Uses of funds; report

(a) In general Each eligible institution receiving a grant under this section shall develop and implement a skills-for-success course by carrying out the activities listed in each of the 4 phases described in subsection (b). (b) Phases for uses of funds (1) Preparation phase During the first year of the grant period, the eligible institution shall use such grant to develop the skills-for-success course and carry out the necessary preparation activities, which may include— (A) the promotion of relationship building among students who have similar dates of enrollment; (B) identifying and training instructional staff; (C) obtaining support from faculty, staff, or institution administration for the curricular adaptation; (D) developing infrastructure for implementation, including obtaining necessary course and syllabus approvals; (E) determining how student registration will be handled; (F) establishing a course evaluation model; and (G) designating appropriate classroom space. (2) Pilot phase During the second year of the grant period, the eligible institution shall use such grant to implement— (A) a pilot skills-for-success course; and (B) a pilot of methods for evaluating the course that includes an evaluation of the impact of such course on student behavior and other impacts, such as observation and solicitation of feedback from course instructors, students, and identified campus community leaders. (3) Implementation During the third, fourth, and fifth years of the grant program, the eligible institution shall use such grant to— (A) fully implement the skills-for-success course that— (i) is made available for each first-year student enrolled at the institution, at the beginning of such students’ first term of enrollment at such institution, to the extent practicable; and (ii) incorporates the improvements identified— (I) in the case of the third year of the grant program, during the pilot skills-for-success course; or (II) in the case of the fourth and fifth years of the grant program, during the evaluation of the course during the preceding grant year; and (B) evaluate the full implementation of such course using the methods identified as being most effective for such an evaluation— (i) in the case of the third year of the grant program, during the pilot skills-for-success course; or (ii) in the case of the fourth and fifth years of the grant program, during the preceding grant year. (c) Report Each eligible institution that receives a grant under this Act shall submit to the Secretary a report upon the completion of the 5-year grant period, which shall include— (1) an evaluation of the pilot skills-for-success course, and each of the evaluations completed pursuant to subsection (b)(3)(B); and (2) a description of how such grant was used during each year of the grant period.