Fast Track To and Through College Act
This bill requires the Department of Education to award grants to certain partnerships with state educational agencies to support statewide implementation of early college fast track pathways and early high school graduation fast track pathways.
The bill defines early college fast track pathways as programs of advanced coursework resulting in credit that (1) is equivalent to at least two semesters of full-time postsecondary enrollment, and (2) satisfies the requirements for a high school diploma. In addition, the bill defines early high school graduation fast track pathways as scholarships for students who graduate high school early, do not require remedial coursework in postsecondary education, and attend a public two- or four-year institution of higher education.
The bill also makes certain high school students participating in an early college fast track pathway eligible to receive Pell Grants.
To increase rates of college completion and reduce college costs by 
   accelerating time to degree, aligning secondary and postsecondary 
        education, and improving postsecondary credit transfer.

    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 ``Fast Track To and Through College 
Act''.

SEC. 2. ACCELERATING TIME TO DEGREE.

    Part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1070 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparts 5, 6, and 7, as subparts 6, 
        7, and 8, respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after subpart 4 the following:

                ``Subpart 5--Accelerating Time to Degree

``SEC. 416A. PURPOSE.

    ``The purpose of this subpart is to increase rates of college 
completion and reduce college costs by accelerating time to degree, 
aligning secondary and postsecondary education, and improving 
postsecondary credit transfer.

``SEC. 416B. DEFINITIONS.

    ``In this subpart:
            ``(1) Advanced coursework.--The term `advanced coursework' 
        means coursework designed for students to earn postsecondary 
        credit upon its successful completion while still in high 
        school, such as that associated with Advanced Placement, 
        International Baccalaureate, a dual or concurrent enrollment 
        program, and early college high school programs.
            ``(2) Career and technical education.--The term `career and 
        technical education' has the meaning given the term in section 
        3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 
        2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302).
            ``(3) 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.
            ``(4) 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.
            ``(5) Early college fast track pathway.--The term `early 
        college fast track pathway' means a sequence of dual or 
        concurrent enrollment program courses, Advanced Placement 
        courses, International Baccalaureate courses, or other advanced 
        coursework or assessments approved by the eligible entity taken 
        at any point during high school that--
                    ``(A) when taken together, constitute a typical 
                first year of study toward an associate degree or 
                baccalaureate degree, or, in the case of postsecondary 
                credit in career and technical education earned through 
                dual or concurrent enrollment program course sequences, 
                the first year of study toward a recognized 
                postsecondary credential for a high-skill, high-wage, 
                or in-demand industry sector or occupation; and
                    ``(B) if completed successfully, results in credit 
                that--
                            ``(i) is equivalent to the academic 
                        workload of not less than 2 semesters of full-
                        time postsecondary enrollment;
                            ``(ii) satisfies requirements for the 
                        State's regular high school diploma; and
                            ``(iii) is a part of the statewide 
                        articulation agreements described in clauses 
                        (iv) and (v) of section 416C(f)(2)(C), except 
                        that a pathway designed for earning 
                        postsecondary credit in career and technical 
                        education through a dual or concurrent 
                        enrollment program leading to a recognized 
                        postsecondary credential may be part of an 
                        articulation agreement that includes some, but 
                        not all, public institutions of higher 
                        education in the State.
            ``(6) Early high school graduation fast track pathway.--The 
        term `early high school graduation fast track pathway' means a 
        scholarship provided to a student who--
                    ``(A) graduates high school early consistent with a 
                State's early high school graduation policy;
                    ``(B) does not require remedial coursework in 
                postsecondary education consistent with a State's 
                postsecondary course placement standards described in 
                section 416C(f)(2)(C)(iii); and
                    ``(C) attends any public 2-year or 4-year 
                institution of higher education that is a part of the 
                eligible entity.
            ``(7) Early high school graduation policy.--The term `early 
        high school graduation policy' means a statewide policy adopted 
        by all local educational agencies in the State that--
                    ``(A) allows students the opportunity to earn a 
                regular high school diploma in not more than 3 years;
                    ``(B) is based in whole or in part on student 
                performance on valid and reliable assessments aligned 
                with the challenging State academic standards required 
                under section 1111(b)(1) of the Elementary and 
                Secondary Education Act of 1965, which may include a 
                nationally recognized high school academic assessment; 
                and
                    ``(C) may permit students to earn required credit 
                hours for a regular high school diploma through a 
                demonstration of competency.
            ``(8) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a 
        partnership that, with respect to a State--
                    ``(A) shall include--
                            ``(i) the State educational agency;
                            ``(ii) either--
                                    ``(I) the State public higher 
                                education system inclusive of all 2-
                                year and 4-year public institutions of 
                                higher education in the State; or
                                    ``(II) 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
                            ``(iii) 1 or more local educational 
                        agencies, including at least 1 high-need local 
                        educational agency located in the State; and
                    ``(B) may include--
                            ``(i) a consortium of entities described in 
                        subparagraph (A) from different States;
                            ``(ii) 1 or more public or nonprofit 
                        private institutions of higher education; and
                            ``(iii) 1 or more businesses, nonprofit 
                        organizations, a State workforce agency, or a 
                        State workforce development board established 
                        under section 101 of the Workforce Innovation 
                        and Opportunity Act.
            ``(9) Evidence-based.--The term `evidence-based' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965.
            ``(10) First-generation college student.--The term `first-
        generation college student' means--
                    ``(A) an individual both of whose parents did not 
                complete a baccalaureate degree; or
                    ``(B) in the case of any individual who regularly 
                resided with and received support from only 1 parent, 
                an individual whose only such parent did not complete a 
                baccalaureate degree.
            ``(11) Governor.--The term `Governor' means the chief 
        executive officer of a State.
            ``(12) High-need local educational agency.--The term `high-
        need local educational agency' means a local educational 
        agency--
                    ``(A) that serves not fewer than 10,000 children 
                from families with incomes below the poverty line;
                    ``(B) for which not less than 20 percent of the 
                children served by the agency are from families with 
                incomes below the poverty line;
                    ``(C) that is in the highest quartile of local 
                educational agencies in the State, based on student 
                poverty; or
                    ``(D) for which not less than 75 percent of the 
                children served by the agency are historically 
                underrepresented students.
            ``(13) High school.--The term `high school' has the meaning 
        given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
        Education Act of 1965.
            ``(14) Historically underrepresented student.--The term 
        `historically underrepresented student' means--
                    ``(A) a student, or prospective student, at an 
                institution of higher education who is at risk of 
                educational failure or otherwise in need of special 
                assistance and support; and
                    ``(B) may include an adult learner, working 
                student, part-time student, student from a low-income 
                background, student of color, Native youth, single 
                parent (including a single pregnant woman), student who 
                is a homeless child or youth, youth who is in, or has 
                aged out of, the foster care system, first-generation 
                college student, and student with a disability.
            ``(15) 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.
            ``(16) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        `institution of higher education' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 101(a).
            ``(17) Middle grades.--The term `middle grades' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965.
            ``(18) Nationally recognized high school academic 
        assessment.--The term `nationally recognized high school 
        academic assessment' means an assessment of high school 
        students' knowledge and skills that is administered in multiple 
        States and is recognized by institutions of higher education in 
        those or other States for the purposes of entrance or placement 
        into courses in postsecondary education or training programs.
            ``(19) Parent.--The term `parent' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
        Act of 1965.
            ``(20) Recognized postsecondary credential.--The term 
        `recognized postsecondary credential' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity 
        Act.
            ``(21) Regular high school diploma.--The term `regular high 
        school diploma' has the meaning given the term in section 8101 
        of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
            ``(22) State.--The term `State' means each of the 50 
        States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of 
        Puerto Rico.
            ``(23) Subgroup of students.--The term `subgroup of 
        students' means--
                    ``(A) economically disadvantaged students;
                    ``(B) students from each major racial and ethnic 
                group;
                    ``(C) children with disabilities, as defined in 
                section 602 of the Individuals with Disabilities 
                Education Act;
                    ``(D) English learners, as defined in section 8101 
                of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965;
                    ``(E) students disaggregated by gender;
                    ``(F) migratory children, as described in section 
                1309(3) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
                of 1965;
                    ``(G) homeless children and youths, as defined in 
                section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance 
                Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a);
                    ``(H) students who are in foster care or are aging 
                out of the foster care system; and
                    ``(I) students with a parent who is a member of the 
                Armed Forces (as defined in section 101(a)(4) of title 
                10, United States Code) on active duty (as defined in 
                section 101(d) of such title).
            ``(24) Work-based learning.--The term `work-based learning' 
        has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Carl D. 
        Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 
        2302).

``SEC. 416C. COMPETITIVE GRANTS TO STATES.

    ``(a) Reservations.--From the total amount appropriated under 
section 416I for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve--
            ``(1) 2 percent to conduct the evaluation described under 
        section 416F; and
            ``(2) 2 percent for technical assistance and dissemination, 
        which may include--
                    ``(A) 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 subpart; 
                and
                    ``(B) disseminating information on evidence-based 
                practices that are successful in improving the quality 
                of activities funded under this subpart.
    ``(b) Grants.--
            ``(1) Awards.--From the total amount of funds available 
        under section 416I for a fiscal year and not reserved under 
        subsection (a), the Secretary shall award grants on a 
        competitive basis to eligible entities to implement activities 
        described under section 416D.
            ``(2) Limitation.--A State may not receive (whether 
        individually or as part of a consortium) a grant under this 
        subpart more than once.
    ``(c) Grant Duration.--Grants awarded under this subpart shall be 
for a period of 5 years.
    ``(d) Diversity of Projects.--In awarding grants under this 
subpart, 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.
    ``(e) Priorities.--In awarding grants under this subpart, the 
Secretary shall give priority to applications that--
            ``(1) demonstrate experience in the successful adoption or 
        implementation of policies and programs described within the 
        application requirements under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of 
        subsection (f)(2) and uses of funds for evidence-based 
        practices under section 416D;
            ``(2) prioritize implementation of at least 1 early college 
        fast track pathway in multiple high-need local educational 
        agencies at the beginning of the grant period;
            ``(3) propose to develop multiple early college fast track 
        pathways, including an early college fast track pathway that 
        includes career and technical education and work-based learning 
        aligned with high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry 
        sectors or occupations;
            ``(4) propose to provide a larger award size in its early 
        high school graduation fast track pathway relative to the size 
        of the maximum Federal Pell Grant award under subpart 1;
            ``(5) propose to expand access to advanced coursework for 
        students who are not eligible for the early college fast track 
        pathway or early high school graduation fast track pathway; and
            ``(6) use school quality or student success indicators to 
        hold high schools accountable, consistent with section 
        1111(c)(4)(b)(v) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
        of 1965, that measure access to and completion of advanced 
        coursework, dual or concurrent enrollment programs, and early 
        college high school programs or postsecondary enrollment, 
        remediation, or first-year credit attainment.
    ``(f) Application.--
            ``(1) In general.--In order to receive a grant under 
        subsection (b) for any fiscal year, the Governor of a State 
        shall submit an application to the Secretary, at such time, in 
        such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary 
        may reasonably require.
            ``(2) Contents.--Each application submitted by a Governor 
        under this section shall include the following:
                    ``(A) Signatures from the Governor, chief State 
                school officer, and State higher education executive 
                officer.
                    ``(B) Evidence for each State in the eligible 
                entity demonstrating adoption of--
                            ``(i) an early high school graduation 
                        policy; and
                            ``(ii) uniform statewide criteria for the 
                        receipt of postsecondary, nonelective credit at 
                        all public institutions of higher education in 
                        the eligible entity based on performance on 
                        Advanced Placement and International 
                        Baccalaureate course examinations, and, at the 
                        discretion of the eligible entity, other 
                        assessments.
                    ``(C) 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, implement 
                policies and activities to align high school education 
                with postsecondary education in each State within the 
                eligible entity, which shall include--
                            ``(i) updating State requirements for a 
                        student to receive a regular high school 
                        diploma, including students who graduate high 
                        school early consistent with subparagraph (B), 
                        to align with the challenging State academic 
                        standards and entrance requirements for credit-
                        bearing coursework as described in section 
                        1111(b)(1)(D) of the Elementary and Secondary 
                        Education Act of 1965, which may include 
                        alignment with entrance requirements for 
                        credit-bearing coursework at the State's system 
                        of 4-year institutions of higher education;
                            ``(ii) verification of the alignment 
                        described in clause (i) that is signified by 
                        the signature of the Governor of the State, 
                        chief State school officer, and State higher 
                        education executive officer;
                            ``(iii) developing statewide standards for 
                        placement in postsecondary remedial coursework 
                        based on multiple indicators, which may include 
                        grade point average, college preparatory high 
                        school courses completed, and performance 
                        assessments;
                            ``(iv) developing a formal, universal 
                        statewide articulation agreement among all 
                        public institutions of higher education or 
                        systems in each State within the eligible 
                        entity in which all local educational agencies 
                        within each State within the eligible entity 
                        may participate that guarantees--
                                    ``(I) students who earn 
                                postsecondary credit as part of an 
                                early college fast track pathway are 
                                able to transfer such credit to--
                                            ``(aa) any public 
                                        institution of higher education 
                                        in the State, and that such 
                                        credits will count toward 
                                        meeting specific degree or 
                                        certificate requirements; and
                                            ``(bb) any private 
                                        nonprofit institution of higher 
                                        education or public institution 
                                        of higher education located in 
                                        another State that chooses to 
                                        participate in the articulation 
                                        agreement;
                                    ``(II) all relevant credits are 
                                recognized throughout the public system 
                                of higher education in the State and 
                                count as credits earned for both a 
                                regular high school diploma and for a 
                                degree or certificate program at a 
                                public institution of higher education 
                                in the State and at any private 
                                nonprofit institution of higher 
                                education or public institution of 
                                higher education located in another 
                                State that chooses to participate; and
                                    ``(III) if a student earns an 
                                associate's degree as part of an early 
                                college fast track pathway, such 
                                associate's degree, awarded by the 
                                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
                            ``(v) developing a formal, universal 
                        statewide articulation agreement among all 
                        public institutions of higher education in each 
                        State within the eligible entity to facilitate 
                        the seamless transfer of credit earned in the 
                        early college fast track pathway among such 
                        institutions of higher education, including 
                        between 2-year and 4-year public institutions 
                        of higher education and private nonprofit 
                        institutions of higher education if such 
                        private nonprofit institutions of higher 
                        education choose to participate, which may 
                        include--
                                    ``(I) common course numbering;
                                    ``(II) a general education core 
                                curriculum; and
                                    ``(III) management systems 
                                regarding course equivalency, transfer 
                                of credit, and articulation.
                    ``(D) A description of how the eligible entity will 
                provide students with the opportunity to choose an 
                early college fast track pathway or an early high 
                school graduation fast track pathway, including--
                            ``(i) the criteria that will be used to 
                        designate students as eligible to participate 
                        in the early college fast track pathway prior 
                        to the conclusion of the 11th grade, which 
                        shall--
                                    ``(I) be based in part on student 
                                performance on valid and reliable 
                                assessments aligned with the 
                                challenging State academic standards 
                                required under section 1111(b)(1) of 
                                the Elementary and Secondary Education 
                                Act of 1965, which may include a 
                                nationally recognized high school 
                                academic assessment, and in part on 
                                other indicators consistent with the 
                                statewide standards for placement in 
                                postsecondary remedial coursework under 
                                subparagraph (C)(iii);
                                    ``(II) if met, signify that the 
                                student will not require remedial 
                                coursework consistent with the 
                                placement standards developed under 
                                subparagraph (C)(iii); and
                                    ``(III) include students who meet 
                                the requirements of the State's early 
                                high school graduation policy;
                            ``(ii) how the eligible entity will 
                        disseminate information to all students and 
                        particularly subgroups of students, students 
                        who would be first-generation college students, 
                        and, as applicable, other historically 
                        underrepresented students in the middle grades 
                        and in grades 9, 10, and 11, served by the 
                        eligible entity, including their parents, about 
                        the opportunity to participate in an early 
                        college fast track pathway or an early high 
                        school graduation fast track pathway, 
                        including--
                                    ``(I) the requirements students 
                                must meet to participate in each fast 
                                track pathway consistent with the 
                                State's early high school graduation 
                                policy and eligibility criteria 
                                described in clause (i);
                                    ``(II) information regarding the 
                                transferability of credits from 
                                advanced coursework offered in the 
                                early college fast track pathway, 
                                including the State's criteria for the 
                                receipt of postsecondary credit based 
                                on performance on Advanced Placement 
                                and International Baccalaureate course 
                                examinations described in subparagraph 
                                (B)(ii), which institutions of higher 
                                education participate in the 
                                articulation agreements described under 
                                clauses (iv) and (v) of subparagraph 
                                (C), and the performance standards 
                                students must meet in order for credit 
                                from advanced coursework to transfer 
                                successfully;
                                    ``(III) information on the 
                                scholarships included within the early 
                                high school graduation fast track 
                                pathway, including the size of the 
                                scholarship and the institutions of 
                                higher education at which the 
                                scholarships may be used; and
                                    ``(IV) information regarding 
                                resources and supports available to 
                                students to prepare them to participate 
                                and succeed in a fast track pathway;
                            ``(iii) how the eligible entity will 
                        provide each student served by the eligible 
                        entity with the opportunity to be assessed 
                        prior to the conclusion of the 11th grade to 
                        determine whether the student meets--
                                    ``(I) the eligibility criteria 
                                described in clause (i) to participate 
                                in an early college fast track pathway; 
                                and
                                    ``(II) the requirements of the 
                                State's early high school graduation 
                                policy so that a student may 
                                participate in an early high school 
                                graduation fast track pathway; and
                            ``(iv) how the eligible entity will notify 
                        each student, including the student's parents, 
                        who--
                                    ``(I) meets the eligibility 
                                criteria described under clause (i) no 
                                later than the beginning of the 12th 
                                grade about the opportunity for the 
                                student to participate in an early 
                                college fast track pathway for the 
                                remainder of the student's enrollment 
                                in high school; and
                                    ``(II) meets the requirements of 
                                the early high school graduation policy 
                                about the opportunity to graduate high 
                                school early and receive a scholarship 
                                as part of an early high school 
                                graduation fast track pathway.
                    ``(E) A description of how the eligible entity will 
                implement the early college fast track pathway and 
                early high school graduation fast track pathway in all 
                local educational agencies within each State in the 
                eligible entity, including--
                            ``(i) the timeline and plan to provide, by 
                        the end of the grant period, all students in 
                        the State who meet the eligibility criteria 
                        described under subparagraph (D)(i) the 
                        opportunity to participate in an early college 
                        fast track pathway, which may include online 
                        coursework coordinated by the State;
                            ``(ii) the timeline and plan to provide all 
                        students in the State who meet the requirements 
                        for its early high school graduation policy the 
                        opportunity to receive a scholarship through an 
                        early high school graduation fast track 
                        pathway; and
                            ``(iii) annual goals for participation in 
                        fast track pathways among subgroups of students 
                        such that, if the goals are met--
                                    ``(I) significant progress will be 
                                made toward improving equity in student 
                                eligibility and participation in the 
                                early high school graduation pathway 
                                across the local educational agencies 
                                within each State in the eligible 
                                entity;
                                    ``(II) significant progress will be 
                                made toward improving equity in access 
                                to advanced coursework and early 
                                college fast track pathways across the 
                                local educational agencies within each 
                                State in the eligible entity; and
                                    ``(III) the composition of students 
                                participating in fast track pathways 
                                will be demographically similar to each 
                                State, as a whole, within the eligible 
                                entity by the end of the grant period.
                    ``(F) 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 section 416D, 
                including--
                            ``(i) members of the State legislature and 
                        State board of education (if the State has a 
                        State board of education);
                            ``(ii) the State higher education governing 
                        or coordinating entity (if the State has such 
                        an entity);
                            ``(iii) the State entity that coordinates 
                        early-childhood, elementary, secondary, and 
                        postsecondary education (if the State has such 
                        an entity);
                            ``(iv) local educational agencies, 
                        including those located in rural areas and 
                        high-need local education agencies;
                            ``(v) representatives of Indian Tribes 
                        located in the State;
                            ``(vi) charter school leaders (if the State 
                        has charter schools);
                            ``(vii) civil rights organizations in the 
                        State;
                            ``(viii) business leaders or their 
                        representatives in the State;
                            ``(ix) teachers, principals, and other 
                        school leaders; and
                            ``(x) parents and students.
                    ``(G) Assurances that the eligible entity will--
                            ``(i) allow students who choose to 
                        participate in an early college fast track 
                        pathway the opportunity to do so at no cost to 
                        students and parents, including that such 
                        students and their parents shall not be 
                        required to pay the cost of related tuition, 
                        fees (including examination fees), books, and 
                        supplies necessary to successfully complete the 
                        early college fast track pathway;
                            ``(ii) comply with the supplement, not 
                        supplant and maintenance of effort requirements 
                        described under sections 416G and 416H; and
                            ``(iii) use not less than half of grant 
                        funds for purposes described under subsections 
                        (a)(2) and (b) of section 416D to support 
                        subgroups of students, students who would be 
                        first-generation college students, and, as 
                        applicable, other historically underrepresented 
                        students.
    ``(g) Reporting.--Each eligible entity receiving a grant under this 
section shall submit to the Secretary a report on an annual basis that 
includes, for each State in the eligible entity--
            ``(1) information on the progress of the eligible entity in 
        establishing the policies and completing the required 
        activities as specified in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of 
        subsection (f)(2) to align high school education with 
        postsecondary education;
            ``(2) the number and percentage of local educational 
        agencies and schools in the State offering an early high school 
        graduation fast track pathway and each early college fast track 
        pathway consistent with its timeline and plan as specified in 
        clauses (i) and (ii) of subsection (f)(2)(E), progress against 
        the goals established by the eligible entity for 
        demographically diverse student participation in fast track 
        pathways specified in subsection (f)(2)(E)(iii), and evidence 
        demonstrating how the eligible entity certified each such 
        pathway meets all requirements of this subpart;
            ``(3) the number and percentage of students in the State, 
        including for each subgroup of students, who--
                    ``(A) are eligible to participate in an early 
                college fast track pathway;
                    ``(B) participate in an early college fast track 
                pathway; and
                    ``(C) successfully complete an early college fast 
                track pathway;
            ``(4) the number and percentage of students in the State, 
        including for each subgroup of students, who--
                    ``(A) are eligible to participate in an early high 
                school graduation fast track pathway; and
                    ``(B) participate in an early high school 
                graduation fast track pathway;
            ``(5) the average scholarship award amount for students, 
        including for each subgroup of students, in the State who 
        participate in an early high school graduation fast track 
        pathway; and
            ``(6) any additional information as the Secretary may 
        reasonably require to ensure compliance with the requirements 
        of this subpart and to effectively evaluate, monitor, and 
        improve grant implementation.

``SEC. 416D. USE OF FUNDS.

    ``(a) Required Activities.--Each eligible entity that receives a 
grant under section 416C(b) for a fiscal year shall--
            ``(1) use funds for activities to implement the alignment 
        requirements pursuant to section 416C(f)(2)(C) for a period of 
        time not to exceed the first 2 fiscal years for which the grant 
        is provided; and
            ``(2) use funds to support statewide implementation of 
        early college fast track pathways and early high school 
        graduation fast track pathways consistent with the timeline, 
        plan, and goals specified in section 416C(f)(2)(E), including--
                    ``(A) expanding advanced coursework to increase the 
                availability of early college fast track pathways, 
                which may include--
                            ``(i) tuition, fees (including exam fees 
                        associated with Advanced Placement, 
                        International Baccalaureate, and similar 
                        examinations), books, and supplies for eligible 
                        students;
                            ``(ii) creating or expanding statewide 
                        systems to provide each of the advanced courses 
                        in the early college fast track pathways 
                        online; and
                            ``(iii) establishing or expanding early 
                        college high schools;
                    ``(B) programs and activities to improve student 
                preparation for, and participation in, an early college 
                fast track pathway or early high school graduation fast 
                track pathway, especially among subgroups of students, 
                students who would be first-generation college 
                students, and, as applicable, other historically 
                underrepresented students, which may include--
                            ``(i) use of data from evidence-based early 
                        assessment programs or evidence-based early 
                        warning indicator systems;
                            ``(ii) enhanced advising or counseling 
                        activities, such as providing course-taking and 
                        financial aid guidance as early as the middle 
                        grades; and
                            ``(iii) other evidence-based services as 
                        described by the eligible entity; and
                    ``(C) outreach and communications with students and 
                parents, particularly historically underrepresented 
                students, to build awareness of early college fast 
                track pathways and early high school graduation fast 
                track pathways.
    ``(b) Additional Activities.--To support effective statewide 
implementation of fast track pathways consistent with the timeline, 
plan, and goals specified in section 416C(f)(2)(E), each eligible 
entity that receives a grant under section 416C(b) for a fiscal year 
may use funds to--
            ``(1) offer students who graduate high school early 
        scholarships as part of an early high school graduation fast 
        track pathway;
            ``(2) provide training, professional development, or 
        recruitment for faculty who teach courses that are included in 
        an early college fast track pathway;
            ``(3) provide students with transportation to and from 
        advanced courses in an early college fast track pathway;
            ``(4) convene secondary and postsecondary education and 
        workforce leaders in the State and other stakeholders to 
        coordinate and monitor grant implementation; and
            ``(5) provide incentives for local educational agencies and 
        institutions of higher education to encourage student 
        participation in early college fast track pathways and early 
        high school graduation fast track pathways.

``SEC. 416E. PELL GRANT AWARDS.

    ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding the requirement under section 
484(a)(1) and section 484(d) that a student not be enrolled in an 
elementary school or secondary school to be eligible to receive a 
Federal Pell Grant under subpart 1, for the award years beginning on 
July 1, 2020, the Secretary shall, in a State issued a grant under this 
subpart, award high school students who meet the eligibility 
requirements described in section 416C(f)(2)(D) and participate in an 
early college fast track pathway, a Federal Pell Grant based on the 
determination of the expected family contribution for such student.
    ``(b) Two Semester Cap Waiver.--For a period not to exceed 2 
semesters (or the equivalent of 2 semesters for students who are not 
enrolled full time, consistent with regulations promulgated by the 
Secretary described under section 401(c)(5)), Federal Pell Grants 
awarded to eligible students under subsection (a) shall not count 
toward the 12-semester eligibility period for Federal Pell Grants 
described under section 401(c)(5).
    ``(c) Amount of Pell Grant.--Notwithstanding section 401(b)(2)(A), 
the amount of the Federal Pell Grant received under subsection (b) 
shall not exceed the cost of tuition, fees (excluding fees associated 
with Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and similar 
examinations), books, and supplies.
    ``(d) Applicability.--The Secretary shall continue awarding Federal 
Pell Grants to students pursuant to this section in a State whose grant 
under this subpart has expired based upon the eligible entity's 
continued compliance with the requirements of this subpart as 
determined by the Secretary.

``SEC. 416F. EVALUATION.

    ``The Secretary, in partnership with the Director of the Institute 
of Education Sciences, shall contract with a third party to conduct an 
independent evaluation not later than September 30, 2026, and preceded 
by interim reports, of the policies and services provided under this 
subpart, including at a minimum, the impact of such policies and 
services on outcomes for all students and subgroups of students with 
regard to each of the following:
            ``(1) Enrollment in and completion of advanced coursework 
        during high school, including the number of courses students 
        take and the number of credits students earn.
            ``(2) Postsecondary enrollment, remediation, first-year 
        credit attainment, and persistence.
            ``(3) The rate at which credits transfer from advanced 
        coursework in high school, including dual or concurrent 
        enrollment programs, and public institutions of higher 
        education and between such institutions.
            ``(4) Postsecondary degree attainment, including completion 
        of an associate's degree, baccalaureate degree, or recognized 
        postsecondary credential, and the time it takes students to 
        earn a degree.
            ``(5) The cost of a postsecondary degree, by degree type, 
        for participating students in an early college fast track 
        pathway or an early high school graduation fast track pathway.

``SEC. 416G. SUPPLEMENT, NOT SUPPLANT.

    ``Funds made available under this subpart shall be used to 
supplement, and not supplant, non-Federal funds that would otherwise be 
used for activities authorized under this subpart.

``SEC. 416H. MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT.

    ``(a) Maintenance of Effort Required.--A State that receives 
assistance under this subpart shall provide for institutions of higher 
education and local educational agencies in such State for any academic 
year beginning on or after July 1, 2020, an amount that is equal to or 
greater than the average amount provided for advanced coursework by 
such State to such institutions of higher education and local 
educational agencies for advanced coursework during the 2 most recent 
preceding academic years for which satisfactory data are available.
    ``(b) Adjustments for Biennial Appropriations.--The Secretary shall 
take into consideration any adjustments to the calculations under 
subsection (a) that may be required to accurately reflect funding 
levels in States with biennial appropriation cycles.
    ``(c) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the requirements of 
subsection (a) for not more than 2 consecutive years, if the Secretary 
determines that such a waiver would be equitable due to exceptional or 
uncontrollable circumstances, such as a natural disaster or a 
precipitous and unforeseen decline in the financial resources of a 
State or State educational agency, as appropriate.
    ``(d) Violation of Maintenance of Effort.--Notwithstanding any 
other provision of law, the Secretary shall withhold from any State 
that violates subsection (a) and does not receive a waiver pursuant to 
subsection (c) any amount that would otherwise be available to the 
State under this subpart until such State has made significant efforts 
to correct such violation.

``SEC. 416I. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subpart 
such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022 and each of the 4 
succeeding fiscal years.''.
                                 <all>
Fast Track To and Through College Act
A bill to increase rates of college completion and reduce college costs by accelerating time to degree, aligning secondary and postsecondary education, and improving postsecondary credit transfer.
Fast Track To and Through College Act
Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood