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[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2968 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

113th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 2968

 To include community partners and intermediaries in the planning and 
  delivery of education and related programs, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            December 2, 2014

Mr. Whitehouse introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
  referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
 To include community partners and intermediaries in the planning and 
  delivery of education and related programs, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Community 
Partnerships in Education Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
 TITLE I--AMENDMENTS TO THE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT OF 
                                  1965

Sec. 101. State plans.
Sec. 102. Local educational agency plans.
Sec. 103. Schoolwide programs.
Sec. 104. Targeted assistance schools.
Sec. 105. Academic assessment and local educational agency and school 
                            improvement.
Sec. 106. School improvement grants.
Sec. 107. Evaluations.
Sec. 108. Definitions.
   TITLE II--AMENDMENTS TO THE CARL D. PERKINS CAREER AND TECHNICAL 
                         EDUCATION ACT OF 2006

Sec. 201. Definitions.
Sec. 202. Attainment of 21st century skills.
Sec. 203. Inclusion of community partners and intermediary 
                            organizations in State and local plans.
Sec. 204. Evaluations.
 TITLE III--AMENDMENTS TO THE WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT

Sec. 301. Definitions.
Sec. 302. Inclusion of community partners and intermediary 
                            organizations in local workforce 
                            development boards and activities.
Sec. 303. Inclusion of community partners and intermediary 
                            organizations in adult education and 
                            literacy programs.
Sec. 304. Effective date.
        TITLE IV--AMENDMENTS TO THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 1965

Sec. 401. Definitions.
Sec. 402. TRIO programs.
Sec. 403. GEAR UP.
Sec. 404. Maintenance and expansion of existing programs.

 TITLE I--AMENDMENTS TO THE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT OF 
                                  1965

SEC. 101. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT GRANTS.

    Section 1003(g)(6) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6303(g)(6)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (A);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (B) 
        and inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) a commitment to carry out school and local 
                educational agency improvement--
                            ``(i) in partnership with one or more 
                        community partners, including through joint 
                        planning and implementation, shared 
                        professional development designed to improve 
                        the effectiveness of school and community 
                        partner staff, development and implementation 
                        of shared data systems that support program 
                        improvement and the improvement of program 
                        outcomes, and the alignment and coordination of 
                        local educational agency, school, and community 
                        partner goals, activities, and training; and
                            ``(ii) with the involvement of one or more 
                        intermediary organizations that will assist the 
                        agency and its schools by training staff, 
                        providing technical assistance that is designed 
                        to ensure continuous improvement, helping to 
                        ensure accountability for results, and helping 
                        to ensure that program funds flow quickly and 
                        effectively to effective service providers and 
                        activities.''.

SEC. 102. STATE PLANS.

    Section 1111 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 6311) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(2)(C)(vii)--
                    (A) by striking ``and changes in'' and inserting 
                ``changes in''; and
                    (B) by inserting before the period at the end the 
                following: ``, and measures of the attainment of 21st 
                century skills (such as critical thinking, problem-
                solving, communication, and collaboration)'';
            (2) in subsection (b)(2)(D)(i), by inserting ``, and 
        aligned with the program the State will carry out with funds 
        received under this part'' after ``if any''; and
            (3) in subsection (h)(1)(C)--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of clause (vii);
                    (B) by striking the period at the end of clause 
                (viii) and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(ix) information on student attainment of 
                        21st century skills (such as critical thinking, 
                        problem-solving, communication, and 
                        collaboration).''.

SEC. 103. LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY PLANS.

    Section 1112(b)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6312(b)(1)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``, such as measures 
        of the attainment of 21st century skills (such as critical 
        thinking, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration),'' 
        after ``any other indicators'';
            (2) in subparagraph (P), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (3) in subparagraph (Q), by striking the period and 
        inserting a semicolon; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(R) a description of the data-sharing agreement 
                or agreements that the local educational agency has 
                entered into with other agencies and organizations so 
                as to provide for shared access to information on 
                student progress and success (consistent with the 
                requirements of subpart 4 of part C of the General 
                Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232f et seq.)), 
                integrated planning and joint review of the data, and 
                coordinated adjustments in strategies for programs 
                carried out with funds received under this part and 
                activities in response to changes in student needs or 
                to new challenges;
                    ``(S) a description of how the local educational 
                agency will carry out programs with funds received 
                under this part in partnership with one or more 
                community partners, including through joint planning 
                and implementation, shared professional development 
                designed to improve the effectiveness of school and 
                community partner staff, development and implementation 
                of shared data systems that support the improvement of 
                such programs and the improvement of the outcomes of 
                such programs, and the alignment and coordination of 
                local educational agency, school, and community partner 
                goals, activities, and training; and
                    ``(T) a description of how the local educational 
                will carry out programs with funds received under this 
                part with the involvement of one or more intermediary 
                organizations that will assist the agency and its 
                schools by training staff, providing technical 
                assistance that is designed to ensure continuous 
                improvement, helping to ensure accountability for 
                results, and helping to ensure that such funds flow 
                quickly and effectively to effective service providers 
                and activities.''.

SEC. 104. SCHOOLWIDE PROGRAMS.

    Section 1114(b)(1)(J) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6314(b)(1)(J)) is amended by inserting ``, with the 
assistance of one or more intermediary organizations described in 
section 1112(b)(1)(T),'' after ``Coordination and integration''.

SEC. 105. TARGETED ASSISTANCE SCHOOLS.

    Section 1115(c)(1)(H) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6315(c)(1)(H)) is amended by inserting ``, with the 
assistance of one or more intermediary organizations described in 
section 1112(b)(1)(T),'' after ``coordinate and integrate''.

SEC. 106. ACADEMIC ASSESSMENT AND LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY AND SCHOOL 
              IMPROVEMENT.

    Section 1116 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 6316) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1)(B), by inserting ``, such as 
        measures of the attainment of 21st century skills,'' after 
        ``section 1121(b)(1)(A) and (B)'';
            (2) in subsection (b)(3)(A)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
                inserting ``community partners and intermediary 
                organizations described in section 1112(b)(1)(S) and 
                (T),'' after ``the local educational agency serving the 
                school,''; and
                    (B) in clause (vii)--
                            (i) by striking ``and the State educational 
                        agency'' and inserting ``the State educational 
                        agency''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``and community partners 
                        and intermediary organizations described in 
                        section 1112(b)(1)(S) and (T),'' after ``under 
                        the plan''; and
            (3) in subsection (c)(7)(A)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
                inserting ``community partners or intermediary 
                organizations as described in section 1112(b)(1)(S) and 
                (T),'' after ``school staff,''; and
                    (B) in clause (vii), by striking ``and the local 
                educational agency'' and inserting ``, the local 
                educational agency, and community partners and 
                intermediary organizations as described in section 
                1112(b)(1)(S) and (T)''.

SEC. 107. EVALUATIONS.

    Section 1501(a)(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6491(a)(2)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraph (O) as subparagraph (Q); 
        and
            (2) by inserting after subparagraph (N) the following:
                    ``(O) Whether and how local educational agencies 
                are involving community partners and intermediary 
                organizations in their activities carried out under 
                section 1003(g) and part A, and the impact of that 
                involvement.
                    ``(P) The implementation of the data-sharing 
                agreements entered into under section 1112(b)(1)(E), 
                and the impact of that implementation.''.

SEC. 108. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 7801) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (7) through (24), and 
        paragraphs (25) through (43), as paragraphs (8) through (25) 
        and paragraphs (27) through (45), respectively;
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (6), the following:
            ``(7) Community partner.--The term `community partner' 
        means a nonprofit or public organization that has expertise in 
        the planning and delivery of education and related programs, in 
        forging coordination and cooperation between educators and 
        other members of the community, or in training educators and 
        others that deliver educational services.''; and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (25), as redesignated by 
        paragraph (1), the following:
            ``(26) Intermediary organization.--The term `intermediary 
        organization' means a nonprofit organization that has expertise 
        in training, forging public-private partnerships, systems 
        development, capacity-building, improving scalability, 
        evaluation, and the effective use of data to improve the 
        progress of students, schools and other educational 
        institutions, and education programs.''.

   TITLE II--AMENDMENTS TO THE CARL D. PERKINS CAREER AND TECHNICAL 
                         EDUCATION ACT OF 2006

SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act 
of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (9) through (18) and 
        paragraphs (19) through (34) as paragraphs (10) through (19) 
        and paragraphs (21) through (36), respectively;
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(9) Community partner.--The term `community partner' 
        means a nonprofit organization that has expertise in the 
        planning and delivery of education and related programs, in 
        forging coordination and cooperation between educators and 
        other members of the community, in training educators and 
        others who deliver educational services, or in development and 
        implementation of data systems that measure the progress of 
        students, schools and institutions of higher education, and 
        programs.''; and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (19), as redesignated by 
        paragraph (1), the following:
            ``(20) Intermediary organization.--The term `intermediary 
        organization' means a nonprofit organization that has expertise 
        in training, forging public-private partnerships, systems 
        development, capacity-building, improving scalability, and 
        evaluation.''.

SEC. 202. ATTAINMENT OF 21ST CENTURY SKILLS.

    Section 113 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education 
Improvement Act of 2006 (29 U.S.C. 2323) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2)(C), by inserting ``attainment 
                of 21st century skills (such as critical thinking, 
                problem-solving, communication, and collaboration) 
                and'' after ``such as''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (4)(C)(ii)--
                            (i) in subclause (I), by striking ``; and'' 
                        and inserting a semicolon;
                            (ii) in subclause (II), by striking the 
                        period and inserting ``; and''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                                    ``(III) describe the progress of 
                                career and technical education students 
                                served by the eligible recipient in 
                                attaining 21st century skills (such as 
                                critical thinking, problem-solving, 
                                communication, and collaboration).''; 
                                and
            (2) in subsection (c)(2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``; and'' and 
                inserting a semicolon;
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period and 
                inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) describe the progress of career and technical 
                education students in the State in attaining 21st 
                century skills (such as critical thinking, problem-
                solving, communication, and collaboration).''.

SEC. 203. EVALUATIONS.

    Section 114(d)(2)(B) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical 
Education Improvement Act of 2006 (29 U.S.C. 2324) is amended--
            (1) in clause (vi), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
        semicolon;
            (2) in clause (vii), by striking the period and inserting a 
        semicolon; and
            (3) by inserting after clause (vii) the following:
                            ``(viii) whether and how eligible 
                        recipients are involving community partners and 
                        intermediary organizations in their activities 
                        carried out under part C, and the impact of 
                        that involvement; and
                            ``(ix) the implementation of the data-
                        sharing agreements entered into under section 
                        135(b)(10), and the impact of that 
                        implementation.''.

SEC. 204. INCLUSION OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND INTERMEDIARY 
              ORGANIZATIONS IN STATE AND LOCAL PLANS.

    (a) State Plan.--Section 122 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and 
Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 (29 U.S.C. 2342) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(1)(A)(ix) by striking ``including 
        parent and community organizations'' and inserting ``including 
        parent and intermediary organizations and community partners'';
            (2) in subsection (c)(1)(A)--
                    (A) in clause (iii), by striking ``; and'' and 
                inserting a semicolon;
                    (B) in clause (iv), by striking the period and 
                inserting a semicolon; and
                    (C) by inserting after clause (iv) the following:
                            ``(v) are carried out in partnership with 
                        one or more community partners, including 
                        through joint planning and implementation, 
                        shared professional development designed to 
                        improve the effectiveness of eligible recipient 
                        and community partner staff, development and 
                        implementation of shared data systems that 
                        support program improvement and the improvement 
                        of program outcomes, and the alignment and 
                        coordination of eligible recipient and 
                        community partner goals, activities, and 
                        training; and
                            ``(vi) are carried out with the involvement 
                        of one or more intermediary organizations that 
                        will assist the eligible applicants by training 
                        staff, providing technical assistance that is 
                        designed to ensure continuous improvement, 
                        helping to ensure accountability for results, 
                        and helping to ensure that program funds flow 
                        quickly and effectively to effective service 
                        providers and activities.''; and
            (3) in subsection (c)(2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``; and'' and 
                inserting a semicolon;
                    (B) in subparagraph (G), by inserting ``; and'' at 
                the end; and
                    (C) by inserting after subparagraph (G) the 
                following:
                    ``(H) may be provided by a community partner or an 
                intermediary organization;''.
    (b) Local Plan.--Section 134(b) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and 
Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 (29 U.S.C. 2354(b)) is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``community partners and 
        intermediary organizations,'' after ``labor organizations,'';
            (2) in paragraph (11), by striking ``; and'' and inserting 
        a semicolon;
            (3) in paragraph (12)(B), by striking the period and 
        inserting a semicolon; and
            (4) by inserting after paragraph (12) the following:
            ``(13) describe the data-sharing agreement or agreements 
        that the eligible recipient agency has entered into with other 
        agencies and organizations so as to provide for shared access 
        to information on student progress and success (consistent with 
        the requirements of subpart 4 of part C of the General 
        Education Provisions Act), integrated planning and joint review 
        of the data, and coordinated adjustments in program strategies 
        and activities in response to changes in student needs or to 
        new challenges;
            ``(14) describe how the eligible recipient will carry out 
        its program under this part in partnership with one or more 
        community partners, including through joint planning and 
        implementation, shared professional development designed to 
        improve the effectiveness of eligible recipient and community 
        partner staff, development and implementation of shared data 
        systems that support program improvement and the improvement of 
        program outcomes, and the alignment and coordination of 
        eligible recipient and community partner goals, activities, and 
        training; and
            ``(15) describe how the eligible recipient will carry out 
        its program under this part with the involvement of one or more 
        intermediary organizations that will assist the eligible entity 
        by training staff, providing technical assistance that is 
        designed to ensure continuous improvement, helping to ensure 
        accountability for results, and helping to ensure that program 
        funds flow quickly and effectively to effective service 
        providers and activities.''.
    (c) Local Use of Funds.--Section 135(b) of the Carl D. Perkins 
Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 (29 U.S.C. 
2355(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (5), by striking ``development program 
        that'' and inserting ``development programs, which may be 
        provided by community partners or intermediary organizations, 
        that'';
            (2) in paragraph (8), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
        semicolon;
            (3) in paragraph (9), by striking the period and inserting 
        ``; and''; and
            (4) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:
            ``(10) develop and implement data-sharing agreements 
        between the eligible recipient and other agencies and 
        organizations that provide for shared access to information on 
        student progress and success (consistent with the requirements 
        of subpart 4 of part C of the General Education Provisions 
        Act), integrated planning and joint review of the data, and 
        coordinated adjustments in program strategies and activities in 
        response to changes in student needs or to new challenges.''.

 TITLE III--AMENDMENTS TO THE WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT

SEC. 301. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 
U.S.C. 3102) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (11) through (29) and 
        paragraphs (30) through (71) as paragraphs (12) through (30) 
        and paragraphs (32) through (73), respectively;
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (10) the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(11) Community partner.--Except as otherwise specified in 
        section 203, the term `community partner' means a nonprofit or 
        public organization that has expertise in the planning and 
        delivery of workforce development and related programs, in 
        forging coordination and cooperation between workforce 
        development service providers and other members of the 
        community, or in training service providers.''; and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (30), as redesignated by 
        paragraph (1), the following:
            ``(31) Intermediary organization.--Except as otherwise 
        specified in section 203, the term `intermediary organization' 
        means a nonprofit organization that has expertise in training, 
        forging public-private partnerships, systems development, 
        capacity-building, improving scalability, evaluation, and 
        development and implementation of data systems that measure the 
        progress of program participants and programs.''.

SEC. 302. INCLUSION OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND INTERMEDIARY 
              ORGANIZATIONS IN LOCAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARDS AND 
              ACTIVITIES.

    (a) Local Workforce Development Boards.--Section 107(b)(2) of the 
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3122(b)(2)) is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F);
            (2) in subparagraph (D)(v), by striking ``and'' at the end; 
        and
            (3) by inserting after subparagraph (D), the following:
                    ``(E) each local board shall include 
                representatives of community partners and intermediary 
                organizations; and''.
    (b) Local Plans.--Section 108(b) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 3123(b)) is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraph (22) as paragraph (23);
            (2) in paragraph (21), by striking ``and'' at the end; and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (21), the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(22) a description of the data-sharing agreement or 
        agreements that the local board has entered into with other 
        agencies and organizations so as to provide for shared access 
        to information on participant progress and success (consistent, 
        as applicable, with the requirements of subpart 4 of part C of 
        the General Education Provisions Act), integrated planning and 
        joint review of the data, and coordinated adjustments in 
        program strategies and activities in response to changes in 
        student needs or to new challenges; and''.
    (c) Performance Indicators and Information.--Section 116 of such 
Act (29 U.S.C. 3141) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(2)(B), by inserting before the period 
        the following: ``, including the acquisition of 21st century 
        skills (such as critical thinking, problem-solving, 
        communication, and collaboration) by program participants''; 
        and
            (2) in subsection (d)(3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period and 
                inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the 
                following:
                    ``(D) at the discretion of the Governor, 
                information on program participants' development of 
                21st century skills.''.
    (d) Youth Activities.--Section 129(c) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 
3164(c)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ``21st century skills 
        (such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and 
        collaboration),'' after ``basic skills,''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (M), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (N), by striking the period and 
                inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by inserting after subparagraph (N) the 
                following:
                    ``(O) development of 21st century skills (such as 
                critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and 
                collaboration).''.
    (e) Adult and Dislocated Worker Activities.--Section 134(c)(3)(D) 
of such Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(3)(D)) is amended--
            (1) in clause (x), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in clause (xi), by striking the period and inserting 
        ``; and''; and
            (3) by inserting after clause (xi) the following new 
        clause:
                            ``(xii) development of 21st century skills 
                        (such as critical thinking, problem-solving, 
                        communication, and collaboration).''.
    (f) Evaluations.--Section 169(a)(2) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 
3224(a)(2)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A)(i), by inserting ``and 21st century 
        skills'' after ``employment competencies'';
            (2) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (3) by redesignating subparagraph (G) as subparagraph (I); 
        and
            (4) by inserting after subparagraph (F) the following new 
        subparagraphs:
                    ``(G) whether and how providers of services under 
                chapters 2 and 3 of subtitle A involve community 
                partners and intermediary organizations in their 
                delivery of services, and the impact of that 
                involvement;
                    ``(H) the implementation of the data-sharing 
                agreements entered into pursuant to section 108(b)(22), 
                and the impact of that implementation; and''.

SEC. 303. INCLUSION OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND INTERMEDIARY 
              ORGANIZATIONS IN ADULT EDUCATION AND LITERACY PROGRAMS.

    (a) Definitions.--Section 203 of the Workforce Innovation and 
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3272) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (12) and 
        paragraphs (13) through (17) as paragraphs (4) through (13) and 
        paragraphs (15) through (19), respectively;
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(3) Community partner.--The term `community partner' 
        means a nonprofit or public organization that has expertise in 
        the planning and delivery of education and related programs, in 
        forging coordination and cooperation between educators and 
        other members of the community, or in training educators and 
        others who deliver educational services.''; and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (13), as redesignated by 
        paragraph (1), the following:
            ``(14) Intermediary organization.--The term `intermediary 
        organization' means a nonprofit organization that has expertise 
        in training, forging public-private partnerships, systems 
        development, capacity-building, improving scalability, 
        evaluation, and development and implementation of data systems 
        that measure the progress of students, schools, and other 
        educational institutions and programs.''.
    (b) Grants and Contracts for Eligible Providers.--Section 
231(e)(10) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 3321(e)(10)) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``and data-sharing arrangements (designed 
        to provide for shared access to information on student progress 
        (consistent with the requirements of subpart 4 of part C of the 
        General Education Provisions Act), integrated planning, and 
        coordinated adjustments in program strategies and activities in 
        response to changes in student needs or to new challenges)'' 
        after ``strong links'';
            (2) by inserting ``community partners, intermediary 
        organizations,'' after ``postsecondary educational 
        institutions,''; and
            (3) by striking ``nonprofit organizations, and 
        intermediaries'' and inserting ``and nonprofit organizations''.
    (c) Local Plan.--Section 232(2) of such Act is amended by inserting 
``and data-sharing agreements'' after ``cooperative agreements''.

SEC. 304. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendments made by this title shall take effect as if enacted 
as part of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 
et seq.).

          TITLE IV--AMENDMENTS TO HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 1965

SEC. 401. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 103 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003) is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (10) and 
        paragraphs (11) through (24) as paragraphs (4) through (11) and 
        paragraphs (13) through (25), respectively;
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
            ``(3) Community partner.--The term `community partner' 
        means a nonprofit or public organization that has expertise in 
        the planning and delivery of education and related programs, in 
        forging coordination and cooperation between educators and 
        educational institutions with other members of the community, 
        or in training educators and other deliverers of educational 
        services.''; and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (11), as redesignated by 
        paragraph (1), the following:
            ``(12) Intermediary organization.--The term `intermediary 
        organization' means a nonprofit organization that has expertise 
        in training, forging public-private partnerships, systems 
        development, capacity-building, improving scalability, 
        evaluation, and development and implementation of data systems 
        that measure the progress of students, schools and other 
        educational institutions, and programs.''.

SEC. 402. TRIO PROGRAMS.

    Section 402A of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a-
11) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(1)--
                    (A) by striking ``For the purposes described'' and 
                inserting the following:
                    ``(A) In general.--For the purposes described''; 
                and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(B) Community partners and intermediary organizations.--
        An eligible entity described in subparagraph (A) of a grant or 
        contract under this chapter shall, to the extent feasible, 
        carry out the grant or contract--
                    ``(i) with one or more community partners, 
                including through joint planning and implementation, 
                shared professional development designed to improve the 
                effectiveness of such eligible entity and community 
                partner staff, development and implementation of shared 
                data systems that support the improvement of the 
                operations and outcomes of the program carried out with 
                such grant or contract, and the alignment and 
                coordination of such eligible entity and community 
                partner goals, activities, and training; and
                    ``(ii) with the involvement of one or more 
                intermediary organizations that will assist such 
                eligible entity by training staff, providing technical 
                assistance that is designed to ensure continuous 
                improvement, helping to ensure accountability for 
                results, and helping to ensure that the grant or 
                contract funds flow quickly and effectively to 
                effective service providers and activities.'';
            (2) in subsection (c)(6), by adding at the end the 
        following: ``The Secretary shall also encourage recipients of 
        grants and contracts under this chapter to enter into data-
        sharing agreements with other agencies and organizations so as 
        to provide for shared access to information on student progress 
        and success (consistent with the requirements of subpart 4 of 
        part C of the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232f 
        et seq.)), integrated planning and review of the data, and 
        coordinated adjustments in program strategies and activities in 
        response to changes in student needs or to new challenges.''; 
        and
            (3) in subsection (f)(3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) by redesignating clauses (v) and (vi), 
                        as clauses (vi) and (vii), respectively; and
                            (ii) by inserting after clause (iv) the 
                        following new clause:
                            ``(v) student acquisition of 21st century 
                        skills (such as critical thinking, problem-
                        solving, communication and collaboration);''; 
                        and
                    (B) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) by redesignating clauses (v), (vi), and 
                        (vii), as clauses (vi), (vii), and (viii), 
                        respectively; and
                            (ii) by inserting after clause (iv) the 
                        following new clause:
                            ``(v) student acquisition of 21st century 
                        skills (such as critical thinking, problem-
                        solving, communication and collaboration);''.

SEC. 403. GEAR UP.

    (a) Definition of Eligible Entity.--Section 404A(c)(2) of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a-21(c)(2)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A)--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of clause (i); 
                and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(iii) one or more community partners; 
                        and''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``intermediary 
        organizations,'' after ``subpart 4,''.
    (b) Requirements.--Section 404B(b) of the Higher Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a-22(b)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
        subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively;
            (2) by striking ``Each eligible entity'' and inserting the 
        following:
            ``(1) In general.--Each eligible entity''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(2) Data Sharing.--Each eligible entity receiving a grant under 
this chapter shall, to the extent feasible, enter into data-sharing 
agreements with other organizations or agencies so as to provide for 
shared access to information on student progress and success 
(consistent with the requirements of subpart 4 of part C of the General 
Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232f et seq.)), integrated 
planning and joint review of the data, and coordinated adjustments in 
program strategies and activities in response to changes in student 
needs or to new challenges.''.
    (c) Applications.--Section 404C(a)(2) of the Higher Education Act 
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a-23(a)(2)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (I), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in subparagraph (J), by striking the period and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(K) describe, in the case of an eligible entity 
                described in section 404A(c)(2), how the entities 
                included in the partnership will engage in--
                            ``(i) joint planning and implementation;
                            ``(ii) shared professional development 
                        designed to improve the effectiveness of 
                        school, community partner, and other staff;
                            ``(iii) development and implementation of 
                        shared data systems that support program 
                        improvement and the improvement of program 
                        outcomes; and
                            ``(iv) the alignment and coordination of 
                        local educational agency, school, community 
                        partner, and other partnership members' goals, 
                        activities, and training.''.
            (4) Activities.--Section 404D(a)(3) of the Higher Education 
        Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a-24(a)(3)) is amended--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at 
                the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) at the discretion of the eligible entity, 
                acquire 21st century skills (such as critical thinking, 
                problem-solving, communication, and collaboration).''.

SEC. 404. MAINTENANCE AND EXPANSION OF EXISTING PROGRAMS.

    (a) Program Authority.--Section 418A(a) of the Higher Education Act 
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070d-2(a)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``The Secretary shall'' and inserting the 
        following:
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(2) Community Partners and Intermediary Organizations.--Each such 
program shall be implemented--
            ``(A) in partnership with one or more community partners, 
        including through joint planning and implementation, shared 
        professional development designed to improve the effectiveness 
        of, as applicable, school, institution of higher education, 
        nonprofit organization, and community partner staff, 
        development and implementation of shared data systems that 
        support program improvement and the improvement of program 
        outcomes, and the alignment and coordination of, as applicable, 
        school, institution of higher education, nonprofit 
        organization, and community partner goals, activities, and 
        training; and
            ``(B) with the involvement of one or more intermediary 
        organizations that assist the grantee by training staff, 
        providing technical assistance that is designed to ensure 
        continuous improvement, helping to ensure accountability for 
        results, and helping to ensure that program funds flow quickly 
        and effectively to effective service providers and activities.
    ``(3) Data Sharing.--Each such program shall include the 
implementation of one or more data-sharing agreements between the 
grantee and other organizations or agencies that provide for shared 
access to information on student progress and success (consistent with 
the requirements of subpart 4 of part C of the General Education 
Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232f et seq.)), integrated planning and 
joint review of the data, and coordinated adjustments in program 
strategies and activities in response to changes in student needs or to 
new challenges.''.
    (b) Services Provided.--Section 418A(b) of the Higher Education Act 
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070d-2(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (8), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) by redesignating paragraph (9) as paragraph (10); and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following:
            ``(9) activities designed to ensure that participants 
        acquire 21st century skills (such as critical thinking, 
        problem-solving, communication, and collaboration); and''.
                                 <all>
```