S.F. 328 Section 1. NEW SECTION . 260H.1 Title. 1 This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Pathways 2 for Academic Career and Employment Act” . 3 Sec. 2. NEW SECTION . 260H.2 Pathways for academic career 4 and employment program and fund. 5 1. A pathways for academic career and employment program 6 is established to provide grants to community colleges for the 7 development of projects in coordination with the department 8 of education, the department of economic development, Iowa 9 workforce development, regional advisory boards established 10 pursuant to section 84A.4, and community partners to implement 11 a simplified, streamlined, and comprehensive process, 12 along with customized support services, to enable eligible 13 participants to acquire effective academic and employment 14 training to secure gainful, quality, in-state employment. 15 2. There is established in the state treasury a pathways 16 for academic career and employment fund to be administered 17 by the department of education. There is appropriated from 18 the general fund of the state to the pathways for academic 19 career and employment fund for each fiscal year the sum of five 20 million dollars for the purpose of implementing the pathways 21 for academic career and employment program. The aggregate 22 total of moneys awarded from the fund shall not be more than 23 five million dollars during a fiscal year. Notwithstanding 24 section 8.33, moneys in the fund at the end of a fiscal 25 year shall not revert to the general fund of the state. 26 Notwithstanding section 12C.7, subsection 2, interest or 27 earnings on moneys in the fund shall be credited to the fund. 28 Sec. 3. NEW SECTION . 260H.3 Eligibility criteria. 29 1. Projects eligible for grants from the pathways for 30 academic career and employment fund shall be projects that 31 further the ability of members of target populations to secure 32 gainful, quality employment. For the purposes of this chapter, 33 “target population” includes: 34 a. Persons deemed low skilled for the purposes of attaining 35 -1- LSB 1947SV (3) 84 je/nh 1/ 12

S.F. 328 gainful, quality, in-state employment. 1 b. Persons earning incomes at or below two hundred percent 2 of the federal poverty level as defined by the most recently 3 revised poverty income guidelines published by the United 4 States department of health and human services. 5 c. Unemployed persons. 6 d. Underemployed persons. 7 e. Dislocated workers, including workers eligible for 8 services and benefits under the federal Trade Adjustment Act of 9 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-210, as determined by the department of 10 workforce development and the federal internal revenue service. 11 2. Projects eligible for grants from the pathways for 12 academic career and employment fund shall be projects that 13 further partnerships that link the community colleges to 14 industry and nonprofit organizations and projects that further 15 program outcomes as provided in section 260H.4. 16 Sec. 4. NEW SECTION . 260H.4 Program outcomes. 17 Projects eligible for grants from the pathways for academic 18 career and employment fund shall be programs which further the 19 following program outcomes: 20 1. Enabling the target populations to: 21 a. Acquire and demonstrate competency in basic skills. 22 b. Acquire and demonstrate competency in a specified 23 technical field. 24 c. Complete a specified level of postsecondary education. 25 d. Earn a national career readiness certificate. 26 e. Obtain employer-validated credentials. 27 f. Secure gainful employment in high-quality, local jobs. 28 2. Satisfaction of economic and employment goals including 29 but not limited to: 30 a. Economic and workforce development requirements in each 31 region served by the community colleges as defined by regional 32 advisory boards established pursuant to section 84A.4. 33 b. Needs of industry partners in areas including but not 34 limited to: 35 -2- LSB 1947SV (3) 84 je/nh 2/ 12

S.F. 328 (1) Information technology. 1 (2) Health care. 2 (3) Advanced manufacturing. 3 (4) Transportation and logistics. 4 c. Any other industry designated as in-demand by a regional 5 advisory board established pursuant to section 84A.4. 6 Sec. 5. NEW SECTION . 260H.5 Program component requirements. 7 Program components of a pathways for academic career and 8 employment project implemented at a community college shall: 9 1. Include measurable and effective recruitment, 10 assessment, and referral activities designed for the target 11 populations. 12 2. Integrate basics skills and work-readiness training with 13 occupational skills training. 14 3. Combine customized supportive and case management 15 services with training services to help participants overcome 16 barriers to employment. 17 4. Provide training services at times, locations, and 18 through multiple, flexible modalities that are easily 19 understood and readily accessible to the target populations. 20 Such modalities shall support timeless entry, individualized 21 learning, and flexible scheduling, and may include online 22 remediation, learning lab and cohort learning communities, 23 tutoring, and modularization. 24 Sec. 6. NEW SECTION . 260H.6 Pipeline program. 25 Each community college receiving a grant from the pathways 26 for academic career and employment fund shall develop a 27 pipeline program in order to better serve the academic, 28 training, and employment needs of the target populations. A 29 pipeline program shall have the following goals: 30 1. To strengthen partnerships with community-based 31 organizations and industry representatives. 32 2. To improve and simplify the identification, recruitment, 33 and assessment of qualified participants. 34 3. To conduct and manage an outreach, recruitment, and 35 -3- LSB 1947SV (3) 84 je/nh 3/ 12

S.F. 328 intake process, along with accompanying support services, 1 reflecting sensitivity to the time and financial constraints 2 and remediation needs of the target populations. 3 4. To conduct orientations for qualified participants 4 to describe regional labor market opportunities, employer 5 partners, and program requirements and expectations. 6 5. To describe the concepts of the project implemented with 7 funds from the pathways for academic career and employment fund 8 and the embedded educational and support resources available 9 through such project. 10 6. To outline the basic skills participants will learn and 11 describe the credentials participants will earn. 12 7. To describe success milestones and ways in which temporal 13 and instructional barriers have been minimized or eliminated. 14 8. To review how individualized and customized service 15 strategies for participants will be developed and provided. 16 Sec. 7. NEW SECTION . 260H.7 Career pathways and bridge 17 curriculum development program. 18 Each community college receiving a grant from the pathways 19 for academic career and employment fund shall develop a career 20 pathways and bridge curriculum development program in order 21 to better serve the academic, training, and employment needs 22 of the target populations. A career pathways and bridge 23 curriculum development program shall have the following goals: 24 1. The articulation of courses and modules, the mapping of 25 programs within career pathways, and establishment of bridges 26 between credit and noncredit programs. 27 2. The integration and contextualization of basic skills 28 education and skills training. This process shall provide for 29 seamless progressions between adult basic education and general 30 education development programs and continuing education and 31 credit certificate, diploma, and degree programs. 32 3. The development of career pathways that support the 33 attainment of industry-recognized credentials, diplomas, and 34 degrees through stackable, modularized program delivery. 35 -4- LSB 1947SV (3) 84 je/nh 4/ 12

S.F. 328 Sec. 8. NEW SECTION . 260H.8 Rules. 1 The department of education, in coordination with the 2 community colleges, the department of economic development, 3 and Iowa workforce development, shall adopt rules pursuant to 4 chapter 17A and this chapter to implement the provisions of 5 this chapter. Regional advisory boards established pursuant 6 to section 84A.4 shall be consulted in the development and 7 implementation of rules to be adopted pursuant to this chapter. 8 Sec. 9. NEW SECTION . 261G.1 Title. 9 This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Gap 10 Tuition Assistance Act” . 11 Sec. 10. NEW SECTION . 261G.2 Gap tuition assistance program 12 and fund. 13 1. A gap tuition assistance program is established to 14 provide grants for need-based tuition assistance to applicants 15 to enable completion of continuing education certificate 16 training programs for in-demand occupations. 17 2. There is established for the community colleges a 18 gap tuition assistance fund in the state treasury to be 19 administered by the department of education. There is 20 appropriated from the general fund of the state to the gap 21 tuition assistance fund for each fiscal year the sum of five 22 million dollars for the purpose of implementing the gap tuition 23 assistance program. The aggregate total of grants awarded 24 shall not be more than five million dollars during a fiscal 25 year. Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys in the fund at the 26 end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund of the 27 state. Notwithstanding section 12C.7, subsection 2, interest 28 or earnings on moneys in the fund shall be credited to the 29 fund. 30 Sec. 11. NEW SECTION . 261G.3 Applicants for tuition 31 assistance —— eligibility criteria. 32 1. The department of education shall adopt rules pursuant to 33 this chapter defining eligibility criteria for persons applying 34 to receive tuition assistance under this chapter. 35 -5- LSB 1947SV (3) 84 je/nh 5/ 12

S.F. 328 2. Eligibility for tuition assistance under this chapter 1 shall be based on financial need. Criteria to be assessed in 2 determining financial need shall include but is not limited to: 3 a. The applicant’s family income for the twelve months prior 4 to the date of application. 5 b. The applicant’s family size. 6 c. The applicant’s county of residence. 7 3. a. The department of education shall only approve an 8 applicant for tuition assistance under this chapter if the 9 community college receiving the application determines the 10 applicant has a demonstrated capacity to achieve the following 11 outcomes: 12 (1) The ability to complete an eligible certificate 13 program. 14 (2) The ability to enter a postsecondary certificate, 15 diploma, or degree program for credit. 16 (3) The ability to gain full-time employment. 17 (4) The ability to maintain full-time employment over time. 18 b. The community college receiving the application shall 19 only approve an applicant for tuition assistance under this 20 chapter if the community college determines the applicant 21 has a strong likelihood of achieving the outcomes described 22 in paragraph “a” after considering factors including but not 23 limited to: 24 (1) Barriers that may prevent an applicant from completing 25 the certificate program. 26 (2) Barriers that may prevent an applicant from gaining 27 employment in an in-demand occupation. 28 4. Applicants may be found eligible for partial or total 29 tuition assistance. 30 5. Tuition assistance shall not be approved when the 31 community college receiving the application determines that 32 funding for an applicant’s participation in an eligible 33 certificate program is available from any other public or 34 private funding source. 35 -6- LSB 1947SV (3) 84 je/nh 6/ 12

S.F. 328 Sec. 12. NEW SECTION . 261G.4 Applicants for tuition 1 assistance —— additional provisions. 2 1. An applicant for tuition assistance under this 3 chapter shall provide to the community college receiving the 4 application documentation of all sources of income. 5 2. Only an applicant eligible to work in the United States 6 shall be approved for tuition assistance under this chapter. 7 3. An application shall be valid for six months from the 8 date of signature on the application. 9 4. A person shall not be approved for tuition assistance 10 under this chapter for more than one eligible certificate 11 program. 12 5. Eligibility for tuition assistance under this chapter 13 shall not be construed to guarantee enrollment in any community 14 college certificate program. 15 Sec. 13. NEW SECTION . 261G.5 Eligible costs. 16 Costs of a certificate program eligible for coverage by 17 tuition assistance shall include but are not limited to: 18 1. Tuition. 19 2. Direct training costs. 20 3. Required books and equipment. 21 4. Fees including but not limited to fees for industry 22 testing services and background check testing services. 23 Sec. 14. NEW SECTION . 261G.6 Eligible certificate programs. 24 For the purposes of this chapter, “eligible certificate 25 program” means a program meeting all of the following criteria: 26 1. The program is not offered for credit, but is aligned 27 with a certificate, diploma, or degree for credit, and does any 28 of the following: 29 a. Offers a state, national, or locally recognized 30 certificate. 31 b. Offers preparation for a professional examination or 32 licensure. 33 c. Provides endorsement for an existing credential or 34 license. 35 -7- LSB 1947SV (3) 84 je/nh 7/ 12

S.F. 328 d. Represents recognized skill standards defined by an 1 industrial sector. 2 e. Offers a similar credential or training. 3 2. The program offers training or a credential in an 4 in-demand occupation. For the purposes of this chapter, 5 “in-demand occupation” includes occupations in the following 6 industries: 7 a. Information technology. 8 b. Health care. 9 c. Advanced manufacturing. 10 d. Transportation and logistics. 11 e. Any other industry designated as in-demand by a regional 12 advisory board established pursuant to section 84A.4. 13 Sec. 15. NEW SECTION . 261G.7 Initial assessment. 14 An applicant for tuition assistance under this chapter shall 15 complete an initial assessment administered by the community 16 college receiving the application to determine the applicant’s 17 readiness to complete an eligible certificate program. The 18 assessment shall include assessments for completion of a 19 national career readiness certificate, including the areas of 20 reading for information, applied mathematics, and locating 21 information. An applicant must achieve a bronze-level 22 certificate or the minimum score required for an eligible 23 certificate program, whichever is higher, in order to be 24 approved for tuition assistance. An applicant shall complete 25 any additional assessments and occupational research required 26 by an eligible certificate program. 27 Sec. 16. NEW SECTION . 261G.8 Program interview. 28 An applicant for tuition assistance under this chapter shall 29 meet with a member of the staff for an eligible certificate 30 program offered by the community college receiving the 31 application. The staff member shall discuss the relevant 32 industry, any applicable occupational research, and any 33 applicable training relating to the eligible certificate 34 program. The discussion shall include an evaluation of 35 -8- LSB 1947SV (3) 84 je/nh 8/ 12

S.F. 328 the applicant’s capabilities, needs, family situation, work 1 history, educational background, attitude and motivation, 2 employment skills, vocational potential, and employment 3 barriers. The discussion shall also include potential start 4 dates, support needs, and other requirements for an eligible 5 certificate program. 6 Sec. 17. NEW SECTION . 261G.9 Participation requirements. 7 1. A participant in an eligible certificate program who 8 receives tuition assistance pursuant to this chapter shall do 9 all of the following: 10 a. Maintain regular contact with staff members for the 11 certificate program to document the applicant’s progress in the 12 program. 13 b. Sign a release form to provide relevant information to 14 community college faculty or case managers. 15 c. Discuss with staff members for the certificate program 16 any issues that may impact the participant’s ability to 17 complete the certificate program, obtain employment, and 18 maintain employment over time. 19 d. Attend all required courses regularly. 20 e. Meet with staff members for the certificate program to 21 develop a job search plan. 22 2. A community college may terminate tuition assistance 23 for a participant who fails to meet the requirements of this 24 section. 25 Sec. 18. NEW SECTION . 261G.10 Oversight. 26 1. The department of education, in coordination with the 27 community colleges, shall establish a steering committee. The 28 steering committee shall determine if the performance measures 29 of the gap tuition assistance program are being met and shall 30 take necessary steps to correct any deficiencies. The steering 31 committee shall meet at least quarterly to evaluate and monitor 32 the performance of the gap tuition assistance program. 33 2. The department of education, in coordination with the 34 community colleges, shall develop a common intake tracking 35 -9- LSB 1947SV (3) 84 je/nh 9/ 12

S.F. 328 system that shall be implemented consistently by each 1 participating community college. 2 3. The department of education shall coordinate statewide 3 oversight, evaluation, and reporting efforts for the gap 4 tuition assistance program. 5 Sec. 19. NEW SECTION . 261G.11 Rules. 6 The department of education, in consultation with the 7 community colleges, shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A 8 and this chapter to implement the provisions of this chapter. 9 EXPLANATION 10 This bill establishes the pathways for academic career and 11 employment program and fund to provide grants to community 12 colleges for the development of projects in coordination 13 with the department of education, the department of economic 14 development, Iowa workforce development, regional advisory 15 boards established pursuant to Code section 84A.4, and 16 community partners to implement a simplified, streamlined, 17 and comprehensive process to enable eligible participants to 18 acquire effective academic and employment training to secure 19 gainful, quality, in-state employment. The bill provides 20 for an appropriation of $5 million to the fund each fiscal 21 year from the general fund of the state. The fund is to be 22 administered by the department of education. The fund may 23 pay out up to $5 million per fiscal year in grants. The bill 24 provides that notwithstanding Code section 8.33, moneys in 25 the fund at the end of a fiscal year will not revert to the 26 general fund of the state, and notwithstanding Code section 27 12C.7, subsection 2, interest or earnings on moneys in the 28 fund will be credited to the fund. The bill sets out criteria 29 for community college projects eligible to receive grants. 30 Eligible projects must further the ability of certain target 31 populations of underserved persons to secure gainful, quality, 32 in-state employment. 33 The bill also requires eligible projects to further 34 partnerships that link the community colleges to industry and 35 -10- LSB 1947SV (3) 84 je/nh 10/ 12

S.F. 328 nonprofit organizations. The bill sets out certain program 1 outcomes relating to target populations and economic and 2 employment criteria which eligible projects must satisfy. 3 The bill sets out certain program components which an 4 eligible project must include. The bill provides for two 5 programs, a pipeline program and a career pathways and bridge 6 curriculum development program, which participating community 7 colleges must adopt, and sets out certain features of those 8 programs. The bill directs the department of education, 9 in coordination with community colleges, the department of 10 economic development, and Iowa workforce development, to adopt 11 rules pursuant to Code chapter 17A to implement the program. 12 The bill provides that the rulemaking should be done in 13 consultation with regional advisory boards established pursuant 14 to Code section 84A.4. 15 The bill also establishes the gap tuition assistance program 16 and fund to provide need-based tuition assistance to applicants 17 to enable completion of continuing education certificate 18 training programs for in-demand occupations. The bill 19 establishes the fund in the treasury for community colleges. 20 The bill provides for an appropriation of $5 million to the 21 fund each fiscal year from the general fund of the state. The 22 fund is to be administered by the department of education and 23 may pay out up to $5 million per fiscal year. The bill provides 24 that notwithstanding Code section 8.33, moneys in the fund at 25 the end of a fiscal year will not revert to the general fund of 26 the state, and notwithstanding Code section 12C.7, subsection 27 2, interest or earnings on moneys in the fund will be credited 28 to the fund. 29 The bill sets out criteria for eligible applicants based 30 on financial need. The bill provides that applicants must 31 demonstrate a capacity for and likelihood of achieving certain 32 outcomes. The bill prohibits the approval of a grant for an 33 applicant who has other sources of funding available. The bill 34 sets out what costs are eligible for coverage by a grant. The 35 -11- LSB 1947SV (3) 84 je/nh 11/ 12

S.F. 328 bill defines what certificate programs are eligible for grant 1 funding. The bill requires such programs to be in certain 2 in-demand occupations. The bill requires an applicant to 3 undergo an initial assessment and an interview with a staff 4 member of the certificate program to be pursued before a grant 5 can be approved. The bill sets out various requirements for 6 approved participants in an eligible certificate program and 7 provides that failure to meet the requirements can result 8 in termination of the assistance. The bill provides for 9 oversight functions for the program, including the formation 10 of a steering committee. The bill directs the department of 11 education, in consultation with community colleges, to adopt 12 rules pursuant to Code chapter 17A to implement the program. 13 -12- LSB 1947SV (3) 84 je/nh 12/ 12