Cybersecurity Education Integration Act

To direct the Secretary of Education to establish a pilot program to award competitive grants for the integration of cybersecurity education, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Cybersecurity Education Integration Act 2. Cybersecurity education grants (a) In general From the amounts made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary shall, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, establish a pilot program under which the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible partnerships for— (1) the development and implementation of career and technical education programs of study that incorporate cybersecurity education and prepare individuals to meet workforce needs in critical infrastructure sectors; and (2) the integration of cybersecurity education into existing programs of study that prepare individuals to meet workforce needs in critical infrastructure sectors. (b) Consultation and coordination In awarding grants under this Act, the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Labor, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Department of Homeland Security’s Sector Coordinating Councils to determine the greatest cybersecurity workforce needs in critical infrastructure sectors. (c) Grant amount The amount of any grant made under this Act shall not exceed $500,000 in any fiscal year. (d) Applications To be eligible to receive a grant under this Act, an eligible partnership shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require, and including a description of— (1) the roles and responsibilities of each partner in the eligible partnership, and each partner’s capacity to support the program of study to be developed and implemented with funds awarded under this Act, or the program of study into which cybersecurity education will be integrated with funds awarded under this Act; (2) the critical infrastructure sector or sectors that such program of study prepares individuals to enter; (3) the career specialty or occupation within such sector or sectors that such program of study prepares individuals to enter; (4) the workforce needs of such critical infrastructure sector or sectors, including cybersecurity workforce needs; (5) how the eligible partnership will incorporate cybersecurity education, including relevant cybersecurity industry competencies published by the Department of Labor, into such program of study; (6) the work-based learning opportunities the eligible partnership will offer; (7) how the program of study will meet the cybersecurity workforce needs of such critical infrastructure sector or sectors; (8) how such program of study will lead to a recognized postsecondary credential and employment in a critical infrastructure sector; (9) how such program of study will be sustained following the grant period; and (10) any other purpose for which the eligible partnership intends to use funds awarded under this Act. (e) Regional diversity When awarding grants under this Act, the Secretary shall ensure that grants are awarded to eligible partnerships in different regions. (f) Reporting Requirements An eligible partnership that receives a grant under this Act shall annually submit a report to the Secretary that includes— (1) a description of how any funds awarded to the eligible partnership under this Act have been used during the period covered by the report; (2) the number of students, including a breakdown by race and ethnicity and an identification of the number of students in each of the special populations who have received a recognized postsecondary credential during such period from the program of study into which cybersecurity education was incorporated using such funds; and (3) the percentage of participants in unsubsidized employment in a critical infrastructure sector targeted by the program of study after exiting the program of study. (g) Authorization of Appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this Act $10,000,000. (h) Definitions In this Act: (1) Critical Infrastructure The term critical infrastructure 42 U.S.C. 5195c(e) (2) Cybersecurity education The term cybersecurity education (3) Eligible partnership (A) Required partners The term eligible partnership (i) a postsecondary educational institution; and (ii) a public or private employer, in a critical infrastructure sector, with demonstrated cybersecurity workforce needs, that is located in the region where the program of study will be developed and implemented with funds awarded under this Act. (B) Optional partners The partnership may also include one or more— (i) community stakeholders (such as local governments, nonprofit institutions, economic development organizations, planning agencies, labor organizations, or industry associations); (ii) local educational agencies (as the term is defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (iii) eligible agencies that are located in the region where the program of study will be developed and implemented with funds awarded under this Act. (4) Eligible agency The term eligible agency (5) Postsecondary educational institution The term postsecondary educational institution (A) an institution of higher education that provides not less than a 2-year program of instruction that is acceptable for credit toward a bachelor's degree; (B) a tribally controlled college or university; or (C) a nonprofit educational institution offering certificate or other skilled training programs at the postsecondary level. (6) Program of Study The term program of study (A) incorporates challenging State academic standards, including those adopted by a State under section 6311(b)(1) of this title; (B) addresses both academic and technical knowledge and skills, including employability skills; (C) is aligned with the needs of industries in the economy of the State, region, Tribal community, or local area; (D) progresses in specificity (beginning with all aspects of an industry or career cluster and leading to more occupation-specific instruction); (E) has multiple entry and exit points that incorporate credentialing; and (F) culminates in the attainment of a recognized postsecondary credential. (7) Work based learning The term work based learning (8) Recognized Postsecondary Credential The term recognized postsecondary credential 29 U.S.C. 3102 (9) Special Populations The term special populations (A) individuals with disabilities; (B) individuals from economically disadvantaged families, including low-income youth and adults; (C) individuals preparing for non-traditional fields; (D) single parents, including single pregnant women; (E) out-of-workforce individuals; (F) English learners; (G) homeless individuals described in section 11434a of title 42; (H) youth who are in, or have aged out of, the foster care system; and (I) youth with a parent who— (i) is a member of the armed forces (as such term is defined in section 101(a)(4) of title 10); and (ii) is on active duty (as such term is defined in section 101(d)(1) of such title).

Summary: Cybersecurity Education Integration Act This bills establishes a pilot program under which the Department of Education must award grants for cybersecurity education programs in order to prepare individuals to meet workforce needs in critical infrastructure sectors.