Computer Science Career Education Act of 2014

Summary: Computer Science Career Education Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to consortia composed of at least one local educational agency, at least one institution of higher education (IHE), and community representatives for the development and operation of four- or six-year computer science career education programs. Requires each program to include the development of computer science programs for both secondary and postsecondary education that:  are aligned with rigorous computer science standards for kindergarten through grade 12 computer science education; link secondary schools and IHEs through non-duplicative sequences of courses in computer science career fields; use, if appropriate and available, work-based or worksite learning in conjunction with business; use educational technology and distance learning, as appropriate, to involve all members of the consortium more fully in the development and operation of the programs; stay current with business needs, expectations, and methods; and create innovative opportunities for students that lead to student attainment of industry-recognized credentials.  Requires each program to also provide: (1) professional development for teachers, (2) career and academic counseling for students, and (3) equal access to the full range of career education programs to members of underrepresented groups and special populations.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Computer Science Career Education 
Act of 2014''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Eligible partnership.--The term ``eligible 
        partnership'' means a consortium between or among at least 1 
        local educational agency, at least 1 institution of higher 
        education, and representatives of the community, including 
        nonprofit organizations, local or regional employers (including 
        State agencies) with a documented workforce need in the 
        computer science sector, workforce investment boards or other 
        entities providing employment services, regional economic 
        development organizations, industry associations, 
        representatives of labor organizations, or central labor 
        coalitions, where appropriate, and parents and students.
            (2) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution of higher education'' means--
                    (A) an institution of higher education as defined 
                in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 1001); or
                    (B) a postsecondary vocational institution as 
                defined in section 102(c) of the Higher Education Act 
                of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(c)).
            (3) Local educational agency.--The term ``local educational 
        agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 9101 of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        7801).
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Education.
            (5) State educational agency.--The term ``State educational 
        agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 9101 of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        7801).

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--From the amounts appropriated to carry out this 
section, the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to 
eligible partnerships to enable such partnerships to develop and 
operate a 4- or 6-year computer science career education program.
    (b) Application.--
            (1) In general.--Each eligible partnership that desires to 
        receive a grant under this Act shall submit an application to 
        the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
        information as the Secretary may require.
            (2) Content.--Each application submitted under paragraph 
        (1) shall--
                    (A) describe the eligible partners and partnership, 
                the roles and responsibilities of each partner, and a 
                demonstration of each partner's ability to support the 
                proposed program;
                    (B) describe how the eligible partnership will 
                implement a computer science career education program, 
                as described in subsection (c);
                    (C) ensure funding under the grant program is spent 
                in a coordinated manner with other local resources;
                    (D) describe the State or local workforce 
                shortages, as determined by the relevant State agency 
                in charge of workforce data, in the computer science 
                sector;
                    (E) make information, including career guidance and 
                advisement resources, available about the program;
                    (F) ensure non-duplication of the partnership's 
                development of computer science career education 
                programs;
                    (G) ensure equitable access to the program; and
                    (H) demonstrate alignment of the partnership's 
                computer science career education program to the State 
                or local computer science sector.
    (c) Content of Computer Science Career Education Program.--An 
eligible partnership that receives a grant under this Act shall use the 
grant funds to develop and operate a 4- or 6-year computer science 
career education program that--
            (1) includes the development of computer science programs 
        for both secondary education and postsecondary education that--
                    (A) are aligned with rigorous computer science 
                standards for kindergarten through grade 12 computer 
                science education;
                    (B) link secondary schools and institutions of 
                higher education through non-duplicative sequences of 
                courses in computer science career fields, including 
                the investigation of opportunities for secondary 
                students to enroll concurrently in secondary and 
                postsecondary coursework;
                    (C) use, if appropriate and available, work-based 
                or worksite learning in conjunction with business;
                    (D) use educational technology and distance 
                learning, as appropriate, to involve all of the 
                partners in the eligible partnership more fully in the 
                development and operation of the programs;
                    (E) stay current with the needs, expectations, and 
                methods of business; and
                    (F) create innovative opportunities for students 
                that lead to student attainment of industry-recognized 
                credentials;
            (2) includes professional development for teachers that--
                    (A) is designed to prepare teachers to teach the 
                fundamental concepts of computer science using 
                effective teaching methods for all students;
                    (B) provides for joint training for teachers in the 
                eligible partnership, including between secondary and 
                postsecondary teachers and core academic teachers and 
                career and technical education teachers at both the 
                secondary level and postsecondary level;
                    (C) is designed to ensure that teachers and 
                administrators are aware of current career pathways and 
                the needs and expectations of business and industry;
                    (D) focuses on training postsecondary and secondary 
                education faculty in the use of contextual and applied 
                curricula and instruction; and
                    (E) if needed, ensures secondary school teachers 
                are qualified to teach postsecondary courses in the 
                secondary school according to articulation agreements;
            (3) includes career and academic counseling for the 
        students that--
                    (A) provides information to students regarding 
                available computer science career education programs;
                    (B) supports student progress in completing 
                computer science career education programs;
                    (C) provides labor market information on local, 
                State, regional, and national computer science 
                employment opportunities, such as occupation demand, 
                education requirements, and expected compensation; and
                    (D) tracks student placement in appropriate 
                employment, or transfer to an institution of higher 
                education; and
            (4) provides equal access to the full range of career 
        education programs, to individuals who are members of 
        underrepresented groups and special populations, including the 
        development of program services appropriate to the needs of 
        special populations.
    (d) Additional Authorized Activities.--An eligible partnership that 
receives a grant under this Act may use the grant funds to--
            (1) provide for the acquisition of computer equipment, 
        software, and software licenses to directly develop and support 
        a computer science program;
            (2) acquire technical assistance from State or local 
        entities that have designed, established, and operated career 
        education programs that have effectively used educational 
        technology and distance learning in the delivery of curricula 
        and services and in the articulation process; and
            (3) establish articulation agreements with institutions of 
        higher education, and cooperative agreements with labor 
        organizations, or business located inside or outside the State 
        and served by the eligible partnership, especially with regard 
        to using distance learning and educational technology to 
        provide for the delivery of services and programs.