June 17, 2025
Mr. Aderholt introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To authorize the Secretary of Defense to enter into arrangements with institutions of higher education to provide dual or concurrent enrollment programs for students enrolled in schools operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Authorization of dual or concurrent enrollment programs for students of DODEA schools
(a) In general
The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity, may—
(1)
enter into arrangements with institutions of higher education to provide students of DODEA schools with access to postsecondary course credit through dual or concurrent enrollment programs; and
(2)
provide financial assistance to students to cover the costs associated with such programs.
(b) Definitions
In this section:
(1)
The term DODEA school means a school operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity within or outside the United States.
(2)
The term dual or concurrent enrollment program means a program offered by an arrangement between the Department of Defense Education Activity and an institution of higher education and through which a student enrolled in a DODEA school who has not graduated from high school with a regular high school diploma is able to enroll in one or more postsecondary courses and earn credit that applies—
(A)
toward completion of a postsecondary degree or recognized educational credential as described in the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.); and
(B)
toward completion of high school.
(3)
The term institution of higher education has the meaning given that term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002).