Strengthen CTE in Higher Education Act

To authorize funding to strengthen investments in the Nation’s postsecondary career and technical education (CTE) programs and build connections across the entire education and workforce development system. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Strengthen CTE in Higher Education Act 2. Strengthening program alignment for postsecondary perkins career and technical education programs (a) Authorization of appropriations (1) In general There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $181,000,000 for fiscal year 2021 and each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years. (2) Outlying areas In addition to the amounts authorized to be appropriated under paragraph (1), there are authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2021 and each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years, for the purpose of awarding funds to carry out this section to the outlying areas described in section 115(a) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 ( 20 U.S.C. 2325(a) (3) Tribally controlled postsecondary career and technical institutions In addition to the amounts authorized to be appropriated under paragraphs (1) and (2), there are authorized to be appropriated $10,469,000 for fiscal year 2021 and each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years, for the purpose of awarding funds to carry out this section to tribally controlled postsecondary career and technical institutions described in section 117(a) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 ( 20 U.S.C. 2327(a) (b) Allotment and allocation (1) State allotment (A) In general From the amount appropriated under subsection (a)(1) for each fiscal year, the Secretary of Education shall allot funds to States in the same manner as allotments are made to States under 111(a)(2) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 ( 20 U.S.C. 2321(a)(2) From the amount appropriated under subsection (a)(1), From the remainder of the amount appropriated under section 9 and not reserved under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year, (B) Reallotment If for any fiscal year the amount appropriated for allotments under this paragraph is insufficient to satisfy the provisions of subparagraph (A), the payments to all States under such subparagraph shall be ratably reduced. (2) Requirements for State allotment From the amount allotted to each State under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year, the eligible agency shall use such funds in the same manner and in the same amounts as described in paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 112(a) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 ( 20 U.S.C. 2321(a) (3) Eligible recipient allocation (A) In general From the amount allotted to each State under paragraph (1) and not used under paragraph (2) for a fiscal year, the eligible agency shall allocate funds to each eligible recipient within the State in the same manner that funds are allocated to eligible institutions or consortium of eligible institutions under section 132(a)(2) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 ( 20 U.S.C. 2352(a)(2) the amount allotted to the State under paragraph (1) and not used under paragraph (2) the portion of funds made available under section 112(a)(1) to carry out this section (B) Requirements for allocation To receive an allocation under subparagraph (A), an eligible recipient shall meet the following requirements: (i) Provide a description to the Secretary, at such time and in such manner, as may be required by the Secretary of how the eligible recipient will use the allocation to support and coordinate with— (I) any funds received by such eligible recipient under title I of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 ( 20 U.S.C. 2321 (II) the activities described in the State plan of the eligible agency that distributes funds under such title to such eligible recipient, and local application of such eligible recipient under such title. (ii) Establish partnerships with each of the following: (I) A local educational agency or a consortia of local educational agencies. (II) An area career and technical education school, in a case in which such a school is located in the State or local area of the eligible recipient. (III) A State or local workforce development system. (IV) A 4-year institution of higher education. (c) Uses of funds (1) In general Each eligible recipient that receives an allocation under subsection (b)(2) shall use such allocation to carry out a career and technical education program of study that shall— (A) include alignment to career pathways, the use of articulation agreements, and career guidance and academic counseling; (B) combine a minimum of 2 years of secondary education (as determined under State law) with a minimum of 2 years of postsecondary education in a nonduplicative, sequential course of study; (C) include work-based learning or apprenticeship programs; (D) be aligned with— (i) the workforce development system; and (ii) institutions of higher education offering baccalaureate or advanced degree programs; (E) offer education and training in high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors and occupations to meet the regional needs and support the priorities described in the most recent comprehensive local needs assessment conducted by the eligible recipient under section 134(c) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 2354(c) (F) carry out the requirements of subparagraph (A), (B), (C), (D), or (E) of paragraph (2). (2) Requirements Each career and technical education program of study described in paragraph (1) shall carry out at least one of the following: (A) Supporting the development, delivery, or implementation of a statewide effort to scale such program of study and career pathways. (B) Establishing industry or sector partnerships inside or outside the State. (C) Providing equal access to, and supports for, successful completion of the career and technical education program of study to individuals who are members of special populations, including the development of services appropriate to the needs of special populations. (D) Improving career guidance, academic counseling, and career exploration activities for prospective or participating students through the development and implementation of graduation and career plans aligned to career pathways. (E) Developing curriculum and supports for effective transitions between the following: (i) The transition from a secondary career and technical education program to a postsecondary career and technical education program. (ii) The transition from postsecondary career and technical education programs to an institution of higher education offering a baccalaureate or an advanced degree program. (iii) The transition from a workforce development system to a postsecondary career and technical education program. (iv) The transition from a postsecondary career and technical education program to employment. (v) The transition from a career and technical education program to an apprenticeship program or from an apprenticeship program to an institution of higher education or employment. (3) Restriction on uses of funds Each eligible recipient that receives an allocation under subsection (b)(2) shall not use more than 5 percent of such allocation for costs associated with the administration of activities. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Apprenticeship program The term apprenticeship program 29 U.S.C. 50 (2) Eligible recipient The term eligible recipient 20 U.S.C. 2302(21)(B) (3) Institution of higher education The term institution of higher education 20 U.S.C. 1001 (4) Local educational agency The term local educational agency 20 U.S.C. 7801 (5) Perkins CTE terms The terms articulation agreement area career and technical education school career and technical education eligible agency program of study special population work-based learning 20 U.S.C. 2302 (6) State The term State (7) WIOA terms The terms career pathway workforce development system in-demand industry sector or occupation industry or sector partnership 29 U.S.C. 3201

Summary: Strengthen CTE in Higher Education Act This bill authorizes appropriations for greater cooperation and alignment between Perkins Career and Technical Education programs and educational institutions and employers, including outlying areas and tribally-controlled institutions. Specifically, entities offering these programs are eligible when partnering with a local educational agency or a consortia of local educational agencies, an area career and technical education school, a state or local workforce development system, and a four-year institution of higher education.