[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 106 (Thursday, July 9, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4971-S4972]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 2190. Ms. BALDWIN (for herself and Mr. Whitehouse) submitted an
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 2089 submitted by Mr.
Alexander (for himself and Mrs. Murray) to the bill S. 1177, to
reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to
ensure that every child achieves; which was ordered to lie on the
table; as follows:
On page 630, between lines 4 and 5, insert the following:
``PART J--IMPROVING SECONDARY SCHOOLS
``SEC. 5910. PURPOSES.
``The purposes of this part are to support student dropout
prevention, intervention, and recovery and increase the
number and percentage of students who--
``(1) successfully matriculate from middle school to high
school;
``(2) graduate from high school college and career ready
with the ability to use knowledge to solve complex problems,
think critically, communicate effectively, collaborate with
others, and develop academic mindsets;
``(3) successfully complete sequencing of coursework that
integrates rigorous academics with career-based learning and
workplace experiences, and earn college credit and
postsecondary credentials, including industry-based
credentials, such as through early college high school
courses and dual or concurrent enrollment while in high
school; and
``(4) graduate from high school prepared to pursue
postsecondary degrees in science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics (referred to in this part as `STEM'),
particularly for student groups historically underrepresented
in these fields.
[[Page S4972]]
``SEC. 5911. DEFINITIONS.
``In this part:
``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a
State or local educational agency or a consortium of local
educational agencies--
``(A) in partnership with--
``(i) 1 or more institutions of higher education; and
``(ii) 1 or more employers, which may be a nonprofit
organization, community-based organization, State or local
government agency, business, or an industry-related
organization; and
``(B) that may include 1 or more external partners, such as
a qualified intermediary.
``(2) Eligible high school.--The term `eligible high
school' means a high school that--
``(A) does not receive funding under section 1114(c);
``(B) serves a student population of which not less than 40
percent are from low-income families as determined by the
local educational agency serving such school; and
``(C) has a 4-year adjusted cohort graduation rate for all
students or for multiple subgroups of students at or below 67
percent, except in the case of a high school that, at the
time of applying for the grant under this part, is a new high
school, as determined by the Secretary.
``(3) Eligible middle school.--The term `eligible middle
school' means a middle school--
``(A) that does not receive funding under section 1114(c);
``(B) that serves a student population of which not less
than 40 percent are from low-income families as determined by
the local educational agency serving such school; and
``(C) from which a significant number or percentage of
students go on to attend an eligible high school.
``SEC. 5912. GRANTS AUTHORIZED.
``(a) Program Authorized.--The Secretary shall award grants
to geographically and regionally diverse, including rural and
remote areas, eligible entities to achieve the purposes of
this part.
``(b) Grant Duration.--Grants awarded under this part shall
be for a period of 5 years, including 1 year which may be
used for planning purposes, and may be renewable based on
performance on indicators described in section 5913(b)(5).
``SEC. 5913. APPLICATIONS.
``(a) In General.--In order to receive a grant for any
fiscal year, an eligible entity shall submit an application
to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing
such information as the Secretary may reasonably require.
``(b) Contents.--Each application submitted under
subsection (a) shall include, at a minimum, the following:
``(1) A description of how the eligible entity will use
funds awarded under this section to carry out the evidenced-
based activities described in subsection (c) and provide
personalized learning experiences, applied learning
opportunities, and student-centered learning approaches, that
are accessible and developmentally appropriate to all
students.
``(2) A description of how the eligible entity will sustain
the activities proposed, including the availability of funds
from non-Federal sources and coordination with other Federal,
State, and local funds.
``(3) A plan to use current regional labor market
information and engage employers and community-based
organizations in the development of work-based learning
opportunities, particularly those in STEM-related fields,
including computer science, and other curriculum revisions
under subsection (c).
``(4) A plan to address the needs of students with
disabilities, English language learners, and students who are
significantly over-aged and under-credited, in the activities
under subsection (c).
``(5) The performance indicators and targets the eligible
entity will use to assess the effectiveness of the activities
implemented under this section disaggregated by the
categories of students described in section
1111(b)(2)(B)(xi), including--
``(A) the number and percentage of students who
successfully transitioned from 8th to 9th grade;
``(B) student achievement data, including the number and
percentage of students performing at a proficient level on
State academic assessments required under section 1111(b)(2);
``(C) the number and percentage of students earning credit
toward a postsecondary education credential, an industry-
based credential, or a postsecondary credential; and
``(D) the number and percentage of students who are on-
track to graduate high school, high school graduation rates,
and dropout recovery (re-entry) rates.
``(6) A description of the articulation agreement that will
be entered into with each institution of higher education
that will receive funding under this part that requires
postsecondary credit earned as a result of the successful
completion of a dual or concurrent enrollment course funded
under this part to be treated as credit earned at the
institution in the same manner as such credit would otherwise
be earned at such institution.
``(c) Required Uses of Funds.--An eligible entity that
receives a grant under this section shall use funds to--
``(1) provide college and career pathways through such
activities as--
``(A) implementing a college- and career-ready curriculum
that integrates rigorous academics, career and technical
education, and work-based learning for high school, including
in STEM-related subject areas, including computer science;
``(B) in the case of eligible high schools, providing dual
or concurrent enrollment courses, early college high school
courses, or accelerated learning courses and other
opportunities to earn transferable postsecondary education
credit and industry-based credentials; and
``(C) designing curricula and sequences of courses so that
students may simultaneously earn credits toward a high school
diploma and earn an associate degree or at least 12
transferable postsecondary education credits toward a
postsecondary degree at no cost to students or their
families;
``(2) implement an early warning indicator system in
eligible middle schools and eligible high schools to promote
the continuous use of student data that results in actionable
steps to inform and differentiate instruction and support and
improve school climate, which may include the use of timely
data reports that measures attendance, course performance,
disciplinary actions, secondary and postsecondary education
credit accumulation, and other on-track indicators for all
students;
``(3) in the case of an eligible middle school, provide all
students with the prerequisite coursework necessary to
prepare students for participation in rigorous and advanced
coursework at the high school level, including in STEM-
related areas of coursework, including computer science;
``(4) provide credit recovery and dropout recovery
programs;
``(5) provide evidence-based middle school to high school,
and high school to postsecondary education, transition
programs and supports; and
``(6) provide teachers, principals, and other school
leaders with ongoing high-quality professional development to
support the activities described under this subsection.
``(d) Supplement Not Supplant.--An eligible entity shall
use Federal funds received under this part only to supplement
the funds that would, in the absence of such Federal funds,
be made available from other Federal and non-Federal sources
for the activities described in this section, and not to
supplant such funds.
``SEC. 5914. REPORTS.
``Each eligible entity receiving a grant under this part
shall collect and report annually to the public and the
Secretary such information on the results of the activities
assisted under the grant as the Secretary may reasonably
require, including performance on the indicators described in
section 5913(b)(5) disaggregated by each of the categories of
students, as defined in section 1111(b)(3)(A).
``SEC. 5915. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
part such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years
2016 through 2021.''.
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