I 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5022
To strengthen and expand scientific and technological education capabilities 
of associate-degree-granting colleges through the establishment of part-
nership arrangements with bachelor-degree-granting institutions. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 7, 2004
Mr. SWEENEY introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Education and the Workforce 
A BILL 
To strengthen and expand scientific and technological edu-
cation capabilities of associate-degree-granting colleges 
through the establishment of partnership arrangements 
with bachelor-degree-granting institutions.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Higher Education 
Science and Technology Competitiveness Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
The Congress finds the following:
(1) The United States is losing its dominance 
in the sciences and technology, and faces serious 
challenges from highly educated foreign competitors. 
(2) The workforce of the United States must be 
better prepared for the scientifically and techno-
logically advanced competition of the global econ-
omy. 
(3) New scientific knowledge is the engine of 
American technological innovation, national security, 
economic growth, and prosperity. 
(4) The competitiveness of the United States 
depends on strengthening and expanding postsec-
ondary educational efforts in science, math, engi-
neering, and technology. 
(5) Shortages of scientifically and techno-
logically educated workers will be best addressed 
through partnerships between the Nation’s associate 
degree-granting colleges and public four-year col-
leges and universities. 
(6) Enlarging the traditional role of community 
colleges in workforce training by developing seamless 
transitions from occupational competency or certifi-
cate programs to associate degree programs in math, 
science, engineering, and technology.
SEC. 3. ARTICULATION AGREEMENT PROGRAM. 
Part G of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 
1965 is amended by inserting after section 486 (20 U.S.C. 
1093) the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 486A. ARTICULATION AGREEMENT PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) PURPOSE; DEFINITION.—
‘‘(1) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is 
to strengthen and expand scientific and technological 
education capabilities of associate-degree-granting 
public institutions of higher education through the 
establishment of partnership arrangements with 
bachelor-degree-granting public institutions of higher 
education. 
‘‘(2) DEFINITION.—For the purposes of this 
section, the term ‘articulation agreement’ means an 
agreement between institutions of higher education 
that specifies the acceptability of courses in transfer 
toward meeting specific degree requirements. 
‘‘(b) PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.—
‘‘(1) GRANTS TO PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.—From 
the sums appropriated under subsection (g), the Sec-
retary shall award grants under this section to pub-
lic institutions of higher education for the support of 
programs to establish and implement statewide ar-
ticulation agreements in accordance with subsection 
(d).
‘‘(2) ELIGIBILITY
OF
PRIVATE
INSTITUTIONS 
TO PARTICIPATE IN AGREEMENTS.—Nothing in this 
section shall be construed to preclude a nonprofit or 
for-profit private institution of higher education 
from participating in the development and imple-
mentation of a statewide articulation agreement 
under subsection (d). 
‘‘(c) APPLICATIONS.—Each institution, system, or 
consortium of institutions desiring to participate in a dem-
onstration program under this section shall submit an ap-
plication to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, 
and containing such information and assurances as the 
Secretary may require. 
‘‘(d) USE
OF FUNDS.—Funds provided by grant 
under this section may be used—
‘‘(1) to establish statewide articulation agree-
ments in math, science, engineering, and technology 
among public 2-year institutions and public 4-year 
institutions to provide a seamless transition for the 
transfer of students from the public 2-year institu-
tions to the public 4-year institutions by having both 
such types of institutions provide and use a common 
core curricula that reflects the workforce needs of 
private industry;
‘‘(2) to establish articulation agreements within 
community colleges between occupational com-
petency or certification programs and associate de-
gree programs in math, science, engineering, and 
technology to increase the proportion of students 
who enroll to complete their associates degree; 
‘‘(3) to collect data on transfers from 2-year in-
stitutions to 4-year institutions on a regular basis 
and to submit such data to commissioners or depart-
ments of higher education, for transmission by such 
commissioners and departments to the Secretary, in 
order to monitor program progress and success; 
‘‘(4) to develop a statewide articulation guide in 
consultation with public colleges and universities to 
provide students with descriptions of articulation re-
quirements; and 
‘‘(5) to develop a plan for professional develop-
ment of 2-year college faculty, including inter-insti-
tutional workshops, consultations, and professional 
meetings. 
‘‘(e) EVALUATIONS AND REPORTS.—The Secretary 
shall collect from State commissioners and departments 
the data provided by grant recipients under subsection 
(d)(3) for the purposes of evaluating the success of the 
program authorized by this section. The Secretary shall