158 
(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible enti-
ty’’ means— 
(A) a junior or community college or com-
munity college district; 
(B) an area career and technical education 
school; 
(C) a public four-year institution of higher 
education that offers two-year degrees; 
(D) a public four-year institution of higher 
education that is in partnership with an eligible 
entity described in subparagraph (A), (B), or 
(C); 
(E) a State that— 
(i) is in compliance with section 137 
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1015f); 
(ii) has an articulation agreement 
pursuant to section 486A of such Act (20 
U.S.C. 1093a); and 
(iii) is in partnership with an eligible 
entity described in subparagraph (A), (B), 
(C), or (D); or 
(F) a consortium of at least 2 entities de-
scribed in subparagraphs (A) through (E). 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:20 Jul 16, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00158
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3221.IH
H3221
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
159 
(3) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The 
term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the 
meaning given such term in section 101 of the High-
er Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001). 
(4) JUNIOR
OR
COMMUNITY
COLLEGE.—The 
term ‘‘junior or community college’’ has the meaning 
given such term in section 312(f) of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1058(f)). 
(5) PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATION.—The term 
‘‘philanthropic organization’’ has the meaning given 
such term in section 781 of the Higher Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1141). 
(6) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Education. 
(7) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ has the mean-
ing given such term in section 103 of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003). 
(8) STATE
PUBLIC
EMPLOYMENT
SERVICE.— 
The term ‘‘State public employment service’’ refers 
to a State public employment service established 
under the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49 et 
seq.). 
(9) STATE
WORKFORCE
INVESTMENT
BOARD; 
LOCAL
WORKFORCE
INVESTMENT
BOARD.—The 
terms ‘‘State workforce investment board’’ and 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:20 Jul 16, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00159
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3221.IH
H3221
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
160 
‘‘local workforce investment board’’ refer to a State 
workforce investment board established under sec-
tion 111 of the Workforce Investment Act (20 
U.S.C. 2821) and a local workforce investment 
board established under section 117 of such Act (20 
U.S.C. 2832), respectively. 
(10) SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.—The term ‘‘sup-
portive services’’ has the meaning given such term in 
section 101(46) of the Workforce Investment Act of 
1998 (20 U.S.C. 2801(46)). 
SEC. 503. GRANTS TO ELIGIBLE ENTITIES FOR COMMUNITY 
COLLEGE REFORM. 
(a) PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION.— 
(1) GRANTS AUTHORIZED.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph 
(2), from the amount appropriated to carry out 
this section, the Secretary, in coordination with 
the Secretary of Labor, shall award grants to 
eligible entities, on a competitive basis, to es-
tablish and support programs described in sub-
paragraph (B) at eligible entities described in 
subparagraphs (A) through (D) of section 
502(2). 
(B) PROGRAMS.—The programs to be es-
tablished and supported with grants under sub-
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:20 Jul 16, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00160
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3221.IH
H3221
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
161 
paragraph (A) (and carried out through activi-
ties described in subsection (f)) shall be pro-
grams— 
(i) that are— 
(I) innovative programs; or 
(II) programs of demonstrated 
effectiveness, based on the evaluations 
of similar programs funded by the De-
partment of Education or the Depart-
ment of Labor, or other research of 
similar programs; and 
(ii) that lead to the completion of a 
postsecondary degree, certificate, or indus-
try-recognized credential leading to a 
skilled occupation in a high-demand indus-
try. 
(2) LIMITATION.—For each fiscal year for 
which funds are appropriated to carry out this sec-
tion, the aggregate amount of the grants awarded to 
eligible entities that are States, or consortia that in-
clude a State, shall be not more than 50 percent of 
the 
total 
amount 
appropriated 
under 
section 
501(b)(1) for such fiscal year. 
(3) INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT.—The Secretary 
and the Secretary of Labor shall jointly administer 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:20 Jul 16, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00161
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3221.IH
H3221
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
162 
this section on such terms as such Secretaries shall 
set forth in an interagency agreement. Such agree-
ment shall ensure compliance with applicable law 
and administrative requirements. 
(4) PROHIBITION.—The Secretary shall not 
award a grant to an eligible entity for the same ac-
tivities that are being fully supported by other Fed-
eral funds. 
(b) GRANT DURATION AND AMOUNT.— 
(1) DURATION.—A grant under this section 
shall be awarded to an eligible entity for a 4-year pe-
riod, except that if the Secretary determines that the 
eligible entity has not made demonstrable progress 
in achieving the benchmarks developed pursuant to 
subsection (g) by the third year of such grant pe-
riod, no further grant funds shall be made available 
to the entity after the date of such determination. 
(2) AMOUNT.—The minimum amount of a 
grant award under this section shall be $1,000,000. 
(c) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under this sec-
tion, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities 
that enter into partnerships with— 
(1) philanthropic or research organizations with 
expertise in meeting the goals of this section; or 
(2) businesses that— 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:20 Jul 16, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00162
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3221.IH
H3221
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
163 
(A) design and implement programs de-
scribed in subsection (a)(1)(B); 
(B) pay a portion of the costs of such pro-
grams; and 
(C) agree to collaborate with one or more 
eligible entities to hire individuals who have 
completed a particular postsecondary degree, 
certificate, or credential program. 
(d) FEDERAL AND NON-FEDERAL SHARE; SUPPLE-
MENT, NOT SUPPLANT.— 
(1) FEDERAL SHARE.—The amount of the Fed-
eral share under this section for a fiscal year shall 
be not greater than 1⁄2 of the costs of the programs, 
services, and policies described in subsection (f) that 
are carried out under the grant. 
(2) NON-FEDERAL SHARE.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The amount of the 
non-Federal share under this section for a fiscal 
year shall be not less than 1⁄2 of the costs of the 
programs, services, and policies described in 
subsection (f) that are carried out under the 
grant. The non-Federal share may be in cash or 
in kind, and may be provided from State re-
sources, local resources, contributions from pri-
vate organizations, or a combination thereof. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:20 Jul 16, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00163
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3221.IH
H3221
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
164 
(B) FINANCIAL HARDSHIP WAIVER.—The 
Secretary may waive or reduce the non-Federal 
share of an eligible entity that has submitted an 
application under this section if the entity dem-
onstrates a need for such waiver or reduction 
due to extreme financial hardship, as defined by 
the Secretary by regulation. 
(3) SUPPLEMENT, NOT SUPPLANT.—The Fed-
eral and non-Federal shares required by this section 
shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, State 
and private resources that would otherwise be ex-
pended to establish and support programs described 
in subsection (a)(1)(B) at eligible entities. 
(e) APPLICATION.—An eligible entity seeking to re-
ceive a grant under this section shall submit to the Sec-
retary an application at such time, in such manner, and 
containing such information as the Secretary may require. 
Such application shall describe the programs under sub-
section (a)(1)(B) that the eligible entity will carry out 
using the grant funds, (including the programs, services, 
and policies under subsection (f)), including— 
(1) the goals of such programs, services, and 
policies; 
(2) how the eligible entity will allocate grant 
funds for such programs, services, and policies; 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:20 Jul 16, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00164
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3221.IH
H3221
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
165 
(3) how such programs, services, and policies, 
and the resources of the eligible entity, will enable 
the eligible entity to meet the benchmarks developed 
pursuant to subsection (g), and how the eligible enti-
ty will track and report the entity’s progress in 
reaching such benchmarks; 
(4) how the eligible entity will use such pro-
grams, services, and policies to establish quantifiable 
targets for improving graduation rates and employ-
ment-related outcomes; 
(5) how the eligible entity will serve high-need 
populations through such programs, services, and 
policies; 
(6) how the eligible entity will partner with the 
State public employment service and State or local 
workforce investment boards in carrying out such 
programs, services, and policies; 
(7) how the eligible entity will share informa-
tion with the Learning and Earning Center estab-
lished under section 505; 
(8) how the eligible entity will participate in the 
rigorous evaluation of such programs, services, and 
policies under subsection (i); and 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:20 Jul 16, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00165
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3221.IH
H3221
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
166 
(9) the potential for such programs, services, 
and policies to be replicated at other institutions of 
higher education. 
(f) USES OF FUNDS.—An eligible entity receiving a 
grant under this section shall use the grant funds to carry 
out the programs described in subsection (a)(1)(B), which 
shall include at least 2 of the following activities: 
(1) Developing and implementing policies and 
programs to expand opportunities for students at eli-
gible entities described in subparagraphs (A) 
through (D) of section 502(2) to earn bachelor’s de-
grees by— 
(A) facilitating the transfer of academic 
credits between institutions of higher education, 
including the transfer of academic credits for 
courses in the same field of study; and 
(B) expanding articulation agreements and 
guaranteed transfer agreements between such 
institutions, including through common course 
numbering and general core curriculum. 
(2) Expanding, enhancing, or creating academic 
programs or training programs, which may be car-
ried out in partnership with employers, that provide 
relevant job-skill training (including apprenticeships 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:20 Jul 16, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00166
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3221.IH
H3221
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
167 
and worksite learning and training opportunities) for 
high-wage occupations in high-demand industries. 
(3) Providing student support services, includ-
ing— 
(A) intensive career and academic advising; 
(B) labor market information and job 
counseling; and 
(C) assistance in connecting students with 
community resources, transitional job support, 
or supportive services. 
(4) Creating workforce programs that provide a 
sequence of education and occupational training that 
lead to industry-recognized credentials, including 
programs that— 
(A) blend basic skills and occupational 
training that lead to industry-recognized cre-
dentials; 
(B) integrate developmental education cur-
ricula 
and 
instruction 
with 
for-credit 
coursework toward degree or certificate path-
ways; or 
(C) advance individuals on a career path 
toward high-wage occupations in high-demand 
industries. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:20 Jul 16, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00167
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3221.IH
H3221
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
168 
(5) Building or enhancing linkages, including 
the development of dual enrollment programs and 
early college high schools between— 
(A) secondary education or adult education 
programs 
(including 
programs 
established 
under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Tech-
nical Education Act of 2006 and title II of the 
Workforce Investment Act (20 U.S.C. 9201 et 
seq.)); and 
(B) eligible entities described in subpara-
graphs (A) through (D) of section 502(2). 
(6) Implementing other innovative programs, 
services, and policies designed to— 
(A) increase postsecondary degree, certifi-
cate, and industry-recognized credential comple-
tion rates, particularly with respect to groups 
underrepresented in higher education, at eligible 
entities described in subparagraphs (A) through 
(D) of section 502(2); and 
(B) increase the provision of training for 
students to enter high-wage occupations in 
high-demand industries. 
(g) BENCHMARKS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Each eligible entity receiving 
a grant under this section shall develop quantifiable 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:20 Jul 16, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00168
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3221.IH
H3221
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
169 
benchmarks on the following indicators (where appli-
cable), to be approved by the Secretary: 
(A) Closing gaps in enrollment and com-
pletion rates for— 
(i) groups underrepresented in higher 
education; and 
(ii) groups of students enrolled at the 
eligible entity (or at an institution of high-
er education under the jurisdiction of the 
eligible entity, in the case of an entity that 
is not an institution) who have the lowest 
enrollment and completion rates. 
(B) Addressing local and regional work-
force needs. 
(C) Establishing articulation agreements 
between two-year and four-year public institu-
tions of higher education within a State. 
(D) Improving comprehensive employment 
and educational outcomes for postsecondary 
education and training programs, including— 
(i) student persistence from one aca-
demic year to the following academic year; 
(ii) the number of credits students 
earn toward a certificate or an associate’s 
degree; 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:20 Jul 16, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00169
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3221.IH
H3221
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
170 
(iii) number of students in develop-
mental education courses who subsequently 
enroll in credit bearing coursework; 
(iv) transfer of general education 
credits between institutions of higher edu-
cation, as applicable; 
(v) completion of industry-recognized 
credentials or associate’s degrees to work 
in high-wage occupations in high-demand 
industries; 
(vi) transfers to four-year institutions 
of higher education; and 
(vii) job placement related to skills 
training or associate’s degree completion. 
(2) REPORT.—The eligible entity receiving such 
a grant shall annually measure and report to the 
Secretary progress in achieving the benchmarks de-
veloped pursuant to paragraph (1). 
(h) PROVISION OF TRANSFER OF CREDIT INFORMA-
TION IN COMMUNITY COLLEGE COURSE SCHEDULES.— 
To the maximum extent practicable, each junior or com-
munity college receiving a grant under this section shall 
include in each electronic and printed publication of the 
college’s course schedule, in a manner of the college’s 
choosing, for each course listed in the college’s course 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:20 Jul 16, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00170
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3221.IH
H3221
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
171 
schedule, whether such course is transferable for credit to-
ward the completion of a 4-year baccalaureate degree at 
a public institution of higher education in the State in 
which the college is located. 
(i) EVALUATION.—The Secretary shall allocate not 
more than two percent of the funds appropriated under 
section 501(b)(1) to the Institute of Education Sciences 
to conduct a rigorous evaluation, ending not later than 
January 30, 2014, that— 
(1) assesses the effectiveness of the grant pro-
grams carried out by each eligible entity receiving 
such a grant in— 
(A) improving postsecondary education 
completion rates (disaggregated by age, race, 
ethnicity, gender, income, and disability); 
(B) improving employment-related out-
comes for students served by such programs; 
(C) serving high-need populations; and 
(D) building or enhancing working part-
nerships with State or local workforce invest-
ment boards; and 
(2) includes any other information or assess-
ments the Secretary may require. 
(j) REPORT.—The Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:20 Jul 16, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00171
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3221.IH
H3221
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
172 
the Senate and the Committee on Education and Labor 
of the House of Representatives an annual report on 
grants awarded under this section, including— 
(1) the amount awarded to each eligible entity 
under this section; 
(2) a description of the activities conducted by 
each eligible entity receiving a grant under this sec-
tion; and 
(3) a summary of the results of the evaluations 
submitted to the Secretary under subsection (i) and 
the progress each eligible entity made toward achiev-
ing the benchmarks developed under subsection (g). 
SEC. 504. GRANTS TO ELIGIBLE STATES FOR COMMUNITY 
COLLEGE PROGRAMS. 
(a) PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION.—From the amount 
appropriated to carry out this section, the Secretary, in 
coordination with the Secretary of Labor, shall award 
grants to eligible States, on a competitive basis, to imple-
ment the systematic reform of junior and community col-
leges located in the State by carrying out programs, serv-
ices, and policies that demonstrated effectiveness under 
the evaluation described in section 503(i). 
(b) ELIGIBLE STATE.—In this section, the term ‘‘eli-
gible State’’ means a State that demonstrates to the Sec-
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:20 Jul 16, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00172
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3221.IH
H3221
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
173 
retary in the application submitted pursuant to subsection 
(e) that the State— 
(1) has a plan under section 782 of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 to increase the State’s rate 
of persistence in and completion of postsecondary 
education that takes into consideration and involves 
junior and community colleges located in such State; 
(2) has a statewide longitudinal data system 
that includes data with respect to junior or commu-
nity colleges; 
(3) has an articulation agreement pursuant to 
section 486A of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1093a); 
(4) is in compliance with section 137 of such 
Act (20 U.S.C. 1015f); and 
(5) meets any other requirements the Secretary 
may require. 
(c) GRANT DURATION; RENEWAL.—A grant awarded 
under this section shall be awarded to an eligible State 
for a 6-year period, except that if the Secretary determines 
that the eligible State has not made demonstrable progress 
in achieving the benchmarks developed pursuant to sub-
section (g) by the third year of the grant period, no fur-
ther grant funds shall be made available to the entity after 
the date of such determination. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:20 Jul 16, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00173
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3221.IH
H3221
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
174 
(d) FEDERAL AND NON-FEDERAL SHARE; SUPPLE-
MENT, NOT SUPPLANT.— 
(1) FEDERAL SHARE.—The amount of the Fed-
eral share under this section for a fiscal year shall 
be not greater than 1⁄2 of the costs of the reform de-
scribed in subsection (f) that is carried out with the 
grant. 
(2) NON-FEDERAL SHARE.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The amount of the 
Non-Federal share under this section for a fis-
cal year shall be not less than 1⁄2 of the costs 
of the reform described in subsection (f) that is 
carried out with the grant. The non-Federal 
share may be in cash or in-kind, and may be 
provided from State resources, local resources, 
contributions from private organizations, or a 
combination thereof. 
(B) FINANCIAL HARDSHIP WAIVER.—The 
Secretary may waive or reduce the non-Federal 
share of an eligible State that has submitted an 
application under this section if the State dem-
onstrates a need for such waiver or reduction 
due to extreme financial hardship, as defined by 
the Secretary by regulation. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:20 Jul 16, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00174
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3221.IH
H3221
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS