H.R. 6133 — Jumpstart on College Act

This section states the purpose of the Act to increase the percentage of students who complete a recognized postsecondary credential within 100 percent of the normal time for completion, including low-income students and students from other populations underrepresented in higher education.

This section defines terms for purposes of the Act. Such terms include (1) several terms from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (e.g., dual or concurrent enrollment program, local educational agency); (2) eligible entity as an institution of higher education in partnership with one or more local educational agencies (which may be an educational service agency) and potentially other entities such as nonprofit organizations, businesses, or schools in juvenile detention centers; (3) institution of higher education as defined in the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001); (4) low-income student as counted under specified provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6333(c)); (5) recognized postsecondary credential as defined in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102); and (6) Secretary as the Secretary of Education.

This section authorizes $250 million for FY2026 and each of the five succeeding fiscal years (i.e., through FY2031) to carry out the Act. From those amounts each fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve (1) not less than 40% for grants to eligible entities under section 5, (2) not less than 55% for grants to States under section 6, and (3) not less than 5% for national activities under section 8.

This section directs the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to eligible entities to establish or support early college high school or dual or concurrent enrollment programs (i.e., programs allowing high school students to earn postsecondary credits). Grants are for 6 years, with each not to exceed $2 million (of which no more than 15% may fund data system improvements for reporting under section 7(a)). Grantees must provide matching funds equal to (1) 20% of the grant amount in years 1-2, (2) 30% in years 3-4, (3) 40% in year 5, and (4) 50% in year 6, with at least half from non-Federal sources and in-kind contributions permitted; funds must supplement, not supplant, other Federal, state, or local funds. In awarding grants, the Secretary must prioritize eligible entities that (1) serve student populations with at least 51% low-income students, (2) include local educational agencies with schools identified for comprehensive support and improvement or implementing targeted support plans under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, (3) are from states providing assistance (e.g., for tuition, fees, textbooks) to such programs, or (4) propose programs meeting specified quality standards; the Secretary must also ensure equitable distribution across urban, suburban, and rural areas, U.S. regions, and two-year and four-year institutions of higher education. Grantees must use funds for (1) activities described in their application, (2) student supports (e.g., college and career readiness, academic and social services) and professional development (e.g., joint activities, parent engagement strategies for at-risk students, first-generation college students, and subgroups under ESEA §1111(b)(2)(B)(xi)), (3) partner liaison activities under a memorandum of understanding, (4) outreach and enrollment assistance for targeted students, (5) data collection and use for improvement and evaluation (consistent with FERPA), and (6) program review and strengthening.

This section establishes a competitive grant program administered by the Secretary of Education to award multi-year grants to states to support or establish early college high schools (i.e., high schools allowing students to earn both a high school diploma and an associate's degree or significant postsecondary credits) and dual or concurrent enrollment programs (i.e., programs enabling high school students to take college courses for dual credit). Grants are for a 6-year period in sufficient amounts to carry out required activities, with not more than 15% usable for data systems to support reporting under section 7(a); requires a 50% non-federal match each year; and mandates that funds supplement, not supplant, other federal, state, or local funds. States must use funds for mandatory activities including (1) developing and implementing a statewide strategy to expand access for underrepresented and at-risk students; (2) providing technical assistance and professional development; (3) improving program policies and quality; (4) updating high school diploma requirements to align with state academic standards and postsecondary entrance requirements under ESEA §1111(b)(1)(A),(D) (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(1)(A),(D)); (5) incorporating access and completion indicators into the school quality and student success metrics of the statewide accountability system under ESEA §1111(c)(4)(B)(v)(I) (20 U.S.C. 6311(c)(4)(B)(v)(I)); (6) disseminating best practices; (7) facilitating disaggregated data collection and reporting by ESEA subgroups under §1111(b)(2)(B)(xi) (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(B)(xi)); and (8) conducting outreach via an accessible state website. Allowable activities include offsetting costs for low-income and underrepresented students, establishing transfer agreements, providing local incentives for instructor credentials, and aligning programs with quality standards under section 5(f)(4). States must apply to the Secretary with specified information.

This section requires each state and eligible entity receiving a grant under this Act to submit to the Secretary, not less frequently than annually, a report on progress in carrying out the supported programs (i.e., early college high school or dual or concurrent enrollment programs), in a form and containing information specified by the Secretary through uniform guidelines. The report must include, at a minimum, (1) the number of students enrolled; (2) the number and percentage of such students who earn a recognized postsecondary credential concurrently with a high school diploma; (3) the number of postsecondary credits earned by such students applicable toward a recognized postsecondary credential; (4) the number and percentage of such students who earn a high school diploma; and (5) the number and percentage of program completers who enroll in postsecondary education—with all such information disaggregated by student subgroups specified 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)) (e.g., economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, and English learners).

This section directs the Secretary to (1) submit annual reports to Congress analyzing information from States and eligible entities under section 7, identifying best practices for grant-supported programs, and including results of a required national evaluation; (2) contract with an independent entity within six months of enactment to evaluate grants awarded under this Act using rigorous procedures to assess student outcomes by social and academic characteristics and monitor progress from secondary school to postsecondary education; (3) provide technical assistance to States and eligible entities on best practices and quality improvement for early college high schools and dual or concurrent enrollment programs and disseminate such practices to eligible entities, States, and local educational agencies; and (4) reserve necessary sums from amounts under section 4(b)(3) for direct administrative costs of the Secretary's responsibilities under this Act.

This section provides rules of construction specifying that (1) nothing in the Act alters the rights, remedies, or procedures afforded to employees of local educational agencies (including schools) or institutions of higher education under federal, state, or local laws (including regulations or court orders) or under collective bargaining agreements, memoranda of understanding, or other agreements; and (2) for purposes of this Act and other federal law, a student graduating 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 counts in the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate for such high school.