‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘eligible en-
tity’ means an institution of higher education, which 
may be an institution of higher education that offers 
a dual or concurrent enrollment program. 
‘‘(3) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.— 
The term ‘institution of higher education’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 102, except that 
such term does not include institutions described in 
section 102(a)(1)(C). 
‘‘(4) DUAL
OR
CONCURRENT
ENROLLMENT 
PROGRAM.—The term ‘dual or concurrent enrollment 
program’ has the meaning given the term in section 
8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). 
‘‘(5) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘Director’ means 
the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences. 
‘‘(6) FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENT.— 
The term ‘first generation college student’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 402A(h)(3).’’. 
(b) EXCEPTION TO STUDENT UNIT RECORD BAN.— 
Section 134(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1015c(b)) is amended— 
(1) by striking the following: 
‘‘(1) is necessary’’; and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1)(A) is necessary’’; 
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(2) by striking the following: 
‘‘(2) was in’’; and inserting the following: 
‘‘(B) was in’’; 
(3) by striking the period at the end and insert-
ing ‘‘; or’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) is necessary for the operation of section 
486B.’’. 
(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this Act 
or the amendments made by this Act shall be construed 
to alter the authority of the Secretary of Education to es-
tablish experimental sites under any other provision of 
law. 
SEC. 3. COMPETENCY-BASED EDUCATION COUNCIL. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT
OF
A COMMITTEE
ON COM-
PETENCY-BASED EDUCATION.—Not later than 6 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, there shall be es-
tablished the Competency-Based Education Council (re-
ferred to in this section as the ‘‘Council’’). 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) COMPOSITION.—The Council shall be com-
posed of— 
(A) 3 individuals appointed by the Sec-
retary of Education; 
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(B) 2 individuals appointed by the Director 
of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; 
(C) not less than 8 and not more than 13 
individuals appointed by the Comptroller Gen-
eral of the United States, representing— 
(i) experts in competency-based edu-
cation; 
(ii) faculty members in competency- 
based education programs; 
(iii) administrators at institutions that 
offer competency-based education pro-
grams; 
(iv) individuals currently enrolled in 
or graduated from a competency-based 
education program; 
(v) accrediting agencies or associa-
tions that recognize competency-based edu-
cation programs; and 
(vi) experts from the State education 
agency; 
(D) 4 members appointed by— 
(i) the majority leader of the Senate; 
(ii) the minority leader of the Senate; 
(iii) the Speaker of the House of Rep-
resentatives; and 
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(iv) the minority leader of the House 
of Representatives. 
(E) CHAIRPERSON.—The Council shall se-
lect a Chairperson from among its members. 
(F) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy in the 
Council shall not affect the powers of the Coun-
cil and shall be filled in the same manner as an 
initial appointment. 
(c) MEETINGS.—The Council shall hold, at the call 
of the Chairperson, not less than 6 meetings before com-
pleting the study required under subsection (e) and the 
report required under subsection (f). 
(d) PERSONNEL MATTERS.— 
(1) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.—Each mem-
ber of the Council shall serve without compensation 
in addition to any such compensation received for 
the member’s service as an officer or employee of the 
United States, if applicable. 
(2) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—The members of the 
Council shall be allowed travel expenses, including 
per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized 
for employees of agencies under subchapter 1 of 
chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while 
away from their homes or regular places of business 
in the performance of services for the Council. 
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(e) DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL.— 
(1) STUDY.—The Council shall conduct a study 
on the ongoing innovation and development of com-
petency-based education programs. 
(2) RECOMMENDATIONS.—Based on the find-
ings of the study under paragraph (1), the Council 
shall develop recommendations for the authorization 
of competency-based education under the Higher 
Education Act of 1965, including recommendations 
that— 
(A) provide or update standard definitions, 
if needed, for relevant terms, including— 
(i) competency-based education; and 
(ii) competency-based education pro-
gram; and 
(B) address— 
(i) the amount of learning in a com-
petency unit; 
(ii) the transfer of competency-based 
education credits to other institutions or 
programs; 
(iii) the minimum amount of time in 
an academic year for competency-based 
education programs, for financial aid pur-
poses; 
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(iv) considerations for accreditation 
agencies before recognizing competency- 
based education programs; 
(v) address the role of faculty and fac-
ulty involvement in competency-based edu-
cation programs; and 
(vi) additional resources that may be 
needed for adequate oversight of com-
petency-based education programs. 
(f) REPORT.—Not later than 6 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Council shall prepare and 
submit a report to the Secretary of Education and to Con-
gress containing the findings of the study under sub-
section (e)(1) and the recommendations developed under 
subsection (e)(2). 
Æ 
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