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[DOCID: f:h1858eh.txt]
107th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1858
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To make improvements in mathematics and science education, and for
other purposes.
107th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1858
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To make improvements in mathematics and science education, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Mathematics and Science
Partnerships Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) 12 years ago the President of the United States
convened the Nation's Governors to establish common goals for
the improvement of elementary and secondary education.
(2) Among the National Education Goals established was the
goal that by the year 2000 United States students would be
first in the world in mathematics and science achievement.
(3) Despite these goals, 8th graders in the United States
showed just average performance in mathematics and science in
the Third International Mathematics and Science Study-Repeat
and demonstrated lower relative performance than the cohort of
4th graders 4 years earlier.
(4) The United States must redouble its efforts to provide
all of its students with a world-class education in
mathematics, science, engineering, and technology.
(5) The American economy has become the most robust in the
world, not through state planning and government intervention,
but through the hard work and innovation of its citizens. This
success is founded in our constitutional tradition of respect
for individual liberty to pursue personal career objectives.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act--
(1) the term ``Director'' means the Director of the
National Science Foundation;
(2) the term ``institution of higher education'' has the
meaning given such term by section 101 of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001);
(3) the term ``eligible nonprofit organization'' means a
nonprofit research institute or a nonprofit professional
association with demonstrated experience delivering mathematics
or science education as determined by the Director;
(4) the term ``local educational agency'' has the meaning
given such term by section 14101(19) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 8801(19));
(5) the term ``State educational agency'' has the meaning
given such term by section 14101(29) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 8801(29));
(6) the term ``elementary school'' has the meaning given
that term by section 14101(14) of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 8801(14)); and
(7) the term ``secondary school'' has the meaning given
that term by section 14101(26) of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 8801(26)).
SEC. 4. DUPLICATION OF PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--The Director of the National Science Foundation
shall review the education programs of the National Science Foundation
that are in operation as of the date of enactment of this Act to
determine whether any of such programs duplicate the programs
authorized in this Act.
(b) Implementation.--(1) As programs authorized in this Act are
implemented, the Director shall terminate any existing duplicative
program or merge the duplicative program into a program authorized in
this Act.
(2) The Director shall not establish any new program that
duplicates a program that has been implemented pursuant to this Act.
(c) Report.--(1) The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy shall review the education programs of the National
Science Foundation to ensure compliance with the provisions of this
section.
(2) Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall
complete a report on the review carried out under this subsection and
shall submit the report to the Committee on Science, the Committee on
Education and the Workforce, and the Committee on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives.
(3) Beginning one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, shall, as part
of the annual budget submission to Congress, submit an updated version
of the report required by paragraph (2).
SEC. 5. MATCHING REQUIREMENTS.
The Director may establish matching fund requirements for any
programs authorized by this Act except those established in title IV.
SEC. 6. COORDINATION.
In carrying out the activities authorized by this Act, the Director
of the National Science Foundation shall consult and coordinate with
the Secretary of Education to ensure close cooperation with programs
authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
(Public Law 89-10).
TITLE I--MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS
Subtitle A--Mathematics and Science Education Partnerships
SEC. 101. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.
a) In General.--(1) The Director shall establish a program to award
grants to institutions of higher education or eligible nonprofit
organizations (or consortia thereof) to establish mathematics and
science education partnership programs to improve the instruction of
elementary and secondary science education.
(2) Grants shall be awarded under this section on a merit-reviewed
competitive basis.
(b) Partnerships.--(1) In order to be eligible to receive a grant
under this section, an institution of higher education or eligible
nonprofit organization (or consortium thereof) shall enter into a
partnership with one or more local educational agencies that may also
include a State educational agency or one or more businesses, or both.
(2) A participating institution of higher education shall include
mathematics, science, or engineering departments in the programs
carried out through a partnership under this subsection.
(c) Uses of Funds.--Grants awarded under this section shall be used
for activities that draw upon the expertise of the partners to improve
elementary or secondary education, or both, in mathematics or science,
or both. Such activities may include--
(1) recruiting and preparing students for careers in
elementary or secondary mathematics or science education;
(2) offering professional development programs, including
summer or academic year institutes or workshops, designed to
strengthen the capabilities of existing mathematics and science
teachers;
(3) offering innovative programs that instruct teachers on
using technology more effectively in teaching mathematics and
science, including programs that recruit and train
undergraduate and graduate students to provide technical
support to teachers;
(4) developing distance learning programs for teachers or
students, including developing courses, curricular materials
and other resources for the in-service professional development
of teachers that are made available to teachers through the
Internet;
(5) offering teacher preparation and certification programs
for professional mathematicians, scientists, and engineers who
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wish to begin a career in teaching;
(6) developing assessment tools to measure student mastery
of content and cognitive skills;
(7) developing or adapting elementary and secondary school
curricular materials, aligned to State standards, that
incorporate contemporary research on the science of learning;
(8) developing undergraduate mathematics and science
courses for education majors;
(9) using mathematicians, scientists, and engineers
employed by private businesses to help recruit and train
mathematics and science teachers;
(10) developing a cadre of master teachers who will promote
reform and improvement in schools;
(11) developing and offering mathematics or science
enrichment programs for students, including after-school and
summer programs;
(12) providing research opportunities in business or
academia for students and teachers;
(13) bringing mathematicians, scientists, and engineers
from business and academia into elementary and secondary school
classrooms; and
(14) any other activities the Director determines will
accomplish the goals of this section.
(d) Science Enrichment Programs for Girls.--Activities carried out
in accordance with subsections (c)(11) and (12) shall include
elementary and secondary school programs to encourage the ongoing
interest of girls in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology
and to prepare girls to pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees and
careers in science, mathematics, engineering, or technology. Funds made
available through awards to partnerships for the purposes of this
subsection may support programs for--
(1) encouraging girls to pursue studies in science,
mathematics, engineering, and technology and to major in such
fields in postsecondary education;
(2) tutoring girls in science, mathematics, engineering,
and technology;
(3) providing mentors for girls in person and through the
Internet to support such girls in pursuing studies in science,
mathematics, engineering, and technology;
(4) educating the parents of girls about the difficulties
faced by girls to maintain an interest and desire to achieve in
science, mathematics, engineering, and technology, and
enlisting the help of parents in overcoming these difficulties;
and
(5) acquainting girls with careers in science, mathematics,
engineering, and technology and encouraging girls to plan for
careers in such fields.
(e) Research in Secondary Schools.--Activities carried out in
accordance with subsection (c)(11) may include support for research
projects performed by students at secondary schools. Uses of funds made
available through awards to partnerships for purposes of this
subsection may include--
(1) training secondary school mathematics and science
teachers in the design of research projects for students;
(2) establishing a system for students and teachers
involved in research projects funded under this section to
exchange information about their projects and research results;
and
(3) assessing the educational value of the student research
projects by such means as tracking the academic performance and
choice of academic majors of students conducting research.
(f) Stipends.--Grants awarded under this section may be used to
provide stipends for teachers or students participating in training or
research activities that would not be part of their typical classroom
activities.
SEC. 102. SELECTION PROCESS.
(a) Application.--An institution of higher education or an eligible
nonprofit organization (or a consortium thereof) seeking funding under
section 101 shall submit an application to the Director at such time,
in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may
require. The application shall include, at a minimum--
(1) a description of the partnership and the role that each
member will play in implementing the proposal;
(2) a description of each of the activities to be carried
out, including--
(A) how such activities will be aligned with State
and local standards and with other activities that
promote student achievement in mathematics and science;
(B) how such activities will be based on a review
of relevant research;
(C) why such activities are expected to improve
student performance and strengthen the quality of
mathematics and science instruction; and
(D) in the case of activities carried out in
accordance with section 101(d), how such activities
will encourage the interest of women and minorities in
mathematics, science, engineering, and technology and
will help prepare women and minorities to pursue
postsecondary studies in these fields;
(3) a description of the number, size, and nature of any
stipends that will be provided to students or teachers and the
reasons such stipends are needed;
(4) how the partnership will serve as a catalyst for reform
of mathematics and science education programs; and
(5) how the partnership will assess its success.
(b) Review of Applications.--In evaluating the applications
submitted under subsection (a), the Director shall consider, at a
minimum--
(1) the ability of the partnership to effectively carry out
the proposed programs;
(2) the extent to which the members of the partnership are
committed to making the partnership a central organizational
focus;
(3) the degree to which activities carried out by the
partnership are based on relevant research and are likely to
result in increased student achievement;
(4) the degree to which such activities are aligned with
State or local standards; and
(5) the likelihood that the partnership will demonstrate
activities that can be widely implemented as part of larger
scale reform efforts.
(c) Awards.--(1) The Director shall ensure, to the extent
practicable, that partnership grants be awarded under section 101 in a
wide range of geographic areas and that the partnership program include
rural, suburban, and urban local educational agencies.
(2) Not less than 50 percent of the partnerships funded under
section 101 shall include businesses.
(3) The Director shall award grants under this subtitle for a
period not to exceed 5 years.
SEC. 103. ACCOUNTABILITY AND DISSEMINATION.
(a) Assessment Required.--The Director shall evaluate the
partnerships program established under section 101. At a minimum, such
evaluations shall--
(1) use a common set of benchmarks and assessment tools to
identify best practices and materials developed and
demonstrated by the partnerships; and
(2) to the extent practicable, compare the effectiveness of
practices and materials developed and demonstrated by the
partnerships authorized under this subtitle with those of
partnerships funded by other State or Federal agencies.
(b) Dissemination of Results.--(1) The results of the evaluations
required under subsection (a) shall be made available to the public,
including through the National Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and
Technology Education Digital Library, and shall be provided to the
Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
(2) Materia
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ls developed under the program established under section
101 that are demonstrated to be effective shall be made available
through the National Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology
Education Digital Library.
(c) Annual Meeting.--The Director shall convene an annual meeting
of the partnerships participating under this subtitle to foster greater
national collaboration.
SEC. 104. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science
Foundation to carry out this subtitle $200,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2002 through 2006.
Subtitle B--Teacher Research Scholarship Program
SEC. 111. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.
(a) In General.--(1) The Director shall establish a program to
award grants to institutions of higher education or eligible nonprofit
organizations (or consortia thereof) to provide research opportunities
in mathematics, science, and engineering for elementary or secondary
school teachers of mathematics or science. Such institutions of higher
education or eligible nonprofit organizations may include one or more
businesses or Federal or State laboratories as partners under the
program.
(2) Grants shall be awarded under this section on a merit-reviewed
competitive basis.
(b) Program Components.--Grant recipients under this section--
(1) shall recruit and select teachers and provide such
teachers with opportunities to conduct research in academic,
business, or government laboratories;
(2) shall ensure that the teachers have mentors and other
programming support to ensure that their research experience
will contribute to their understanding of mathematics, science,
and engineering and improve their performance in the classroom;
(3) shall provide teachers with a scholarship stipend; and
(4) may provide room and board for residential programs.
(c) Use of Funds.--(1) Not more than 25 percent of the funds
provided under a grant under this section may be used for programming
support for teachers.
(2) The Director shall issue guidelines specifying the minimum and
maximum amounts of stipends recipients may provide to teachers under
this section.
(d) Duration.--A teacher may participate in research under the
program under this section for up to 1 calendar year or 2 sequential
summers.
SEC. 112. SELECTION PROCESS.
(a) Application.--An institution of higher education or an eligible
nonprofit organization (or a consortium thereof) seeking funding under
section 111 shall submit an application to the Director at such time,
in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may
require. The application shall include, at a minimum--
(1) a description of the research opportunities that will
be made available to elementary or secondary school teachers,
or both, by the applicant;
(2) a description of how the applicant will recruit
teachers to participate in the program and the criteria that
will be used to select the participants;
(3) a description of the number, types, and amounts of the
scholarships that the applicant intends to offer to
participating teachers; and
(4) a description of the programming support that will be
provided to participating teachers.
(b) Review of Applications.--In evaluating the applications
submitted under subsection (a), the Director shall consider, at a
minimum--
(1) the ability of the applicant to effectively carry out
the proposed program;
(2) the extent to which the applicant is committed to
making the program a central organizational focus; and
(3) the likelihood that the research experiences and
programming to be offered by the applicant will improve
elementary and secondary education.
(c) Awards.--(1) The Director shall ensure, to the extent
practicable, that grants be awarded under this subtitle in a wide range
of geographic areas and to assist teachers from rural, suburban, and
urban local educational agencies.
(2) The Director shall award grants under this subtitle for a
period not to exceed 5 years.
SEC. 113. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated for the National Science
Foundation to carry out this subtitle $15,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2002 through 2006.
TITLE II--NATIONAL SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNOLOGY
EDUCATION DIGITAL LIBRARY
SEC. 201. IN GENERAL.
The Director shall establish a program to expand the National
Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology Education Digital
Library (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the ``Digital
Library'') program to enable timely and continuous dissemination of
elementary and secondary science, mathematics, engineering, and
technology educational resources, materials, practices, and policies
through the Internet and other digital technologies. The expanded
Digital Library shall--
(1) contain an Internet-based repository of curricular
materials, practices, and teaching modules;
(2) contain, to the extent practicable, an Internet-based
repository of information about national and regional
conferences related to the improvement of elementary and
secondary mathematics, science, engineering, and technology
education, including, if appropriate, links to materials
generated by those conferences.
(3) provide users of the Digital Library with access to all
materials in the Digital Library through a single entry point;
(4) contain only materials that have been peer-reviewed and
tested to ensure factual accuracy and effectiveness and that
are aligned with recognized State and other widely recognized
professional and technical mathematics and science standards;
(5) present materials in a format that is consistent,
facilitates ease of comparison and use by classroom teachers,
and contains appropriate links to other Federal educational
clearinghouses; and
(6) provide materials related to mathematics and science
partnership programs, including--
(A) links to all of the programs developed through
the mathematics and science partnerships established
under subtitle A of title I;
(B) data related to assessment and evaluation and
final program reports developed under subtitle A of
title I, including both positive and negative outcomes
of the program;
(C) materials developed by the partnerships under
subtitle A of title I that have been demonstrated to be
effective; and
(D) a mechanism for users to make comments or
suggestions regarding the use and effectiveness of
posted materials.
SEC. 202. GRANTS AND CONTRACT.
(a) Grants.--The Director may award grants to institutions of
higher education or other qualified entities--
(1) to design all or parts of the Digital Library;
(2) to provide assistance to schools in the selection and
adaptation of curricular materials, practices, and teaching
methods made available through the Digital Library; or
(3) to carry out the activities described in both
paragraphs (1) and (2).
Grants awarded under this subsection may cover the costs of acquiring
and reviewing educational materials for dissemination through the
Digital Library.
(b) Operation.--The Director may contract out the operation and
management of the Digital Library.
(c) Competitive Awards.--Grants and contracts shall be awarded
under this section on a competitive basis.
SEC. 203. CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this Act shall affect the rights, remedies, limitat
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ions,
or defenses under title 17, United States Code.
SEC. 204. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated for the National Science
Foundation to carry out this title $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2002 through 2006.
TITLE III--STRATEGIC EDUCATION RESEARCH PROGRAM
Subtitle A--Centers
SEC. 301. ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTERS FOR RESEARCH ON LEARNING AND
EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT.
(a) In General.--(1) The Director shall award grants to
institutions of higher education (or consortia thereof) to establish 4
multidisciplinary Centers for Research on Learning and Education
Improvement.
(2) Grants shall be awarded under this subsection on a merit-
reviewed competitive basis.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Centers shall be to conduct and
evaluate research in cognitive science, education and related fields
and to develop ways in which the results of such research can be
applied in elementary and secondary classrooms to improve the teaching
of mathematics and science.
(c) Focus.--(1) Each Center shall be focused on a different
challenge faced by elementary or secondary school teachers of
mathematics and science. In determining the research focus of the
Centers, the Director shall consult with the National Academy of
Sciences and take into account the extent to which other Federal
programs support research on similar questions.
(2) The proposal solicitation issued by the Director shall state
the focus of each Center and applicants shall apply for designation as
a specific Center.
SEC. 302. SELECTION PROCESS.
(a) Application.--An institution of higher education (or a
consortium of such institutions) seeking funding under this title shall
submit an application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Director may require. The
application shall include, at a minimum, a description of--
(1) the initial research projects that will be undertaken
by the Center and the process by which new projects will be
identified;
(2) how the Center will work with other research
institutions and schools to broaden the national research
agenda on learning and teaching;
(3) how the Center will promote active collaboration among
physical, biological, and social science researchers;
(4) how the Center will promote active participation by
elementary and secondary mathematics and science teachers and
administrators; and
(5) how the Center will reduce the results of its research
to educational practice and assess the success of new
practices.
(b) Review of Applications.--In evaluating the applications
submitted under subsection (a), the Director shall consider, at a
minimum--
(1) the ability of the applicant to effectively carry out
the research program and reduce its results to effective
educational practice;
(2) the experience of the applicant in conducting research
on the science of teaching and learning and the capacity of the
applicant to foster new multidisciplinary collaborations;
(3) the capacity of the applicant to attract precollege
educators from a diverse array of schools and professional
experiences for participation in Center activities; and
(4) the capacity of the applicant to attract and provide
adequate support for graduate students to pursue research at
the intersection of educational practice and basic research on
human cognition and learning.
(c) Awards.--The Director shall ensure, to the extent practicable,
that the Centers funded under this section conduct research and develop
educational practices designed to improve the educational performance
of a broad range of students, including those from groups
underrepresented in mathematics, science, and engineering.
SEC. 303. ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
The Director shall convene an annual meeting of the Centers to
foster collaboration among the Centers and to further disseminate the
results of the Centers' activities.
SEC. 304. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated for the National Science
Foundation to carry out this title $12,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2002 through 2006.
Subtitle B--Fellowships
SEC. 311. EDUCATION RESEARCH TEACHER FELLOWSHIPS.
(a) Establishment.--(1) The Director shall establish a program to
award grants to institutions of higher education or eligible nonprofit
entities (or consortia thereof) to provide research opportunities
related to the science of learning to elementary and secondary school
teachers of science and mathematics.
(2) Grants shall be awarded under this section on a merit-reviewed
competitive basis.
(b) Program Components.--Grant recipients under this section--
(1) shall recruit and select teachers and provide such
teachers with opportunities to conduct research in the fields
of--
(A) brain research as a foundation for research on
human learning;
(B) behavioral, cognitive, affective, and social
aspects of human learning;
(C) science and mathematics learning in formal and
informal educational settings; or
(D) learning in complex educational systems;
(2) shall ensure that participating teachers have mentors
and other programming support to ensure that their research
experience will contribute to their understanding of the
science of learning;
(3) shall provide programming, guidance, and support to
ensure that participating teachers disseminate information
about the current state of education research and its
implications for classroom practice to other elementary and
secondary educators and can use that information to improve
their performance in the classroom;
(4) shall provide participating teachers with a scholarship
stipend; and
(5) may provide room and board for residential programs.
(c) Use of Funds.--(1) Not more than 25 percent of the funds
provided under a grant under this section may be used for programming
support for participating teachers.
(2) The Director shall issue guidelines specifying the minimum or
maximum amounts of stipends grant recipients may provide to teachers
under this section.
(d) Duration.--A teacher may participate in research under the
program under this section for up to 1 calendar year or 2 sequential
summers.
(e) Application.--An institution of higher education or eligible
nonprofit entity (or a consortium thereof) seeking funding under this
section shall submit an application to the Director at such time, in
such manner, and containing such information as the Director may
require. The application shall include, at a minimum--
(1) a description of the research opportunities that will
be made available to elementary or secondary school teachers,
or both, by the applicant;
(2) a description of how the applicant will recruit
teachers to participate in the program, and the criteria that
will be used to select the participants;
(3) a description of the number, types, and amounts of the
scholarships that the applicant intends to offer to
participating teachers; and
(4) a description of the programming support that will be
provided to participating teachers to enhance their research
experience and to enable them to educate their peers about the
value, findings, and implications of education research.
(f) Review of Applicants.--In evaluating the applications submitted
under subsection (e), the Director shall consider, at a minimum--
(1) the ability o
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f the applicant to effectively carry out
the proposed program;
(2) the extent to which the applicant is committed to
making the program a central organizational focus; and
(3) the likelihood that the research experiences and
programming to be offered by the applicant will improve
elementary and secondary education.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the National Science Foundation for carrying out this
section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2004.
TITLE IV--ROBERT NOYCE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
SEC. 401. DEFINITIONS.
In this title--
(1) the term ``mathematics and science teacher'' means a
mathematics, science, or technology teacher at the elementary
or secondary school level;
(2) the term ``mathematics, science, or engineering
professional'' means a person who holds a baccalaureate,
masters, or doctoral degree in science, mathematics, or
engineering and is working in that field or a related area;
(3) the term ``scholarship'' means an award under section
405; and
(4) the term ``scholarship recipient'' means a student
receiving a scholarship;
(5) the term ``stipend'' means an award under section 406;
(6) the term ``stipend recipient'' means a science,
mathematics, or engineering professional receiving a stipend;
and
(7) the term ``cost of attendance'' has the meaning given
such term in section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1087ll).
SEC. 402. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--(1) The Director shall establish a program to
award grants to institutions of higher education (or consortia of such
institutions) to provide scholarships and programming designed to
recruit and train mathematics and science teachers. Such program shall
be known as the ``Robert Noyce Scholarship Program''.
(2) Grants shall be provided under this section on a merit-reviewed
competitive basis.
(b) Use of Grants.--Grants provided under this title shall be used
by institutions of higher education--
(1) to develop and implement a program to encourage top
college juniors and seniors majoring in mathematics, science,
and engineering at the grantee's institution to become
mathematics and science teachers, through--
(A) administering scholarships in accordance with
section 405;
(B) offering programs to help scholarship
recipients to teach in elementary and secondary
schools, including programs that will result in teacher
certification; and
(C) offering programs to scholarship recipients,
both before and after they receive their baccalaureate
degree, to enable the recipients to become better
mathematics and science teachers, and to exchange ideas
with others in their fields; or
(2) to develop and implement a program to encourage
science, mathematics, or engineering professionals to become
mathematics and science teachers, through--
(A) administering stipends in accordance with
section 406;
(B) offering programs to help stipend recipients
obtain teacher certification; and
(C) offering programs to stipend recipients, both
during and after matriculation, to enable recipients to
become better mathematics and science teachers and
exchange ideas with others in their fields; or
(3) for both of the purposes described in paragraphs (1)
and (2).
SEC. 403. SELECTION PROCESS.
(a) Application.--An institution of higher education (or a
consortium of such institutions) seeking funding under this title shall
submit an application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Director may require. The
application shall include, at a minimum--
(1) a description of the scholarship or stipend program, or
both, that the applicant intends to operate, including the
number of scholarships or the size and number of stipends the
applicant intends to award, and the selection process that will
be used in awarding the scholarships or stipends;
(2) evidence that the applicant has the capability to
administer the scholarship or stipend program in accordance
with the provisions of this title; and
(3) a description of the programming that will be offered
to scholarship or stipend recipients during and after their
matriculation.
(b) Review of Applications.--In evaluating the applications
submitted under subsection (a), the Director shall consider, at a
minimum--
(1) the ability of the applicant to effectively carry out
the program;
(2) the extent to which the applicant is committed to
making the program a central organizational focus;
(3) the ability of the proposed programming to enable
scholarship or stipend recipients to become successful
mathematics and science teachers;
(4) the number and quality of the students that will be
served by the program; and
(5) the ability of the applicant to recruit students who
would otherwise not pursue a career in teaching.
SEC. 404. AWARDS.
(a) Designation.--The Director shall designate institutions awarded
grants under this title as ``National Teacher Scholarship Centers''.
(b) Distribution.--The Director shall ensure, to the extent
practicable, that grants be awarded under this title in a wide range of
geographic areas and to prepare students for jobs in rural, suburban,
and urban local educational agencies.
(c) Duration.--Grants awarded under this title shall be for a
period of 10 years.
SEC. 405. SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS.
(a) In General.--Scholarships under this title shall be available
only to students who are--
(1) majoring in science, mathematics, or engineering; and
(2) in the last 2 years of a baccalaureate degree program.
(b) Selection.--Individuals shall be selected to receive
scholarships primarily on the basis of academic merit, with
consideration given to financial need and to the goal of promoting the
participation of minorities, women, and people with disabilities.
(c) Amount.--Scholarships under this title shall be in the amount
of $7,500 per year, or the cost of attendance, whichever is less.
Individuals may receive a maximum of 2 years of scholarship support.
(d) Service Obligation.--If an individual receives a scholarship,
that individual shall be required to complete, within 6 years after
graduation from the baccalaureate degree program for which the
scholarship was awarded, 2 years of service as a mathematics or science
teacher for each year a scholarship was received. Service required
under this subsection shall be performed at a school receiving
assistance under chapter 1 of title I of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (Public Law 89-10).
SEC. 406. STIPENDS.
(a) In General.--Stipends under this title shall be available only
to mathematics, science, and engineering professionals who, while
receiving the stipend, are enrolled in a program to receive
certification to teach.
(b) Selection.--Individuals shall be selected to receive stipends
under this title primarily on the basis of academic merit, with
consideration given to financial need and to the goal of promoting the
participation of minorities, women, and people with disabilities.
(c) Amount.--Stipends under this title shall be for an amount of up
to $7,500 per year, but in no event more than the cost of attendance.
Individual
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s may receive a maximum of 1 year of stipend support.
(d) Service Obligation.--If an individual receives a stipend under
this title, that individual shall be required to complete, within 6
years after graduation from the program for which the stipend was
awarded, 2 years of service as a mathematics or science teacher for
each year a stipend was received. Service required under this
subsection shall be performed at a school receiving assistance under
chapter 1 of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (Public Law 89-10).
SEC. 407. CONDITIONS OF SUPPORT.
As a condition of acceptance of a scholarship or stipend under this
title, a recipient shall enter into an agreement with the institution
of higher education--
(1) accepting the terms of the scholarship or stipend
pursuant to sections 405 and 409 or section 406;
(2) agreeing to provide the awarding institution of higher
education with annual certification of employment and current
contact information and to participate in surveys provided by
the institution of higher education as part of an ongoing
assessment program; and
(3) establishing that any scholarship recipient shall be
liable to the United States for any amount that is required to
be repaid in accordance with the provisions of section 409.
SEC. 408. COLLECTION FOR NONCOMPLIANCE.
(a) Monitoring Compliance.--An institution of higher education (or
consortium thereof) receiving a grant under this title shall, as a
condition of participating in the program, enter into an agreement with
the Director to monitor the compliance of scholarship and stipend
recipients with their respective service requirements.
(b) Collection of Repayment.--(1) In the event that a scholarship
recipient is required to repay the scholarship under section 409, the
institution shall be responsible for collecting the repayment amounts.
(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), any repayment shall be
returned to the Treasury of the United States.
(3) A grantee may retain a percentage of any repayment it collects
to defray administrative costs associated with the collection. The
Director shall establish a single, fixed percentage that will apply to
all grantees.
SEC. 409. FAILURE TO COMPLETE SERVICE OBLIGATION.
(a) General Rule.--If an individual who has received a scholarship
under this title--
(1) fails to maintain an acceptable level of academic
standing in the educational institution in which the individual
is enrolled, as determined by the National Science Foundation;
(2) is dismissed from such educational institution for
disciplinary reasons;
(3) withdraws from the baccalaureate degree program for
which the award was made before the completion of such program;
(4) declares that the individual does not intend to fulfill
his service obligation under this title; or
(5) fails to fulfill the service obligation of the
individual under this title,
such individual shall be liable to the United States as provided in
subsection (b).
(b) Amount of Repayment.--(1) If a circumstance described in
subsection (a) occurs before the completion of one year of a service
obligation under this title, the United States shall be entitled to
recover from the individual, within one year after the date of the
occurrence of such circumstance, an amount equal to--
(A) the total amount of awards received by such individual
under this title; plus
(B) the interest on such amounts which would be payable if
at the time the amounts were received they were loans bearing
interest at the maximum legal prevailing rate, as determined by
the Treasurer of the United States,
multiplied by 2.
(2) If a circumstance described in subsection (a)(4) or (a)(5)
occurs after the completion of one year of a service obligation under
this title, the United States shall be entitled to recover from the
individual, within one year after the date of the occurrence of such
circumstance, an amount equal to--
(A) the total amount of awards received by such individual
under this title minus $3,750 for each full year of service
completed; plus
(B) the interest on such amounts which would be payable if
at the time the amounts were received they were loans bearing
interest at the maximum legal prevailing rate, as determined by
the Treasurer of the United States.
(c) Exceptions.--(1) The National Science Foundation may provide
for the partial or total waiver or suspension of any service obligation
or payment by an individual under this title whenever compliance by the
individual is impossible or would involve extreme hardship to the
individual, or if enforcement of such obligation with respect to the
individual would be unconscionable.
(2) Any obligation of an individual under this title for payment
under subsection (b) may be released by a discharge in bankruptcy under
title 11, United States Code, only if such discharge is granted after
the expiration of the 5-year period beginning on the first date that
such payment is required.
SEC. 410. REPORT.
(a) Data Collection.--Institutions receiving grants under this
title shall supply to the Director any relevant statistical and
demographic data on scholarship recipients and stipend recipients the
Director may request, including information on employment required by
section 407.
(b) Assessment.--Not later than 7 years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit to Congress a report
assessing the impact of the implementation of this title on drawing
into teaching top mathematics and science students, including students
from groups underrepresented in mathematics, science, and engineering.
SEC. 411. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the
National Science Foundation to carry out this title $20,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2002 through 2005.
(b) Specific Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the National Science Foundation to support the
activities described in subsections (b)(1)(A) and (C) and (b)(2)(A) and
(C) of section 402, such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal
years 2006 through 2011.
TITLE V--REQUIREMENTS FOR RESEARCH CENTERS
SEC. 501. REQUIREMENTS FOR RESEARCH CENTERS.
The Director shall ensure that any National Science Foundation
program that awards grants for the establishment of research centers at
institutions of higher education after the date of the enactment of
this Act--
(1) requires that every center offer programs for
elementary and secondary mathematics and science teachers and
students to increase their understanding of the field in which
the center specializes; and
(2) uses the quality of a center's proposed precollege
education programs as a criterion in determining grant awards.
TITLE VI--EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES
Subtitle A--Research Centers
SEC. 601. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CENTERS.
(a) In General.--(1) The Director shall establish a program to
award grants to institutions of higher education (or consortia thereof)
to establish centers to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of
information technologies in elementary and secondary mathematics and
science education.
(2) Grants shall be awarded under this subtitle on a merit-reviewed
competitive basis.
(b) Activities.--Centers established under this subtitle shall, at
a minimum--
(1) identify educational approaches and techniques that are
based on the use of information technology and that have the
potential for being effective in classroom settings;
(2) develop methods to measure the effectiveness of various
app
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lications of information technology in mathematics and
science education, including methods to measure student
performance;
(3) evaluate the effectiveness of the use of technology in
elementary and secondary mathematics and science education in a
variety of classroom settings; and
(4) identify the key variables that influence educational
effectiveness and the conditions necessary to implement
successfully an approach or technique determined to be
educationally effective for a particular educational setting;
(5) ensure that the results of such evaluations are widely
disseminated; and
(6) develop a program to work with local educational
agencies to help them apply the results of the research
conducted under this section.
SEC. 602. SELECTION PROCESS.
(a) Application.--An institution of higher education (or a
consortium of such institutions) seeking funding under this subtitle
shall submit an application to the Director at such time, in such
manner, and containing such information as the Director may require.
The application shall include, at a minimum, a description of--
(1) the approaches to the use of information technology
that the center will initially evaluate, how it chose those
approaches, how it will seek out any additional approaches, and
how assessment procedures would be developed and applied;
(2) how the center will work with local educational
agencies to evaluate the approaches in classrooms;
(3) how the center will disseminate the results of its
work; and
(4) how the center will develop an outreach program to work
with local educational agencies to help them apply the results
of its research.
(b) Review of Applications.--In evaluating the applications
submitted under subsection (a), the Director shall consider, at a
minimum, the ability of the applicant to effectively evaluate
information technology approaches and to help local educational
agencies apply the results of those evaluations.
(c) Awards.--The Director shall ensure, to the extent practicable,
that the program established under this subtitle evaluates information
technology--
(1) in a wide range of grade levels and geographic areas;
(2) in rural, suburban, and urban schools; and
(3) with a wide variety of students in terms of race,
ethnicity, and income.
SEC. 603. DOCUMENTATION AND DISSEMINATION OF RESULTS.
(a) In General.--The results of the research and evaluations
conducted in accordance with section 601 shall be documented and widely
disseminated, including through publication in peer-reviewed scholarly
journals.
(b) Workshops, Conferences, and Web Sites.--The Director is
authorized to sponsor and support workshops, conferences, and dedicated
web sites to disseminate information about the activities of the
educational technology research centers established under section 601.
(c) Deposit in Library.--Information about effective approaches and
techniques, including information and materials necessary for their
implementation, shall be deposited in the Digital Library.
SEC. 604. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science
Foundation to carry out the program established under section 601--
(1) $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2004;
and
(2) $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 and 2006.
Subtitle B--Assistance
SEC. 611. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE.
Section 3 of the Scientific and Advanced Technology Act of 1992
(Public Law 102-476; 42 U.S.C. 1862i) is amended by redesignating
subsections (d), (e), (f), and (g) as subsections (e), (f), (g), and
(h), respectively, and by inserting after subsection (c) the following
new subsection:
``(d) Educational Technology Assistance.--
``(1) In general.--The Director may make awards on a
competitive, merit-reviewed basis to associate-degree granting
colleges, bachelor-degree granting institutions, or education
service agencies (or consortia thereof) to establish centers to
assist elementary and secondary schools in the use of
information technology for mathematics, science, or technology
instruction.
``(2) Activities.--Activities of centers funded under this
subsection may include--
``(A) helping schools evaluate their need for
information technology;
``(B) training teachers on how to best use
information technology in instruction; and
``(C) providing other information and training to
help schools and teachers ensure that they have access
to appropriate information technologies and are using
them to maximum advantage.
``(3) Application.--An application to receive funds under
this subsection shall include, at a minimum--
``(A) a description of the services that will be
provided to schools and teachers;
``(B) a list of the schools expected to be served;
``(C) a description of how the applicant will draw
on the expertise of its faculty and students to assist
schools and teachers; and
``(D) a description of how the applicant will
operate the program after funding made available by
this subsection has expired.
``(4) Selection.--In evaluating applications submitted
under paragraph (3), the Director shall consider, at a
minimum--
``(A) the ability of the applicant to effectively
carry out the program;
``(B) the number of schools and students who would
be served and the their need for assistance;
``(C) the extent to which the applicant has worked
with participating schools to ensure that priority
problems would be addressed by the assistance provided
under this subsection; and
``(D) the ability of the applicant to continue to
provide assistance after funding under this subsection
has expired.
``(5) Awards.--(A) The Director shall ensure, to the extent
practicable, that the program established by this subsection
assists schools in rural, suburban, and urban areas.
``(B) No institution shall receive funds under this
subsection for more than three years.
``(C) An institution receiving a grant under subtitle A of
title VI of the National Mathematics and Science Partnerships
Act may participate in the program created by this section.
``(6) Report.--Not later than April 1, 2005, the Director
shall provide a report to Congress assessing the success of the
program funded under this subsection and the need of schools
for continued assistance, and, based on the experience with the
program, recommending ways information technology assistance to
schools could be made more broadly available.
``(7) Authorization of appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to the National Science
Foundation to carry out this subsection $5,000,000 for each of
the fiscal years 2002 through 2004.''.
TITLE VII--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SEC. 701. MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE PROFICIENCY SCHOLARSHIPS.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Proficiency in mathematics, science, and information
technology is necessary to prepare all students in the United
States for participation in the 21st century and to
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guarantee
that the United States economy remains vibrant and competitive.
(2) In order to achieve such results, it is important that
the Federal Government shows interest in economically
disadvantaged students who have not been provided with
opportunities that will improve their knowledge of mathematics,
science, and technology.
(3) Many economically disadvantaged students in urban and
rural America share a common need to receive a quality
education, but often the schools of such students lack the
needed resources to lift those students into the information
age.
(4) The schools and businesses serving urban and rural
communities are strategically positioned to form a unique
partnership with students that will increase their mathematics,
science, and technology proficiency and encourage and support
their undergraduate study in those fields for the benefit of
the Nation.
(b) In General.--The Director shall establish a demonstration
project to encourage businesses to offer scholarships to eligible
students (to enable them to attend institutions of higher education) by
providing grants to improve mathematics, science, or technology
education in the schools attended by the eligible students.
(c) Use of Funds.--(1) The Director shall provide grants under this
section to local educational agencies on a merit-reviewed, competitive
basis.
(2) Funds awarded under this subsection may be used to--
(A) provide teacher professional development in
mathematics, science, or technology;
(B) develop or implement mathematics, science, or
technology curriculums, and to purchase related equipment; and
(C) to carry out other activities the Director determines
would improve mathematics, science, or technology education.
(d) Eligible Local Educational Agencies.--For purposes of this
section, a local educational agency is eligible to receive a grant
under this section if the agency--
(1) provides assurances that it has executed conditional
agreements with representatives of the private sector to
provide services and funds described in subsection (e); and
(2) agrees to enter into an agreement with the Director to
comply with the requirements of this section.
(e) Private Sector Participation.--The conditional agreements
referred to in subsection (d)(1) shall describe participation by the
private sector, including--
(1) the donation of computer hardware, software, and other
technology tools;
(2) the establishment of internship and mentoring
opportunities for students who participate in the mathematics,
science, and information technology program; and
(3) the donation of higher education scholarship funds for
eligible students to continue their study of mathematics,
science, and information technology.
(f) Application.--(1) To apply for a grant under this section, each
eligible local educational agency shall submit an application to the
Director in accordance with guidelines established by the Director
pursuant to paragraph (2).
(2)(A) The guidelines referred to in paragraph (1) shall require,
at a minimum, that the application include--
(i) a description of proposed activities consistent with
the uses of funds and program requirements under subsection
(c);
(ii) a description of the higher education scholarship
program, including criteria for selection, duration of
scholarship, number of scholarships to be awarded each year,
and funding levels for scholarships; and
(iii) evidence of private sector participation and
financial support to establish an internship, mentoring, and
scholarship program.
(B) The Director shall issue and publish such guidelines not later
than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(g) Priority.--The Director shall give special priority in awarding
grants under this section to eligible local educational agencies that--
(1) demonstrate the greatest ability to obtain commitments
from representatives of the private sector to provide services
and funds described under subsection (e); and
(2) demonstrate the greatest economic need.
(h) Assessment.--The Director shall assess the effectiveness of
activities carried out under this section.
(i) Study and Report.--The Director--
(1) shall initiate an evaluative study of the effectiveness
of the activities carried out under this section in improving
student performance in mathematics, science, and information
technology at the precollege level and in stimulating student
interest in pursuing undergraduate studies in those fields; and
(2) shall report the findings of the study to Congress not
later than 4 years after the award of the first scholarship.
Such report shall include the number of students graduating from an
institution of higher education with a major in mathematics, science,
or information technology and the number of students who find
employment in such fields.
(j) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``conditional agreement'' means an arrangement
between representatives of the private sector and local
educational agencies to provide certain services and funds,
such as, but not limited to, the donation of computer hardware
and software, the establishment of internship and mentoring
opportunities for students who participate in mathematics,
science, and information technology programs, and the donation
of scholarship funds for use at institutions of higher
education by eligible students who have participated in the
mathematics, science, and information technology programs.
(2) The term ``eligible student'' means a student enrolled
in the 12th grade who--
(A) has participated in a mathematics, science, and
an information technology program established pursuant
to this section;
(B) has demonstrated a commitment to pursue a
career in information technology, mathematics, science,
or engineering; and
(C) has attained high academic standing and
maintains a grade point average of not less than 2.7 on
a 4.0 scale for the period from the beginning of the
10th grade through the time of application for a
scholarship.
(k) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the National Science Foundation to carry out this
section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2004.
(l) Maximum Grant Award.--An award made to an eligible local
educational agency under this section may not exceed $300,000.
SEC. 702. ARTICULATION PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND
SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
(a) Outreach Grants.--In making awards for outreach grants
authorized under section 3(c)(2) of the Scientific and Advanced-
Technology Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 1862i(c)(2)), the Director shall give
priority to proposals that involve secondary schools with a majority of
students from groups that are underrepresented in the science,
mathematics, and engineering workforce. Awards in such cases shall not
be subject to the requirement under section 3(f)(3) of such Act for a
matching contribution.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the National Science Foundation to carry out this
section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2004.
SEC. 703. ASSESSMENT OF IN-SERVICE TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMS.
(a) Assessment.--The Direct
be5
or shall review all programs sponsored
by the National Science Foundation that support in-service teacher
professional development for science teachers to determine--
(1) the level of resources and degree of emphasis placed on
training teachers in the effective use of information
technology in the classroom; and
(2) the allocation of resources between summer activities
and follow-on reinforcement training and support to
participating teachers during the school year.
(b) Report.--The Director shall submit to Congress, not later than
1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, a report that--
(1) describes the results of the review and assessment
conducted under subsection (a);
(2) summarizes the major categories of in-service teacher
professional development activities supported at the time of
the review, and the funding levels for such activities; and
(3) describes any proposed changes, including new funding
allocations, to strengthen the in-service teacher professional
development programs of the National Science Foundation that
support activities described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of
subsection (a).
SEC. 704. STUDY OF BROADBAND NETWORK ACCESS FOR SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES.
(a) Report to Congress.--The Director shall conduct a study of the
issues described in subsection (c), and not later than 1 year after the
date of the enactment of this Act, transmit to Congress a report
including recommendations to address those issues. Such report shall be
updated annually for 6 additional years.
(b) Consultation.--In preparing the reports under subsection (a),
the Director shall consult with the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and
such other Federal agencies and educational entities as the Director
considers appropriate.
(c) Issues To Be Addressed.--The reports shall--
(1) identify the current status of high-speed, large
bandwidth capacity access to all public elementary and
secondary schools and libraries in the United States;
(2) identify how the provision of high-speed, large
bandwidth capacity access to the Internet to such schools and
libraries can be effectively utilized within each school and
library;
(3) consider the effect that specific or regional
circumstances may have on the ability of such institutions to
acquire high-speed, large bandwidth capacity access to achieve
universal connectivity as an effective tool in the education
process; and
(4) include options and recommendations to address the
challenges and issues identified in the reports.
Passed the House of Representatives July 30, 2001.
Attest:
Clerk.
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