II
109th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2337
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 28, 2006
Mr. Lieberman (for himself, Ms. Snowe, Mr. DeWine, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Akaka, and Mr. Durbin) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
A BILL
To increase access to postsecondary education, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the
College Pathway Act of
2006
.
Findings
Congress finds the following:
Postsecondary education is an important aspiration for most students and the future strength of the United States economy and workforce will largely depend on the postsecondary educational attainments of all people of the United States, regardless of sex, race, or ethnic background.
Parents and students recognize the value of postsecondary education. Ninety-seven percent of secondary school students expect to attend college, and more than 75 percent of secondary school graduates enroll in some postsecondary education within 2 years of secondary school graduation.
Notwithstanding those expectations, only 32 percent of students graduate from secondary school adequately prepared to enter a 4-year institution of higher education. Students living in poverty and students of color are roughly half as likely to be college-ready.
Despite the reality that most students will enter college after secondary school, secondary school graduation requirements are not aligned with the expectations of postsecondary education.
Rather than beginning college-level work upon entering postsecondary education, many students (nearly 1 in 3) enroll in developmental coursework, and more than half will take at least 1 class of developmental coursework before leaving postsecondary education. Students who need to take a class of developmental coursework in college have less than a 40 percent chance of completing their course of study, and students who take 3 or more classes of developmental coursework face reducing their prospects of completing their course of study to less than 1 in 5.
The quality and intensity of the secondary school curriculum—
are the most significant predictors of college success; and
are more significant than race, socioeconomic status, secondary school grade point average, or ACT and SAT scores.
States around the Nation have developed secondary school academic standards, but there is often no relationship between those standards and institutional expectations for college-level study. Students, families, and school personnel need information to address the gap that exists between satisfying various kindergarten through grade 12 standards and meeting the standards that indicate success in higher education. The lack of clear information affects all students, but the effect is particularly grave for students living in poverty who are more reliant on schools and public sources of information to gauge their preparedness for college-level work.
Numerous reports have cited the need to improve mathematics and science achievement in prekindergarten through grade 12.
Current data systems are not designed to measure the efficacy of State actions intended to prepare students to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. State-level data systems usually contain only data related to kindergarten through grade 12, and often are not compatible with postsecondary education data systems.
Purposes
The purposes of this Act are the following:
To broaden the focus of Federal, State, and local higher education programs to promote academic success in postsecondary education, particularly with respect to mathematics, science, and engineering.
To increase the percentage of low-income and minority students who are academically prepared to enter and successfully complete postsecondary-level general education coursework.
To decrease the percentage of students requiring developmental coursework through grants that enable States to coordinate the public prekindergarten through grade 12 education system and the postsecondary education system—
to ensure that covered institutions articulate and publicize the prerequisite skills and knowledge expected of incoming postsecondary students attending covered institutions, in order to provide students and other interested parties with accurate information pertaining to the students' necessary preparations for postsecondary education;
to establish and implement middle school and secondary school course enrollment guidelines—
to ensure that public secondary school students, in all major racial and ethnic groups, and income levels, complete academic courses linked with academic success at the postsecondary level; and
to increase the percentage of students in each major racial group, ethnic group, and income level who graduate from secondary school and enter postsecondary education with the academic preparation necessary to successfully complete postsecondary-level general education coursework, particularly with respect to mathematics, science, and engineering;
to implement programs and policies that increase secondary school graduation rates; and
to collect and analyze disaggregated longitudinal student data throughout P–16 education in order to—
understand and improve students’ progress throughout the P–16 education system;
understand problems and needs throughout the P–16 education system; and
align prekindergarten through grade 12 academic standards and higher education standards so that more students are prepared to successfully complete postsecondary-level general education coursework.
Definitions
In this Act:
In general
The terms local educational agency, parent, secondary school, and State have the meanings given the terms in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
Academic assessments
The term academic assessments means the academic assessments implemented by a State educational agency pursuant to section 1111(b)(3) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(3)).
Academic standards
The term academic standards means the challenging academic content standards and challenging student academic achievement standards adopted by a State pursuant to section 1111(b)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(1)).
Covered institution
The term covered institution means an institution of higher education that participates in a program under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.).
Developmental coursework
The term developmental coursework means coursework that a student is required to complete in order to attain prerequisite knowledge or skills necessary for entrance into a postsecondary degree or certification program.
Institution of higher education
The term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002).
P–16 education
The term P–16 education means the educational system from prekindergarten through the conferring of a baccalaureate degree.
P–16 educator
The term P–16 educator means an individual teaching in P–16 education.
Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Education.
Student
The term student means any student enrolled in a public school.
P–16 education stewardship system grants
Program authorized
From amounts appropriated under section 10 for a fiscal year, and subject to subsection (b), the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to States to enable the States—
to establish—
P–16 education stewardship commissions in accordance with section 7; or
P–16 education stewardship systems consisting of—
a P–16 education stewardship commission in accordance with section 7; and
a P–16 education data system in accordance with section 8; and
to carry out the activities and programs described in the State application and plan submitted under section 6.
Award Basis
In determining the approval and amount of a grant under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority to an application from a State that desires the grant to establish a P–16 education stewardship system described in subsection (a)(1)(B).
Period of grants
States establishing P–16 education stewardship systems
Each grant made under this section to a State to establish a P–16 education stewardship system described in subsection (a)(1)(B) shall be awarded for a period of 5 years.
States establishing P–16 education stewardship commissions
Each grant made under this section to a State to establish a P–16 education stewardship commission described in subsection (a)(1)(A) shall be awarded for a period of 3 years.
State application and plan
In general
A State desiring a grant under section 5 shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require.
Contents
Each application submitted under this section shall include, at a minimum, the following:
A demonstration that the State, not later than 5 months after receiving grant funds under this Act, will establish a P–16 education stewardship commission described in section 7.
For a state applying for a grant under section 5(a)(1)(B), a demonstration that the State, not later than 2 years after receiving grant funds under this Act, will implement, expand, or improve a P–16 education data system described in section 8.
A demonstration that the State will work with the State P–16 education stewardship commission and others as necessary to examine the relationship among the content of postsecondary education admission and placement exams, the prerequisite skills and knowledge required to successfully take postsecondary-level general education coursework, the prekindergarten through grade 12 courses and academic factors associated with academic success at the postsecondary level, particularly with respect to mathematics, science, and engineering, and existing academic standards and academic assessments.
A description of how the State will, using the information from the State P–16 education stewardship commission, increase the percentage of students taking courses that have the highest correlation of academic success at the postsecondary level, for each of the following groups of students:
Economically disadvantaged students.
Students from each major racial and ethnic group.
Students with disabilities.
Students with limited English proficiency.
A description of how the State will distribute the information in the P–16 education stewardship commission's report under section 7(c)(4) to the public in the State, including public secondary schools, local educational agencies, school counselors, P–16 educators, institutions of higher education, students, and parents.
An assurance that the State will continue to pursue effective P–16 education alignment strategies after the end of the grant period.
P–16 education stewardship commission
P–16 education stewardship commission
In general
Each State receiving a grant under section 5 shall establish a P–16 education stewardship commission that has the policymaking ability to meet the requirements of this section.
Existing commission
The State may designate an existing coordinating body or commission as the State P–16 education stewardship commission for purposes of this Act, if the body or commission meets, or is amended to meet, the basic requirements of this section.
Membership
Composition
Each P–16 education stewardship commission shall be composed of the Governor of the State, or the designee of the Governor, and the stakeholders of the statewide education community, as determined by the Governor or the designee of the Governor, such as—
the chief State official responsible for administering prekindergarten through grade 12 education in the State;
the chief State official of the entity primarily responsible for the supervision of institutions of higher education in the State;
bipartisan representation from the State legislative committee with jurisdiction over prekindergarten through grade 12 education and higher education;
representatives of 2- and 4-year institutions of higher education in the State;
representatives of the business community; and
at the discretion of the Governor, or the designee of the Governor, representatives from prekindergarten through grade 12 and higher education governing boards and other organizations.
Chairperson; meetings
The Governor of the State, or the designee of the Governor, shall serve as chairperson of the P–16 education stewardship commission and shall convene regular meetings of the commission.
Duties of the commission
Meetings of covered institutions
In general
Each State P–16 education stewardship commission shall convene regular meetings of the covered institutions in the State for the purpose of assessing and reaching consensus regarding—
the prerequisite skills and knowledge expected of incoming freshmen to successfully engage in and complete postsecondary-level general education coursework without the prior need to enroll in developmental coursework, particularly with respect to mathematics, science, and engineering; and
patterns of coursework and other academic factors that demonstrate the highest correlation with success in completing postsecondary-level general education coursework and degree or certification programs.
Findings of covered institutions
The covered institutions shall communicate to the P–16 education stewardship commission the findings of the covered institutions, which—
shall include the consensus on the prerequisite skills and knowledge, patterns of coursework, and other academic factors described in subparagraph (A);
shall address, at minimum, the subjects of reading, mathematics, science, grammar, and writing, and may cover additional academic content areas;
shall be descriptive of content and purpose, and shall not be limited to a simple listing of secondary course names; and
may be different for 2- and 4-year institutions of higher education.
Commission recommendations
Not later than 18 months after a State receives a grant under section 5, and annually thereafter for each year in the grant period, the State P–16 education stewardship commission shall—
develop recommendations regarding the prerequisite skills and knowledge, patterns of coursework, and other academic factors described in paragraph (1)(A); and
develop recommendations and enact policies to increase the success rate of students in the students’ transition from secondary school to postsecondary education.
Commission findings
Not later than 3 years after a State receives a grant under section 5(a)(1)(B), the State P–16 education stewardship commission shall—
compile and interpret the findings from the P–16 education data system; and
include the compilation and interpretation of the findings in the report described in paragraph (4)(A).
Reports
In general
Not later than 18 months after a State receives a grant under section 5, and annually thereafter for each year in the grant period, the State P–16 education stewardship commission shall prepare and submit to the Secretary a clear and concise report that shall include the recommendations described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2).
Distribution to the public
Not later than 60 days after the submission of a report under subparagraph (A), each State P–16 education stewardship commission shall publish and widely distribute the information in the report to the public in the State, including—
all public secondary schools and local educational agencies;
school counselors;
P–16 educators;
institutions of higher education; and
students and parents, especially students entering grade 9 in the next academic year and the parents of such students, to assist the students and the parents in making informed and strategic course enrollment decisions.
P–16 education data system
Establishment
Not later than 2 years after a State receives a grant under section 5(a)(1)(B), the State shall establish a State-level longitudinal data system that provides each student, upon enrollment in a public school or in a covered institution in the State, with a unique identifier that is retained throughout the student’s enrollment in P–16 education in the State.
Functions of data system
The State shall, through the implementation of the data system described in subsection (a), carry out the following:
Identify factors that correlate to students’ ability to successfully engage in and complete postsecondary-level general education coursework without the need for prior developmental coursework.
Implement procedures to track developmental coursework enrollment rates.
Implement procedures to assist with identifying correlations between course-taking patterns in public secondary education and increased academic performance in higher education.
Implement procedures to assist with identifying the points at which students exit the P–16 education system, including the assimilation of valid and reliable secondary school dropout data.
Incorporate data to track postsecondary degree and certification completion rates and student persistence patterns.
Ensure that the data system is compliant with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. 1232g).
Disaggregate the data described in paragraphs (1) through (5) by race, ethnicity, income level, sex, secondary school attended, and type of institution of higher education attended.
Existing data systems
A State may employ, coordinate, or revise an existing data system for purposes of this section if such data system produces valid and reliable information that satisfies the requirements of subsection (b).
Reports; technical assistance
State reports
Annual report
Each State that receives a grant under section 5 shall submit an annual report to the Secretary for each year of the grant period that shall include a description of the activities undertaken under the grant to improve academic readiness for postsecondary-level general education coursework and course completion.
Dissemination
Each State shall prepare, publish, and widely disseminate the report described in paragraph (1) to the public in the State, including secondary schools, local educational agencies, school counselors, P–16 educators, institutions of higher education, students, and parents.
Secretary reports
Annual report
The Secretary shall submit an annual report to Congress that includes—
findings from the State reports submitted under subsection (a)(1);
a description of the actions taken by the Department of Education to assist States with creating P–16 education stewardship commissions and P–16 education data systems;
a description of the actions and incentives planned by the States' P–16 education stewardship commissions—
to help States align academic standards, courses, and academic assessments with postsecondary academic expectations, courses, and assessments;
to help States increase the percentage of minority and low-income students prepared to enter and succeed at the postsecondary level; and
to reduce postsecondary developmental coursework enrollment rates of minority and low-income students;
a description of the actions and incentives planned to help States reduce postsecondary developmental coursework enrollment rates;
an assessment of the effectiveness of P-16 education stewardship commissions in improving college readiness and eliminating the need for developmental coursework; and
recommendations regarding how to make the P–16 education stewardship commissions more effective, and whether the establishment of such commissions should be encouraged throughout the United States.
Availability
The Secretary shall make the annual report described in paragraph (1) available to the public and to each State and institution of higher education.
Technical assistance
The Secretary shall provide, upon request, technical assistance to States and institutions of higher education seeking technical assistance under this Act.
Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2007 and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2011.