
     by engaging businesses and non-profit organizations; and
       (C) how the State will access and leverage additional 
     resources necessary to sustain early college high schools or 
     other dual enrollment programs.
       (f) State Activities.--A State receiving a grant under this 
     section shall use such funds for--
       (1) creating outreach programs to ensure that secondary 
     school students, their families, and community members are 
     aware of early college high schools and other dual enrollment 
     programs in the State;
       (2) planning and implementing a statewide strategy for 
     expanding access to early college high schools and other dual 
     enrollment programs for students who are underrepresented in 
     higher education to raise statewide rates of secondary school 
     graduation, readiness for postsecondary education, and 
     completion of postsecondary degrees and credentials, with a 
     focus on at-risk students, including identifying any 
     obstacles to such a strategy under State law or policy;
       (3) providing technical assistance to early college high 
     schools and other dual enrollment programs, such as brokering 
     relationships and agreements that forge a strong partnership 
     between elementary and secondary and postsecondary partners;
       (4) identifying policies that will improve the 
     effectiveness and ensure the quality of early college high 
     schools and other dual enrollment programs, such as access, 
     funding, data and quality assurance, governance, 
     accountability, and alignment policies;
       (5) planning and delivering statewide training and peer 
     learning opportunities for school leaders and teachers from 
     early college high schools and other dual enrollment 
     programs, which may include providing instructional coaches 
     who offer on-site guidance;
       (6) disseminating best practices in early college high 
     schools and other dual enrollment programs from across the 
     State and from other States; and
       (7) facilitating statewide data collection, research and 
     evaluation, and reporting to policymakers and other 
     stakeholders.

     SEC. 10. REPORTING AND OVERSIGHT.

       (a) Reporting by Grantees.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish uniform 
     guidelines for all grantees under this Act concerning the 
     information that each grantee shall report annually to the 
     Secretary in order to demonstrate progress toward achieving 
     the purpose of this Act.
       (2) Contents of report.--At a minimum, a report submitted 
     under this subsection by an eligible entity receiving funds 
     under section 5 for an early college high school or other 
     dual enrollment program shall include the following 
     information about the students participating in the school or 
     program, for each category of students described in section 
     1111(h)(1)(C)(i) of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
     Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(h)(1)(C)(i)):
       (A) The number of students.
       (B) The percentage of students scoring advanced, 
     proficient, basic, and below basic on the assessments 
     described in section 1111(b)(3) of such Act of 1965 (20 
     U.S.C. 6311(b)(3)).
       (C) The performance of students on other assessments or 
     measurements of achievement.
       (D) The number of secondary school credits earned.
       (E) The number of postsecondary credits earned.
       (F) Attendance rate, as appropriate.
       (G) Graduation rate.
       (H) Placement in postsecondary education or advanced 
     training, in military service, and in employment.
       (I) A description of the school or program's student, 
     parent, and community outreach and engagement.
       (b) Reporting by Secretary.--The Secretary annually shall--
       (1) prepare a report that compiles and analyzes the 
     information described in subsection (a) and identifies the 
     best practices for achieving the purpose of this Act; and
       (2) submit the report to the Committee on Health, 
     Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (c) Monitoring Visits.--The Secretary's designee shall 
     visit each grantee under this Act at least once for the 
     purpose of helping the grantee achieve the goals of this Act 
     and to monitor the grantee's progress toward achieving such 
     goals.
       (d) National Evaluation.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 6 months after the date on 
     which funds are appropriated to carry out this Act, the 
     Secretary shall enter into a contract with an independent 
     organization to perform an evaluation of the grants awarded 
     under this Act.
       (2) Contents of evaluation.--The evaluation described in 
     paragraph (1) shall apply rigorous procedures to--
       (A) obtain valid and reliable data concerning participant 
     outcomes, disaggregated by relevant categories, which the 
     Secretary shall determine; and
       (B) monitor the progress of students from secondary school 
     to and through postsecondary education.
       (e) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall provide 
     technical assistance to eligible entities concerning best 
     practices in early college high schools and other dual 
     enrollment programs and shall disseminate such best practices 
     among eligible entities, State educational agencies, and 
     local educational agencies.

     SEC. 11. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.

       (a) Employees.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed to 
     alter or otherwise affect the rights, remedies, and 
     procedures afforded to the employees of local educational 
     agencies (including schools) or institutions of higher 
     education under Federal, State, or local laws (including 
     applicable regulations or court orders) or under the terms of 
     collective bargaining agreements, memoranda of understanding, 
     or other agreements between such employees and their 
     employers.
       (b) Graduation Rate.--Notwithstanding any other provision 
     of law, a student who graduates from an early college high 
     school supported under this Act in the standard number of 
     years for graduation described in the eligible entity's 
     application shall be considered to have graduated on time for 
     purposes of section 1111(b)(2)(C)(vi) of the Elementary and 
     Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     6311(b)(2)(C)(vi)).
                                 ______