H.R. 6133

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6133 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6133

To direct the Secretary of Education to make grants to support early 
college high schools and dual or concurrent enrollment programs, and 
for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 19, 2025

Mr. Espaillat (for himself and Mr. Takano) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Education to make grants to support early 
college high schools and dual or concurrent enrollment programs, and 
for other purposes.

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 ``Jumpstart on College Act''.

SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

The purpose of this Act is to increase the percentage of students 
who complete a recognized postsecondary credential within 100 percent 
of the normal time for the completion of such credential, including 
low-income students and students from other populations that are 
underrepresented in higher education.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) ESEA terms.--The terms ``dual or concurrent enrollment 
program'', ``early college high school'', ``educational service 
agency'', ``four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate'', 
``local educational agency'', ``secondary school'', and 
``State'' have the meanings given the terms in section 8101 of 
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
7801).
(2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means an 
institution of higher education in partnership with one or more 
local educational agencies (which may be an educational service 
agency). Such partnership may also include other entities, such 
as nonprofit organizations or businesses and schools in 
juvenile detention centers.
(3) Institution of higher education.--The term 
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the 
term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1001).
(4) Low-income student.--The term ``low-income student'' 
means a student counted under section 1124(c) of the Elementary 
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6333(c)).
(5) 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).
(6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
of Education.

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS; RESERVATIONS.

(a) In General.--To carry out this Act, there are authorized to be 
appropriated $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 and each of the five 
succeeding fiscal years.
(b) Reservations.--From the funds appropriated under subsection (a) 
for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve--
(1) not less than 40 percent for grants to eligible 
entities under section 5;
(2) not less than 55 percent for grants to States under 
section 6; and
(3) not less than 5 percent for national activities under 
section 8.

SEC. 5. GRANTS TO ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.

(a) In General.--The Secretary shall award grants to eligible 
entities, on a competitive basis, to assist such entities in 
establishing or supporting an early college high school or dual or 
concurrent enrollment program in accordance with this section.
(b) Duration.--Each grant under this section shall be awarded for a 
period of 6 years.
(c) Grant Amount.--The Secretary shall ensure that the amount of 
each grant under this section is sufficient to enable each grantee to 
carry out the activities described in subsection (h), except that a 
grant under this section may not exceed $2,000,000, of which not more 
than 15 percent of the overall grant total may be used to improve data 
systems for the purpose of facilitating the execution of the reporting 
requirement in section 7(a).
(d) Matching Requirement.--
(1) In general.--For each year that an eligible entity 
receives a grant under this section, the entity shall 
contribute matching funds, in the amounts described in 
paragraph (2), for the activities supported by the grant.
(2) Amounts described.--The amounts described in this 
paragraph are--
(A) for each of the first and second years of the 
grant period, 20 percent of the grant amount;
(B) for each of the third and fourth years of the 
grant period, 30 percent of the grant amount;
(C) for the fifth year of the grant period, 40 
percent of the grant amount; and
(D) for the sixth year of the grant period, 50 
percent of the grant amount.
(3) Determination of amount contributed.--
(A) In-kind contributions.--The Secretary shall 
allow an eligible entity to meet the requirements of 
this subsection through in-kind contributions.
(B) Non-federal sources.--Not less than half of 
each amount described in paragraph (2) shall be 
provided by the eligible entity from non-Federal 
sources.
(e) Supplement, Not Supplant.--An eligible entity shall use a grant 
received under this section only to supplement funds that would, in the 
absence of such a grant, be made available from other Federal, State, 
or local sources for activities supported by the grant, not to supplant 
such funds.
(f) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary 
shall give priority to eligible entities that--
(1) propose to establish or support an early college high 
school or dual or concurrent enrollment program that will serve 
a student population of which not less than 51 percent are low-
income students;
(2) include a local educational agency which serves a high 
school that is--
(A) identified for comprehensive support and 
improvement under section 1111(c)(4)(D)(i) of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 6311(c)(4)(D)(i)); or
(B) implementing a targeted support and improvement 
plan as described in section 1111(d)(2) of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 6311(d)(2));
(3) are from States that provide assistance to early 
college high schools or dual or concurrent enrollment programs, 
such as assistance to defray the costs of higher education 
(including costs of tuition, fees, and textbooks); and
(4) propose to establish or support an early college high 
school or dual or concurrent enrollment program that meets 
quality standards established by--
(A) a nationally recognized accrediting agency or 
association that offers accreditation specifically for 
such programs; or
(B) a State process specifically for the review and 
approval of such programs.
(g) Equitable Distribution.--The Secretary shall ensure, to the 
extent practicable, that eligible entities receiving grants under this 
section--
(1) are from a representative cross-section of--
(A) urban, suburban, and rural areas; and
(B) regions of the United States; and
(2) include both two-year and four-year institutions of 
higher education.
(h) Uses of Funds.--
(1) Mandatory activities.--
(A) In general.--An eligible entity shall use grant 
funds received under this section--
(i) to support the activities described in 
its application under subsection (i);
(ii) to create and maintain a coherent 
system of supports for students, teachers, 
principals, and faculty under the program, 
including--
(I) college and career readiness, 
academic, and social support services 
for students; and
(II) professional development for 
secondary school teachers, faculty, and 
principals, and faculty from the 
institution of higher education, 
including--
(aa) joint professional 
development activities; and
(bb) activities to assist 
such teachers, faculty, and 
principals in using effective 
parent and community engagement 
strategies and to help ensure 
the success of students 
academically at risk of not 
enrolling in or completing 
postsecondary education, first-
generation college students, 
and each category of students 
described in section 
1111(b)(2)(B)(xi) of the 
Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(B)(xi));
(iii) to carry out liaison activities among 
the partners that comprise the eligible entity 
pursuant to an agreement or memorandum of 
understanding documenting commitments, 
resources, roles, and responsibilities of the 
partners consistent with the design of the 
program;
(iv) for outreach programs to ensure that 
secondary school students and their families, 
including students academically at risk of not 
enrolling in or completing postsecondary 
education, first-generation college students, 
and each category of students described in 
section 1111(b)(2)(B)(xi) of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
6311(b)(2)(B)(xi)), are--
(I) aware of, and recruited into, 
the early college high school or dual 
or concurrent enrollment program; and
(II) assisted with the process of 
enrolling and succeeding in the early 
college high school or dual or 
concurrent enrollment program, which 
may include providing academic support;
(v) to collect, share, and use data (in 
compliance with section 444 of the General 
Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g)) for 
program improvement and program evaluation; and
(vi) to review and strengthen its program 
to maximize the potential that students 
participating in the program will eventually 
complete a recognized postsecondary credential, 
including by optimizing--
(I) the curriculum of the program;
(II) the use of high-quality 
assessments of student learning, such 
as performance-based, project-based, or 
portfolio assessments that measure 
higher-order thinking skills;
(III) the sequence of courses 
offered by the program; and
(IV) the alignment of academic 
calendars between the secondary schools 
and the institution of higher education 
participating in the program.
(B) New programs.--In the case of an eligible 
entity that uses a grant under this section to 
establish an early college high school or dual or 
concurrent enrollment program, the entity shall use 
such funds during the first year of the grant period--
(i) to design the curriculum and sequence 
of courses in collaboration with, at a 
minimum--
(I) faculty from the institution of 
higher education;
(II) teachers and faculty from the 
local educational agency; and
(III) in the case of a career and 
technical education program, employers 
or workforce development entities to 
ensure that the program is aligned with 
labor market demand;
(ii) to develop and implement an 
articulation agreement between the institution 
of higher education and the local educational 
agency that governs how secondary and 
postsecondary credits will be awarded under the 
program; and
(iii) to carry out the activities described 
in subparagraph (A).
(2) Allowable activities.--An eligible entity may use grant 
funds received under this section to support the activities 
described in its application under subsection (i), including 
by--
(A) purchasing textbooks and equipment that support 
the program's curriculum;
(B) pursuant to the assurance provided by the 
eligible entity under subsection (i)(3)(A), paying 
tuition and fees for postsecondary courses taken by 
students under the program;
(C) incorporating work-based learning opportunities 
(other than by paying wages of students) into the 
program (which may include partnering with entities 
that provide such opportunities), including--
(i) internships;
(ii) career-based capstone projects;
(iii) pre-apprenticeships and registered 
apprenticeships provided by eligible providers 
of apprenticeship programs described in section 
122(a)(2)(B) of the Workforce Innovation and 
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3152(a)(2)(B)); and
(iv) work-based learning opportunities 
provided under chapters 1 and 2 of subpart 2 of 
part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act 
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 et seq.);
(D) providing students with transportation to and 
from the program;
(E) paying costs for--
(i) high school teachers to obtain the 
skills, credentials, or industry certifications 
necessary to teach for the institution of 
higher education participating in the program; 
or
(ii) postsecondary faculty to become 
certified to teach high school; or
(F) providing time during which secondary school 
teachers and faculty and faculty from an institution of 
higher education can collaborate, which may include--
(i) professional development;
(ii) the planning of team activities for 
such teachers and faculty; and
(iii) curricular design and student 
assessment.
(i) Application.--
(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary 
an application at such time, in such manner, and containing 
such information as the Secretary may require.
(2) Contents of application.--The application under 
paragraph (1) shall include, at minimum, a description of--
(A) the partnership that comprises the eligible 
entity, including documentation of partner commitments, 
resources and budget, roles, and responsibilities;
(B) how the partners that comprise the eligible 
entity will coordinate to carry out the mandatory 
activities described in subsection (h)(1);
(C) the number of students intended to be served by 
the program and demographic information relating to 
such students;
(D) how the eligible entity's curriculum and 
sequence of courses form a program of study leading to 
a recognized postsecondary credential;
(E) how postsecondary credits earned will be 
transferable to institutions of higher education within 
the State, including any applicable statewide transfer 
agreements and any provisions of such agreements that 
are specific to dual or concurrent enrollment programs;
(F) how the eligible entity will conduct outreach 
to students;
(G) how the eligible entity will determine the 
eligibility of students for postsecondary courses, 
including an explanation of the multiple factors the 
entity will take into account to assess the readiness 
of students for such courses; and
(H) the sustainability plan for the early college 
high school or dual or concurrent enrollment program.
(3) Assurances.--The application under paragraph (1) shall 
include assurances from the eligible entity that--
(A) students participating in a program funded with 
a grant under this section will not be required to pay 
tuition or fees for postsecondary courses taken under 
the program;
(B) postsecondary credits earned by students under 
the program will be transcribed upon completion of the 
required coursework; and
(C) instructors of postsecondary courses under the 
program will meet the same standards applicable to 
other faculty at the institution of higher education 
that is participating in the program.

SEC. 6. GRANTS TO STATES.

(a) In General.--The Secretary shall award grants to States, on a 
competitive basis, to assist States in supporting or establishing early 
college high schools or dual or concurrent enrollment programs.
(b) Duration.--Each grant under this section shall be awarded for a 
period of 6 years.
(c) Grant Amount.--The Secretary shall ensure that the amount of 
each grant under this section is sufficient to enable each grantee to 
carry out the activities described in subsection (f), of which not more 
than 15 percent of the overall grant total may be used to improve data 
systems for the purpose of facilitating the execution of the reporting 
requirement in section 7(a).
(d) Matching Requirement.--For each year that a State receives a 
grant under this section, the State shall provide, from non-Federal 
sources, an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount of the grant 
received by the State for such year to carry out the activities 
supported by the grant.
(e) Supplement, Not Supplant.--A State shall use a grant received 
under this section only to supplement funds that would, in the absence 
of such grant, be made available from other Federal, State, or local 
sources for activities supported by the grant, not to supplant such 
funds.
(f) Uses of Funds.--
(1) Mandatory activities.--A State shall use grant funds 
received under this section to--
(A) support the activities described in its 
application under subsection (g);
(B) plan and implement a statewide strategy for 
expanding access to early college high schools and dual 
or concurrent enrollment programs for students who are 
underrepresented in higher education to raise statewide 
rates of secondary school graduation, readiness for 
postsecondary education, and completion of recognized 
postsecondary credentials, with a focus on students 
academically at risk of not enrolling in or completing 
postsecondary education;
(C) identify any obstacles to such a strategy under 
State law or policy;
(D) provide technical assistance (either directly 
or through a knowledgeable intermediary) to early 
college high schools and dual or concurrent enrollment 
programs, which may include--
(i) brokering relationships and agreements 
that forge a strong partnership between 
elementary and secondary and postsecondary 
partners; and
(ii) offering statewide training, 
professional development, and peer learning 
opportunities for school leaders, instructors, 
and counselors or advisors;
(E) identify and implement policies that will 
improve the effectiveness and ensure the quality of 
early college high schools and dual or concurrent 
enrollment programs, such as eligibility and access, 
funding, data and quality assurance, governance, 
accountability, and alignment policies;
(F) update the State's requirements for a student 
to receive a regular high school diploma to align with 
the challenging State academic standards and entrance 
requirements for credit-bearing coursework as described 
in subparagraphs (A) and (D) of section 1111(b)(1) of 
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 6311(b)(1));
(G) incorporate indicators regarding student access 
to and completion of early college high schools and 
dual or concurrent enrollment programs into the school 
quality and student success indicators included in the 
State system of annual meaningful differentiation as 
described under section 1111(c)(4)(B)(v)(I) of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 6311(c)(4)(B)(v)(I));
(H) disseminate best practices for early college 
high schools and dual or concurrent enrollment 
programs, which may include best practices from 
programs in the State or other States;
(I) facilitate statewide secondary and 
postsecondary data collection, research and evaluation, 
and reporting to policymakers and other stakeholders, 
disaggregated for each category of students described 
in section 1111(b)(2)(B)(xi) of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
6311(b)(2)(B)(xi)); and
(J) conduct outreach programs to ensure that 
secondary school students, their families, and 
community members are made aware of early college high 
schools and dual or concurrent enrollment programs in 
the State through a new or existing State online 
website that complies with the web accessibility 
requirements under Federal and State laws that protect 
individuals with disabilities.
(2) Allowable activities.--A State may use grant funds 
received under this section to--
(A) establish a mechanism to offset the costs of 
tuition, fees, standardized testing, performance 
assessments, and support services for low-income 
students and students from underrepresented populations 
enrolled in early college high schools or dual or 
concurrent enrollment programs;
(B) establish formal transfer systems within and 
across State higher education systems, including two-
year and four-year public and private institutions to 
maximize the transferability of postsecondary courses;
(C) provide incentives to local educational 
agencies that--
(i) assist high school teachers in getting 
the credentials needed to participate in early 
college high school and dual or concurrent 
enrollment programs;
(ii) encourage the use of instructors at 
institutions of higher education to teach 
postsecondary courses in high schools; and
(iii) participate in an annual assessment 
of current availability and shortages of high 
school instructors who are credentialed to 
teach a dual or concurrent enrollment course, 
and shortages of these instructors in specific 
curricular areas; and
(D) support initiatives to improve the quality of 
early college high school and dual or concurrent 
enrollment programs at participating institutions, 
including by assisting such institutions in aligning 
programs with the quality standards described in 
section 5(f)(4).
(g) State Applications.--
(1) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
this section, a State shall submit to the Secretary an 
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
information as the Secretary may require.
(2) Contents of application.--The application under 
paragraph (1) shall include, at minimum, a description of--
(A) how the State will carry out the mandatory 
State activities described in subsection (f)(1);
(B) how the State will ensure that any programs 
funded with a grant under this section are coordinated 
with programs under--
(i) the Carl D. Perkins Career and 
Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 
et seq.);
(ii) the Workforce Innovation and 
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.);
(iii) the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.); 
and
(iv) the Individuals with Disabilities 
Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.);
(C) how the State intends to use grant funds to 
address achievement gaps for each category of students 
described in section 1111(b)(2)(B)(xi) of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(B)(xi));
(D) how the State will access and leverage 
additional resources necessary to sustain early college 
high schools and dual or concurrent enrollment 
programs;
(E) how the State will identify and eliminate 
barriers to implementing effective early college high 
schools and dual or concurrent enrollment programs 
after the grant expires, including by engaging 
businesses and nonprofit organizations; and
(F) such other information as the Secretary 
determines to be appropriate.

SEC. 7. REPORTING AND OVERSIGHT.

(a) In General.--Not less frequently than once annually, each State 
and eligible entity that receives a grant under this Act shall submit 
to the Secretary a report on the progress of the State or eligible 
entity in carrying out the programs supported by such grant.
(b) Form of Report.--The report under subsection (a) shall be 
submitted to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing 
such information as the Secretary may require. The Secretary shall 
issue uniform guidelines describing the information that shall be 
reported by grantees under such subsection.
(c) Contents of Report.--
(1) In general.--The report under subsection (a) shall 
include, at minimum, the following:
(A) The number of students enrolled in the early 
college high school or dual or concurrent enrollment 
program.
(B) The number and percentage of students enrolled 
in the early college high school or dual or concurrent 
enrollment program who earn a recognized postsecondary 
credential concurrently with a high school diploma.
(C) The number of postsecondary credits earned by 
students while enrolled in the early college high 
school or dual or concurrent enrollment program that 
may be applied toward a recognized postsecondary 
credential.
(D) The number and percentage of students enrolled 
in the early college high school or dual or concurrent 
enrollment program who earn a high school diploma.
(E) The number and percentage of individuals who 
complete the early college high school or dual or 
concurrent enrollment program and who enroll in 
postsecondary education.
(2) Categories of students.--The information described in 
each of subparagraphs (A) through (E) of paragraph (1) shall be 
disaggregated for each category of students described in 
section 1111(b)(2)(B)(xi) of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(B)(xi)).

SEC. 8. NATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

(a) Reporting by Secretary.--Not less frequently than once 
annually, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that 
includes--
(1) an analysis of the information received from States and 
eligible entities under section 7;
(2) an identification of best practices for carrying out 
programs supported by grants under this Act; and
(3) the results of the evaluation under subsection (b).
(b) National Evaluation.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall seek to enter into a 
contract with an independent entity to perform an evaluation of the 
grants awarded under this Act. Such evaluation shall apply rigorous 
procedures to obtain valid and reliable data concerning student 
outcomes by social and academic characteristics and monitor the 
progress of students from secondary school to and through postsecondary 
education.
(c) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall provide technical 
assistance to States and eligible entities concerning best practices 
and quality improvement programs in early college high schools and dual 
or concurrent enrollment programs and shall disseminate such best 
practices among eligible entities, States, and local educational 
agencies.
(d) Administrative Costs.--From amounts reserved to carry out this 
section under section 4(b)(3), the Secretary may reserve such sums as 
may be necessary for the direct administrative costs of carrying out 
the Secretary's responsibilities under this Act.

SEC. 9. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.

(a) Employees.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed to alter or 
otherwise affect the rights, remedies, and procedures afforded to the 
employees of local educational agencies (including schools) or 
institutions of higher education under Federal, State, or local laws 
(including applicable regulations or court orders) or under the terms 
of collective bargaining agreements, memoranda of understanding, or 
other agreements between such employees and their employers.
(b) Graduation Rate.--For purposes of this Act and any other 
Federal law, a student who graduates from an early college high school 
supported by a grant under section 5 within 100 percent of the normal 
time for completion described in the eligible entity's application 
under such section shall be counted in the four-year adjusted cohort 
graduation rate for such high school.
<all>