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Title II — Career pathways partnership supplemental grants

S. 1370 · 113th Congress · Jul 25, 2013 · Lineage

II Career pathways partnership supplemental grants

Sec. 201 State partnership supplemental grants program authorized

(a)
Purposes— The purposes of this title are—
(1)
to enhance the capacity of States and regions to offer career pathways to high school students;
(2)
to enhance one-stop career services for youth to more effectively provide career exploration and guidance services to high school students and postsecondary students; and
(3)
to increase the number of registered apprenticeship programs in high skill, high demand industries.
(b)
Grants authorized— The Director is authorized to award, on a competitive basis, supplemental grants described in section 202 to States to enable the States to carry out the activities described in such section.
(c)
Duration of grant— Each eligible State receiving a grant under this title shall use the grant funds within a 5-year period, as designated by the Director.
(d)
Non-Renewability— An eligible State may not receive more than 1 grant under each subsection of section 202.

Sec. 202 Types of supplemental grants

(a)
Career pathways curriculum development grants—
(1)
Purposes— The purposes of a grant under this subsection are—
(A)
to increase the number of innovative, high quality, rigorous, engaging, and relevant career pathways curricula available for the purpose of instructing high school students through the development of new, or enhancement of existing, model courses of study focused on high skill, high demand industries;
(B)
to support the development of career pathways curricula that develop and reinforce reading and mathematics skills for high school students, including through the real world application of academics; and
(C)
to establish teacher training processes that will provide effective professional development in the application of each career pathways course sequence assisted under this subsection.
(2)
Applications—
(A)
In general— The Governor of a State, in partnership with the State partnership serving the State, may submit an application for a curriculum grant under this subsection to the Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may require.
(B)
Peer review— Applications for a curriculum grant under this subsection shall be peer reviewed by a panel of experts in curriculum development, career pathways or career and technical education, and workforce development and industry.
(C)
Contents— Each application submitted under this paragraph shall—
(i)
be submitted during the period that the State partnership serving the State is receiving an implementation grant under section 102;
(ii)
demonstrate a need for the curriculum grant;
(iii)
describe the activities for which assistance under this subsection is sought, including—
(I)
how the applicant will carry out the activities described in paragraph (4);
(II)
how the applicant will include the industry standards of the relevant industries in the development of the curriculum and, in the case of an applicant using grant funds to carry out paragraph (5)(A), the industry certificates to be used;
(III)
how the applicant will collaborate with and incorporate input from representatives from the State partnership members in the development of the curriculum; and
(IV)
the research or evidence that supports the key curriculum theories and activities of the proposed career pathways curriculum;
(iv)
include a budget of the cost of the project and a timeline for the provision of the matching funds required under paragraph (6);
(v)
include a description of the performance benchmarks to be used to measure the development, implementation, distribution, and professional development concerning career pathways curriculum;
(vi)
provide an assurance that curricula and other products or materials developed under this Act will be made available to the Center for distribution; and
(vii)
provide such additional assurances as the Director determines to be essential to ensure compliance with the requirements of this title.
(3)
Fiscal and administration agent— The Governor of a State receiving a curriculum grant under this subsection shall appoint the State educational agency to serve as the fiscal agent and administer the grant funds.
(4)
Required activities— A State receiving a curriculum grant under this subsection shall use the grant funds—
(A)
to develop a curriculum with industry engagement that—
(i)
provides a logical sequence of integrated academic and career-related coursework focused on a specific high skill, high demand industry and meets regional or national workforce needs;
(ii)
incorporates rigorous academic content from core academic subjects, as defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801), in a majority of the courses within each curricular sequence of study, so that a majority of courses are eligible for academic credit, and links the material in each course to State academic content standards;
(iii)
provides academic rigor to career pathways courses;
(iv)
emphasizes the development of communication skills, such as reading, writing, speaking, mathematic, and science skills across all courses and provides for the development of work readiness skills and 21st century work skills, including problem solving skills, communication skills, analytic skills, time management, teamwork, and technological prowess;
(v)
provides knowledge of all aspects of an industry;
(vi)
uses best practices within curriculum development theory, including rigorous standards, higher order thinking skills, real world applications, project-based learning, contextual learning, and other practices;
(vii)
incorporates opportunities for work-based experience within each career pathways course sequence; and
(viii)
prepares high school students for postsecondary education and skills development programs;
(B)
to create curriculum materials and instructional resources that will support the teaching and learning of the career pathways curriculum developed under this subsection; and
(C)
to develop a statewide teacher professional development implementation plan that will describe the model of professional development used for teacher training, including courses that will increase the capacity of teachers to effectively implement the career pathways curriculum developed under this subsection, and a description of the costs of such a program.
(5)
Optional use of funds— In addition to the required activities under subsection (g), a State receiving a grant under this subsection may use the grant funds—
(A)
to create career and technical education course sequences that lead to an industry certificate;
(B)
to develop and include transitional mathematics and reading courses for students who struggle to meet the academic requirements necessary to enter and successfully complete postsecondary education or workforce development; or
(C)
to provide options for high school students to concurrently earn college credit through establishing college course articulation agreements.
(6)
Matching requirement— Each State partnership receiving a curriculum grant under this subsection shall provide an amount, in cash or in-kind, that is not less than 25 percent of the amount of the grant, to carry out the activities supported by the grant. The matching requirement under this subsection may be provided from funds available from other Federal, State, local, or private sources to carry out such activities.
(7)
Evaluation and reporting requirement— Each State partnership in a State receiving a curriculum grant under this subsection shall annually report to the Director regarding—
(A)
the progress made on the activities described in paragraph (4), including the progress made in the development and distribution of the career pathways curriculum assisted through the grant;
(B)
the data and information gathered to benchmark appropriate outcomes of the curriculum development, implementation, distribution, and professional development, which may include student outcomes;
(C)
the use of grant funds, including matched funds, by the State; and
(D)
the State's progress on the performance benchmarks described in paragraph (2)(C) that are established with the agreement of the Director.
(8)
Rule of construction— Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize an officer or employee of the Federal Government to mandate, direct, or control a State's, local educational agency's, or school's specific instructional content, academic achievement standards or assessments, curriculum, or program of instruction.
(b)
Career pathways capacity expansion and modernization grants—
(1)
Purpose— The purpose of this subsection is to enable States to better prepare students for postsecondary education and careers in State and regional high skill, high demand industries by providing eligible States with grants in order to expand, enhance, and modernize school facilities and equipment to reflect the requirements of State and regional high skill, high demand industries.
(2)
Definition of qualifying region— In this subsection, the term qualifying region means a region of a State that has a regional partnership that has—
(A)
previously received a partnership implementation subgrant under section 103; and
(B)
a low graduation rate, compared to the State average, or a high percentage of at-risk youth, compared to the State average.
(3)
Application—
(A)
In general— A Governor of a State, in partnership with the State partnership serving the State, desiring an expansion and modernization grant under this section shall submit an application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Director may reasonably require.
(B)
Contents— Each application submitted under subparagraph (A) shall—
(i)
be submitted during the period that the State partnership serving the State is receiving an implementation grant under section 102;
(ii)
demonstrate a need for the expansion, enhancement, or modernization of existing facilities or equipment as of the date of the application, in qualifying regions;
(iii)
describe the activities for which assistance under this subsection is sought;
(iv)
describe creative arrangements to maximize the use of the facilities and equipment that are expanded, enhanced, or modernized with grant funds under this subsection, by sharing the facilities and equipment with other schools or postsecondary programs;
(v)
include a budget of the cost of the project and a timeline for the provision of the matching funds required under paragraph (6);
(vi)
describe the performance benchmarks to be used to measure the State's progress in implementing a grant under this subsection; and
(vii)
provide such additional assurances as the Director determines to be essential to ensure compliance with the requirements of this title.
(4)
Fiscal and administration agent— The Governor of a State receiving an expansion and modernization grant under this subsection shall appoint the State facilities authority or State agency responsible for school construction and renovation to serve as the fiscal agent and administer the grant funds.
(5)
Required activities— A State receiving an expansion and modernization grant under this subsection shall use the grant funds to—
(A)
make necessary expansions or enhancements to existing facilities in qualifying regions; and
(B)
modernize equipment essential to instruction within the career pathways curriculum.
(6)
Non-Federal funds matching requirement— Each State partnership receiving an expansion and modernization grant under this subsection shall provide, from non-Federal sources, an amount that is not less than 50 percent of the amount of the grant, to carry out the activities supported by the grant. The matching requirement under this paragraph may be provided in cash or in-kind.
(7)
Evaluation and reporting requirements— Each State partnership in a State receiving an expansion and modernization grant under this subsection shall annually submit a report to the Director regarding—
(A)
the State's progress made on the activities described in paragraph (5);
(B)
the use of grant funds by the State; and
(C)
the State's progress on the performance benchmarks described in paragraph (3)(B) that are established with the agreement of the Director.
(c)
Registered Apprenticeship Grants in high skill, high demand industries—
(1)
Purpose— The purpose of this subsection is to enable States to expand or create registered apprenticeship programs in high skill, high demand industries.
(2)
Application—
(A)
In general— The Governor, in partnership with the State partnership serving the State, may submit an application for an apprenticeship grant under this subsection to the Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may require.
(B)
Contents— Each application submitted under subparagraph (A) shall—
(i)
be submitted during the period that the State partnership serving the State is receiving an implementation grant under section 102;
(ii)
demonstrate a need for creation or expansion of registered apprenticeship programs in high skill, high demand industries;
(iii)
describe the activities for which assistance under this subsection is sought;
(iv)
describe the performance benchmarks to be used to measure the development, implementation, and distribution concerning registered apprenticeship programs;
(v)
include a budget of the cost of the project and a timeline for the provision of the matching funds required under paragraph (5); and
(vi)
provide such additional assurances as the Director determines to be essential to ensure compliance with the requirements of this title.
(3)
Fiscal and administration agent— In the case of a State receiving an apprenticeship grant under this subsection—
(A)
that has a State apprenticeship council recognized by the Department of Labor, the State apprenticeship council administrative agency shall serve as the fiscal agent and administer the grant funds; or
(B)
where the Office of Apprenticeship of the Department of Labor administers the registered apprenticeship program, the Governor of the State shall appoint the appropriate State agency to serve as the fiscal agent and administer the grant funds.
(4)
Required activities— An eligible State receiving an apprenticeship grant under this subsection shall use the grant funds for activities necessary to create or expand registered apprenticeship programs in high skill, high demand industries, including—
(A)
developing and administering a new or enhancing an existing registered apprenticeship program in a high skill, high demand industry as identified by the State;
(B)
registering the apprenticeship program with the Department of Labor;
(C)
providing or arranging for equipment necessary for training in the registered apprenticeship program;
(D)
developing skills-based theoretical and technical classroom and on-the-job curricula;
(E)
identifying and training, as appropriate, instructors for the registered apprenticeship program; and
(F)
conducting outreach and marketing about the registered apprenticeship program to interested stakeholders, including secondary schools serving high school students.
(5)
Prohibited Use— A State partnership receiving an apprenticeship grant under this subsection shall not use any Federal funds provided under the grant to pay wages or provide benefits to workers.
(6)
Non-Federal funds matching requirement— Each State partnership receiving an apprenticeship grant under this subsection shall provide, from non-Federal sources, an amount that is not less than 25 percent of the amount of the grant, to carry out the activities supported by the grant. The matching requirement under this paragraph may be provided in cash or in-kind.
(7)
Evaluation and reporting requirement— Each State partnership in a State receiving an apprenticeship grant under this subsection shall annually submit a report to the Director regarding—
(A)
the progress made on the activities described in paragraph (4);
(B)
the use of grant funds, including matched funds, by the State; and
(C)
the State's progress on the performance benchmarks described in paragraph (2)(B) that are established with the agreement of the Director.
(d)
Youth one-Stop career services enhancement grant—
(1)
Purpose— The purpose of this subsection is to enable States to make career services available through one-stop centers—
(A)
more welcoming and user-friendly for secondary school students; and
(B)
more accessible to such students while in school.
(2)
Application—
(A)
In general— The Governor of a State, in partnership with the State partnership serving the State, may submit an application for a career services enhancement grant under this subsection to the Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may require.
(B)
Contents— Each application submitted under subparagraph (A) shall—
(i)
be submitted during the period that the State partnership serving the State is receiving an implementation grant under section 102;
(ii)
demonstrate a need for the enhancement or expansion of one-stop career guidance and exploration services for high school students;
(iii)
describe the activities for which assistance under this subsection is sought;
(iv)
describe the performance benchmarks to be used to measure the State's progress in implementing a grant under this subsection;
(v)
include a budget of the cost of the project and a timeline for the provision of the matching funds required under paragraph (5); and
(vi)
provide such additional assurances as the Director determines to be essential to ensure compliance with the requirements of this subsection.
(3)
Fiscal and administration agent— The Governor of a State receiving a career services enhancement grant under this subsection shall appoint the State workforce investment board or the State workforce administrative entity as the fiscal agent and the entity responsible for administering the grant. The State workforce investment board shall give preference for resources available under this grant to one-stop centers in regions with regional partnerships receiving a subgrant under section 103.
(4)
Required activities— A State receiving a career services enhancement grant under this subsection shall use the grant funds to expand or enhance career guidance and exploration services for students provided through one-stop centers, including resources funded under the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49 et seq.), by—
(A)
enhancing services for students participating in career pathways, such as enhancing—
(i)
job search and placement assistance and, as appropriate, career counseling;
(ii)
the provision of employment statistics information, including the provision of accurate information related to local, regional, and national labor market areas, which may include—
(I)
job vacancy listings in the labor market area;
(II)
information on the job skills necessary to obtain those jobs; and
(III)
information related to local occupations in demand and the earnings and skill requirements of such occupations;
(iii)
the provision of performance information and program cost information on eligible providers of training described in section 122 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2842);
(iv)
comprehensive and specialized assessments of skill levels and development of plans to identify and attain career goals;
(v)
individual counseling and career planning; and
(vi)
short-term prevocational services, such as the development of learning skills, presentation skills, resume writing skills, interviewing skills, punctuality, and professional conduct, among others, to prepare individuals for unsubsidized employment; or
(B)
providing one-stop center career services in proximity to high school students, subject to the requirements of section 134(c) of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2864(c)).
(5)
Matching requirement— Each State partnership receiving a career services enhancement grant under this subsection shall provide an amount, in cash or in-kind, that is not less than 50 percent of the amount of the grant, to carry out the activities supported by the grant. The matching requirement under this subsection may be provided from funds available from other Federal, State, local, or private sources to carry out such activities.
(6)
Evaluation and reporting requirement— Each eligible State partnership in a State receiving a career services enhancement grant under this subsection shall submit a report to the Director regarding—
(A)
the progress made on the activities described in paragraph (4);
(B)
the use of grant funds, including matched funds, by the State partnership; and
(C)
the State's progress on the performance benchmarks described in paragraph (2)(B) that are established with the agreement of the Director.