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‘‘(C) preparing individuals and students 
for postsecondary education; 
‘‘(D) comparing the level of education com-
pleted by students who participate in the pro-
grams funded under this chapter with the level 
of education completed by students of similar 
backgrounds who do not participate in such 
programs; 
‘‘(E) comparing the retention rates, drop-
out rates, graduation rates, and college admis-
sion and completion rates of students who par-
ticipate in the programs funded under this 
chapter with the rates of students of similar 
backgrounds who do not participate in such 
programs; and 
‘‘(F) such other issues as the Secretary 
considers appropriate for inclusion in the eval-
uation. 
‘‘(3) PROGRAM
METHODS.—Such evaluations 
shall also investigate the effectiveness of alternative 
and innovative methods within Federal TRIO pro-
grams of increasing access to, and retention of, stu-
dents in postsecondary education. 
‘‘(b) RESULTS.—The Secretary shall submit to the 
authorizing committees—
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‘‘(1) an annual interim report on the progress 
and preliminary results of the evaluation of each 
program funded under this chapter no later than 2 
years following the date of enactment of the College 
Access and Opportunity Act of 2006; and 
‘‘(2) a final report not later than 3 years fol-
lowing the date of enactment of such Act. 
‘‘(c) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—All reports and under-
lying data gathered pursuant to this section shall be made 
available to the public upon request, in a timely manner 
following submission of the applicable reports under sub-
section (b), except that any personally identifiable infor-
mation on students participating in any TRIO program 
shall not be disclosed or made available to the public.’’. 
SEC. 404. GEARUP. 
(a) DURATION OF AWARDS.—Section 404A(b) (20 
U.S.C. 1070a–21(b)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking ‘‘Higher 
Education Amendments of 1998’’ and inserting 
‘‘College Access and Opportunity Act of 2006’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end thereof the following 
new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) DURATION.—An award made by the Sec-
retary under this chapter to an eligible entity de-
160
scribed in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (c) 
shall be for the period of 6 years.’’. 
(b) CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY.—Section 404A (20 
U.S.C. 1070a–21) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subsection: 
‘‘(d) CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY.—An eligible entity 
shall not cease to be an eligible entity upon the expiration 
of any grant under this chapter (including a continuation 
award).’’. 
(c) FOSTER CARE COORDINATION.—Section 404B(c) 
(20U.S.C. 1070a–22(c)) is amended by adding at the end 
the following new sentence: 
‘‘Each applicant for funds under the programs au-
thorized by this chapter shall identify services to fos-
ter care youth as a permissible service in those pro-
grams, and ensure that such youth receive sup-
portive services, including mentoring, tutoring, and 
other services provided by those programs.’’. 
(d) CONTINUITY OF SERVICE.—
(1) 
COHORT
APPROACH.—Section 
404B(g)(1)(B) (20 U.S.C. 1070a–22(g)(1)(B)) is 
amended by inserting ‘‘and provide the option of 
continued services through the student’s first year of 
attendance at an eligible institution of higher edu-
cation’’ after ‘‘grade level’’.