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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1129 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1129

   To authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to local 
          educational agencies to improve college enrollment.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 21, 2009

 Mr. Durbin (for himself and Mr. Burr) introduced the following bill; 
     which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, 
                     Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
   To authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to local 
          educational agencies to improve college enrollment.

    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 ``Pathways to College Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) An educated workforce is crucial to the success of the 
        United States economy. Access to higher education for all 
        students is critical to maintaining an educated workforce. More 
        than 80 percent of the 23,000,000 jobs that will be created in 
        the next 10 years will require postsecondary education. Only 36 
        percent of all 18- to 24-year olds are currently enrolled in 
        postsecondary education.
            (2) Workers with bachelor's degrees earn on average $17,000 
        more annually than workers with only high school diplomas. 
        Workers who earn bachelor's degrees can be expected to earn 
        $1,000,000 more over a lifetime than those who only finished 
        high school.
            (3) In order to prepare students for college, all schools 
        should--
                    (A) provide student guidance to engage students in 
                college and career awareness; and
                    (B) ensure that students enroll in a rigorous 
                curriculum to prepare for postsecondary education.
            (4) The Department of Education reports that the average 
        student-to-counselor ratio in high schools is 315:1. This is 
        far higher than the ratio recommended by the American School 
        Counselor Association, which is 250:1. While school counselors 
        at private schools spend an average of 58 percent of their time 
        on postsecondary education counseling, school counselors in 
        public schools spend an average of 25 percent of their time on 
        postsecondary education counseling.
            (5) While just 57 percent of students from the lowest 
        income quartile enroll in college, 87 percent of students from 
        the top income quartile enroll. Of students who were in eighth 
        grade in 2000, only 20 percent of the lowest-income students 
        are projected to attain a bachelor's degree by 2012, compared 
        to 68 percent of the highest income group, according to the 
        Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance in 2006.
            (6) A recent report by the Consortium on Chicago School 
        Research found that only 41 percent of Chicago public school 
        students who aspire to go to college took the steps necessary 
        to apply to and enroll in a 4-year institution of higher 
        education. The report also reveals that only \1/3\ of Chicago 
        students who want to attend a 4-year institution of higher 
        education enroll in a school that matches their qualifications. 
        Even among students qualified to attend a selective college, 29 
        percent enrolled in a community college or did not enroll at 
        all.
            (7) The Consortium found that many Chicago public school 
        students do not complete the Free Application for Federal 
        Student Aid, even though students who apply for Federal 
        financial aid are 50 percent more likely to enroll in college. 
        Sixty-five percent of public secondary school counselors at 
        low-income schools believe that students and parents are 
        discouraged from considering college as an option due to lack 
        of knowledge about financial aid.
            (8) Low-income and first-generation families often 
        overestimate the cost of tuition and underestimate available 
        aid; students from these backgrounds have access to fewer 
        college application resources and financial aid resources than 
        other groups, and are less likely to fulfill their 
        postsecondary plans as a result.
            (9) College preparation intervention programs can double 
        the college-going rates for at-risk youth, can expand students' 
        educational aspirations, and can boost college enrollment and 
        graduation rates.

SEC. 3. GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Definitions.--In this Act:
            (1) College-going rate.--The term ``college-going rate'' 
        means the percentage of high school graduates who enroll at an 
        institution of higher education in the school year immediately 
        following graduation from high school.
            (2) Eligible local educational agency.--The term ``eligible 
        local educational agency'' means a local educational agency in 
        which a majority of the high schools served by the agency are 
        high-need high schools.
            (3) High-need high school.--The term ``high-need high 
        school'' means a high school in which not less than 50 percent 
        of the students enrolled in the school are--
                    (A) eligible to receive a free or reduced price 
                lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School 
                Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.);
                    (B) eligible to be counted under section 1124(c) of 
                the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 6333(c)); or
                    (C) in families eligible for assistance under the 
                State program funded under part A of title IV of the 
                Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).
            (4) High school.--The term ``high school'' means a 
        nonprofit institutional day or residential school, including a 
        public charter high school, that provides high school 
        education, as determined under State law.
            (5) High school graduation rate.--The term ``high school 
        graduation rate''--
                    (A) means the percentage of students who graduate 
                from high school with a regular diploma in the standard 
                number of years; and
                    (B) is clarified in section 200.19(b)(1) of title 
                34, Code of Federal Regulations.
            (6) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1001(a)).
            (7) 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).
            (8) Parent.--The term ``parent'' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
        Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
            (9) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Education.
    (b) Competitive Grants to Eligible Local Educational Agencies.--The 
Secretary is authorized to award grants, on a competitive basis, to 
eligible local educational agencies to carry out the activities 
described in this section.
    (c) Duration.--Grants awarded under this section shall be 5 years 
in duration.
    (d) Distribution.--In awarding grants under this section, the 
Secretary shall ensure that the grants are distributed among the 
different geographic regions of the United States, and among eligible 
local educational agencies serving urban and rural areas.
    (e) Applications.--
            (1) In general.--Each eligible local educational agency 
        desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application 
        to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied 
        by such information as the Secretary may reasonably require.
            (2) Contents.--Each application submitted under paragraph 
        (1) shall include a description of the program to be carried 
        out with grant funds and--
                    (A) a detailed description of the high school 
                population to be targeted by the program, the 
                particular college-access needs of such population, and 
                the resources available for meeting such needs;
                    (B) measurable objectives of the program, including 
                goals for increasing the number of college applications 
                submitted by each student and the number of students 
                submitting applications, increasing Free Application 
                for Federal Student Aid completion rates, and 
                increasing school-wide college-going rates across the 
                local educational agency;
                    (C) a description of the local educational agency's 
                plan to work cooperatively, where applicable, with 
                programs funded 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. and 1070a-21 et seq.), 
                including the extent to which the agency commits to 
                sharing facilities, providing access to students, and 
                developing compatible recordkeeping systems;
                    (D) a description of the activities, services, and 
                training to be provided by the program, including a 
                plan to provide structure and support for all students 
                in the college search, planning, and application 
                process;
                    (E) a description of the methods to be used to 
                evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of the program;
                    (F) an assurance that grant funds will be used to 
                supplement, and not supplant, any other Federal, State, 
                or local funds available to carry out activities of the 
                type carried out under the grant;
                    (G) an explanation of the method used for 
                calculating college enrollment rates for each high 
                school served by the eligible local educational agency 
                that is based on externally verified data, and, when 
                possible, aligned with existing State or local methods;
                    (H) a plan to make the program sustainable over 
                time, including the use of matching funds from non-
                Federal sources; and
                    (I) a description of the local educational agency's 
                plan to work cooperatively, where applicable, with the 
                program funded under part H of title VIII of the Higher 
                Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1161h et seq.), 
                including the extent to which the agency commits to 
                using and leveraging--
                            (i) the needs assessment and 
                        recommendations;
                            (ii) the model for measuring college 
                        enrollment; and
                            (iii) comprehensive services.
            (3) Method of calculating enrollment rates.--
                    (A) In general.--A method included in an 
                application under paragraph (2)(G)--
                            (i) shall, at a minimum, track students' 
                        first-time enrollment in institutions of higher 
                        education; and
                            (ii) may track progress toward completion 
                        of a postsecondary degree.
                    (B) Development in conjunction.--An eligible local 
                educational agency may develop a method pursuant to 
                paragraph (2)(G) in conjunction with an existing public 
                or private entity that currently maintains such a 
                method.
    (f) Special Consideration.--In awarding grants under this section, 
the Secretary shall give special consideration to applications from 
eligible local educational agencies serving schools with the highest 
percentages of poverty.
    (g) Use of Funds.--
            (1) In general.--An eligible local educational agency that 
        receives a grant under this section shall develop and 
        implement, or expand, a program to increase the number of low-
        income students who enroll in postsecondary educational 
        institutions, including institutions with competitive 
        admissions criteria.
            (2) Required use of funds.--Each program funded under this 
        section shall--
                    (A) provide professional development to high school 
                teachers and school counselors in postsecondary 
                education advising;
                    (B) implement a comprehensive college guidance 
                program for all students in a high school served by an 
                eligible local educational agency under this section 
                that--
                            (i) ensures that all students and their 
                        parents, are regularly notified throughout the 
                        students' time in high school, beginning in the 
                        first year of high school, of--
                                    (I) high school graduation 
                                requirements;
                                    (II) college entrance requirements;
                                    (III) the economic and social 
                                benefits of higher education;
                                    (IV) college expenses, including 
                                information about expenses by 
                                institutional type, differences between 
                                sticker price and net price, and 
                                expenses beyond tuition; and
                                    (V) the resources for paying for 
                                college, including the availability, 
                                eligibility, and variety of financial 
                                aid;
                            (ii) provides assistance to students in 
                        registering for and preparing for college 
                        entrance tests;
                            (iii) provides one-on-one guidance and 
                        assistance to students in applying to an 
                        institution of higher education and in applying 
                        for Federal financial aid assistance and other 
                        State, local, and private financial aid 
                        assistance and scholarships;
                            (iv) provides opportunities for students to 
                        explore postsecondary opportunities outside of 
                        the school setting, such as college fairs, 
                        career fairs, college tours, workplace visits, 
                        or other similar activities; and
                            (v) provides not less than 1 meeting for 
                        each student, not later than the first semester 
                        of the first year of high school, with a school 
                        counselor, college access personnel (including 
                        personnel involved in programs funded 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. and 1070a-21 et 
                        seq.)), trained teacher, or other professional 
                        or organization, such as a community-based 
                        organization, approved by the school, to 
                        discuss postsecondary options, outline 
                        postsecondary goals, and create a plan to 
                        achieve those goals, and provides not less than 
                        2 meetings in each year to discuss progress on 
                        the plan;
                    (C) ensure that each high school served by the 
                eligible local educational agency develops a 
                comprehensive, school-wide plan of action to strengthen 
                the college-going culture within the high school; and
                    (D) create or maintain a postsecondary access 
                center in the school setting that provides information 
                on colleges and universities, career opportunities, and 
                financial aid options and provide a setting in which 
                professionals working in college access programs, such 
                as those funded 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. and 1070a-21 et seq.), can 
                meet with students.
            (3) Allowable use of funds.--Each program funded under this 
        section may--
                    (A) establish mandatory postsecondary planning 
                classes for high school students to assist in the 
                college preparation and application process;
                    (B) hire and train postsecondary coaches with 
                expertise in the college-going process to supplement 
                existing school counselors;
                    (C) increase the number of school counselors who 
                specialize in the college-going process serving 
                students;
                    (D) train student leaders to assist in the creation 
                of a college-going culture in their schools;
                    (E) establish partnerships with programs funded 
                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. and 1070a-21 et seq.), and with 
                community and nonprofit organizations to increase 
                college-going rates at high schools served by the 
                eligible local educational agency;
                    (F) provide long-term postsecondary follow up with 
                graduates of the high schools served by the eligible 
                local educational agencies, including increasing alumni 
                involvement in mentoring and advising roles within the 
                high school; and
                    (G) deliver college and career planning curriculum 
                as a stand-alone course, or embedded in other classes, 
                or delivered through the guidance curriculum by the 
                school counselor for all students in high school.
    (h) Supplement, Not Supplant.--Funds made available under this 
section shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, other Federal, 
State, and local funds available to carry out the activities described 
in this section.
    (i) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary, directly or through 
contracting through a full and open process with 1 or more 
organizations that have demonstrated experience providing technical 
assistance to raise school-wide college-going rates in local 
educational agencies in not less than 3 States, shall provide technical 
assistance to grantees in carrying out this section. The technical 
assistance shall--
            (1) provide assistance in the calculation and analysis of 
        college-going rates for all grant recipients;
            (2) provide semi-annual analysis to each grant recipient 
        recommending best practices based on a comparison of the 
        recipient's data with that of high schools with similar 
        demographics; and
            (3) provide annual best practices conferences for all grant 
        recipients.
    (j) Reporting Requirements.--Each eligible local educational agency 
receiving a grant under this section shall collect and report annually 
to the Secretary such information for the local educational agency and 
for each high school assisted under this section on the results of the 
activities assisted under the grant as the Secretary may reasonably 
require, including information on--
            (1) the number and percentage of students who enroll in an 
        institution of higher education in the school year immediately 
        following the students' high school graduation as measured by 
        externally verified school-wide college enrollment data;
            (2) the number and percentage of students who graduate from 
        high school on time with a regular high school diploma;
            (3) the number and percentage of students, at each grade 
        level, who are on track to graduate from high school on time 
        and with a regular high school diploma;
            (4) the number and percentage of senior high school 
        students who apply to an institution of higher education and 
        the average number of applications completed and submitted by 
        students;
            (5) the number and percentage of senior high school 
        students who file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid 
        forms;
            (6) the number and percentage of students, in grade 10, who 
        take early admissions assessments, such as the PSAT;
            (7) the number and percentage of students, in grades 11 and 
        12, who take the SAT or ACT, and the students' mean scores on 
        such assessments;
            (8) where data are available, the number and percentage of 
        students enrolled in remedial mathematics or English courses 
        during their freshman year at an institution of higher 
        education;
            (9) the number and percentage of students, in grades 11 and 
        12, enrolled in not less than 2 of the following:
                    (A) a dual credit course; or
                    (B) an Advanced Placement or International 
                Baccalaureate course; and
            (10) the number and percentage of students who meet or 
        exceed State reading or language arts, mathematics, or science 
        standards, as measured by State academic assessments required 
        under section 1111(b)(3) of the Elementary and Secondary 
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(3)).
    (k) Reporting of Data.--Each eligible local educational agency 
receiving a grant under this section shall report to the Secretary, 
where possible, the information required under subsection (j) 
disaggregated in the same manner as information is disaggregated under 
section 1111(h)(1)(C)(i) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(h)(1)(C)(i)).
    (l) Evaluations by Grantees.--Each eligible local educational 
agency that receives a grant under this section shall--
            (1) conduct periodic evaluations of the effectiveness of 
        the activities carried out under the grant toward increasing 
        school-wide college-going rates;
            (2) use such evaluations to refine and improve activities 
        conducted with the grant and the performance measures for such 
        activities; and
            (3) make the results of such evaluations publicly 
        available, including by providing public notice of such 
        availability.
    (m) Report.--From the amount appropriated for any fiscal year, the 
Secretary shall reserve such sums as may be necessary--
            (1) to conduct an independent evaluation, by grant or by 
        contract, of the programs carried out under this section, which 
        shall include an assessment of the impact of the program on 
        high school graduation rates and college-going rates; and
            (2) to prepare and submit a report on the results of the 
        evaluation described in paragraph (1) to the Committee on 
        Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the 
        Committee on Education and Labor of the House of 
        Representatives.
    (n) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary 
for fiscal year 2010 and each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years.
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