Sponsors (3)
Introduced September 18, 2025 by Edward John Markey · Last progress September 18, 2025
This bill invests federal funding and structures to expand early college and dual‑enrollment access—especially for underserved students—while improving alignment, data, and program quality, but it shifts costs and administrative burdens to states, districts, and taxpayers and may incentivize narrow on‑time completion metrics at the expense of flexibility and some students' pathways.
Low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented high school students gain greater access to tuition‑offset early college and dual‑enrollment opportunities that increase on‑time credential attainment and shorten time to degree, improving college completion and future earnings.
States, local entities, and eligible organizations receive predictable multiyear federal funding (authorizes $250M/year for six years with defined shares to states and local entities), enabling planning and continuity for scaling early college and dual‑enrollment programs.
K–12 systems and postsecondary institutions get stronger alignment with workforce credential definitions, funded teacher/postsecondary faculty professional development, and employer‑aligned CTE and work‑based learning, helping students earn relevant, transferable credits and job‑ready skills.
State and local education agencies (and state taxpayers) must provide substantial matches (state 50% for some grants; local 20%–50% for others), which can strain budgets, limit districts' ability to participate, and reduce program reach.
States, districts, and eligible entities face increased administrative, reporting, and compliance burdens (FERPA‑compliant data collection, disaggregation, annual reports, planning requirements), which can be especially onerous for smaller districts and nonprofits.
A policy focus on on‑time completion and graduation‑timing metrics may pressure schools to prioritize speed over broader educational goals, potentially encouraging course‑rushing and disadvantaging nontraditional, part‑time, or working students.
Based on analysis of 9 sections of legislative text.
Creates a federal grant program (FY2026–FY2031) to expand early college high schools and dual enrollment, with matching, reporting, and an independent evaluation.
Creates a federal grant program to expand and support early college high schools and dual/concurrent enrollment programs so more students—especially low‑income and underrepresented students—finish a postsecondary credential within the normal time. It authorizes $250 million per year for FY2026–FY2031, splits funding between competitive grants to local partnerships and grants to States, requires state and local matches, sets reporting and evaluation rules, and protects employee rights and high‑school graduation counting for participants.