Sec. 90201. Postsecondary stem pathways grants

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The purpose of this section is to support equitable access to postsecondary STEM pathways to increase the number of students exposed to high-quality STEM advanced coursework, support students in reducing college costs, improve postsecondary credit transfers, and increase postsecondary completion. In this section: The term advanced coursework means coursework designed for students to earn postsecondary credit upon its successful completion while still in high school, including coursework or assessments associated with Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, a dual or concurrent enrollment program, or an early college high school program.

The term eligible entity means a partnership that— shall include— the State educational agency; one or more local educational agencies, including charter schools operating as a local educational agency, located in the State, which may include an educational service agency; and either— the State public higher education system inclusive of all 2-year and 4-year public institutions of higher education in the State; or a consortium of the State’s public higher education institutions or systems that, together, is inclusive of all 2-year and 4-year public institutions of higher education in the State; and may include 1 or more businesses, associations, or nonprofit organizations representing businesses, an industry or sector partnership, private nonprofit institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, a State workforce agency, or a State board.

The terms dual or concurrent enrollment program , early college high school , educational service agency elementary school , English learner , evidence-based , high school , institution of higher education , local educational agency , middle grades , other staff , professional development , regular high school diploma , Secretary , State educational agency , and technology have the meanings given the terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7801 ).

The term first-generation college student has the meaning given the term in section 402A(h) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a–11(h) ). The term Governor means the chief executive officer of a State. The term outlying area has the meaning given the term in section 8101(36)(A) of the Elementary and Secondary Education of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7801(36)(A) ). The term historically Black college or university has the meaning given the term part B institution in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1061 ).

The term minority-serving institution a means a Hispanic-serving institution, Alaska Native-serving institution and Native Hawaiian-serving institution, Predominantly Black Institution, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution, or Native American-serving nontribal institution, as defined in section 371 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1067q(a) ). The terms career and technical education and work-based learning have the meanings given the terms in section 3 of the Carl D.

Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 ( 20 U.S.C. 2302 ). The term postsecondary STEM pathway means a sequence of courses focused on STEM education, including advanced coursework approved by the eligible entity taken at any point during high school, that— when taken together, provide at least 12 credit hours or the equivalent coursework toward an associate degree or baccalaureate degree, or, in the case of postsecondary credit in career and technical education earned through such sequence of courses, credit toward a recognized postsecondary credential for a high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sector or occupation; if completed successfully, results in credit that— counts as credit toward the State’s regular high school diploma; and is a part of the statewide articulation agreement described in subsection (d)(2)(B); and may include work-based learning in a STEM field aligned with the academic coursework offered in a postsecondary STEM pathway.

The term State means each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The term STEM education has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the STEM Education Act of 2015 ( 42 U.S.C. 6621 note). The term students from a family with a low income means any students who are identified by any of the measures described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5) ). The term subgroup of students means— each subgroup of students described in subclauses

(I)through

(IV)of section 1111(b)(2)(B)(xi) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(B)(xi) ); homeless children and youths, as defined in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11434a ); students who are in foster care or are aging out of the foster care system; and first-generation college students. The term Tribal College or University has the meaning given that term in section 316 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1059c ). The terms in-demand industry sector or occupation , industry or sector partnership, local board , recognized postsecondary credential , and State board have the meanings given the terms in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3102 ). From the amounts appropriated under subsection

(j)and not reserved under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to enable those eligible entities to implement activities described under subsection (e). From the total amount appropriated under subsection

(j)for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve— 1 percent for the Bureau of Indian Education to improve access to postsecondary STEM pathways; 1 percent for allotments for payments to the outlying areas, to be distributed among those outlying areas on the basis of their relative need, as determined by the Secretary, to improve access to postsecondary STEM pathways; 2 percent to conduct the evaluation described under subsection (g); and 2 percent for technical assistance and dissemination, which may include— providing, directly or through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements, technical assistance on using evidence-based practices to improve the outcomes of activities funded under this section; and disseminating information on evidence-based practices that are successful in improving the quality of activities funded under this section. A grant awarded under this section shall be for a period of not more than 5 years. The Secretary may renew a grant awarded under this section for 1 additional 2-year period for programs that meet the goals specified in subsection (d)(4)(B). In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall ensure that, to the extent practicable, grants are distributed among eligible entities that will serve geographically diverse areas, including urban, suburban, and rural areas. Each grant awarded under this section shall be of sufficient size and scope to allow the eligible entity to carry out the purposes of this section. In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to applications that— prioritize evidence-based strategies to increase the access of all subgroups of students served by the eligible entity to postsecondary STEM pathways; and are submitted by eligible entities that include local educational agencies who are in the highest quartile of local educational agencies, in a ranking of all qualified local educational agencies in the State, ranked in descending order by the number or percentage of children in each agency counted under section 1124(c) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6333(c) ). In order to receive a grant under subsection (c)(1), the eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary, at such time, and in such manner as the Secretary may reasonably require. Such application shall include— signatures from the Governor, chief State school officer, and the State higher education executive officer (or, in the case of a State without such an officer, a representative of an entity described in subsection (b)(2)(A)(iii) within such eligible entity) verifying that the eligible entity shall meet the requirements described in paragraph

(2)within the specified timeframe; a description of how the eligible entity will, not later than 2 years after the date of the initial receipt of funds under this section— ensure STEM postsecondary pathways are aligned with entrance requirements for credit-bearing coursework at the State’s public institutions of higher education; and develop or expand a formal, universal statewide articulation agreement among all public institutions of higher education or systems in the State— to guarantee that— all advanced coursework successfully completed as part of a postsecondary STEM pathway results in credit that— counts as credit for a regular high school diploma; is fully acceptable in transfer and is credited toward meeting related degree or certificate requirements by all public institutions of higher education in the State; and if a student earns an associate degree (including an associate degree in applied science) as part of a postsecondary STEM pathway, such associate degree, awarded by a participating institution of higher education in the State, shall be fully acceptable in transfer and credited as the first 2 years of a related baccalaureate program at a public institution of higher education in such State and, as applicable, other institutions of higher education participating in an articulation agreement described in subparagraph (C); and to facilitate the seamless transfer of credit earned in the postsecondary STEM pathway, and at the discretion of the eligible entity, any other advanced coursework made available in the State, among such institutions of higher education, including between 2-year and 4-year public institutions of higher education and other institutions of higher education participating in an articulation agreement described in subparagraph (C), by using methods such as— common course numbering; a general education core curriculum; and management systems regarding course equivalency, transfer of credit, and articulation; and in the case of one or more public institutions of higher education in another State, or one or more private, nonprofit institutions of higher education (including public institutions in another State and private, nonprofit institutions that are historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and minority-serving institutions), which seek to participate in a postsecondary STEM pathway supported by the eligible entity, enable such institutions to participate in such postsecondary STEM pathway by developing one or more separate articulation agreements with such institutions that are aligned with the requirements of the articulation agreement described in subparagraph (B); a description of how the eligible entity will disseminate information at a minimum to all subgroups of students in the middle grades and high school served by the eligible entity, including their families, about the opportunity to participate in a postsecondary STEM pathway and the benefits of participation; a description of how the eligible entity will implement postsecondary STEM pathways in all local educational agencies participating in the eligible entity, including— the timeline and plan to provide, by the end of the grant period, a substantial number of students in the local educational agencies within the eligible entity the opportunity to participate in a postsecondary STEM pathway; and annual goals for participation in advanced coursework and postsecondary STEM pathways among all subgroups of students such that, if the goals are met— significant progress will be made toward increasing equity in access to and participation in advanced coursework and postsecondary STEM pathways for subgroups of students across the local educational agencies within the eligible entity; and the demographics of students participating in advanced coursework and postsecondary STEM pathways will be similar to the demographics of total student enrollment in the State the eligible entity is located in by the end of the grant period; a description of how the eligible entity has, or will, ensure that postsecondary STEM pathways are aligned with recognized postsecondary credentials in high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industries or occupations and provide students, where appropriate, with opportunities for work-based learning; a description of how the eligible entity consulted with stakeholders in development of its application and how the eligible entity will continue to engage, collaborate, and solicit feedback with stakeholders to improve implementation of the application requirements described in this subsection and uses of funds described in subsection (e), including— the State board of education (if the State has a State board of education); the State higher education governing or coordinating entity (if the State has such an entity); the State board and relevant local boards; the State agency responsible for the administration of career and technical education in the State or for the supervision of the administration of career and technical education in the State (if the State has such an entity); institutions of higher education in the State; local educational agencies, including those located in rural areas and with the highest enrollments of students from low income families, as described in subsection (c)(7)(B); representatives of Indian Tribes located in the State; charter school leaders (if the State has charter schools); civil rights organizations in the State; business leaders or their representatives in the State; teachers, principals, and other school leaders; and parents and students; an assurance that the eligible entity will provide postsecondary STEM pathways at no cost to students and their families, including that students and their parents shall not be required to pay the cost of tuition, fees (including examination fees associated with Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and similar examinations), books, and supplies necessary to successfully complete postsecondary STEM pathways; an assurance that not less than half of grant funds received by the eligible entity will be used to support all subgroups of students in accessing and completing postsecondary STEM pathways; an assurance that the State will comply with the supplement, not supplant requirement described under subsection (h); and a description of how the eligible entity will sustain the activities assisted under the grant after the end of the grant period. An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall use grant funds to carry out the following: Activities to implement the alignment requirements pursuant to subsection (d)(2) for a period of time not to exceed the first 2 fiscal years for which the grant is provided. Supporting the development and implementation of postsecondary STEM pathways consistent with the timeline, plan, and goals specified in subsection (d)(4) in order to increase the number of students accessing and completing postsecondary STEM pathways in the State, which may include— expanding advanced coursework offered to students served by the eligible entity to increase the availability of postsecondary STEM pathways; covering tuition, fees (including examination fees associated with Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and similar examinations), books, and supplies for students participating in postsecondary STEM pathways, in accordance with subsection (d)(7); and covering transportation and technology infrastructure (including computers devices and internet connectivity) costs necessary for full participation in postsecondary STEM pathways for students from a family with a low income. Implementing programs and activities to improve student preparation for, and participation in postsecondary STEM pathways, with a priority for students enrolled in local educational agencies described in subsection (c)(7)(B) and subgroups of students, which may include— using data from evidence-based early warning indicator systems; providing supplemental advising or counseling activities that are voluntary to students, including information on choosing postsecondary options, applying for financial aid, completing applications to institutions of higher education, and career counseling and advising, beginning as early as the middle grades; and other evidence-based activities to support the successful implementation of postsecondary STEM pathways and students’ transition from high school to postsecondary education. Conducting outreach and communicating with subgroups of students, including their families, to build awareness about the opportunity to participate in a postsecondary STEM pathway and the benefits of participation. An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section may also use grant funds to— provide professional development or recruitment for educators employed by the local educational agencies within the eligible entity and for faculty who teach courses that are included in a postsecondary STEM pathway, including increasing the number of educators qualified to teach dual or concurrent enrollment programs in STEM courses, to improve access and completion of such pathways, particularly for subgroups of students; and carry out capacity-building efforts to improve the coordination between the elementary and secondary education system and the higher education system, including through stakeholder engagement and monitoring. An eligible entity may use not more than 10 percent of grant funds to cover transportation costs authorized under paragraph (1)(B)(iii). An eligible entity may use not more than 10 percent of grant funds for purchasing technology as authorized under paragraph (1)(B)(iii). Not later than 1 year after receipt of a grant under this section and every year until the grant period ends, the eligible entity shall provide a report to the Secretary that includes— information on the progress of the eligible entity in establishing the policies and completing the required activities as specified in subsection (d)(2); the number and percentage of local educational agencies and institutions of higher education in the State offering a postsecondary STEM pathway, including changes year-over-year, and the extent to which the eligible entity was meeting its timeline, plan, and goals specified in subsection (d)(4); the eligible entity’s progress in meeting the goals established by the eligible entity for the participation of subgroups of students in postsecondary STEM pathways as specified in subsection (d)(4); evidence demonstrating how the eligible entity certified each such pathway meets all the requirements of this section; the number and percentage of students in the State, including disaggregated by each subgroup of students, who— participate in a postsecondary STEM pathway; and participate in a postsecondary STEM pathway and— successfully complete a postsecondary STEM pathway; enroll in an institution of higher education and receive credit, in accordance with the alignment requirements described in subsection (d)(2); receive credit toward a recognized postsecondary credential for a high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sector or occupation; and earn a postsecondary credential; and Not later than 6 months after receiving the initial report described in paragraph

(1)and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives that includes a summary of reports submitted by eligible entities and identifies best practices related to improving access to STEM education and postsecondary education, particularly for subgroups of students, through the implementation of postsecondary STEM pathways. The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences, shall conduct an independent evaluation after the initial award of grants under this section, of the policies and services provided under this section, including at a minimum, the impact of such policies and services on outcomes for all students, and particularly for subgroups of students, with regard to each of the following: Enrollment in and completion of advanced coursework during high school, including the number of courses students take and the number of credits students earn. Postsecondary enrollment, remediation, first-year credit attainment, persistence, and completion, including the number of students who enrolled in a STEM field, and the number of students who received a credential in a STEM field. The rate at which credits earned through postsecondary STEM pathways are recognized for credit by public institutions of higher education institutions. Postsecondary degree attainment, including completion of an associate degree, baccalaureate degree, or recognized postsecondary credential, and the time it takes students to earn a degree. Changes in access and rigor of STEM education offered to students served by local educational agencies in eligible entities. To the extent practicable, analysis of student outcomes described in paragraphs

(1)through

(5)by STEM field. Federal funds provided under this section shall be used to supplement, not supplant, other Federal, State, or local funds available to carry out activities described in this section. Disaggregation of data required under this section shall not be required when the number of students in a subgroup is insufficient to yield statistically reliable information or the results would reveal personally identifiable information about an individual student. For the purpose of carrying out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.

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