[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7117 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7117
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.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 15, 2026
Mr. Olszewski (for himself and Mr. Moylan) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
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.
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.
(a) In General.--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 coursework 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.
``(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 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)(D), 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.
``(5) 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.
``(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)(D)(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 a 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;
``(C) may permit students to earn required credit
hours for a regular high school diploma through a
demonstration of competency; and
``(D) includes support for students to ensure a
successful matriculation to postsecondary education.
``(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, State workforce agencies, or
State workforce development boards established
under section 101 of the Workforce Innovation
and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3111).
``(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
of the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the
District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, the United States
Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands.
``(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.
``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 (C) and (D) 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 subsection shall include the following:
``(A) The vision of the eligible entity for
aligning high school and higher education.
``(B) Signatures from the Governor, chief State
school officer, and State higher education executive
officer.
``(C) Evidence for each State within 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.
``(D)