Title: Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act
Policy area: Education

Summary:
Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act
This bill reauthorizes through FY2023 and increases funding levels for Department of Education (ED) grants to states, national programs, and tribally controlled postsecondary career and technical education (CTE) institutions under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to support CTE programs for secondary and postsecondary students. It repeals the authorization for certain occupational and information activities and the separate mandate for tech prep education.
Beginning in FY2021, states must receive at least 90% of their previous year's allocation of basic state CTE grants.
The bill permits states to:
The bill modifies grant application processes for states and localities and performance measures for evaluating CTE programs. It prohibits ED from withholding funds from states that do not meet certain performance measures.
The bill amends the Wagner-Peyser Act to expand the duties of state agencies with respect to providing workforce and labor market information.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3217 Placed on Calendar Senate (PCS)]

<DOC>





                                                       Calendar No. 517
115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 3217

 To reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act 
                                of 2006.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 16, 2018

  Mr. Alexander, from the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
 Pensions, reported the following original bill; which was read twice 
                       and placed on the calendar

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act 
                                of 2006.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Strengthening Career and Technical 
Education for the 21st Century Act''.

SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
Sec. 3. References.
Sec. 4. Effective date.
Sec. 5. Table of contents of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical 
                            Education Act of 2006.
Sec. 6. Purpose.
Sec. 7. Definitions.
Sec. 8. Transition provisions.
Sec. 9. Prohibitions.
Sec. 10. Authorization of appropriations.
    TITLE I--CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION ASSISTANCE TO THE STATES

                    PART A--Allotment and Allocation

Sec. 110. Reservations and State allotment
Sec. 111. Within State allocation.
Sec. 112. Accountability.
Sec. 113. National activities.
Sec. 114. Assistance for the outlying areas.
Sec. 115. Native American Programs.
Sec. 116. Tribally controlled postsecondary career and technical 
                            institutions.
Sec. 117. Occupational and employment information.
                        PART B--State Provisions

Sec. 121. State administration.
Sec. 122. State plan.
Sec. 123. Improvement plans.
Sec. 124. State leadership activities.
                        PART C--Local Provisions

Sec. 131. Distribution of funds to secondary education programs.
Sec. 132. Special rules for career and technical education.
Sec. 133. Local application for career and technical education 
                            programs.
Sec. 134. Local uses of funds.
                      TITLE II--GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 201. Federal and State administrative provisions.
             TITLE III--AMENDMENTS TO THE WAGNER-PEYSER ACT

Sec. 301. State responsibilities.

SEC. 3. REFERENCES.

    Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an 
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal 
of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to 
be made to a section or other provision of the Carl D. Perkins Career 
and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.).

SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    This Act, and the amendments made by this Act, shall take effect 
beginning on July 1, 2019.

SEC. 5. TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE CARL D. PERKINS CAREER AND TECHNICAL 
              EDUCATION ACT OF 2006.

    Section 1(b) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

``Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
``Sec. 2. Purpose.
``Sec. 3. Definitions.
``Sec. 4. Transition provisions.
``Sec. 5. Privacy.
``Sec. 6. Limitation.
``Sec. 7. Special rule.
``Sec. 8. Prohibitions.
``Sec. 9. Authorization of appropriations.
   ``TITLE I--CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION ASSISTANCE TO THE STATES

                   ``Part A--Allotment and Allocation

``Sec. 111. Reservations and State allotment.
``Sec. 112. Within State allocation.
``Sec. 113. Accountability.
``Sec. 114. National activities.
``Sec. 115. Assistance for the outlying areas.
``Sec. 116. Native American programs.
``Sec. 117. Tribally controlled postsecondary career and technical 
                            institutions.
                       ``Part B--State Provisions

``Sec. 121. State administration.
``Sec. 122. State plan.
``Sec. 123. Improvement plans.
``Sec. 124. State leadership activities.
                       ``Part C--Local Provisions

``Sec. 131. Distribution of funds to secondary education programs.
``Sec. 132. Distribution of funds for postsecondary education programs.
``Sec. 133. Special rules for career and technical education.
``Sec. 134. Local application for career and technical education 
                            programs.
``Sec. 135. Local uses of funds.
                     ``TITLE II--GENERAL PROVISIONS

              ``Part A--Federal Administrative Provisions

``Sec. 211. Fiscal requirements.
``Sec. 212. Authority to make payments.
``Sec. 213. Construction.
``Sec. 214. Voluntary selection and participation.
``Sec. 215. Limitation for certain students.
``Sec. 216. Federal laws guaranteeing civil rights.
``Sec. 217. Participation of private school personnel and children.
``Sec. 218. Limitation on Federal regulations.
``Sec. 219. Study on programs of study aligned to high-skill, high-wage 
                            occupations.
               ``Part B--State Administrative Provisions

``Sec. 221. Joint funding.
``Sec. 222. Prohibition on use of funds to induce out-of-State 
                            relocation of businesses.
``Sec. 223. State administrative costs.
``Sec. 224. Student assistance and other Federal programs.''.

SEC. 6. PURPOSE.

    Section 2 (20 U.S.C. 2301) is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by striking ``academic and career and technical 
                skills'' and inserting ``academic knowledge and 
                technical and employability skills''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``and programs of study'' after 
                ``technical education programs'';
            (2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``high demand 
        occupations'' and inserting ``in-demand occupations'';
            (3) in paragraph (3), by striking ``, including tech prep 
        education'';
            (4) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``and programs of 
        study'' after ``technical education programs'';
            (5) in paragraph (6), by striking ``and'' after the 
        semicolon;
            (6) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (7) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(8) increasing the employment opportunities for 
        populations who are chronically unemployed or underemployed, 
        including individuals with disabilities, individuals from 
        economically disadvantaged families, out-of-workforce 
        individuals, youth who are in, or have aged out of, the foster 
        care system, and homeless individuals.''.

SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 3 (20 U.S.C. 2302) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraphs (10), (16), (23), (24), (25), 
        (26), and (32);
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (8), (9), (11), (12), (13), 
        (14), (15), (17), (18), (19), (20), (21), (22), (27), (28), 
        (29), (30), (31), (33), and (34) as paragraphs (9), (10), (17), 
        (18), (20), (21), (24), (28), (30), (31), (33), (34), (39), 
        (44), (45), (48), (49), (50), (51), and (52), respectively;
            (3) in paragraph (2), by striking ``, including information 
        as described in section 118''.
            (4) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``5 different 
                occupational fields to individuals'' and inserting ``3 
                different fields, especially in in-demand industry 
                sectors or occupations, that are available to all 
                students''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``not fewer 
                than 5 different occupational fields'' and inserting 
                ``not fewer than 3 different occupational fields'';
            (5) in paragraph (5)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) by amending clause (i) to read as 
                        follows:
                            ``(i) provides individuals with rigorous 
                        academic content and relevant technical 
                        knowledge and skills needed to prepare for 
                        further education and careers in current or 
                        emerging professions, including in in-demand 
                        industry sectors or occupations, which shall 
                        be, at the secondary level, aligned with the 
                        challenging State academic standards adopted by 
                        a State under section 1111(b)(1) of the 
                        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
                        1965;'';
                            (ii) in clause (ii), by striking ``, an 
                        industry-recognized credential, a certificate, 
                        or an associate degree'' and inserting ``or a 
                        recognized postsecondary credential, which may 
                        include an industry-recognized credential, a 
                        certificate, or an associate degree''; and
                            (iii) in clause (iii), by striking ``and'' 
                        at the end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) by inserting ``, work-based, or other'' 
                        after ``competency-based'';
                            (ii) by striking ``contributes to the'' and 
                        inserting ``supports the development of'';
                            (iii) by striking ``general''; and
                            (iv) by striking the period at the end and 
                        inserting a semicolon; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) to the extent practicable, coordinate between 
                secondary and postsecondary education programs through 
                programs of study, which may include articulation 
                agreements, early college high school programs, dual or 
                concurrent enrollment program opportunities, or other 
                credit transfer agreements that provide postsecondary 
                credit or advanced standing; and
                    ``(D) may include career exploration at the high 
                school level or as early as the middle grades (as such 
                term is defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and 
                Secondary Education Act of 1965).'';
            (6) in paragraph (7)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) by striking ``(and parents, as 
                        appropriate)'' and inserting ``(and, as 
                        appropriate, parents and out-of-school 
                        youth)'';
                            (ii) by inserting ``exploration 
                        opportunities'' after ``regarding career 
                        awareness''; and
                            (iii) by striking ``and'' after the 
                        semicolon;
                    (B) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) by inserting ``to students (and, as 
                        appropriate, parents and out-of-school youth)'' 
                        after ``provides information''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``financial aid,'' and all 
                        that follows through the end of the 
                        subparagraph and inserting ``financial aid, job 
                        training, secondary and postsecondary options 
                        (including associate and baccalaureate degree 
                        programs), dual or concurrent enrollment 
                        programs, work-based learning opportunities, 
                        early college high schools, financial literacy, 
                        and support services, as appropriate; and''; 
                        and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) may provide assistance for special 
                populations with respect to direct support services 
                that enable students to persist in and complete career 
                and technical education, programs of study, or career 
                pathways.'';
            (7) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following:
            ``(8) Career pathways.--The term `career pathways' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation 
        and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).'';
            (8) by inserting after paragraph (10) (as redesignated by 
        paragraph (2)) the following:
            ``(11) Credit transfer agreement.--The term `credit 
        transfer agreement' means a formal agreement, such as an 
        articulation agreement, among and between secondary and 
        postsecondary education institutions or systems that grant 
        students transcripted postsecondary credit, which may include 
        credit granted to students in dual or concurrent enrollment 
        programs or early college high school, dual credit, articulated 
        credit, and credit granted on the basis of performance on 
        technical or academic assessments.
            ``(12) CTE concentrator.--The term `CTE concentrator' 
        means--
                    ``(A) at the secondary school level, a student 
                served by an eligible recipient who has completed at 
                least 2 courses in a single career and technical 
                education program or program of study; and
                    ``(B) at the postsecondary level, a student 
                enrolled in an eligible recipient who has--
                            ``(i) earned at least 12 cumulative credits 
                        within a career and technical education program 
                        or program of study; or
                            ``(ii) completed such a program if the 
                        program encompasses fewer than 12 credits or 
                        the equivalent in total.
            ``(13) CTE participant.--The term `CTE participant' means 
        an individual who completes not less than one course or earns 
        not less than one credit in a career and technical education 
        program or program of study of an eligible recipient.
            ``(14) Director.--The term `Director' means the Director of 
        the Institute of Education Sciences.
            ``(15) 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.
            ``(16) Early college high school.--The term `early college 
        high school' has the meaning given the term in section 8101 of 
        the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.'';
            (9) by inserting after paragraph (18) (as redesignated by 
        paragraph (2)) the following:
            ``(19) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a 
        consortium, group, or partnership that includes the following:
                    ``(A) Representatives of not less than 2 of the 
                following entities, 1 of which shall serve as the 
                fiscal agent for the consortium, group, or partnership:
                            ``(i) A local educational agency or a 
                        consortium of such agencies.
                            ``(ii) An educational service agency 
                        serving secondary school students.
                            ``(iii) An area career and technical 
                        education school or a consortium of such 
                        schools.
                            ``(iv) An Indian Tribe, Tribal 
                        organization, or Tribal educational agency.
                            ``(v) An institution of higher education 
                        whose most common degree awarded is an 
                        associate degree, or a consortium of such 
                        institutions.
                            ``(vi) An institution of higher education 
                        whose most common degree awarded is a 
                        bachelor's or higher degree, or a consortium of 
                        such institutions.
                            ``(vii) A State educational agency.
                    ``(B) One or more business or industry 
                representative partners, which may include 
                representatives of local or regional businesses or 
                industries, including industry or sector partnerships 
                in the local area, local workforce development boards, 
                or labor organizations.
                    ``(C) One or more stakeholders, which may include--
                            ``(i) parents and students;
                            ``(ii) representatives of local agencies 
                        serving out-of-school youth, homeless children 
                        and youth, and at-risk youth (as defined in 
                        section 1432 of the Elementary and Secondary 
                        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6472));
                            ``(iii) representatives of Indian tribes 
                        and Tribal organizations, where applicable;
                            ``(iv) representatives of minority-serving 
                        institutions (as described in paragraphs (1) 
                        through (7) of section 371(a) of the Higher 
                        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)), 
                        where applicable;
                            ``(v) representatives of special 
                        populations;
                            ``(vi) representatives of adult career and 
                        technical education providers; or
                            ``(vii) other relevant community 
                        stakeholders.'';
            (10) by amending paragraph (20) (as redesignated by 
        paragraph (2)) to read as follows:
            ``(20) Eligible institution.--The term `eligible 
        institution' means--
                    ``(A) a consortium of 2 or more of the entities 
                described in subparagraphs (B) through (F);
                    ``(B) a public or nonprofit private institution of 
                higher education that offers and will use funds 
                provided under this title in support of career and 
                technical education courses that lead to technical 
                skill proficiency or a recognized postsecondary 
                credential, including an industry-recognized 
                credential, a certificate, or an associate degree;
                    ``(C) a local educational agency providing 
                education at the postsecondary level;
                    ``(D) an area career and technical education school 
                providing education at the postsecondary level;
                    ``(E) an Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or 
                Tribal education agency that operates a school or may 
                be present in the State;
                    ``(F) a postsecondary educational institution 
                controlled by the Bureau of Indian Education or 
                operated by or on behalf of any Indian Tribe that is 
                eligible to contract with the Secretary of the Interior 
                for the administration of programs under the Indian 
                Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 
                U.S.C. 5301 et seq.) or the Act of April 16, 1934 (25 
                U.S.C. 5342 et seq.);
                    ``(G) a tribally controlled college or university; 
                or
                    ``(H) an educational service agency.'';
            (11) in paragraph (21) (as redesignated by paragraph (2)), 
        by inserting ``an Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or Tribal 
        educational agency'' after ``service agency,'';
            (12) by inserting after paragraph (21) (as redesignated by 
        paragraph (2)) the following:
            ``(22) English learner.--The term `English learner' means--
                    ``(A) a secondary school student who is an English 
                learner, as defined in section 8101 of the Elementary 
                and Secondary Education Act of 1965; or
                    ``(B) an adult or an out-of-school youth who has 
                limited ability in speaking, reading, writing, or 
                understanding the English language and--
                            ``(i) whose native language is a language 
                        other than English; or
                            ``(ii) who lives in a family environment or 
                        community in which a language other than 
                        English is the dominant language.
            ``(23) Evidence-based.--The term `evidence-based' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 8101(21)(A) of the Elementary 
        and Secondary Education Act of 1965.'';
            (13) by inserting after paragraph (24) (as redesignated by 
        paragraph (2)) the following:
            ``(25) High school.--The term `high school' has the meaning 
        given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
        Education Act of 1965.
            ``(26) In-demand industry sector or occupation.--The term 
        `in-demand industry sector or occupation' has the meaning given 
        the term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and 
        Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
            ``(27) Indian; indian tribe.--The terms `Indian' and 
        `Indian Tribe' have the meanings given the terms `Indian' and 
        `Indian tribe', respectively, in section 4 of the Indian Self-
        Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).'';
            (14) by inserting after paragraph (28) (as redesignated by 
        paragraph (2)) the following:
            ``(29) Industry or sector partnership.--The term `industry 
        or sector partnership' has the meaning given the term in 
        section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 
        U.S.C. 3102).'';
            (15) by inserting after paragraph (31) (as redesignated by 
        paragraph (2)) the following:
            ``(32) Local workforce development board.--The term `local 
        workforce development board' means a local workforce 
        development board established under section 107 of the 
        Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3122).'';
            (16) in paragraph (33) (as redesignated by paragraph (2)), 
        by striking ``including'' and inserting ``such as'';
            (17) by inserting after paragraph (34) (as redesignated by 
        paragraph (2)) the following:
            ``(35) Out-of-school youth.--The term `out-of-school youth' 
        has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Workforce 
        Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
            ``(36) Out-of-workforce individual.--The term `out-of-
        workforce individual' means--
                    ``(A) an individual who is a displaced homemaker, 
                as defined in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and 
                Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102); or
                    ``(B) an individual who--
                            ``(i)(I) has worked primarily without 
                        remuneration to care for a home and family, and 
                        for that reason has diminished marketable 
                        skills; or
                            ``(II) is a parent whose youngest dependent 
                        child will become ineligible to receive 
                        assistance under part A of title IV of the 
                        Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) not 
                        later than 2 years after the date on which the 
                        parent applies for assistance under such title; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) is unemployed or underemployed and 
                        is experiencing difficulty in obtaining or 
                        upgrading employment.
            ``(37) Paraprofessional.--The term `paraprofessional' has 
        the meaning given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary 
        and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
            ``(38) Pay for success initiative.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
                term `pay for success initiative' means a performance-
                based grant, contract, or cooperative agreement awarded 
                by a State or local public entity (such as a local 
                educational agency) to a public or private nonprofit 
                entity--
                            ``(i) in which a commitment is made to pay 
                        for improved outcomes that result in increased 
                        public value and social benefit to students and 
                        the public sector, such as improved student 
                        outcomes as evidenced by the indicators of 
                        performance described in section 113(b)(2) and 
                        direct cost savings or cost avoidance to the 
                        public sector; and
                            ``(ii) that includes--
                                    ``(I) a feasibility study on the 
                                initiative describing how the proposed 
                                intervention is based on evidence of 
                                effectiveness;
                                    ``(II) a rigorous, third-party 
                                evaluation that uses experimental or 
                                quasi-experimental design or other 
                                research methodologies that allow for 
                                the strongest possible causal 
                                inferences to determine whether the 
                                initiative has met its proposed 
                                outcomes;
                                    ``(III) an annual, publicly 
                                available report on the progress of the 
                                initiative; and
                                    ``(IV) a requirement that payments 
                                are made to the recipient of a grant, 
                                contract, or cooperative agreement only 
                                when agreed upon outcomes are achieved, 
                                except that the entity may make 
                                payments to the third party conducting 
                                the evaluation described in subclause 
                                (II).
                    ``(B) Exclusion.--The term `pay for success 
                initiative' does not include any initiative that--
                            ``(i) reduces the special education or 
                        related services that a student would otherwise 
                        receive under the Individuals with Disabilities 
                        Education Act; or
                            ``(ii) otherwise reduces the rights of a 
                        student or the obligations of an entity under 
                        the Individuals with Disabilities Education 
                        Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 
                        701 et seq.), the Americans with Disabilities 
                        Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), or any 
                        other law.''.
            (18) in paragraph (39)(C) (as redesignated by paragraph 
        (2)), by striking ``apprenticeship'' and inserting ``other 
        skilled training'';
            (19) by inserting after paragraph (39) (as redesignated by 
        paragraph (2)) the following:
            ``(40) Professional development.--The term `professional 
        development' has the meaning given the term in section 8101 of 
        the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
            ``(41) Program of study.--The term `program of study' means 
        a coordinated, nonduplicative sequence of secondary and 
        postsecondary academic and technical content that--
                    ``(A) incorporates challenging State academic 
                standards, including those adopted by a State under 
                section 1111(b)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary 
                Education Act of 1965;
                    ``(B) addresses both academic and technical 
                knowledge and skills, including employability skills;
                    ``(C) is aligned with the needs of industries in 
                the economy of the State, region, Tribal community, or 
                local area;
                    ``(D) progresses in specificity (beginning with all 
                aspects of an industry or career cluster and leading to 
                more occupation-specific instruction);
                    ``(E) has multiple entry and exit points that 
                incorporate credentialing; and
                    ``(F) culminates in the attainment of a recognized 
                postsecondary credential.
            ``(42) Qualified intermediary.--The term `qualified 
        intermediary' means a nonprofit entity, which may be part of an 
        industry or sector partnership, that demonstrates expertise in 
        building, connecting, sustaining, and measuring partnerships 
        with entities such as employers, schools, community-based 
        organizations, postsecondary institutions, social service 
        organizations, economic development organizations, Indian 
        tribes or Tribal organizations, and workforce systems to broker 
        services, resources, and supports to youth and the 
        organizations and systems that are designed to serve youth, 
        including--
                    ``(A) connecting employers to classrooms;
                    ``(B) assisting in the design and implementation of 
                career and technical education programs and programs of 
                study;
                    ``(C) delivering professional development;
                    ``(D) connecting students to internships and other 
                work-based learning opportunities; and
                    ``(E) developing personalized student supports.
            ``(43) Recognized postsecondary credential.--The term 
        `recognized postsecondary credential' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity 
        Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).'';
            (20) by inserting after paragraph (45) (as redesignated by 
        paragraph (2)) the following:
            ``(46) Specialized instructional support personnel.--The 
        term `specialized instructional support personnel' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965.
            ``(47) Specialized instructional support services.--The 
        term `specialized instructional support services' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965.'';
            (21) in paragraph (48) (as redesignated by paragraph (2))--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``foster 
                children'' and inserting ``low-income youth and 
                adults'';
                    (B) by striking subparagraph (E) and inserting the 
                following:
                    ``(E) out-of-workforce individuals;'';
                    (C) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``individuals 
                with limited English proficiency.'' and inserting 
                ``English learners;''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(G) homeless individuals described in section 725 
                of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 
                U.S.C. 11434a);
                    ``(H) youth who are in, or have aged out of, the 
                foster care system; and
                    ``(I) youth with a parent who--
                            ``(i) is a member of the armed forces (as 
                        such term is defined in section 101(a)(4) of 
                        title 10, United States Code); and
                            ``(ii) is on active duty (as such term is 
                        defined in section 101(d)(1) of such title).'';
            (22) in paragraph (50) (as redesignated by paragraph (2)), 
        by inserting ``(including paraprofessionals and specialized 
        instructional support personnel)'' after ``supportive 
        personnel'';
            (23) in paragraph (52) (as redesignated by paragraph (2))--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``Indian tribe 
                or Indian tribes'' and inserting ``Indian Tribe or 
                Indian Tribes''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (D)--
                            (i) by striking ``tribal'' and inserting 
                        ``Tribal''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``or tribal lands'' after 
                        ``reservations''; and
            (24) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(53) Tribal organization.--The term `Tribal organization' 
        has the meaning given the term `tribal organization' in section 
        4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
        (25 U.S.C. 5304).
            ``(54) Universal design for learning.--The term `universal 
        design for learning' has the meaning given the term in section 
        8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
            ``(55) Work-based learning.--The term `work-based learning' 
        means sustained interactions with industry or community 
        professionals in real workplace settings, to the extent 
        practicable, or simulated environments at an educational 
        institution that foster in-depth, firsthand engagement with the 
        tasks required in a given career field, that are aligned to 
        curriculum and instruction.''.

SEC. 8. TRANSITION PROVISIONS.

    Section 4 (20 U.S.C. 2303) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``the Secretary determines to be 
        appropriate'' and inserting ``are necessary'';
            (2) by striking ``Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical 
        Education Improvement Act of 2006'' each place it appears and 
        inserting ``Strengthening Career and Technical Education for 
        the 21st Century Act''; and
            (3) by striking ``1998'' and inserting ``2006''.

SEC. 9. PROHIBITIONS.

    Section 8 (20 U.S.C. 2306a) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``Federal Government to 
        mandate,'' and all that follows through the period at the end 
        and inserting ``Federal Government--
            ``(1) to condition or incentivize the receipt of any grant, 
        contract, or cooperative agreement, or the receipt of any 
        priority or preference under such grant, contract, or 
        cooperative agreement, upon a State, local educational agency, 
        eligible agency, eligible recipient, eligible entity, or 
        school's adoption or implementation of specific instructional 
        content, academic standards and assessments, curricula, or 
        program of instruction (including any condition, priority, or 
        preference to adopt the Common Core State Standards developed 
        under the Common Core State Standards Initiative, any other 
        academic standards common to a significant number of States, or 
        any assessment, instructional content, or curriculum aligned to 
        such standards);
            ``(2) through grants, contracts, or other cooperative 
        agreements, to mandate, direct, or control a State, local 
        educational agency, eligible agency, eligible recipient, 
        eligible entity, or school's specific instructional content, 
        academic standards and assessments, curricula, or program of 
        instruction (including any requirement, direction, or mandate 
        to adopt the Common Core State Standards developed under the 
        Common Core State Standards Initiative, any other academic 
        standards common to a significant number of States, or any 
        assessment, instructional content, or curriculum aligned to 
        such standards); or
            ``(3) except as required under sections 112(b), 211(b), and 
        223--
                    ``(A) to mandate, direct, or control the allocation 
                of State or local resources; or
                    ``(B) to mandate that a State or a political 
                subdivision of a State spend any funds or incur any 
                costs not paid for under this Act.'';
            (2) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
    ``(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section affects the 
applicability of subchapter II of chapter 5, and chapter 7, of title 5, 
United States Code, (commonly known as the ``Administrative Procedure 
Act'') or chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, commonly known as 
the ``Congressional Review Act'').''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(f) Congressional Notice and Comment.--
            ``(1) Notice to congress.--Not less than 15 business days 
        prior to issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking related to 
        this Act in the Federal Register, the Secretary shall provide 
        to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of 
        the Senate, the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the 
        House of Representatives, and other relevant congressional 
        committees, notice of the Secretary's intent to issue a notice 
        of proposed rulemaking that shall include--
                    ``(A) a copy of the proposed regulation;
                    ``(B) the need to issue the regulation;
                    ``(C) a description of how the regulation is 
                consistent with the scope of this Act;
                    ``(D) the anticipated burden (including the time, 
                cost, and paperwork burden) the regulation will impose 
                on an eligible agency, institution, or recipient that 
                may be impacted by the regulation, including the 
                potential impact on rural areas;
                    ``(E) the anticipated benefits to an eligible 
                agency, institution, or recipient that may be impacted 
                by the regulation, including in rural areas; and
                    ``(F) any regulations that will be repealed when 
                the new regulation is issued.
            ``(2) Comment period for congress.--The Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) before issuing any notice of proposed 
                rulemaking under this subsection, provide Congress with 
                a comment period of 15 business days to make comments 
                on the proposed regulation, beginning on the date that 
                the Secretary provides the notice of intent to the 
                appropriate committees of Congress under paragraph (1); 
                and
                    ``(B) include and seek to address all comments 
                submitted by members of Congress in the public 
                rulemaking record for the regulation published in the 
                Federal Register.
            ``(3) Comment and review period; emergency situations.--The 
        comment and review period for any proposed regulation shall be 
        not less than 60 days unless an emergency requires a shorter 
        period, in which case the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) designate the proposed regulation as an 
                emergency with an explanation of the emergency in the 
                notice to Congress under paragraph (1);
                    ``(B) publish the length of the comment and review 
                period in such notice and in the Federal Register; and
                    ``(C) conduct immediately thereafter regional 
                meetings to review such proposed regulation before 
                issuing any final regulation.''.

SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Section 9 (20 U.S.C. 2307) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act 
(other than sections 114 and 117)--
            ``(1) $1,229,568,538 for fiscal year 2019;
            ``(2) $1,246,782,498 for fiscal year 2020;
            ``(3) $1,264,237,452 for fiscal year 2021;
            ``(4) $1,281,936,777 for fiscal year 2022;
            ``(5) $1,299,883,892 for fiscal year 2023; and
            ``(6) $1,318,082,266 for fiscal year 2024.''.

    TITLE I--CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION ASSISTANCE TO THE STATES

                    PART A--ALLOTMENT AND ALLOCATION

SEC. 110. RESERVATIONS AND STATE ALLOTMENT.

    Section 111 (20 U.S.C. 2321) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 111. RESERVATIONS AND STATE ALLOTMENT.

    ``(a) Reservations and State Allotment.--
            ``(1) Reservations.--From the amount appropriated under 
        section 9 for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve--
                    ``(A) 0.13 percent to carry out section 115; and
                    ``(B) 1.50 percent to carry out section 116, of 
                which--
                            ``(i) 1.25 percent of the sum shall be 
                        available to carry out section 116(b); and
                            ``(ii) 0.25 percent of the sum shall be 
                        available to carry out section 116(h).
            ``(2) Foundational grant.--
                    ``(A) In general.--From the remainder of the amount 
                appropriated under section 9 and not reserved under 
                paragraph (1) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall 
                allot to a State for the fiscal year an amount equal to 
                the amount the State received in fiscal year 2018.
                    ``(B) Ratable reduction.--If for any fiscal year 
                the amount appropriated for allotments under this 
                section is insufficient to satisfy the provisions of 
                subparagraph (A), the payments to all States under such 
                subparagraph shall be ratably reduced.
            ``(3) Additional funds.--Subject to paragraph (4), from the 
        additional funds remaining from the amount appropriated under 
        section 9 and not expended under paragraphs (1) and (2) for a 
        fiscal year, the Secretary shall allot to a State for the 
        fiscal year--
                    ``(A) an amount that bears the same ratio to 50 
                percent of the sum being allotted as the product of the 
                population aged 15 to 19, inclusive, in the State in 
                the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which the 
                determination is made and the State's allotment ratio 
                bears to the sum of the corresponding products for all 
                the States;
                    ``(B) an amount that bears the same ratio to 20 
                percent of the sum being allotted as the product of the 
                population aged 20 to 24, inclusive, in the State in 
                the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which the 
                determination is made and the State's allotment ratio 
                bears to the sum of the corresponding products for all 
                the States;
                    ``(C) an amount that bears the same ratio to 15 
                percent of the sum being allotted as the product of the 
                population aged 25 to 65, inclusive, in the State in 
                the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which the 
                determination is made and the State's allotment ratio 
                bears to the sum of the corresponding products for all 
                the States; and
                    ``(D) an amount that bears the same ratio to 15 
                percent of the sum being allotted as the amounts 
                allotted to the State under subparagraphs (A), (B), and 
                (C) for such years bears to the sum of the amounts 
                allotted to all the States under subparagraphs (A), 
                (B), and (C) for such year.
            ``(4) Minimum allotment for years with additional funds.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), for 
                a fiscal year for which there are additional funds 
                described in paragraph (3), no State shall receive for 
                such fiscal year under paragraph (3) less than 1/2 of 1 
                percent of the additional funds available for such 
                fiscal year. Amounts necessary for increasing such 
                payments to States to comply with the preceding 
                sentence shall be obtained by ratably reducing the 
                amounts to be paid to other States.
                    ``(B) Special rule.--In the case of a qualifying 
                State, the minimum allotment under subparagraph (A) for 
                a fiscal year for the qualifying State shall be the 
                lesser of--
                            ``(i) 1/2 of 1 percent of the additional 
                        funds available for such fiscal year; and
                            ``(ii) the product of--
                                    ``(I) 1/3 of the additional funds; 
                                multiplied by
                                    ``(II) the quotient of--
                                            ``(aa) the qualifying 
                                        State's ratio described in 
                                        subparagraph (C) for the fiscal 
                                        year for which the 
                                        determination is made; divided 
                                        by
                                            ``(bb) the sum of all such 
                                        ratios for all qualifying 
                                        States for the fiscal year for 
                                        which the determination is 
                                        made.
                    ``(C) Ratio.--For purposes of subparagraph 
                (B)(ii)(II)(aa), the ratio for a qualifying State for a 
                fiscal year shall be 1.00 less the quotient of--
                            ``(i) the amount the qualifying State is 
                        allotted under paragraph (3) for the fiscal 
                        year; divided by
                            ``(ii) 1/2 of 1 percent of the amount 
                        appropriated under paragraph (3) for the fiscal 
                        year for which the determination is made.
                    ``(D) Definitions.--In this paragraph, the term 
                `qualifying State' means a State (except the United 
                States Virgin Islands) that, for the fiscal year for 
                which a determination under this paragraph is made, 
                would receive, under the allotment formula under 
                paragraph (3) (without the application of this 
                paragraph), an amount that would be less than the 
                amount the State would receive under subparagraph (A) 
                for such fiscal year.
    ``(b) Reallotment.--If the Secretary determines that any amount of 
any State's allotment under subsection (a) for any fiscal year will not 
be required for such fiscal year for carrying out the activities for 
which such amount has been allotted, the Secretary shall make such 
amount available for reallotment. Any such reallotment among other 
States shall occur on such dates during the same year as the Secretary 
shall fix, and shall be made on the basis of criteria established by 
regulation. No funds may be reallotted for any use other than the use 
for which the funds were appropriated. Any amount reallotted to a State 
under this subsection for any fiscal year shall remain available for 
obligation during the succeeding fiscal year and shall be deemed to be 
part of the State's allotment for the year in which the amount is 
obligated.
    ``(c) Allotment Ratio.--
            ``(1) In general.--The allotment ratio for any State shall 
        be 1.00 less the product of--
                    ``(A) 0.50; and
                    ``(B) the quotient obtained by dividing the per 
                capita income for the State by the per capita income 
                for all the States (exclusive of the Commonwealth of 
                Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands), 
                except that--
                            ``(i) the allotment ratio in no case shall 
                        be more than 0.60 or less than 0.40; and
                            ``(ii) the allotment ratio for the 
                        Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the United 
                        States Virgin Islands shall be 0.60.
            ``(2) Promulgation.--The allotment ratios shall be 
        promulgated by the Secretary for each fiscal year between 
        October 1 and December 31 of the fiscal year preceding the 
        fiscal year for which the determination is made. Allotment 
        ratios shall be computed on the basis of the average of the 
        appropriate per capita incomes for the 3 most recent 
        consecutive fiscal years for which satisfactory data are 
        available.
            ``(3) Definition of per capita income.--For the purpose of 
        this section, the term `per capita income' means, with respect 
        to a fiscal year, the total personal income in the calendar 
        year ending in such year, divided by the population of the area 
        concerned in such year.
            ``(4) Population determination.--For the purposes of this 
        section, population shall be determined by the Secretary on the 
        basis of the latest estimates available to the Department of 
        Education.
    ``(d) Definition of State.--For the purpose of this section, the 
term `State' means each of the several States of the United States, the 
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the United 
States Virgin Islands.''.

SEC. 111. WITHIN STATE ALLOCATION.

    Section 112 (20 U.S.C. 2322) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``10 percent'' 
                and inserting ``15 percent'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A)--
                                    (I) by striking ``1 percent'' and 
                                inserting ``2 percent'';
                                    (II) by striking ``State 
                                correctional institutions and 
                                institutions'' and inserting ``State 
                                correctional institutions, juvenile 
                                justice facilities, and educational 
                                institutions''; and
                                    (III) by striking ``and'' after the 
                                semicolon; and
                            (ii) by inserting after subparagraph (B) 
                        the following:
                    ``(C) an amount shall be made available for the 
                recruitment of special populations to enroll in career 
                and technical education programs, which shall be not 
                less than the lesser of--
                            ``(i) an amount equal to 0.1 percent; or
                            ``(ii) $50,000; and'';
                    (C) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking ``a local 
                plan;'' and inserting ``local applications;''; and
            (2) in subsection (c), by striking ``section 135'' and all 
        that follows through the end and inserting ``section 135 in--
                    ``(A) rural areas;
                    ``(B) areas with high percentages of CTE 
                concentrators or CTE participants;
                    ``(C) areas with high numbers of CTE concentrators 
                or CTE participants; and
                    ``(D) areas with disparities or gaps in performance 
                as described in section 113(b)(3)(C)(ii)(II).''.

SEC. 112. ACCOUNTABILITY.

    Section 113 (20 U.S.C. 2323) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in the subsection heading, by inserting 
                ``Determined'' after ``State'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                        (A), by inserting ``State determined'' before 
                        ``performance'';
                            (ii) by striking subparagraph (B) and 
                        redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph 
                        (B);
                            (iii) in subparagraph (A), by inserting 
                        ``and'' after the semicolon; and
                            (iv) in subparagraph (B), as so 
                        redesignated--
                                    (I) by striking ``a State adjusted 
                                level of performance'' and inserting 
                                ``a State determined level of 
                                performance''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``, and State 
                                levels of performance described in 
                                paragraph (3)(B) for each additional 
                                indicator of performance''; and
                    (C) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(2) Indicators of performance.--
                    ``(A) Core indicators of performance for cte 
                concentrators at the secondary level.--Each eligible 
                agency shall identify in the State plan core indicators 
                of performance for CTE concentrators at the secondary 
                level that are valid and reliable, and that include, at 
                a minimum, measures of each of the following:
                            ``(i) The percentage of CTE concentrators 
                        who graduate high school, as measured by--
                                    ``(I) the four-year adjusted cohort 
                                graduation rate (defined in section 
                                8101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
                                Education Act of 1965); and
                                    ``(II) at the State's discretion, 
                                the extended-year adjusted cohort 
                                graduation rate defined in such section 
                                8101.
                            ``(ii) CTE concentrator proficiency in the 
                        challenging State academic standards adopted by 
                        the State under section 1111(b)(1) of the 
                        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, 
                        as measured by the academic assessments 
                        described in section 1111(b)(2) of such Act.
                            ``(iii) The percentage of CTE concentrators 
                        who, in the second quarter following the 
                        program year after exiting from secondary 
                        education, are in postsecondary education or 
                        advanced training.
                            ``(iv) The percentage of CTE concentrators 
                        who, in the second quarter following the 
                        program year after exiting from secondary 
                        education, are in military service or a service 
                        program that receives assistance under title I 
                        of the National and Community Service Act of 
                        1990 (42 U.S.C. 12511 et seq.), are volunteers 
                        as described in section 5(a) of the Peace Corps 
                        Act (22 U.S.C. 2504(a)), or are employed 
                        (including those who are employed in high-
                        skill, high-wage, or in-demand sectors or 
                        occupations).
                            ``(v) Indicators of career and technical 
                        education program quality as follows:
                                    ``(I) That shall include at least 1 
                                of the following:
                                            ``(aa) The percentage of 
                                        CTE concentrators, as defined 
                                        in section 3(12)(A), graduating 
                                        from high school having 
                                        attained a recognized 
                                        postsecondary credential.
                                            ``(bb) The percentage of 
                                        CTE concentrators, as defined 
                                        in section 3(12)(A), graduating 
                                        from high school having 
                                        attained postsecondary credits 
                                        in the relevant career and 
                                        technical education program or 
                                        program of study earned through 
                                        a dual or concurrent enrollment 
                                        program or another credit 
                                        transfer agreement.
                                            ``(cc) The percentage of 
                                        CTE concentrators, as defined 
                                        in section 3(12)(A), graduating 
                                        from high school having 
                                        participated in work-based 
                                        learning.
                                    ``(II) That may include any other 
                                measure of student success in career 
                                and technical education that is 
                                statewide, valid, and reliable, and 
                                comparable across the State.
                            ``(vi) The percentage of CTE concentrators, 
                        as defined in section 3(12)(A), in career and 
                        technical education programs and programs of 
                        study that lead to non-traditional fields.
                    ``(B) Core indicators of performance for cte 
                concentrators at the postsecondary level.--Each 
                eligible agency shall identify in the State plan core 
                indicators of performance for CTE concentrators at the 
                postsecondary level that are valid and reliable, and 
                that include, at a minimum, measures of each of the 
                following:
                            ``(i) The percentage of CTE concentrators 
                        who, during the second quarter after program 
                        completion, remain enrolled in postsecondary 
                        education (disaggregated by postsecondary award 
                        level, including certificate, associate, or 
                        baccalaureate degree), or in advanced training.
                            ``(ii) The percentage of CTE concentrators 
                        who, during the second quarter after program 
                        completion, are in military service or a 
                        service program that receives assistance under 
                        title I of the National and Community Service 
                        Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12511 et seq.), are 
                        volunteers as described in section 5(a) of the 
                        Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504(a)), or have 
                        placement or retention in employment (including 
                        those individuals who are employed in a high-
                        skill, high-wage, or in-demand sector or 
                        occupation).
                            ``(iii) The percentage of CTE concentrators 
                        who receive a recognized postsecondary 
                        credential during participation in or within 1 
                        year of program completion.
                            ``(iv) The percentage of CTE concentrators 
                        in career and technical education programs and 
                        programs of study that lead to non-traditional 
                        fields.
                    ``(C) Alignment of performance indicators.--In 
                developing core indicators of performance under 
                subparagraphs (A) and (B), an eligible agency shall, to 
                the greatest extent possible, align the indicators so 
                that substantially similar information gathered for 
                other State and Federal programs, or for any other 
                purpose, may be used to meet the requirements of this 
                section.'';
                    (D) in paragraph (3)--
                            (i) in the paragraph heading, by inserting 
                        ``determined'' after ``State'';
                            (ii) by amending subparagraph (A) to read 
                        as follows:
                    ``(A) State determined levels of performance for 
                core indicators of performance.--
                            ``(i) In general.--
                                    ``(I) Levels determined by the 
                                eligible agency.--Each eligible agency, 
                                with input from eligible recipients, 
                                shall establish in the State plan 
                                submitted under section 122, for each 
                                year covered by the State plan, State 
                                determined levels of performance for 
                                each of the core indicators described 
                                under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of 
                                paragraph (2) for career and technical 
                                education activities authorized under 
                                this title. The level of performance 
                                for a core indicator shall be the same 
                                for all CTE concentrators in the State.
                                    ``(II) Technical assistance.--The 
                                Secretary may assist an eligible agency 
                                in establishing the State determined 
                                levels of performance under this 
                                subparagraph only at the request of 
                                that eligible agency.
                                    ``(III) Requirements.--Such State 
                                determined levels of performance shall, 
                                at a minimum--
                                            ``(aa) be expressed in a 
                                        percentage or numerical form, 
                                        so as to be objective, 
                                        quantifiable, and measurable;
                                            ``(bb) require the State to 
                                        continually make meaningful 
                                        progress toward improving the 
                                        performance of all career and 
                                        technical education students, 
                                        including the subgroups of 
                                        students described in section 
                                        1111(h)(1)(C)(ii) of the 
                                        Elementary and Secondary 
                                        Education Act of 1965, and 
                                        special populations, as 
                                        described in section 3(48); and
                                            ``(cc) have been subject to 
                                        the public comment process 
                                        described in subparagraph (B), 
                                        and the eligible agency has 
                                        provided a written response;
                                            ``(dd) when adjusted 
                                        pursuant to clause (ii), take 
                                        into account how the levels of 
                                        performance involved compare 
                                        with the State levels of 
                                        performance established for 
                                        other States, considering 
                                        factors including the 
                                        characteristics of actual (as 
                                        opposed to anticipated) CTE 
                                        concentrators when the CTE 
                                        concentrators entered the 
                                        program, and the services or 
                                        instruction to be provided;
                                            ``(ee) when adjusted under 
                                        clause (ii), be higher than the 
                                        average actual performance of 
                                        the 2 most recently completed 
                                        program years, except in the 
                                        case of unanticipated 
                                        circumstances that require 
                                        revisions in accordance with 
                                        clause (iii); and
                                            ``(ff) take into account 
                                        the extent to which the State 
                                        determined levels of 
                                        performance advance the 
                                        eligible agency's goals, as set 
                                        forth in the State plan.
                            ``(ii) Allowable adjustment of state 
                        determined levels of performance for subsequent 
                        years.--Prior to the third program year covered 
                        by the State plan, each eligible agency may 
                        revise the State determined levels of 
                        performance for any of the core indicators of 
                        performance for the subsequent program years 
                        covered by the State plan, and submit the 
                        revised State determined levels of performance 
                        to the Secretary in a manner consistent with 
                        the requirements described in subclause (III) 
                        of clause (i) and the procedure described in 
                        section 122(f). If the eligible agency adjusts 
                        any levels of performance, the eligible agency 
                        shall adjust those levels in accordance with 
                        clause (i), and address written comments of 
                        stakeholders as described in subparagraph (B). 
                        The State determined adjusted levels of 
                        performance identified under this clause shall 
                        be considered to be the State determined levels 
                        of performance for the State for such years and 
                        shall be incorporated into the State plan.
                            ``(iii) Unanticipated circumstances.--If 
                        unanticipated circumstances arise in a State or 
                        changes occur related to improvements in data 
                        or measurement approaches, the eligible agency, 
                        at the end of the program year, may revise the 
                        State determined levels of performance required 
                        under this subparagraph. Any such revision 
                        shall be carried out in the manner described in 
                        clause (ii). After public comment, as described 
                        in subparagraph (B), the eligible agency shall 
                        submit such revised levels of performance with 
                        evidence supporting the revision in a manner 
                        consistent with the procedure described in 
                        section 122(f).'';
                            (iii) by striking subparagraph (B) and 
                        inserting the following:
                    ``(B) Public comment.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Each eligible agency 
                        shall develop the levels of performance under 
                        subparagraph (A) in consultation with the 
                        stakeholders identified in section 
                        122(c)(1)(A).
                            ``(ii) Written comments.--Not less than 60 
                        days prior to submission of the State plan, the 
                        eligible agency shall provide such stakeholders 
                        with the opportunity to provide written 
                        comments to the eligible agency, which shall be 
                        included in the State plan, regarding how the 
                        levels of performance described under 
                        subparagraph (A)--
                                    ``(I) meet the requirements of the 
                                law;
                                    ``(II) support the improvement of 
                                performance of all CTE concentrators, 
                                including subgroups of students, as 
                                described in section 1111(h)(1)(C)(ii) 
                                of the Elementary and Secondary 
                                Education Act of 1965, and special 
                                populations, as described in section 
                                3(48); and
                                    ``(III) support the needs of the 
                                local education and business community.
                            ``(iii) Eligible agency response.--Each 
                        eligible agency shall provide, in the State 
                        plan, a written response to the comments 
                        provided by stakeholders under clause (ii).''; 
                        and
                            (iv) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C)  State report.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Each eligible agency 
                        that receives an allotment under section 111 
                        shall annually prepare and submit to the 
                        Secretary a report regarding--
                                    ``(I) the progress of the State in 
                                achieving the State determined levels 
                                of performance on the core indicators 
                                of performance; and
                                    ``(II) the actual levels of 
                                performance for all CTE concentrators, 
                                and for each of the subgroups of 
                                students, as described in section 
                                1111(h)(1)(C)(ii) of the Elementary and 
                                Secondary Education Act of 1965, and 
                                special populations, as described in 
                                section 3(48).
                            ``(ii) Data.--Except as provided in 
                        subparagraph (E), each eligible agency that 
                        receives an allotment under section 111 shall--
                                    ``(I) disaggregate data for each of 
                                the indicators of performance under 
                                paragraph (2)--
                                            ``(aa) for subgroups of 
                                        students, as described in 
                                        section 1111(h)(1)(C)(ii) of 
                                        the Elementary and Secondary 
                                        Education Act of 1965, and 
                                        special populations, as 
                                        described in section 3(48), 
                                        that are served under this Act; 
                                        and
                                            ``(bb) by the career and 
                                        technical education programs or 
                                        programs of study of the CTE 
                                        concentrators, except that in a 
                                        case in which reporting by such 
                                        program or program of study is 
                                        impractical, the data may be 
                                        disaggregated by the career 
                                        clusters of the CTE 
                                        concentrators, if appropriate; 
                                        and
                                    ``(II) identify and quantify any 
                                disparities or gaps in performance on 
                                the State determined levels of 
                                performance under subparagraph (A) 
                                between any such subgroup or special 
                                population and the performance of all 
                                CTE concentrators served by the 
                                eligible agency under this Act, which 
                                shall include a quantifiable 
                                description of the progress each such 
                                subgroup or special population of 
                                students served by the eligible agency 
                                under this Act has made in meeting the 
                                State determined levels of performance.
                            ``(iii) Nonduplication.--The Secretary 
                        shall ensure that each eligible agency does not 
                        report duplicative information under this 
                        section.
                            ``(iv) Information dissemination.--The 
                        Secretary shall--
                                    ``(I) make the information 
                                contained in such reports available to 
                                the general public through a variety of 
                                formats, including electronically 
                                through the Internet;
                                    ``(II) disseminate State-by-State 
                                comparisons of the information 
                                contained in such reports; and
                                    ``(III) provide the appropriate 
                                committees of Congress with copies of 
                                such reports.
                    ``(D) State dissemination of actual levels of 
                performance.--At the end of each program year, the 
                eligible agency shall disseminate the actual levels of 
                performance described in subparagraph (C)(i)(II)--
                            ``(i) widely, including to students, 
                        parents, and educators;
                            ``(ii) through a variety of means, 
                        including by electronic means; and
                            ``(iii) in user-friendly formats and 
                        languages that are easily accessible, as 
                        determined by the eligible agency.
                    ``(E) Rules for reporting data.--The disaggregation 
                of data under this paragraph shall not be required when 
                the number of students in a category is insufficient to 
                yield statistically reliable information or when the 
                results would reveal personally identifiable 
                information about an individual student.''; and
                    (E) in paragraph (4)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A)--
                                    (I) in the subparagraph heading, by 
                                striking ``adjusted'';
                                    (II) by striking clauses (iii) and 
                                (v), and redesignating clauses (iv) and 
                                (vi) as clauses (iii) and (v), 
                                respectively;
                                    (III) in clause (i)--
                                            (aa) in the matter 
                                        preceding subclause (I)--

                                                    (AA) by striking 
                                                ``State adjusted levels 
                                                of performance'' and 
                                                inserting ``State 
                                                determined levels of 
                                                performance for each 
                                                year of the plan''; and

                                                    (BB) by striking 
                                                ``local adjusted 
                                                levels'' and inserting 
                                                ``local levels'' each 
                                                place the term appears;

                                            (bb) in subclause (I)--

                                                    (AA) by striking 
                                                ``consistent with the 
                                                State levels of 
                                                performance established 
                                                under paragraph (3), so 
                                                as'' and inserting 
                                                ``consistent with the 
                                                form expressed in the 
                                                State determined 
                                                levels, so as''; and

                                                    (BB) by striking 
                                                ``and'' after the 
                                                semicolon; and

                                            (cc) in subclause (II), by 
                                        striking ``continually make 
                                        progress toward improving the 
                                        performance of career and 
                                        technical education students.'' 
                                        and inserting ``continually 
                                        make meaningful progress toward 
                                        improving the performance of 
                                        all CTE concentrators, 
                                        including subgroups of students 
                                        described in section 
                                        1111(h)(1)(C)(ii) of the 
                                        Elementary and Secondary 
                                        Education Act of 1965 and 
                                        special populations, as 
                                        described in section 3(48);''; 
                                        and
                                            (dd) by adding at the end 
                                        the following:
                                    ``(III) when adjusted as described 
                                in clause (iii), be higher than the 
                                average actual performance levels of 
                                the previous 2 program years, except in 
                                a case in which unanticipated 
                                circumstances arise with respect to the 
                                eligible recipient and that eligible 
                                recipient meets the requirements for 
                                revisions under clause (iv);
                                    ``(IV) when adjusted as described 
                                in clause (iii), take into account how 
                                the local levels of performance compare 
                                with the local levels of performance 
                                established for other eligible 
                                recipients, considering factors 
                                including the characteristics of actual 
                                (as opposed to anticipated) CTE 
                                concentrators at the time those CTE 
                                concentrators entered the program, and 
                                the services or instruction to be 
                                provided; and
                                    ``(V) set the local levels of 
                                performance using valid and reliable 
                                data that measures--
                                            ``(aa) the differences 
                                        within the State in actual 
                                        economic conditions (including 
                                        differences in unemployment 
                                        rates and job losses or gains 
                                        in particular industries); and
                                            ``(bb) the abilities of the 
                                        State and the eligible 
                                        recipient to collect and access 
                                        valid, reliable, and cost-
                                        effective data.'';
                                    (IV) in clause (ii)--
                                            (aa) in the clause heading, 
                                        by striking ``plan'' and 
                                        inserting ``application'';
                                            (bb) by striking ``plan'' 
                                        and inserting ``application''; 
                                        and
                                            (cc) by striking ``the 
                                        first 2'' and inserting ``each 
                                        of the'';
                                    (V) by amending clause (iii), as 
                                redesignated by subclause (II), to read 
                                as follows:
                            ``(iii) Allowable adjustments of local 
                        levels of performance for subsequent years.--
                        Prior to the third program year covered by the 
                        local application, the eligible recipient may, 
                        if the eligible recipient reaches an agreement 
                        with the eligible agency, adjust the local 
                        levels of performance for any of the core 
                        indicators of performance for the subsequent 
                        program years covered by the local application, 
                        in accordance with that agreement and with this 
                        subparagraph. The local adjusted levels of 
                        performance agreed to under this clause shall 
                        be considered to be the local levels of 
                        performance for the eligible recipient for such 
                        years and shall be incorporated into the local 
                        application.''; and
                                    (VI) in clause (v), as redesignated 
                                by subclause (II), by striking ``If 
                                unanticipated circumstances arise with 
                                respect to an eligible recipient 
                                resulting in a significant change in 
                                the factors described in clause (v), 
                                the eligible recipient may request that 
                                the local adjusted levels of 
                                performance agreed to under clause 
                                (iii) or (iv) be revised.'' and 
                                inserting ``If unanticipated 
                                circumstances arise, or changes occur 
                                related to improvements in data or 
                                measurement approaches, the eligible 
                                recipient may request that the local 
                                levels of performance agreed to under 
                                clauses (i) and (iii) be revised.'';
                            (ii) by striking subparagraph (B) and 
                        redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph 
                        (B); and
                            (iii) in subparagraph (B), as redesignated 
                        by clause (ii)--
                                    (I) in clause (i), by striking 
                                ``the data described in clause (ii)(I), 
                                regarding the progress of such 
                                recipient in achieving the local 
                                adjusted levels of performance'' and 
                                inserting ``the data on the actual 
                                performance levels described in clause 
                                (ii), including the progress of such 
                                recipient in achieving the local levels 
                                of performance'';
                                    (II) in clause (ii)--
                                            (aa) in sublcause (I)--

                                                    (AA) by striking 
                                                ``section 
                                                1111(h)(1)(C)(i)'' and 
                                                inserting ``section 
                                                1111(h)(1)(C)(ii)'';

                                                    (BB) by striking 
                                                ``section 3(29)'' and 
                                                inserting ``section 
                                                3(48)''; and

                                                    (CC) by striking 
                                                ``and'' after the 
                                                semicolon; and

                                            (bb) in subclause (II)--

                                                    (AA) by inserting 
                                                ``, as described in 
                                                paragraph 
                                                3(C)(ii)(II),'' after 
                                                ``gaps in 
                                                performance'';

                                                    (BB) by inserting 
                                                ``as described in 
                                                subclause (I) 
                                                (including special 
                                                populations)'' after 
                                                ``category of 
                                                students'';

                                                    (CC) by striking 
                                                ``all students'' and 
                                                inserting ``all CTE 
                                                concentrators'';

                                                    (DD) by striking 
                                                the period at the end 
                                                and inserting ``; 
                                                and''; and

                                                    (EE) by adding at 
                                                the end the following:

                                    ``(III) disaggregate data by the 
                                career and technical education programs 
                                or programs of study of the CTE 
                                concentrators, except that in a case in 
                                which reporting by such program or 
                                program of study is impractical, the 
                                data may be disaggregated by the career 
                                clusters of the CTE concentrators, if 
                                appropriate.'';
                                    (III) in clause (iii), by striking 
                                ``subsection (c)(3)'' and inserting 
                                ``paragraph (3)(C)(iii)'';
                                    (IV) in clause (iv), by striking 
                                ``clause (ii)'' and inserting ``this 
                                paragraph'';
                                    (V) by striking clause (v) and 
                                inserting the following:
                            ``(v) Availability.--The report described 
                        in clause (i) shall be made available by the 
                        eligible recipient through a variety of 
                        formats, including electronically through the 
                        Internet, to students, parents, educators, and 
                        the public, and the information contained in 
                        such report shall be in a format that is 
                        understandable and uniform, and to the extent 
                        practicable, provided in a language that 
                        students, parents, and educators can 
                        understand.''; and
            (2) by striking subsection (c).

SEC. 113. NATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

    Section 114 (20 U.S.C. 2324) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1)--
                    (A) by striking ``The Secretary shall'' the first 
                place it appears and inserting ``The Secretary shall, 
                in consultation with the Director,''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``from eligible agencies under 
                section 113(b)(3)(C)'' after ``pursuant to this 
                title'';
            (2) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
    ``(b) Reasonable Cost.--The Secretary shall take such action as may 
be necessary to secure at reasonable cost the information required by 
this title. To ensure reasonable cost, the Secretary, in consultation 
with the National Center for Education Statistics and the Office of 
Career, Technical, and Adult Education shall determine the methodology 
to be used and the frequency with which such information is to be 
collected.'';
            (3) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Secretary may'' 
                and inserting ``Secretary shall'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``, 
                        acting through the Director,'' after ``describe 
                        how the Secretary''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``, 
                        in consultation with the Director,'' after 
                        ``Secretary'';
            (4) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A)--
                                    (I) by inserting ``, acting through 
                                the Director,'' after ``The 
                                Secretary'';
                                    (II) by inserting ``and the plan 
                                developed under subsection (c)'' after 
                                ``described in paragraph (2)''; and
                                    (III) by striking ``assessment'' 
                                each place such term appears and 
                                inserting ``evaluation'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B)--
                                    (I) in clause (v), by striking ``; 
                                and'' and inserting a semicolon;
                                    (II) in clause (vi)--
                                            (aa) by inserting 
                                        ``qualified'' before 
                                        ``intermediaries''; and
                                            (bb) by striking the period 
                                        at the end and inserting ``, 
                                        which may include individuals 
                                        with expertise in addressing 
                                        inequities in access to, and in 
                                        opportunities for, academic and 
                                        technical skill attainment;''; 
                                        and
                                    (III) by adding at the end the 
                                following:
                            ``(vii) representatives of Indian Tribes 
                        and Tribal organizations; and
                            ``(viii) representatives of special 
                        populations.''; and
                            (iii) in subparagraph (C)--
                                    (I) by inserting ``the Director,'' 
                                after ``the Secretary,''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``assessment'' and 
                                inserting ``evaluation'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in the heading, by striking ``and 
                        assessment'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (A)--
                                    (I) by striking ``subsection (e), 
                                the Secretary'' and inserting 
                                ``subsection (f), the Secretary, acting 
                                through the Director,'';
                                    (II) by striking ``an independent 
                                evaluation and assessment'' and 
                                inserting ``a series of research and 
                                evaluation initiatives for each year 
                                for which funds are appropriated to 
                                carry out this Act, which are aligned 
                                with the plan in subsection (c)(2),'';
                                    (III) by striking ``Carl D. Perkins 
                                Career and Technical Education 
                                Improvement Act of 2006'' and inserting 
                                ``Strengthening Career and Technical 
                                Education for the 21st Century Act'';
                                    (IV) by inserting ``to institutions 
                                of higher education or a consortia of 
                                one or more institutions of higher 
                                education and one or more private 
                                nonprofit organizations or 
                                agencies''after ``basis''; and
                                    (V) by adding at the end the 
                                following: ``Whenever possible, data 
                                used for the evaluation for a fiscal 
                                year shall be data from the most recent 
                                fiscal year for which such data are 
                                available, and from the 5-year period 
                                preceding that fiscal year.''; and
                            (iii) by amending subparagraph (B) to read 
                        as follows:
                    ``(B) Contents.--The evaluation required under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include descriptions and 
                evaluations of--
                            ``(i) the extent and success of the 
                        integration of challenging State academic 
                        standards adopted under section 1111(b)(1) of 
                        the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
                        1965 and career and technical education for 
                        students participating in career and technical 
                        education programs, including a review of the 
                        effect of such integration on the academic and 
                        technical proficiency achievement of such 
                        students, including--
                                    ``(I) the number of such students 
                                that receive a regular high school 
                                diploma, as such term is defined under 
                                section 8101 of the Elementary and 
                                Secondary Education Act of 1965 or a 
                                State-defined alternative diploma 
                                described in section 
                                8101(25)(A)(ii)(I)(bb) of such Act;
                                    ``(II) the number of such students 
                                that are high school students that 
                                receive a recognized postsecondary 
                                credential; and
                                    ``(III) the number of such students 
                                that are high school students that earn 
                                credit toward a recognized 
                                postsecondary credential;
                            ``(ii) the extent to which career and 
                        technical education programs and programs of 
                        study prepare students, including special 
                        populations, for subsequent employment in high-
                        skill, high-wage occupations (including those 
                        in which mathematics and science skills are 
                        critical, which may include computer science), 
                        or for participation in postsecondary 
                        education;
                            ``(iii) employer involvement in, benefit 
                        from, and satisfaction with, career and 
                        technical education programs and programs of 
                        study and career and technical education 
                        students' preparation for employment;
                            ``(iv) efforts to expand access to career 
                        and technical education programs of study for 
                        all students;
                            ``(v) innovative approaches to work-based 
                        learning programs that increase participation 
                        and alignment with employment in high-growth 
                        industries, including in rural and low-income 
                        areas;
                            ``(vi) the effectiveness of different 
                        delivery systems and approaches for career and 
                        technical education, including comprehensive 
                        high schools, technical high schools, area 
                        technical centers, career academies, community 
                        and technical colleges, early college high 
                        schools, pre-apprenticeship programs, voluntary 
                        after-school programs, and individual course 
                        offerings, including dual or concurrent 
                        enrollment program courses, as well as 
                        communication strategies for promoting career 
                        and technical education opportunities involving 
                        teachers, school counselors, and parents or 
                        other guardians;
                            ``(vii) the extent to which career and 
                        technical education programs supported by this 
                        Act are grounded on evidence-based research;
                            ``(viii) the impact of the amendments to 
                        this Act made under the Strengthening Career 
                        and Technical Education for the 21st Century 
                        Act, including comparisons, where appropriate, 
                        of--
                                    ``(I) the use of the comprehensive 
                                needs assessment under section 134(c);
                                    ``(II) the implementation of 
                                programs of study; and
                                    ``(III) coordination of planning 
                                and program delivery with other 
                                relevant laws, including the Workforce 
                                Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 
                                U.S.C. 3101 et seq.) and the Elementary 
                                and Secondary Education Act of 1965;
                            ``(ix) changes in career and technical 
                        education program accountability as described 
                        in section 113 and any effects of such changes 
                        on program delivery and program quality;
                            ``(x) changes in student enrollment 
                        patterns; and
                            ``(xi) efforts to reduce disparities or 
                        performance gaps described in section 
                        113(b)(3)(C)(ii)(II).''; and
                            (iv) in subparagraph (C)--
                                    (I) in clause (i)--
                                            (aa) in the matter 
                                        preceding subclause (I), by 
                                        inserting ``, in consultation 
                                        with the Director,'' after 
                                        ``The Secretary''; and
                                            (bb) by striking subclauses 
                                        (I) and (II) and inserting the 
                                        following:
                                    ``(I) not later than 2 years after 
                                the date of enactment of the 
                                Strengthening Career and Technical 
                                Education for the 21st Century Act, an 
                                interim report regarding the evaluation 
                                and summary of research activities 
                                carried out under this section that 
                                builds on studies and analyses existing 
                                as of such date of enactment;
                                    ``(II) not later than 4 years after 
                                the date of enactment of the 
                                Strengthening Career and Technical 
                                Education for the 21st Century Act, a 
                                final report summarizing the studies 
                                and analyses that relate to the 
                                evaluation and summary of research 
                                activities carried out under this 
                                section; and
                                    ``(III) a biennial update to such 
                                final report for succeeding years.'';
                                    (II) in clause (ii), by inserting 
                                ``the Director,'' after ``the 
                                President, the Secretary,'' each place 
                                the term appears; and
                                    (III) by adding after clause (ii) 
                                the following:
                            ``(iii) Dissemination.--In addition to 
                        submitting the reports required under clause 
                        (i), the Secretary shall disseminate the 
                        results of the evaluation widely and on a 
                        timely basis in order to increase the 
                        understanding among State and local officials 
                        and educators of the effectiveness of programs 
                        and activities supported under the Act and of 
                        the career and technical education programs and 
                        programs of study that are most likely to 
                        produce positive educational and employment 
                        outcomes.'';
                    (C) in subparagraph (3)(A), by striking ``State 
                adjusted levels of performance described in section 
                113(b)'' and inserting ``State determined levels of 
                performance described in section 113(b), as long as 
                such information does not reveal any personally 
                identifiable information''; and
                    (D) by striking paragraphs (4) and (5) and 
                inserting the following:
            ``(4) Research.--
                    ``(A) In general.--From amounts made available 
                under subsection (f), the Secretary, after consultation 
                with the Director, the Commissioner for Education 
                Research, and the States, and with input from the 
                independent advisory panel established under subsection 
                (d)(1)(A), shall award grants, on a competitive basis, 
                to institutions of higher education, or to consortia of 
                one or more institutions of higher education and one or 
                more private nonprofit organizations or agencies, to 
                carry out one or more of the activities described in 
                subparagraph (B).
                    ``(B) Grant activities.--An institution or 
                consortium receiving a grant under this paragraph shall 
                use grant funds to carry out one or more of the 
                following activities:
                            ``(i) Evidence-based research and 
                        evaluation for the purpose of developing, 
                        improving, and identifying the most successful 
                        methods for--
                                    ``(I) eliminating inequities in 
                                access to, and in opportunities for, 
                                learning, skill development, or 
                                effective teaching in career and 
                                technical education programs; and
                                    ``(II) addressing the education, 
                                employment, and training needs of CTE 
                                participants, including special 
                                populations, in career and technical 
                                education programs or programs of 
                                study.
                            ``(ii) Research on, and evaluation of, the 
                        impact of changes made by the Strengthening 
                        Career and Technical Education for the 21st 
                        Century Act, including State-by-State 
                        comparisons, where appropriate, of--
                                    ``(I) the use of the needs 
                                assessment under section 134(c);
                                    ``(II) the implementation of 
                                programs of study;
                                    ``(III) how States have implemented 
                                provisions of the Act, including both 
                                fiscal and programmatic elements;
                                    ``(IV) career and technical 
                                education funding and finance models; 
                                and
                                    ``(V) coordination with other 
                                relevant laws, including the Workforce 
                                Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 
                                U.S.C. 3101 et seq.), the Elementary 
                                and Secondary Education Act of 1965, 
                                and the Higher Education Act of 1965.
                            ``(iii) Research and analyses that provide 
                        longitudinal information with respect to career 
                        and technical education programs and programs 
                        of study and student achievement.
                            ``(iv) To carry out, evaluate, or research 
                        innovative methods that support high-quality 
                        implementation of career and technical 
                        education programs and programs of study and 
                        student achievement related to career and 
                        technical education, including--
                                    ``(I) creating or expanding dual or 
                                concurrent enrollment program 
                                activities and early college high 
                                schools;
                                    ``(II) awarding of academic credit 
                                or academic alignment for industry 
                                recognized credentials, competency-
                                based education, or work-based 
                                learning;
                                    ``(III) making available open, 
                                searchable, and comparable information 
                                on the quality of industry recognized 
                                credentials, including the related 
                                skills or competencies, attainment by 
                                CTE concentrators, related employment 
                                and earnings outcomes, labor market 
                                value, and use by employers; or
                                    ``(IV) initiatives to facilitate 
                                the transition of sub-baccalaureate 
                                career and technical education students 
                                into baccalaureate degree programs, 
                                including barriers affecting rural 
                                students and special populations.
                    ``(C) Report.--Each institution or consortium 
                receiving a grant under this paragraph shall annually 
                prepare a report containing information about the key 
                research findings of such entity under this paragraph 
                and shall submit copies of the report to the Secretary, 
                the Director, the relevant committees of Congress, the 
                Library of Congress, and each eligible agency.
                    ``(D) Dissemination.--Each institution or 
                consortium receiving a grant under this paragraph shall 
                conduct dissemination and training activities based on 
                the research carried out under this paragraph on a 
                timely basis, including through dissemination networks 
                and, as appropriate and relevant, technical assistance 
                providers within the Department.'';
            (5) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f);
            (6) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
    ``(e) Innovation and Modernization.--
            ``(1) Grant program.--To identify, support, and rigorously 
        evaluate evidence-based and innovative strategies and 
        activities to improve and modernize career and technical 
        education and align workforce skills with labor market needs as 
        part of the State plan under section 122 and local application 
        under section 134 and the requirements of this subsection, the 
        Secretary may use not more than 20 percent of the amounts 
        appropriated under subsection (f) to award grants to eligible 
        entities, eligible institutions, or eligible recipients to 
        carry out the activities described in paragraph (7).
            ``(2) Non-federal match.--
                    ``(A) Matching funds required.--Except as provided 
                under subparagraph (B), to receive a grant under this 
                subsection, an eligible entity, eligible institution, 
                or eligible recipient shall, through cash or in-kind 
                contributions, provide matching funds from non-Federal 
                sources in an amount equal to not less than 50 percent 
                of the funds provided under such grant.
                    ``(B) Exception.--The Secretary may waive the 
                matching fund requirement under subparagraph (A) if the 
                eligible entity, eligible institution, or eligible 
                recipient demonstrates exceptional circumstances.
            ``(3) Application.--To receive a grant under this 
        subsection, an eligible entity, eligible institution, or 
        eligible recipient shall submit an application to the Secretary 
        at such time, in such manner, and containing such information 
        as the Secretary may require, including, at a minimum--
                    ``(A) an identification and designation of the 
                agency, institution, or school responsible for the 
                administration and supervision of the program assisted 
                under this paragraph;
                    ``(B) a description of the budget for the project, 
                the source and amount of the matching funds required 
                under paragraph (2)(A), and how the applicant will 
                continue the project after the grant period ends, if 
                applicable;
                    ``(C) a description of how the applicant will use 
                the grant funds, including how such funds will directly 
                benefit students, including special populations, served 
                by the applicant;
                    ``(D) a description of how the program assisted 
                under this subsection will be coordinated with the 
                activities carried out under section 124 or 135;
                    ``(E) a description of how the career and technical 
                education programs or programs of study to be 
                implemented with grant funds reflect the needs of 
                regional, State, or local employers, as demonstrated by 
                the comprehensive needs assessment under section 
                134(c);
                    ``(F) a description of how the program assisted 
                under this subsection will be evaluated and how that 
                evaluation may inform the report described in 
                subsection (d)(2)(C); and
                    ``(G) an assurance that the applicant will--
                            ``(i) provide information to the Secretary, 
                        as requested, for evaluations that the 
                        Secretary may carry out; and
                            ``(ii) make data available to third parties 
                        for validation, in accordance with applicable 
                        data privacy laws, including section 444 of the 
                        General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 
                        1232g, commonly known as the `Family 
                        Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974').
            ``(4) Priority.--In awarding grants under this subsection, 
        the Secretary shall give priority to applications from eligible 
        entities, eligible institutions, or eligible recipients that 
        will predominantly serve students from low-income families.
            ``(5) Geographic diversity.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In awarding grants under this 
                subsection, the Secretary shall award no less than 25 
                percent of the total available funds for any fiscal 
                year to eligible entities, eligible institutions, or 
                eligible recipients proposing to fund career and 
                technical education activities that serve--
                            ``(i) a local educational agency with an 
                        urban-centric district locale code of 32, 33, 
                        41, 42, or 43, as determined by the Secretary;
                            ``(ii) an institution of higher education 
                        primarily serving the one or more areas served 
                        by such a local educational agency;
                            ``(iii) a consortium of such local 
                        educational agencies or such institutions of 
                        higher education;
                            ``(iv) a partnership between--
                                    ``(I) an educational service agency 
                                or a nonprofit organization; and
                                    ``(II) such a local educational 
                                agency or such an institution of higher 
                                education; or
                            ``(v) a partnership between--
                                    ``(I) a grant recipient described 
                                in clause (i) or (ii); and
                                    ``(II) a State educational agency.
                    ``(B) Exception.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), 
                the Secretary shall reduce the amount of funds made 
                available under such clause if the Secretary does not 
                receive a sufficient number of applications of 
                sufficient quality.
            ``(6) Duration.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Grants awarded under this 
                subsection shall be for a period of not more than 3 
                years.
                    ``(B) Extension.--The Secretary may extend such 
                grants for not more than 1 additional 2-year period if 
                the grantee demonstrates to the Secretary that the 
                grantee is achieving the grantee's program objectives 
                and, as applicable, has improved education outcomes for 
                career and technical education students, including 
                special populations.
            ``(7) Uses of funds.--An eligible entity, eligible 
        institution, or eligible recipient that is awarded a grant 
        under this subsection shall use the grant funds to create, 
        develop, implement, replicate, or take to scale evidence-based, 
        field-initiated innovations to modernize and improve 
        effectiveness and alignment of career and technical education 
        and to improve student outcomes in career and technical 
        education, and rigorously evaluate such innovations, through 
        one or more of the following activities:
                    ``(A) Designing and implementing courses or 
                programs of study aligned to labor market needs in new 
                or emerging fields and working with industry to upgrade 
                equipment, technology, and related curriculum used in 
                career and technical education programs, which--
                            ``(i) is needed for the development, 
                        expansion, and implementation of State-approved 
                        career and technical education programs of 
                        study; and
                            ``(ii) includes the development or 
                        acquisition of instructional materials 
                        associated with the equipment and technology 
                        purchased by an eligible entity, eligible 
                        institution, or eligible recipient through the 
                        grant.
                    ``(B) Improving career and technical education 
                outcomes of students served by eligible entities, 
                eligible institutions, or eligible recipients through 
                activities such as--
                            ``(i) supporting the development and 
                        enhancement of innovative delivery models for 
                        career and technical education related work-
                        based learning, including school-based 
                        simulated work sites, mentoring, work site 
                        visits, job shadowing, project-based learning, 
                        and skills-based and paid internships;
                            ``(ii) increasing the effective use of 
                        technology within career and technical 
                        education programs and programs of study;
                            ``(iii) supporting new models for 
                        integrating academic content at the secondary 
                        and postsecondary level in career and technical 
                        education; or
                            ``(iv) integrating science, technology, 
                        engineering, and mathematics fields, including 
                        computer science education, with career and 
                        technical education.
                    ``(C) Improving the transition of students--
                            ``(i) from secondary education to 
                        postsecondary education or employment through 
                        programs, activities, or services that may 
                        include the creation, development, or expansion 
                        of dual or concurrent enrollment programs, 
                        articulation agreements, credit transfer 
                        agreements, and competency-based education; or
                            ``(ii) from the completion of one 
                        postsecondary program to another postsecondary 
                        program that awards a recognized postsecondary 
                        credential.
                    ``(D) Supporting the development and enhancement of 
                innovative delivery models for career and technical 
                education.
                    ``(E) Working with industry to design and implement 
                courses or programs of study aligned to labor market 
                needs in new or emerging fields.
                    ``(F) Supporting innovative approaches to career 
                and technical education by redesigning the high school 
                experience for students, which may include evidence-
                based transitional support strategies for students who 
                have not met postsecondary education eligibility 
                requirements.
                    ``(G) Creating or expanding recruitment, retention, 
                or professional development activities for career and 
                technical education teachers, faculty, school leaders, 
                administrators, specialized instructional support 
                personnel, career guidance and academic counselors, and 
                paraprofessionals, which may include--
                            ``(i) providing resources and training to 
                        improve instruction for, and provide 
                        appropriate accommodations to, special 
                        populations;
                            ``(ii) externships or site visits with 
                        business and industry;
                            ``(iii) the integration of coherent and 
                        rigorous academic content standards and career 
                        and technical education curricula, including 
                        through opportunities for appropriate academic 
                        and career and technical education teachers to 
                        jointly develop and implement curricula and 
                        pedagogical strategies;
                            ``(iv) mentoring by experienced teachers;
                            ``(v) providing resources or assistance 
                        with meeting State teacher licensure and 
                        credential requirements; or
                            ``(vi) training for career guidance and 
                        academic counselors at the secondary level to 
                        improve awareness of postsecondary education 
                        and postsecondary career options, and improve 
                        the ability of such counselors to communicate 
                        to students the career opportunities and 
                        employment trends.
                    ``(H) Improving CTE concentrator employment 
                outcomes in non-traditional fields.
                    ``(I) Supporting the use of career and technical 
                education programs and programs of study in a 
                coordinated strategy to address identified employer 
                needs and workforce shortages, such as shortages in the 
                early childhood, elementary school, and secondary 
                school education workforce.
                    ``(J) Providing integrated student support that 
                addresses the comprehensive needs of students, such as 
                incorporating accelerated and differentiated learning 
                opportunities supported by evidence-based strategies 
                for special populations.
                    ``(K) Establishing an online portal for career and 
                technical education students, including special 
                populations, preparing for postsecondary career and 
                technical education, which may include opportunities 
                for mentoring, gaining financial literacy skills, and 
                identifying career opportunities and interests, and a 
                platform to establish online savings accounts to be 
                used exclusively for postsecondary career and technical 
                education programs and programs of study.
                    ``(L) Developing and implementing a pay for success 
                initiative.
            ``(8) Evaluation.--Each eligible entity, eligible 
        institution, or eligible recipient receiving a grant under this 
        subsection shall provide for an independent evaluation of the 
        activities carried out using such grant and submit to the 
        Secretary an annual report that includes--
                    ``(A) a description of how funds received under 
                this paragraph were used;
                    ``(B) the performance of the eligible entity, 
                eligible institution, or eligible recipient with 
                respect to, at a minimum, the performance indicators 
                described under section 113, as applicable, and 
                disaggregated by--
                            ``(i) subgroups of students described in 
                        section 1111(c)(2)(B) of the Elementary and 
                        Secondary Education Act of 1965;
                            ``(ii) special populations; and
                            ``(iii) as appropriate, each career and 
                        technical education program and program of 
                        study; and
                    ``(C) a quantitative analysis of the effectiveness 
                of the project carried out under this paragraph.''; and
            (7) by amending subsection (f), as redesignated by 
        paragraph (5), to read as follows:
    ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section--
            ``(1) $7,651,051 for fiscal year 2019;
            ``(2) $7,758,166 for fiscal year 2020;
            ``(3) $7,866,780 for fiscal year 2021;
            ``(4) $7,976,915 for fiscal year 2022;
            ``(5) $8,088,592 for fiscal year 2023; and
            ``(6) $8,201,832 for fiscal year 2024.''.

SEC. 114. ASSISTANCE FOR THE OUTLYING AREAS.

    Section 115 (20 U.S.C. 2325) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ``subject to 
        subsection (d)'' and inserting ``subject to subsection (b)'';
            (2) by striking subsections (b) and (c); and
            (3) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (b).

SEC. 115. NATIVE AMERICAN PROGRAMS.

    Section 116 (20 U.S.C. 2326) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), in the paragraph heading, by 
                striking ``native'' and inserting ``Native'';
                    (B) by striking paragraph (3);
                    (C) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as 
                paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively;
                    (D) in paragraph (3) (as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (C)), in the paragraph heading, by 
                striking ``hawaiian'' and inserting ``Hawaiian''; and
                    (E) in paragraph (4) (as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (C))--
                            (i) in the paragraph heading, by striking 
                        ``hawaiian'' and inserting ``Hawaiian''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``(20 U.S.C. 7517)'' 
                        after ``Act'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``tribes'' and inserting 
                        ``Tribes''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``tribal'' and inserting 
                        ``Tribal'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by striking the paragraph heading and 
                        inserting ``Indian tribes and tribal 
                        organizations.--'';
                            (ii) by striking ``Indian tribe or tribal 
                        organization'' and inserting ``Indian Tribe or 
                        Tribal organization'';
                            (iii) by striking ``450f'' and inserting 
                        ``5321''; and
                            (iv) by striking ``455-457'' and inserting 
                        ``5345-5347'';
                    (C) in paragraph (3)--
                            (i) in the paragraph heading, by striking 
                        ``bureau of indian affairs'' and inserting 
                        ``Bureau of indian education'';
                            (ii) by striking ``tribe'' and inserting 
                        ``Tribe'';
                            (iii) by striking ``tribal'' and inserting 
                        ``Tribal''; and
                            (iv) by striking ``Bureau of Indian 
                        Affairs'' and inserting ``Bureau of Indian 
                        Education'';
                    (D) in paragraph (4)--
                            (i) by striking ``Bureau of Indian 
                        Affairs'' each place the term appears and 
                        inserting ``Bureau of Indian Education''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``Assistant Secretary of 
                        the Interior for Indian Affairs'' and inserting 
                        ``Director of the Bureau of Indian Education'';
                    (E) in paragraph (5)(A), by striking ``Indian 
                tribes, tribal organizations, and individual tribal 
                members'' and inserting ``Indian Tribes, Tribal 
                organizations, and individual Tribal members''; and
                    (F) in paragraph (6)--
                            (i) by striking ``tribe'' each place the 
                        term appears and inserting ``Tribe''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``tribal'' each place the 
                        term appears and inserting ``Tribal'';
            (3) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph 
                (3); and
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
            ``(2) Special rule.--Notwithstanding section 3(5)(A)(iii), 
        funds made available under this section may be used to provide 
        preparatory, refresher, and remedial education services that 
        are designed to enable students to achieve success in career 
        and technical education programs or programs of study.'';
            (4) in subsection (d), by striking ``tribe'' each place the 
        term appears and inserting ``Tribe'';
            (5) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ``tribal'' and 
        inserting ``Tribal'';
            (6) in subsection (f), by striking ``tribe'' and inserting 
        ``Tribe''; and
            (7) in subsection (g), by striking ``tribe'' each place the 
        term appears and inserting ``Tribe''.

SEC. 116. TRIBALLY CONTROLLED POSTSECONDARY CAREER AND TECHNICAL 
              INSTITUTIONS.

    Section 117 (20 U.S.C. 2327) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``(25 U.S.C. 640a et 
        seq.)'' and inserting ``(Public Law 92-189; 85 Stat. 646)'';
            (2) in subsection (d), by striking ``(25 U.S.C. 640a et 
        seq.)'' and inserting ``(Public Law 92-189; 85 Stat. 646)'';
            (3) in subsection (f)(3), by striking ``tribe'' each place 
        the term appears and inserting ``Tribe'';
            (4) in subsection (h)--
                    (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``indian 
                tribe'' and inserting ``Indian tribe''; and
                    (B) by striking ``terms `Indian' and `Indian tribe' 
                have the meanings given the terms in'' and inserting 
                ``terms `Indian' and `Indian Tribe' have the meanings 
                given the terms `Indian' and `Indian tribe', 
                respectively, in''; and
            (5) by striking subsection (i) and inserting the following:
    ``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section--
            ``(1) $9,762,539 for fiscal year 2019;
            ``(2) $9,899,215 for fiscal year 2020;
            ``(3) $10,037,804 for fiscal year 2021;
            ``(4) $10,178,333 for fiscal year 2022;
            ``(5) $10,320,829 for fiscal year 2023; and
            ``(6) $10,465,321 for fiscal year 2024.''.

SEC. 117. OCCUPATIONAL AND EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION.

    Section 118 (20 U.S.C. 2328) is repealed.

                        PART B--STATE PROVISIONS

SEC. 121. STATE ADMINISTRATION.

    Section 121(a)(2) (20 U.S.C. 2341(a)(2)) is amended by striking 
``parents'' and all that follows through the end of the paragraph and 
inserting ``teachers, faculty, specialized instructional support 
personnel, paraprofessionals, school leaders, authorized public 
chartering agencies and charter school leaders (consistent with State 
law), employers, representatives of business (including small 
businesses), labor organizations, eligible recipients, local program 
administrators, State and local officials, Indian Tribes or Tribal 
organizations present in the State, parents, students, and community 
organizations;''.

SEC. 122. STATE PLAN.

    Section 122 (20 U.S.C. 2342) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``a State plan for a 6-year 
                        period,'' and inserting ``every 4 years a State 
                        plan for a 4-year period, consistent with 
                        subsection (b),''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``Carl D. Perkins Career 
                        and Technical Education Improvement Act of 
                        2006'' and inserting ``Strengthening Career and 
                        Technical Education for the 21st Century Act'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking ``6-year 
                period'' and inserting ``4-year period'';
                    (C) in paragraph (3), by striking ``(including 
                charter school'' and all that follows through ``and 
                community organizations)'' and inserting ``(including 
                teachers, faculty, specialized instructional support 
                personnel, paraprofessionals, school leaders, 
                authorized public chartering agencies and charter 
                school leaders (consistent with State law), employers, 
                labor organizations, parents, students, Indian Tribes 
                and Tribal organizations that may be present in the 
                State, and community organizations)''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Public comment.--Each eligible agency shall make the 
        State plan publicly available for public comment for a period 
        of not less than 30 days, by electronic means and in an easily 
        accessible format, prior to submission to the Secretary for 
        approval under this subsection. In the plan the eligible agency 
        files under this subsection, the eligible agency shall provide 
        an assurance that public comments were taken into account in 
        the development of the State plan.
            ``(5) Submission of subsequent plans.--Any State plan 
        submitted by an eligible agency after the first 4-year State 
        plan is submitted under this section shall be submitted not 
        later than 120 days prior to the end of the 4-year period 
        covered by the preceding State plan.''; and
            (2) by striking subsections (b) through (e) and inserting 
        the following:
    ``(b) Options for Submission of State Plan.--
            ``(1) Combined plan.--The eligible agency may submit a 
        combined plan that meets the requirements of this section and 
        the requirements of section 103 of the Workforce Innovation and 
        Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3113).
            ``(2) Notice to secretary.--The eligible agency shall 
        inform the Secretary of whether the eligible agency intends to 
        submit a combined plan described in paragraph (1) or a single 
        plan.
    ``(c) Plan Development.--
            ``(1) In general.--The eligible agency shall--
                    ``(A) develop the State plan in consultation with--
                            ``(i) representatives of secondary and 
                        postsecondary career and technical education 
                        programs, including eligible recipients and 
                        representatives of 2-year minority-serving 
                        institutions and historically Black colleges 
                        and universities and tribally controlled 
                        colleges or universities in States where such 
                        institutions are in existence, adult career and 
                        technical education providers, and charter 
                        school representatives in States where such 
                        schools are in existence, which shall include 
                        teachers, faculty, school leaders, specialized 
                        instructional support personnel, career and 
                        academic guidance counselors, and 
                        paraprofessionals;
                            ``(ii) interested community 
                        representatives, including parents, students, 
                        and community organizations;
                            ``(iii) representatives of the State 
                        workforce development board established under 
                        section 101 of the Workforce Innovation and 
                        Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3111) (referred to 
                        in this section as the `State board');
                            ``(iv) members and representatives of 
                        special populations;
                            ``(v) representatives of business and 
                        industry (including representatives of small 
                        business), which shall include representatives 
                        of industry and sector partnerships in the 
                        State, as appropriate, and representatives of 
                        labor organizations in the State;
                            ``(vi) representatives of agencies serving 
                        out-of-school youth, homeless children and 
                        youth, and at-risk youth, including the State 
                        Coordinator for Education of Homeless Children 
                        and Youths established or designated under 
                        section 722(d)(3) of the McKinney-Vento 
                        Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
                        11432(d)(3));
                            ``(vii) representatives of Indian Tribes 
                        and Tribal organizations located in, or 
                        providing services in, the State; and
                            ``(viii) individuals with disabilities; and
                    ``(B) consult the Governor of the State, and the 
                heads of other State agencies with authority for career 
                and technical education programs that are not the 
                eligible agency, with respect to the development of the 
                State plan.
            ``(2) Activities and procedures.--The eligible agency shall 
        develop effective activities and procedures, including access 
        to information needed to use such procedures, to allow the 
        individuals and entities described in paragraph (1) to 
        participate in State and local decisions that relate to 
        development of the State plan.
            ``(3) Consultation with the governor.--The consultation 
        described in paragraph (1)(B) shall include meetings of 
        officials from the eligible agency and the Governor's office 
        and shall occur--
                    ``(A) during the development of such plan; and
                    ``(B) prior to submission of the plan to the 
                Secretary.
    ``(d) Plan Contents.--The State plan shall include--
            ``(1) a summary of State-supported workforce development 
        activities (including education and training) in the State, 
        including the degree to which the State's career and technical 
        education programs and programs of study are aligned with and 
        address the education and skill needs of the employers in the 
        State identified by the State board;
            ``(2) the State's strategic vision and set of goals for 
        preparing an educated and skilled workforce (including special 
        populations) and for meeting the skilled workforce needs of 
        employers, including in existing and emerging in-demand 
        industry sectors and occupations as identified by the State, 
        and how the State's career and technical education programs 
        will help to meet these goals;
            ``(3) a strategy for any joint planning, alignment, 
        coordination, and leveraging of funds--
                    ``(A) between the State's career and technical 
                education programs and programs of study with the 
                State's workforce development system, to achieve the 
                strategic vision and goals described in paragraph (2), 
                including the core programs defined in section 3 of the 
                Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
                3102) and the elements related to system alignment 
                under section 102(b)(2)(B) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 
                3112(b)(2)(B)); and
                    ``(B) for programs carried out under this title 
                with other Federal programs, which may include programs 
                funded under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
                of 1965 and the Higher Education Act of 1965;
            ``(4) a description of the career and technical education 
        programs or programs of study that will be supported, 
        developed, or improved at the State level, including 
        descriptions of--
                    ``(A) the programs of study to be developed at the 
                State level and made available for adoption by eligible 
                recipients;
                    ``(B) the process and criteria to be used for 
                approving locally developed programs of study or career 
                pathways, including how such programs address State 
                workforce development and education needs and the 
                criteria to assess the extent to which the local 
                application under section 132 will--
                            ``(i) promote continuous improvement in 
                        academic achievement and technical skill 
                        attainment;
                            ``(ii) expand access to career and 
                        technical education for special populations; 
                        and
                            ``(iii) support the alignment of 
                        employability skills;
                    ``(C) how the eligible agency will--
                            ``(i) make information on approved programs 
                        of study and career pathways (including career 
                        exploration, work-based learning opportunities, 
                        early college high schools, and dual or 
                        concurrent enrollment program opportunities) 
                        and guidance and advisement resources, 
                        available to students (and parents, as 
                        appropriate), representatives of secondary and 
                        postsecondary education, and special 
                        populations, and to the extent practicable, 
                        provide that information and those resources in 
                        a language students, parents, and educators can 
                        understand;
                            ``(ii) facilitate collaboration among 
                        eligible recipients in the development of 
                        career and technical education programs and 
                        programs of study and career pathways to ensure 
                        nonduplication of eligible recipients' 
                        development of programs of study and career 
                        pathways;
                            ``(iii) use State, regional, or local labor 
                        market data to determine alignment of eligible 
                        recipients' programs of study to the needs of 
                        the State, regional, or local economy, 
                        including in-demand industry sectors and 
                        occupations identified by the State board, and 
                        to align career and technical education with 
                        such needs, as appropriate;
                            ``(iv) ensure equal access to approved 
                        career and technical education programs of 
                        study and activities assisted under this Act 
                        for special populations;
                            ``(v) coordinate with the State board to 
                        support the local development of career 
                        pathways and articulate processes by which 
                        career pathways will be developed by local 
                        workforce development boards, as appropriate;
                            ``(vi) support effective and meaningful 
                        collaboration between secondary schools, 
                        postsecondary institutions, and employers to 
                        provide students with experience in, and 
                        understanding of, all aspects of an industry, 
                        which may include work-based learning such as 
                        internships, mentorships, simulated work 
                        environments, and other hands-on or inquiry-
                        based learning activities; and
                            ``(vii) improve outcomes and reduce 
                        performance gaps for CTE concentrators, 
                        including those who are members of special 
                        populations; and
                    ``(D) how the eligible agency may include the 
                opportunity for secondary school students to 
                participate in dual or concurrent enrollment programs, 
                early college high school, or competency-based 
                education;
            ``(5) a description of the criteria and process for how the 
        eligible agency will approve eligible recipients for funds 
        under this Act, including how--
                    ``(A) each eligible recipient will promote academic 
                achievement;
                    ``(B) each eligible recipient will promote skill 
                attainment, including skill attainment that leads to a 
                recognized postsecondary credential; and
                    ``(C) each eligible recipient will ensure the 
                comprehensive needs assessment under section 134(c) 
                takes into consideration local economic and education 
                needs, including, where appropriate, in-demand industry 
                sectors and occupations;
            ``(6) a description of how the eligible agency will support 
        the recruitment and preparation of teachers, including special 
        education teachers, faculty, school principals, administrators, 
        specialized instructional support personnel, and 
        paraprofessionals to provide career and technical education 
        instruction, leadership, and support, including professional 
        development that provides the knowledge and skills needed to 
        work with and improve instruction for special populations;
            ``(7) a description of how the eligible agency will use 
        State leadership funds under section 124;
            ``(8) a description of how funds received by the eligible 
        agency through the allotment made under section 111 will be 
        distributed--
                    ``(A) among career and technical education at the 
                secondary level, or career and technical education at 
                the postsecondary and adult level, or both, including 
                how such distribution will most effectively provide 
                students with the skills needed to succeed in the 
                workplace; and
                    ``(B) among any consortia that may be formed among 
                secondary schools and eligible institutions, and how 
                funds will be distributed among the members of the 
                consortia, including the rationale for such 
                distribution and how it will most effectively provide 
                students with the skills needed to succeed in the 
                workplace;
            ``(9) a description of the eligible agency's program 
        strategies for special populations, including a description of 
        how individuals who are members of special populations--
                    ``(A) will be provided with equal access to 
                activities assisted under this Act;
                    ``(B) will not be discriminated against on the 
                basis of status as a member of a special population;
                    ``(C) will be provided with programs designed to 
                enable individuals who are members of special 
                populations to meet or exceed State determined levels 
                of performance described in section 113, and prepare 
                special populations for further learning and for high-
                skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or 
                occupations;
                    ``(D) will be provided with appropriate 
                accommodations; and
                    ``(E) will be provided instruction and work-based 
                learning opportunities in integrated settings that 
                support competitive, integrated employment;
            ``(10) a description of the procedure the eligible agency 
        will adopt for determining State determined levels of 
        performance described in section 113, which, at a minimum, 
        shall include--
                    ``(A) a description of the process for public 
                comment under section 113(b)(3)(B) as part of the 
                development of the State determined levels of 
                performance under section 113(b);
                    ``(B) an explanation of the State determined levels 
                of performance; and
                    ``(C) a description of how the State determined 
                levels of performance set by the eligible agency align 
                with the levels, goals, and objectives of other Federal 
                and State laws;
            ``(11) a description of how the eligible agency will 
        address disparities or gaps in performance, as described in 
        section 113(b)(3)(C)(ii)(II), in each of the plan years, and if 
        no meaningful progress has been achieved prior to the third 
        program year, a description of the additional actions the 
        eligible agency will take to eliminate these disparities or 
        gaps;
            ``(12) describes how the eligible agency will involve 
        parents, academic and career and technical education teachers, 
        administrators, faculty, career guidance and academic 
        counselors, local business (including small businesses), labor 
        organizations, and representatives of Indian Tribes and Tribal 
        organizations, as appropriate, in the planning, development, 
        implementation, and evaluation of such career and technical 
        education programs; and
            ``(13) assurances that--
                    ``(A) the eligible agency will comply with the 
                requirements of this Act and the provisions of the 
                State plan, including the provision of a financial 
                audit of funds received under this Act, which may be 
                included as part of an audit of other Federal or State 
                programs;
                    ``(B) none of the funds expended under this Act 
                will be used to acquire equipment (including computer 
                software) in any instance in which such acquisition 
                results in a direct financial benefit to any 
                organization representing the interests of the 
                acquiring entity or the employees of the acquiring 
                entity, or any affiliate of such an organization;
                    ``(C) the eligible agency will use the funds to 
                promote preparation for high-skill, high-wage, or in-
                demand industry sectors or occupations and non-
                traditional fields, as identified by the eligible 
                agency;
                    ``(D) the eligible agency will use the funds 
                provided under this Act to implement career and 
                technical education programs and programs of study for 
                individuals in State correctional institutions, 
                including juvenile justice facilities; and
                    ``(E) the eligible agency will provide local 
                educational agencies, area career and technical 
                education schools, and eligible institutions in the 
                State with technical assistance, including technical 
                assistance on how to close gaps in student 
                participation and performance in career and technical 
                education programs; and
            ``(14) a description of the opportunities for the public to 
        comment in person and in writing on the State plan under this 
        subsection.
    ``(e) Consultation.--
            ``(1) In general.--The eligible agency shall develop the 
        portion of each State plan relating to the amount and uses of 
        any funds proposed to be reserved for adult career and 
        technical education, postsecondary career and technical 
        education, and secondary career and technical education after 
        consultation with--
                    ``(A) the State agency responsible for supervision 
                of community colleges, technical institutes, other 2-
                year postsecondary institutions primarily engaged in 
                providing postsecondary career and technical education, 
                or, where applicable, institutions of higher education 
                that are engaged in providing postsecondary career and 
                technical education as part of their mission;
                    ``(B) the State agency responsible for secondary 
                education; and
                    ``(C) the State agency responsible for adult 
                education.
            ``(2) Objections of state agencies.--If a State agency 
        other than the eligible agency finds that a portion of the 
        final State plan is objectionable, that objection shall be 
        filed together with the State plan. The eligible agency shall 
        respond to any objections of such State agency in the State 
        plan submitted to the Secretary.
            ``(3) Joint signature authority.--A Governor shall have 30 
        days prior to the eligible agency submitting the State plan to 
        the Secretary to sign such plan. If the Governor has not signed 
        the plan within 30 days of delivery by the eligible agency to 
        the Governor, the eligible agency shall submit the plan to the 
        Secretary without such signature.
    ``(f) Plan Approval.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the 
        eligible agency submits its State plan, the Secretary shall 
        approve such State plan, or a revision of the plan under 
        subsection (a)(2) (including a revision of State determined 
        levels of performance in accordance with section 
        113(b)(3)(A)(iii)), if the Secretary determines that the State 
        has submitted in its State plan State determined levels of 
        performance that meet the criteria established in section 
        113(b)(3), including the minimum requirements described in 
        section 113(b)(3)(A)(i)(III), unless the Secretary--
                    ``(A) determines that the State plan does not meet 
                the requirements of this Act, including the minimum 
                requirements as described in section 
                113(b)(3)(A)(i)(III); and
                    ``(B) meets the requirements of paragraph (2) with 
                respect to such plan.
            ``(2) Disapproval.--The Secretary--
                    ``(A) shall have the authority to disapprove a 
                State plan only if the Secretary--
                            ``(i) determines how the State plan fails 
                        to meet the requirements of this Act; and
                            ``(ii) provides to the eligible agency, in 
                        writing, notice of such determination and the 
                        supporting information and rationale to 
                        substantiate such determination; and
                    ``(B) shall not finally disapprove a State plan, 
                except after making the determination and providing the 
                information described in subparagraph (A), and giving 
                the eligible agency notice and an opportunity for a 
                hearing.''.

SEC. 123. IMPROVEMENT PLANS.

    Section 123 (20 U.S.C. 2343) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``percent of an agreed 
                        upon'' and inserting ``percent of the'';
                            (ii) by striking ``State adjusted level of 
                        performance'' and inserting ``State determined 
                        level of performance'' each place the term 
                        appears;
                            (iii) by striking ``section 113(b)(3)'' and 
                        inserting ``113(b)(2) for all CTE 
                        concentrators'';
                            (iv) by striking ``(with special 
                        consideration to performance gaps identified 
                        under section 113(c)(2))'' and inserting 
                        ``(that includes an analysis of the performance 
                        disparities or gaps identified under section 
                        113(b)(3)(C)(ii)(II), and actions that will be 
                        taken to address such gaps)'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by striking ``State's adjusted levels 
                        of performance'' and inserting ``State 
                        determined levels of performance''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``purposes of this Act'' 
                        and inserting ``purposes of this section, 
                        including after implementation of the 
                        improvement plan described in paragraph (1),'';
                    (C) in paragraph (3)(A)--
                            (i) in clause (i), by inserting ``or'' 
                        after the semicolon; and
                            (ii) by striking clauses (ii) and (iii) and 
                        inserting the following:
                            ``(ii) with respect to any specific core 
                        indicator of performance that was identified in 
                        a program improvement plan under paragraph (1), 
                        fails to meet at least 90 percent of a State 
                        determined level of performance for such core 
                        indicator for 2 consecutive years.''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) Adjustments prohibited.--An eligible agency shall not 
        be eligible to adjust performance levels while executing an 
        improvement plan under this section.''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by striking ``adjusted'' each place the term 
                appears;
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by inserting ``for all CTE 
                        concentrators'' after ``section 113(b)(4)''; 
                        and
                            (ii) by striking ``(with special 
                        consideration to performance gaps identified 
                        under section 113(b)(4)(C)(ii)(II) in 
                        consultation with the eligible agency,'' and 
                        inserting ``(that includes an analysis of the 
                        performance disparities or gaps identified 
                        under section 113(b)(3)(C)(ii)(II), and actions 
                        that will be taken to address such gaps) in 
                        consultation with local stakeholders described 
                        in section 134(d)(1), the eligible agency, 
                        and'';
                    (C) in paragraph (4)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A)--
                                    (I) in clause (i), by inserting 
                                ``or'' after the semicolon; and
                                    (II) by striking clauses (ii) and 
                                (iii) and inserting the following:
                            ``(ii) with respect to any specific core 
                        indicator of performance that was identified in 
                        a program improvement plan under paragraph (2), 
                        fails to meet at least 90 percent of the local 
                        level of performance for such core indicator 
                        for 2 consecutive years.''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B)--
                                    (I) in clause (i), by striking 
                                ``or'' after the semicolon;
                                    (II) in clause (ii), by striking 
                                the period at the end and inserting ``; 
                                or''; and
                                    (III) by adding at the end the 
                                following:
                            ``(iii) in response to a public request 
                        from an eligible recipient, if the eligible 
                        agency determines that the requirements 
                        described in clause (i) or (ii) have been 
                        met.''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) Adjustments prohibited.--An eligible recipient shall 
        not be eligible to adjust performance levels while executing an 
        improvement plan under this section.''.

SEC. 124. STATE LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES.

    Section 124 (20 U.S.C. 2344) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``shall conduct State 
        leadership activities.'' and inserting ``shall--
            ``(1) conduct State leadership activities to improve career 
        and technical education, which shall include support for--
                    ``(A) preparation for non-traditional fields in 
                current and emerging professions, programs for special 
                populations, and other activities that expose students, 
                including special populations, to high-skill, high-
                wage, and in-demand occupations;
                    ``(B) individuals in State institutions, such as 
                State correctional institutions, including juvenile 
                justice facilities, and educational institutions that 
                serve individuals with disabilities;
                    ``(C) recruiting, preparing, or retaining career 
                and technical education teachers, faculty, specialized 
                instructional support personnel, or paraprofessionals, 
                such as preservice, professional development, or 
                leadership development programs; and
                    ``(D) technical assistance for eligible recipients; 
                and
            ``(2) report on the effectiveness of such use of funds in 
        achieving the goals described in section 122(d)(2) and the 
        State determined levels of performance described in section 
        113(b)(3)(A), and reducing disparities or performance gaps as 
        described in section 113(b)(3)(C)(ii)(II).'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in the subsection heading, by striking 
                ``Required'' and inserting ``Permissible'';
                    (B) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``shall'' and inserting ``may''; and
                    (C) by striking paragraphs (1) through (9) and 
                inserting the following:
            ``(1) developing statewide programs of study, which may 
        include standards, curriculum, and course development, and 
        career exploration, guidance, and advisement activities and 
        resources;
            ``(2) approving locally developed programs of study that 
        meet the requirements established in section 122(d)(4)(B);
            ``(3) establishing statewide articulation agreements 
        aligned to approved programs of study;
            ``(4) establishing statewide industry or sector 
        partnerships among local educational agencies, institutions of 
        higher education, adult education providers, Indian Tribes and 
        Tribal organizations that may be present in the State, 
        employers, including small businesses, and parents, as 
        appropriate to--
                    ``(A) develop and implement programs of study 
                aligned to State and local economic and education 
                needs, including, as appropriate, in-demand industry 
                sectors and occupations;
                    ``(B) facilitate the establishment, expansion, and 
                integration of opportunities for students at the 
                secondary level to--
                            ``(i) successfully complete coursework that 
                        integrates rigorous and challenging technical 
                        and academic instruction aligned with the 
                        challenging State academic standards adopted by 
                        the State under section 1111(b)(1) of the 
                        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) earn a recognized postsecondary 
                        credential or credit toward a recognized 
                        postsecondary credential, which may be earned 
                        through a dual or concurrent enrollment program 
                        or early college high school, at no cost to the 
                        student or the student's family; and
                    ``(C) facilitate work-based learning opportunities 
                (including internships, externships, and simulated work 
                environments) into programs of study;
            ``(5) for teachers, faculty, specialized instructional 
        support personnel, and paraprofessionals providing career and 
        technical education instruction, support services, and 
        specialized instructional support services, high-quality 
        comprehensive professional development that is, to the extent 
        practicable, grounded in evidence-based research (to the extent 
        a State determines that such evidence is reasonably available) 
        that identifies the most effective educator professional 
        development process and is coordinated and aligned with other 
        professional development activities carried out by the State 
        (including under title II of the Elementary and Secondary 
        Education Act of 1965 and title II of the Higher Education Act 
        of 1965), including programming that--
                    ``(A) promotes the integration of the challenging 
                State academic standards adopted by the State under 
                section 1111(b)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary 
                Education Act of 1965 and relevant technical knowledge 
                and skills, including programming jointly delivered to 
                academic and career and technical education teachers;
                    ``(B) prepares career and technical education 
                teachers, faculty, specialized instructional support 
                personnel, and paraprofessionals to provide appropriate 
                accommodations for students who are members of special 
                populations, including through the use of principles of 
                universal design for learning, multi-tier systems of 
                supports, and positive behavioral interventions and 
                support; and
                    ``(C) increases the ability of teachers, faculty, 
                specialized instructional support personnel, and 
                paraprofessionals providing career and technical 
                education instruction to stay current with industry 
                standards and earn an industry-recognized credential or 
                license, as appropriate;
            ``(6) supporting eligible recipients in eliminating 
        inequities in student access to--
                    ``(A) high-quality programs of study that provide 
                skill development; and
                    ``(B) effective teachers, faculty, specialized 
                instructional support personnel, and paraprofessionals;
            ``(7) awarding incentive grants to eligible recipients--
                    ``(A) for exemplary performance in carrying out 
                programs under this Act, which awards shall be based 
                on--
                            ``(i) eligible recipients exceeding the 
                        local level of performance on a core indicator 
                        of performance established under section 
                        113(b)(4)(A) in a manner that reflects 
                        sustained or significant improvement;
                            ``(ii) eligible recipients effectively 
                        developing connections between secondary 
                        education and postsecondary education and 
                        training;
                            ``(iii) the integration of academic and 
                        technical standards;
                            ``(iv) eligible recipients' progress in 
                        closing achievement gaps among subpopulations 
                        who participate in programs of study; or
                            ``(v) other factors relating to the 
                        performance of eligible recipients under this 
                        Act as the eligible agency determines are 
                        appropriate; or
                    ``(B) if an eligible recipient elects to use funds 
                as permitted under section 135(c);
            ``(8) providing support for--
                    ``(A) the adoption and integration of recognized 
                postsecondary credentials and work-based learning into 
                programs of study, and for increasing data collection 
                associated with recognized postsecondary credentials 
                and employment outcomes; or
                    ``(B) consultation and coordination with other 
                State agencies for the identification and examination 
                of licenses or certifications that--
                            ``(i) pose an unwarranted barrier to entry 
                        into the workforce for career and technical 
                        education students; and
                            ``(ii) do not protect the health, safety, 
                        or welfare of consumers;
            ``(9) the creation, implementation, and support of pay for 
        success initiatives leading to a recognized postsecondary 
        credential;
            ``(10) support for career and technical education programs 
        for adults and out-of-school youth concurrent with their 
        completion of their secondary school education in a school or 
        other educational setting;
            ``(11) the creation, evaluation, and support of competency-
        based curricula;
            ``(12) support for the development, implementation, and 
        expansion of programs of study or career pathways in areas 
        declared to be in a state of emergency under section 501 of the 
        Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 5191);
            ``(13) partnering with qualified intermediaries to improve 
        training, the development of public-private partnerships, 
        systems development, capacity-building, and scalability of the 
        delivery of high-quality career and technical education;
            ``(14) improvement of career guidance and academic 
        counseling programs that assist students in making informed 
        academic and career and technical education decisions, 
        including academic and financial aid counseling;
            ``(15) support for the integration of employability skills 
        into career and technical education programs and programs of 
        study;
            ``(16) support for programs and activities that increase 
        access, student engagement, and success in science, technology, 
        engineering, and mathematics fields (including computer 
        science, coding, and architecture), support for the integration 
        of arts and design skills, and support for hands-on learning, 
        particularly for students who are members of groups 
        underrepresented in such subject fields, such as female 
        students, minority students, and students who are members of 
        special populations;
            ``(17) support for career and technical student 
        organizations, especially with respect to efforts to increase 
        the participation of students in nontraditional fields and 
        students who are members of special populations;
            ``(18) support for establishing and expanding work-based 
        learning opportunities that are aligned to career and technical 
        education programs and programs of study;
            ``(19) integrating and aligning programs of study and 
        career pathways;
            ``(20) supporting the use of career and technical education 
        programs and programs of study aligned with State, regional, or 
        local in-demand industry sectors or occupations identified by 
        the State workforce development board described in section 101 
        of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
        3111) or local workforce development boards;
            ``(21) making all forms of instructional content widely 
        available, which may include use of open educational resources;
            ``(22) developing valid and reliable assessments of 
        competencies and technical skills and enhancing data systems to 
        collect and analyze data on secondary and postsecondary 
        academic and employment outcomes;
            ``(23) support for accelerated learning programs, as 
        described in section 4104(b)(3)(A)(i)(IV) of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965, in the case of any such 
        program that is part of a career and technical education 
        program of study;
            ``(24) support for career academies to implement a 
        postsecondary education and workforce-ready curriculum at the 
        secondary education level that integrates rigorous academic, 
        technical, and employability contents through career and 
        technical education programs and programs of study that address 
        needs described in the comprehensive needs assessment under 
        section 134(c); and
            ``(25) other State leadership activities that improve 
        career and technical education.'';
            (3) by striking subsection (c);
            (4) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c); and
            (5) in subsection (c), as redesignated by paragraph (4), by 
        striking the period at the end and inserting ``, except for 
        technical assistance.''.

                        PART C--LOCAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 131. DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS TO SECONDARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

    Section 131 (20 U.S.C. 2351) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(3)(B), by striking ``Bureau of Indian 
        Affairs'' and inserting ``Bureau of Indian Education'';
            (2) in subsection (c)(2)(A)(ii), by inserting ``or programs 
        of study'' after ``technical education programs'';
            (3) in subsection (g), by inserting ``and programs of 
        study'' after ``technical education programs''; and
            (4) in subsection (h), by striking ``Bureau of Indian 
        Affairs'' and inserting ``Bureau of Indian Education''.

SEC. 132. SPECIAL RULES FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

    Section 133 (20 U.S.C. 2353) is amended by inserting ``or programs 
of study'' after ``career and technical education programs'' each place 
the term appears.

SEC. 133. LOCAL APPLICATION FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION 
              PROGRAMS.

    Section 134 (20 U.S.C. 2354) is amended--
            (1) in the section heading, by striking ``local plan'' and 
        inserting ``local application'';
            (2) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Local 
                Plan'' and inserting ``Local Application'';
                    (B) by striking ``submit a local plan'' and 
                inserting ``submit a local application''; and
                    (C) by striking ``Such local plan'' and inserting 
                ``Such local application''; and
            (3) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
    ``(b) Contents.--The eligible agency shall determine the 
requirements for local applications, except that each local application 
shall contain--
            ``(1) a description of the results of the comprehensive 
        needs assessment conducted under subsection (c);
            ``(2) information on the career and technical education 
        course offerings and activities, which shall include not less 
        than 1 program of study approved by a State under section 
        124(b)(2) and supported by the eligible recipient with funds 
        under this part, including--
                    ``(A) how the results of the comprehensive needs 
                assessment described in subsection (c) informed the 
                selection of the specific career and technical 
                education programs and activities selected to be 
                funded;
                    ``(B) a description of any new programs of study 
                the eligible recipient will develop and submit to the 
                State for approval; and
                    ``(C) how students, including students who are 
                members of special populations, will learn about their 
                school's career and technical education course 
                offerings and whether each course is part of a career 
                and technical education program of study;
            ``(3) a description of how the eligible recipient, in 
        collaboration with local workforce development boards and other 
        local workforce agencies, one-stop delivery systems described 
        in section 121(e)(2) of the Workforce Innovation and 
        Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3151(e)(2)), and other partners, 
        will provide--
                    ``(A) career exploration and career development 
                coursework, activities, or services;
                    ``(B) career information on employment 
                opportunities that incorporate the most up-to-date 
                information on in-demand industry sectors or 
                occupations, as determined by the comprehensive needs 
                assessment described in subsection (c); and
                    ``(C) an organized system of career guidance and 
                academic counseling to students before enrolling and 
                while participating in a career and technical education 
                program;
            ``(4) a description of how the eligible recipient will 
        improve the academic and technical skills of students 
        participating in career and technical education programs by 
        strengthening the academic and career and technical education 
        components of such programs through the integration of coherent 
        and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic 
        standards and relevant career and technical education programs 
        to ensure learning in the subjects that constitute a well-
        rounded education (as defined in section 8101 of the Elementary 
        and Secondary Education Act of 1965);
            ``(5) a description of how the eligible recipient will--
                    ``(A) provide activities to prepare special 
                populations for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand 
                industry sectors or occupations that will lead to self-
                sufficiency;
                    ``(B) prepare CTE participants for non-traditional 
                fields;
                    ``(C) provide equal access for special populations 
                to career and technical education courses, programs, 
                and programs of study; and
                    ``(D) ensure that members of special populations 
                will not be discriminated against on the basis of their 
                status as members of special populations;
            ``(6) a description of the work-based learning 
        opportunities that the eligible recipient will provide to 
        students participating in career and technical education 
        programs and how the recipient will work with representatives 
        from employers to develop or expand work-based learning 
        opportunities for career and technical education students, as 
        applicable;
            ``(7) a description of how the eligible recipient will 
        provide students participating in career and technical 
        education programs with the opportunity to gain postsecondary 
        credit while still attending high school, such as through dual 
        or concurrent enrollment programs or early college high school, 
        as practicable;
            ``(8) a description of how the eligible recipient will 
        coordinate with the eligible agency and institutions of higher 
        education to support the recruitment, preparation, retention, 
        and training, including professional development, of teachers, 
        faculty, administrators, and specialized instructional support 
        personnel and paraprofessionals who meet applicable State 
        certification and licensure requirements (including any 
        requirements met through alternative routes to certification), 
        including individuals from groups underrepresented in the 
        teaching profession; and
            ``(9) a description of how the eligible recipient will 
        address disparities or gaps in performance as described in 
        section 113(b)(3)(C)(ii)(II) in each of the plan years, and if 
        no meaningful progress has been achieved prior to the third 
        program year, a description of the additional actions such 
        recipient will take to eliminate those disparities or gaps.
    ``(c) Comprehensive Needs Assessment.--
            ``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive financial 
        assistance under this part, an eligible recipient shall--
                    ``(A) conduct a comprehensive local needs 
                assessment related to career and technical education 
                and include the results of the needs assessment in the 
                local application submitted under subsection (a); and
                    ``(B) not less than once every 2 years, update such 
                comprehensive local needs assessment.
            ``(2) Requirements.--The comprehensive local needs 
        assessment described in paragraph (1) shall include each of the 
        following:
                    ``(A) An evaluation of the performance of the 
                students served by the eligible recipient with respect 
                to State determined and local levels of performance 
                established pursuant to section 113, including an 
                evaluation of performance for special populations and 
                each subgroup described in section 1111(h)(1)(C)(ii) of 
                the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
                    ``(B) A description of how career and technical 
                education programs offered by the eligible recipient 
                are--
                            ``(i) sufficient in size, scope, and 
                        quality to meet the needs of all students 
                        served by the eligible recipient; and
                            ``(ii)(I) aligned to State, regional, 
                        Tribal, or local in-demand industry sectors or 
                        occupations identified by the State workforce 
                        development board described in section 101 of 
                        the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 
                        (29 U.S.C. 3111) (referred to in this section 
                        as the `State board') or local workforce 
                        development board, including career pathways, 
                        where appropriate; or
                            ``(II) designed to meet local education or 
                        economic needs not identified by State boards 
                        or local workforce development boards.
                    ``(C) An evaluation of progress toward the 
                implementation of career and technical education 
                programs and programs of study.
                    ``(D) A description of how the eligible recipient 
                will improve recruitment, retention, and training of 
                career and technical education teachers, faculty, 
                specialized instructional support personnel, 
                paraprofessionals, and career guidance and academic 
                counselors, including individuals in groups 
                underrepresented in such professions.
                    ``(E) A description of progress toward 
                implementation of equal access to high-quality career 
                and technical education courses and programs of study 
                for all students, including--
                            ``(i) strategies to overcome barriers that 
                        result in lower rates of access to, or 
                        performance gaps in, the courses and programs 
                        for special populations;
                            ``(ii) providing programs that are designed 
                        to enable special populations to meet the local 
                        levels of performance; and
                            ``(iii) providing activities to prepare 
                        special populations for high-skill, high-wage, 
                        or in-demand industry sectors or occupations in 
                        competitive, integrated settings that will lead 
                        to self-sufficiency.
    ``(d) Consultation.--In conducting the comprehensive needs 
assessment under subsection (c), and developing the local application 
described in subsection (b), an eligible recipient shall involve a 
diverse body of stakeholders, including, at a minimum--
            ``(1) representatives of career and technical education 
        programs in a local educational agency or educational service 
        agency, including teachers, career guidance and academic 
        counselors, principals and other school leaders, 
        administrators, and specialized instructional support personnel 
        and paraprofessionals;
            ``(2) representatives of career and technical education 
        programs at postsecondary educational institutions, including 
        faculty and administrators;
            ``(3) representatives of the State board or local workforce 
        development boards and a range of local or regional businesses 
        or industries;
            ``(4) parents and students;
            ``(5) representatives of special populations;
            ``(6) representatives of regional or local agencies serving 
        out-of-school youth, homeless children and youth, and at-risk 
        youth (as defined in section 1432 of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965);
            ``(7) representatives of Indian Tribes and Tribal 
        organizations in the State, where applicable; and
            ``(8) any other stakeholders that the eligible agency may 
        require the eligible recipient to consult.
    ``(e) Continued Consultation.--An eligible recipient receiving 
financial assistance under this part shall consult with stakeholders 
described in subsection (d) on an ongoing basis, as determined by the 
eligible agency. This may include consultation in order to--
            ``(1) provide input on annual updates to the comprehensive 
        needs assessment required under subsection (c)(1)(B);
            ``(2) ensure programs of study are--
                    ``(A) responsive to community employment needs;
                    ``(B) aligned with employment priorities in the 
                State, regional, tribal, or local economy identified by 
                employers and the entities described in subsection (d), 
                which may include in-demand industry sectors or 
                occupations identified by the local workforce 
                development board;
                    ``(C) informed by labor market information, 
                including information provided under section 
                15(e)(2)(C) of the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 491-
                2(e)(2)(C));
                    ``(D) designed to meet current, intermediate, or 
                long-term labor market projections; and
                    ``(E) allow employer input, including input from 
                industry or sector partnerships in the local area, 
                where applicable, into the development and 
                implementation of programs of study to ensure such 
                programs of study align with skills required by local 
                employment opportunities, including activities such as 
                the identification of relevant standards, curriculum, 
                industry-recognized credentials, and current technology 
                and equipment;
            ``(3) identify and encourage opportunities for work-based 
        learning; and
            ``(4) ensure funding under this part is used in a 
        coordinated manner with other local resources.''.

SEC. 134. LOCAL USES OF FUNDS.

    Section 135 (20 U.S.C. 2355) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 135. LOCAL USES OF FUNDS.

    ``(a) General Authority.--Each eligible recipient that receives 
funds under this part shall use such funds to develop, coordinate, 
implement, or improve career and technical education programs to meet 
the needs identified in the comprehensive needs assessment described in 
section 134(c).
    ``(b) Requirements for Uses of Funds.--Funds made available to 
eligible recipients under this part shall be used to support career and 
technical education programs that are of sufficient size, scope, and 
quality to be effective and that--
            ``(1) provide career exploration and career development 
        activities through an organized, systematic framework designed 
        to aid students, including in the middle grades, before 
        enrolling and while participating in a career and technical 
        education program, in making informed plans and decisions about 
        future education and career opportunities and programs of 
        study, which may include--
                    ``(A) introductory courses or activities focused on 
                career exploration and career awareness, including non-
                traditional fields;
                    ``(B) readily available career and labor market 
                information, including information on--
                            ``(i) occupational supply and demand;
                            ``(ii) educational requirements;
                            ``(iii) other information on careers 
                        aligned to State, local, or Tribal (as 
                        applicable) economic priorities; and
                            ``(iv) employment sectors;
                    ``(C) programs and activities related to the 
                development of student graduation and career plans;
                    ``(D) career guidance and academic counselors that 
                provide information on postsecondary education and 
                career options;
                    ``(E) any other activity that advances knowledge of 
                career opportunities and assists students in making 
                informed decisions about future education and 
                employment goals, including non-traditional fields; or
                    ``(F) providing students with strong experience in, 
                and comprehensive understanding of, all aspects of 
                industry;
            ``(2) provide professional development for teachers, 
        faculty, school leaders, administrators, specialized 
        instructional support personnel, career guidance and academic 
        counselors, or paraprofessionals, as appropriate, with respect 
        to content and pedagogy and support activities described in 
        section 122, which may include--
                    ``(A) supporting individualized academic and career 
                and technical education instructional approaches, 
                including the integration of academic and career and 
                technical education standards and curricula;
                    ``(B) ensuring labor market information is used to 
                inform the programs, guidance, and advisement offered 
                to students, including information provided under 
                section 15(e)(2)(C) of the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 
                49l-2(e)(2)(C));
                    ``(C) providing teachers, faculty, school leaders, 
                administrators, specialized instructional support 
                personnel, career guidance and academic counselors, or 
                paraprofessionals, as appropriate, with opportunities 
                to advance knowledge, skills, and understanding of all 
                aspects of an industry, including the latest workplace 
                equipment, technologies, standards, and credentials;
                    ``(D) supporting school leaders and administrators 
                in managing career and technical education programs in 
                the schools, institutions, or local educational 
                agencies of such school leaders or administrators;
                    ``(E) supporting the implementation of strategies 
                to improve student achievement and close gaps in 
                student participation and performance in career and 
                technical education programs;
                    ``(F) providing teachers, faculty, specialized 
                instructional support personnel, career guidance and 
                academic counselors, principals, school leaders, or 
                paraprofessionals, as appropriate, with opportunities 
                to advance knowledge, skills, and understanding in 
                pedagogical practices, including, to the extent the 
                eligible recipient determines that such evidence is 
                reasonably available, evidence-based pedagogical 
                practices;
                    ``(G) training teachers, faculty, school leaders, 
                administrators, specialized instructional support 
                personnel, career guidance and academic counselors, or 
                paraprofessionals, as appropriate, to provide 
                appropriate accommodations for individuals with 
                disabilities, and students with disabilities who are 
                provided accommodations under the Rehabilitation Act of 
                1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.) or the Individuals with 
                Disabilities Education Act;
                    ``(H) training teachers, faculty, specialized 
                instructional support personnel, career guidance and 
                academic counselors, and paraprofessionals in 
                frameworks to effectively teach students, including a 
                particular focus on students with disabilities and 
                English learners, which may include universal design 
                for learning, multi-tier systems of supports, and 
                positive behavioral interventions and support; or
                    ``(I) training for the effective use of community 
                spaces that provide access to tools, technology, and 
                knowledge for learners and entrepreneurs, such as 
                makerspaces or libraries;
            ``(3) provide within career and technical education--
                    ``(A) the skills necessary to pursue high-skill, 
                high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or 
                occupations; and
                    ``(B) support to reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket 
                expenses for special populations participating in 
                career and technical education, including those 
                participating in dual or concurrent enrollment programs 
                or early college high school programs, and supporting 
                the costs associated with fees, transportation, child 
                care, or mobility challenges for those special 
                populations;
            ``(4) support integration of academic skills into career 
        and technical education programs and programs of study to 
        support--
                    ``(A) CTE participants at the secondary school 
                level in meeting the challenging State academic 
                standards adopted under section 1111(b)(1) of the 
                Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 by the 
                State in which the eligible recipient is located; and
                    ``(B) CTE participants at the postsecondary level 
                in achieving academic skills;
            ``(5) plan and carry out elements that support the 
        implementation of career and technical education programs and 
        programs of study and that result in increasing student 
        achievement of the local levels of performance established 
        under section 113, which may include--
                    ``(A) a curriculum aligned with the requirements 
                for a program of study;
                    ``(B) sustainable relationships among education, 
                business and industry, and other community 
                stakeholders, including industry or sector partnerships 
                in the local area, where applicable, that are designed 
                to facilitate the process of continuously updating and 
                aligning programs of study with skills that are in 
                demand in the State, regional, or local economy, and in 
                collaboration with business outreach staff in one-stop 
                centers, as defined in section 3 of the Workforce 
                Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102), and 
                other appropriate organizations, including community-
                based and youth-serving organizations;
                    ``(C) where appropriate, expanding opportunities 
                for CTE concentrators to participate in accelerated 
                learning programs (as described in section 
                4104(b)(3)(A)(i)(IV) of the Elementary and Secondary 
                Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7114(b)(3)(A)(i)(IV)), 
                including dual or concurrent enrollment programs, early 
                college high schools, and the development or 
                implementation of articulation agreements as part of a 
                career and technical education program of study;
                    ``(D) appropriate equipment, technology, and 
                instructional materials (including support for library 
                resources) aligned with business and industry needs, 
                including machinery, testing equipment, tools, 
                implements, hardware and software, and other new and 
                emerging instructional materials;
                    ``(E) a continuum of work-based learning 
                opportunities, including simulated work environments;
                    ``(F) industry-recognized certification 
                examinations or other assessments leading toward a 
                recognized postsecondary credential;
                    ``(G) efforts to recruit and retain career and 
                technical education program teachers, faculty, school 
                leaders, administrators, specialized instructional 
                support personnel, career guidance and academic 
                counselors, and paraprofessionals;
                    ``(H) where applicable, coordination with other 
                education and workforce development programs and 
                initiatives, including career pathways and sector 
                partnerships developed under the Workforce Innovation 
                and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.) and other 
                Federal laws and initiatives that provide students with 
                transition-related services, including the Individuals 
                with Disabilities Education Act;
                    ``(I) expanding opportunities for students to 
                participate in distance career and technical education 
                and blended-learning programs;
                    ``(J) expanding opportunities for students to 
                participate in competency-based education programs;
                    ``(K) improving career guidance and academic 
                counseling programs that assist students in making 
                informed academic and career and technical education 
                decisions, including academic and financial aid 
                counseling;
                    ``(L) supporting the integration of employability 
                skills into career and technical education programs and 
                programs of study, including through family and 
                consumer science programs;
                    ``(M) supporting programs and activities that 
                increase access, student engagement, and success in 
                science, technology, engineering, and mathematics 
                fields (including computer science and architecture) 
                for students who are members of groups underrepresented 
                in such subject fields;
                    ``(N) providing career and technical education, in 
                a school or other educational setting, for adults or 
                out-of-school youth to complete secondary school 
                education or upgrade technical skills;
                    ``(O) supporting career and technical student 
                organizations, including student preparation for and 
                participation in technical skills competitions aligned 
                with career and technical education program standards 
                and curricula;
                    ``(P) making all forms of instructional content 
                widely available, which may include use of open 
                educational resources;
                    ``(Q) supporting the integration of arts and design 
                skills, when appropriate, into career and technical 
                education programs and programs of study;
                    ``(R) partnering with a qualified intermediary to 
                improve training, the development of public-private 
                partnerships, systems development, capacity-building, 
                and scalability of the delivery of high-quality career 
                and technical education; or
                    ``(S) other activities to improve career and 
                technical education programs; and
            ``(6) develop and implement evaluations of the activities 
        carried out with funds under this part, including evaluations 
        necessary to complete the comprehensive needs assessment 
        required under section 134(c) and the local report required 
        under section 113(b)(4)(B).
    ``(c) Pooling Funds.--An eligible recipient may pool a portion of 
funds received under this Act with a portion of funds received under 
this Act available to one or more eligible recipients to support 
implementation of programs of study through the activities described in 
subsection (b)(2).
    ``(d) Administrative Costs.--Each eligible recipient receiving 
funds under this part shall not use more than 5 percent of such funds 
for costs associated with the administration of activities under this 
section.''.

                      TITLE II--GENERAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 201. FEDERAL AND STATE ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

    (a) In General.--The Act (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) in section 311--
                    (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``and tech prep 
                program activities''; and
                    (B) in subsection (b)--
                            (i) in paragraph (1)--
                                    (I) by amending subparagraph (A) to 
                                read as follows:
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (B), (C), or (D), in order for a State to 
                receive its full allotment of funds under this Act for 
                any fiscal year, the Secretary must find that the 
                State's fiscal effort per student, or the aggregate 
                expenditures of such State, with respect to career and 
                technical education for the preceding fiscal year was 
                not less than the fiscal effort per student, or the 
                aggregate expenditures of such State, for the second 
                preceding fiscal year.'';
                                    (II) in subparagraph (B), by 
                                striking ``shall exclude capital 
                                expenditures, special 1-time project 
                                costs, and the cost of pilot 
                                programs.'' and inserting ``shall, at 
                                the request of the State, exclude 
                                competitive or incentive-based programs 
                                established by the State, capital 
                                expenditures, special one-time project 
                                costs, and the cost of pilot 
                                programs.''; and
                                    (III) by adding at the end the 
                                following:
                    ``(D) Establishing the state baseline.--For 
                purposes of applying subparagraph (A) for years which 
                require the calculation of the State's fiscal effort 
                per student, or aggregate expenditures of such State, 
                with respect to career and technical education for the 
                first full fiscal year following the date of enactment 
                of the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for 
                the 21st Century Act, the State may determine the 
                State's fiscal effort per student, or aggregate 
                expenditures of such State, with respect to career and 
                technical education for such first full fiscal year 
                by--
                            ``(i) continuing to use the State's fiscal 
                        effort per student, or aggregate expenditures 
                        of such State, with respect to career and 
                        technical education, as was in effect on the 
                        day before the date of enactment of the 
                        Strengthening Career and Technical Education 
                        for the 21st Century Act; or
                            ``(ii) establishing a new level of fiscal 
                        effort per student, or aggregate expenditures 
                        of such State, with respect to career and 
                        technical education, which is not less than 95 
                        percent of the State's fiscal effort per 
                        student, or the aggregate expenditures of such 
                        State, with respect to career and technical 
                        education for the preceding fiscal year.'';
                            (ii) by striking paragraph (2) and 
                        inserting the following:
            ``(2) Failure to meet.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall reduce the 
                amount of a State's allotment of funds under this Act 
                for any fiscal year in the exact proportion by which 
                the State fails to meet the requirement of paragraph 
                (1) by falling below the State's fiscal effort per 
                student or the State's aggregate expenditures (using 
                the measure most favorable to the State), if the State 
                failed to meet such requirement (as determined using 
                the measure most favorable to the State) for 1 or more 
                of the 5 immediately preceding fiscal years.
                    ``(B) Special rule.--No such lesser amount shall be 
                used for computing the effort required under paragraph 
                (1) for subsequent years.
            ``(3) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive paragraph (2) due to 
        exceptional or uncontrollable circumstances affecting the 
        ability of the State to meet the requirement of paragraph (1) 
        such as a natural disaster or an unforeseen and precipitous 
        decline in financial resources. No level of funding permitted 
        under such a waiver may be used as the basis for computing the 
        fiscal effort or aggregate expenditures required under this 
        section for years subsequent to the year covered by such 
        waiver. The fiscal effort or aggregate expenditures for the 
        subsequent years shall be computed on the basis of the level of 
        funding that would, but for such waiver, have been required.'';
            (2) in section 314(1), by striking ``career path or major'' 
        and inserting ``career pathway or program of study'';
            (3) in section 315--
                    (A) by inserting ``or programs of study'' after 
                ``career and technical education programs''; and
                    (B) by striking ``seventh grade'' and inserting 
                ``the middle grades (as such term is defined in section 
                8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
                1965)'';
            (4) in section 317(b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by inserting ``, including programs of 
                        study,'' after ``activities''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``who reside in the 
                        geographical area served by'' and inserting 
                        ``in areas served by''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by striking ``the geographical area'' 
                        and inserting ``areas''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``, including programs of 
                        study,'' after ``activities'';
            (5) by striking title II and redesignating title III as 
        title II;
            (6) by redesignating sections 311 through 318, as amended 
        by this section, as sections 211 through 218, respectively;
            (7) by redesignating sections 321 through 324 as sections 
        221 through 224, respectively; and
            (8) by inserting after section 218 (as so redesignated) the 
        following:

``SEC. 219. STUDY ON PROGRAMS OF STUDY ALIGNED TO HIGH-SKILL, HIGH-WAGE 
              OCCUPATIONS.

    ``(a) Scope of Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States 
shall conduct a study to evaluate--
            ``(1) the strategies, components, policies, and practices 
        used by eligible agencies or eligible recipients receiving 
        funding under this Act to successfully assist--
                    ``(A) all students in pursuing and completing 
                programs of study aligned to high-skill, high-wage 
                occupations; and
                    ``(B) any special population or specific subgroup 
                of students identified in section 1111(h)(1)(C)(ii) of 
                the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 in 
                pursuing and completing programs of study aligned to 
                high-skill, high-wage occupations in fields in which 
                such special population or subgroup is 
                underrepresented; and
            ``(2) any challenges associated with replication of such 
        strategies, components, policies, and practices.
    ``(b) Consultation.--In carrying out the study conducted under 
subsection (a), the Comptroller General of the United States shall 
consult with a geographically diverse (including urban, suburban, and 
rural) representation of--
            ``(1) students and parents;
            ``(2) eligible agencies and eligible recipients;
            ``(3) teachers, faculty, specialized instructional support 
        personnel, and paraprofessionals, including those with 
        expertise in preparing career and technical education students 
        for non-traditional fields;
            ``(4) Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations;
            ``(5) special populations; and
            ``(6) representatives of business and industry.
    ``(c) Submission.--Upon completion, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall submit the study conducted under subsection (a) to 
the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions of the Senate.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 8(a) (20 U.S.C. 2306a(a)) is 
amended by striking ``311(b), and 323'' and inserting ``211(b), and 
223''.

             TITLE III--AMENDMENTS TO THE WAGNER-PEYSER ACT

SEC. 301. STATE RESPONSIBILITIES.

    Section 15(e)(2) of the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49l-2(e)(2)) 
is amended--
            (1) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the 
        following:
                    ``(B) consult with eligible agencies (defined in 
                section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical 
                Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302)), State 
                educational agencies, and local educational agencies 
                concerning the provision of workforce and labor market 
                information in order to--
                            ``(i) meet the needs of secondary school 
                        and postsecondary school students who seek such 
                        information; and
                            ``(ii) annually inform the development and 
                        implementation of programs of study defined in 
                        section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and 
                        Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 
                        2302), and career pathways;'';
            (2) in subparagraph (G), by striking ``and'' after the 
        semicolon;
            (3) in subparagraph (H), by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting ``; and''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(I) provide, on an annual and timely basis to 
                each eligible agency (defined in section 3 of the Carl 
                D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 
                (20 U.S.C. 2302)), the data and information described 
                in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(1).''.
                                                       Calendar No. 517

115th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                S. 3217

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 To reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act 
                                of 2006.

_______________________________________________________________________

                             July 16, 2018

                 Read twice and placed on the calendar