§2164c Authorization of Dual or Concurrent Enrollment Programs for Students of Defense Dependent Schools

Summary

The Secretary of Defense may set up agreements with colleges so students in Defense Dependent Schools can take college courses for both high school and college credit. The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) can help pay for those courses, but the aid cannot be more than $1,500 per student each school year. DoDEA must try to make credits easy to transfer and favor colleges that accept the credits widely. Colleges must have an active federal program participation agreement and may not be provisionally certified. DoDEA must design course sequences that match college-level standards with help from school teachers, college faculty, and school advisory committees. DoDEA must also tell students (especially in middle grades), families, counselors, and principals about the programs, eligibility, expectations, and needed prep. Courses must be taught either by college faculty who meet accreditation rules or by qualified K–12 teachers who are trained to teach the college curriculum. DoDEA must consult with school advisory committees and parent-teacher groups. Within one year of this law and then once a year for four years, the Secretary must brief Congress — the Senate Armed Services Committee and the House Armed Services and Education and Workforce Committees — on program participation and costs. Each briefing must show the number of students, total DoD cost, whether classes were online or in person, and the college subjects taught, with the data given separately for each DoDEA region. Definitions: Defense Dependent School (schools for military-connected students); dual or concurrent enrollment program (college courses for high school students that count toward a degree and high school graduation); institution of higher education (as defined in the Higher Education Act).