[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4271 Reported in House (RH)]






                                                 Union Calendar No. 526
106th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 4271

                      [Report No. 106-821, Part I]

  To establish and expand programs relating to science, mathematics, 
     engineering, and technology education, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 13, 2000

   Mr. Ehlers (for himself, Mrs. Biggert, Mr. Boehlert, Mr. Brady of 
Texas, Mr. Cook, Mr. Gilchrest, Mr. Gilman, Mr. Holt, Mr. Jenkins, Ms. 
   Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, Mr. Kuykendall, Mr. Porter, Mrs. 
   Roukema, Mr. Smith of Michigan, Mr. Sweeney, Mr. Upton, and Mrs. 
   Wilson) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committee on Education and 
   the 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

                           September 6, 2000

        Reported from the Committee on Science with an amendment
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

                           September 6, 2000

Referral to the Commitee on Education and the Workforce extended for a 
            period ending not later than September 21, 2000

                           September 21, 2000

 Additional sponsors: Mr. Spence, Mr. Davis of Virginia, Mr. English, 
  Mr. Ballenger, Mrs. Kelly, Mr. Frost, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Cooksey, Mr. 
Petri, Ms. Lee, Mrs. Johnson of Connecticut, Mr. Calvert, Mrs. Morella, 
   Mr. Baca, Mr. Ewing, Mr. Wolf, Mr. Deal of Georgia, Mr. Green of 
 Wisconsin, Mr. Walsh, Mr. Larson, Mr. Gutknecht, Mr. Barton of Texas, 
 Mr. Salmon, Ms. Pryce of Ohio, Mr. Kucinich, Mr. Boehner, Mr. Weiner, 
  Mr. Norwood, Ms. Rivers, Mr. McCrery, Mr. Capuano, Mr. Bentsen, Mr. 
    Bartlett of Maryland, Mr. Weldon of Pennsylvania, Mr. Frank of 
 Massachusetts, Mr. Bereuter, Mr. Shays, Mr. Camp, Mr. Engel, Mr. Ose, 
   Mr. Lampson, Mrs. Bono, Ms. Carson, Ms. Slaughter, Ms. Dunn, Mr. 
Fletcher, Ms. Hooley of Oregon, Mr. Price of North Carolina, Mr. Olver, 
   Mr. Gordon, Mr. Stenholm, Mr. Holden, Mr. Allen, Mr. Hobson, Mr. 
   Coburn, Mr. Hall of Texas, Mr. Martinez, Mr. Filner, Mrs. Mink of 
Hawaii, Mr. Etheridge, Mr. Lantos, Mr. Ramstad, Mr. Pastor, Ms. Norton, 
  Mr. Costello, Mr. Gibbons, Mr. Barcia, Mr. Wu, Mr. Blagojevich, Ms. 
 Millender-McDonald, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Rahall, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Mica, 
Ms. Woolsey, Mr. Hoeffel, Mr. Lucas of Oklahoma, Mr. Sensenbrenner, Mr. 
 Udall of Colorado, Mr. Weldon of Florida, Mr. Sandlin, Mr. Dooley of 
California, Mr. Klink, Mr. Kolbe, Mr. Faleomavaega, Mr. LaTourette, Mr. 
 Moore, Mr. Whitfield, Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. Horn, Mr. Bass, Mr. Evans, 
                     Mr. Greenwood and Mr. DeFazio

                           September 21, 2000

 The Committee on Education and the Workforce discharged; committed to 
the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered 
                             to be printed
 [For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on April 
                               13, 2000]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To establish and expand programs relating to science, mathematics, 
     engineering, and technology 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 Science Education Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) As concluded in the report of the Committee on Science 
        of the House of Representatives, ``Unlocking Our Future Toward 
        a New National Science Policy'', which was adopted by the House 
        of Representatives, the United States must maintain and improve 
        its preeminent position in science and technology in order to 
        advance human understanding of the universe and all it 
        contains, and to improve the lives, health, and freedoms of all 
        people.
            (2) It is estimated that more than half of the economic 
        growth of the United States today results directly from 
        research and development in science and technology. The most 
        fundamental research is responsible for investigating our 
        perceived universe, to extend our observations to the outer 
        limits of what our minds and methods can achieve, and to seek 
        answers to questions that have never been asked before. Applied 
        research continues the process by applying the answers from 
        basic science to the problems faced by individuals, 
        organizations, and governments in the everyday activities that 
        make our lives more livable.  The scientific-technological 
sector of our economy, which has driven our recent economic boom and 
led the United States to the longest period of prosperity in history, 
is fueled by the work and discoveries of the scientific community.
            (3) The effectiveness of the United States in maintaining 
        this economic growth will be largely determined by the 
        intellectual capital of the United States. Education is 
        critical to developing this resource.
            (4) The education program of the United States needs to 
        provide for 3 different kinds of intellectual capital. First, 
        it needs scientists, mathematicians, and engineers to continue 
        the research and development that are central to the economic 
        growth of the United States. Second, it needs technologically 
        proficient workers who are comfortable and capable dealing with 
        the demands of a science-based, high-technology workplace. 
        Last, it needs scientifically literate voters and consumers to 
        make intelligent decisions about public policy.
            (5) Student performance on the recent Third International 
        Mathematics and Science Study highlights the shortcomings of 
        current K-12 science and mathematics education in the United 
        States, particularly when compared to other countries. We must 
        expect more from our Nation's educators and students if we are 
        to build on the accomplishments of previous generations. New 
        methods of teaching science, mathematics, engineering, and 
        technology are required, as well as better curricula and 
        improved training of teachers.
            (6) Science is more than a collection of facts, theories, 
        and results. It is a process of inquiry built upon observations 
        and data that leads to a way of knowing and explaining in 
        logically derived concepts and theories. Mathematics is more 
        than procedures to be memorized. It is a field that requires 
        reasoning, understanding, and making connections in order to 
        solve problems. Engineering is more than just designing and 
        building. It is the process of making compromises to optimize 
        design and assessing risks so that designs and products best 
        solve a given problem. Technology is more than using computer 
        applications, the Internet, and programming. Technology is the 
        innovation, change, or modification of the natural environment, 
        based on scientific, mathematical, and engineering principles.
            (7) Students should learn science primarily by doing 
        science. Science education ought to reflect the scientific 
        process and be object-oriented, experiment-centered, and 
        concept-based. Students should learn mathematics with 
        understanding that numeric systems have intrinsic properties 
        that can represent objects and systems in real life, and can be 
        applied in solving problems. Engineering education should 
        reflect the realities of real world design, and should involve 
        hands-on projects and require students to make trade-offs based 
        upon evidence. Students should learn technology as both a tool 
        to solve other problems and as a process by which people adapt 
        the natural world to suit their own purposes. Computers 
        represent a particularly useful form of technology, enabling 
        students and teachers to acquire data, model systems, visualize 
        phenomena, communicate and organize information, and 
        collaborate with others in powerful new ways. A background in 
        the basics of information technology is essential for success 
        in the modern workplace and the modern world.
            (8) Children are naturally curious and inquisitive. To 
        successfully tap into these innate qualities, education in 
        science, mathematics, engineering, and technology must begin at 
        an early age and continue throughout the entire school 
        experience.
            (9) Teachers provide the essential connection between 
        students and the content they are learning. Prospective 
        teachers need to be identified and recruited by presenting to 
        them a career that is respected by their peers, is financially 
        and intellectually rewarding, contains sufficient opportunities 
        for advancement, and has continuing access to professional 
        development.
            (10) Teachers need to have incentives to remain in the 
        classroom and improve their practice, and training of teachers 
        is essential if the results are to be good. Teachers need to be 
        knowledgeable of their content area, of their curriculum, of 
        up-to-date research in teaching and learning, and of techniques 
        that can be used to connect that information to their students 
        in their classroom.

SEC. 3. ASSURANCE OF CONTINUED LOCAL CONTROL.

    Nothing in this Act may be construed to authorize any department, 
agency, officer, or employee of the United States to exercise any 
direction, supervision, or control over the curriculum, program of 
instruction, administration, or personnel of any educational 
institution or school system.

SEC. 4. MASTER TEACHER GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Program Authorized.--The Director of the National Science 
Foundation shall conduct a grant program to make grants to a State or 
local educational agency, a private elementary or middle school, or a 
consortium of any combination of those entities, for the purpose of 
hiring a master teacher described in subsection (b).
    (b) Eligibility.--In order to be eligible to receive a grant under 
this subsection, a State or local educational agency, private 
elementary or middle school, or consortium described in subsection (a) 
shall submit to the Director a description of the relationship the 
master teacher will have vis-a-vis other administrative and managerial 
staff and the State and local educational agency, the ratio of master 
teachers to other teachers, and the requirements for a master teacher 
of the State or local educational agency or school, including 
certification requirements and job responsibilities of the master 
teacher. Job responsibilities must include a discussion of any 
responsibility the master teacher will have for--
            (1) development or implementation of science, mathematics, 
        engineering, or technology curricula;
            (2) in-classroom assistance;
            (3) authority over hands-on inquiry materials, equipment, 
        and supplies;
            (4) mentoring other teachers or fulfilling any leadership 
        role; and
            (5) professional development, including training other 
        master teachers or other teachers, or developing or 
        implementing professional development programs.
    (c) Assessment of Effectiveness.--The Director shall assess the 
effectiveness of activities carried out under this section.
    (d) Funds.--
            (1) Source.--Grants shall be made under this section out of 
        funds available for the National Science Foundation for 
        Education and Human Resources Activities.
            (2) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
        to the National Science Foundation to carry out this section 
        $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 through 2003.

SEC. 5. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.

    (a) General Authority.--
            (1) In general.--
                    (A) Grant program.--The Director of the National 
                Science Foundation shall, subject to appropriations, 
                carry out a demonstration project under which the 
                Director awards grants in accordance with this section 
                to eligible local educational agencies.
                    (B) Uses of funds.--A local educational agency that 
                receives a grant under this section may use such grant 
                funds to develop a program that builds or expands 
                mathematics, science, and information technology 
                curricula, to purchase equipment necessary to establish 
                such program, and to provide professional development 
                in such fields.
            (2) Program requirements.--The program described in 
        paragraph (1) shall--
                    (A) provide professional development specifically 
                in information technology, mathematics, and science; 
                and
                    (B) provide students with specialized training in 
                mathematics, science, and information technology.
    (b) Eligible Local Educational Agencies.--For purposes of this 
section, a local educational agency or consortium of local educational 
agencies is eligible to receive a grant under this section if the 
agency or consortium--
            (1) provides assurances that it has executed conditional 
        agreements with representatives of the private sector to 
        provide services and funds described in subsection (c); and
            (2) agrees to enter into an agreement with the Director to 
        comply with the requirements of this section.
    (c) Private Sector Participation.--The conditional agreements 
referred to in subsection (b)(1) shall describe participation by the 
private sector, including--
            (1) the donation of computer hardware and software;
            (2) the establishment of internship and mentoring 
        opportunities for students who participate in the information 
        technology program; and
            (3) the donation of higher education scholarship funds for 
        eligible students who have participated in the information 
        technology program.
    (d) Application.--
            (1) In general.--To apply for a grant under this section, 
        each eligible local educational agency or consortium of local 
        educational agencies shall submit an application to the 
        Director in accordance with guidelines established by the 
        Director pursuant to paragraph (2).
            (2) Guidelines.--
                    (A) Requirements.--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 (a)(1)(B) and 
                        (a)(2);
                            (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) Guideline publication.--The Director shall 
                issue and publish such guidelines not later than 6 
                months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
            (3) Selection.--The Director shall select a local 
        educational agency to receive an award under this section in 
        accordance with subsection (e) and on the basis of merit to be 
        determined after conducting a comprehensive review.
    (e) 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 (c); and
            (2) demonstrate the greatest economic need.
    (f) Assessment.--The Director shall assess the effectiveness of 
activities carried out under this section.
    (g) Study and Report.--The Director--
            (1) shall initiate an evaluative study of eligible students 
        selected for scholarships pursuant to this section in order to 
        measure the effectiveness of the demonstration program; 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.
    (h) Definition.--Except as otherwise provided, for purposes of this 
section, the term ``eligible student'' means a student enrolled in the 
12th grade who--
            (A) has participated in 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 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the 
        last 2 years of secondary school (11th and 12th grades).
    (i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Science Foundation to carry out this 
section, $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 through 2003.
    (j) Maximum Grant Award.--An award made to an eligible local 
educational agency under this section may not exceed $300,000.

SEC. 6. DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION ON REQUIRED COURSE OF STUDY FOR 
              CAREERS IN SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, ENGINEERING, AND 
              TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION.

    (a) In General.--The Director of the National Science Foundation 
shall, jointly with the Secretary of Education, compile and disseminate 
information (including through outreach, school counselor education, 
and visiting speakers) regarding--
            (1) typical standard prerequisites for middle school and 
        high school students who seek to enter a course of study at an 
        institution of higher education in science, mathematics, 
        engineering, or technology education for purposes of teaching 
        in an elementary or secondary school; and
            (2) the licensing requirements in each State for science, 
        mathematics, engineering, or technology elementary or secondary 
        school teachers.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated for the National Science Foundation to carry out this 
section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 through 2003.

SEC. 7. REQUIREMENT TO CONDUCT STUDY EVALUATION.

    (a) Study Required.--The Director of the National Science 
Foundation shall enter into an agreement with the National Academies of 
Sciences and Engineering under which the Academies shall review 
existing studies on the effectiveness of technology in the classroom on 
learning and student performance, using various measures of learning 
and teaching outcome including standardized tests of student 
achievement, and explore the feasibility of one or more methodological 
frameworks to be used in evaluations of technologies that have 
different purposes and are used by schools and school systems with 
diverse educational goals. The study evaluation shall include, to the 
extent available, information on the type of technology used in each 
classroom, the reason that such technology works, and the teacher 
training that is conducted in conjunction with the technology.
    (b) Deadline for Completion.--The study evaluation required by 
subsection (a) shall be completed not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act.
    (c) Definition of Technology.--In this section, the term 
``technology'' has the meaning given that term in section 3113(11) of 
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
6813(11)).
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Science Foundation for the purpose of 
conducting the study evaluation required by subsection (a), $600,000.

SEC. 8. TEACHER TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) In General.--The Director of the National Science Foundation 
shall establish a grant program under which grants may be made to a 
State or local educational agency, a private elementary or middle 
school, or a consortium consisting of any combination of those entities 
for instruction of teachers for grades kindergarten through the 12th 
grade on the use of information technology in the classroom. Grants 
awarded under this section shall be used for training teachers to use--
            (1) classroom technology, including hardware, software, 
        communications technologies, and laboratory equipment; or
            (2) specific technology for science, mathematics, 
        engineering or technology instruction, including data 
        acquisition, modeling, visualization, simulation, and numerical 
        analysis.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated for the National Science Foundation to carry out this 
section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 through 2003.

SEC. 9. SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS 
              EDUCATION CONFERENCE.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Science Foundation 
shall convene the first of an annual 3- to 5-day conference for 
kindergarten through the 12th grade science, mathematics, engineering, 
and technology education stakeholders, including--
            (1) representatives from Federal, State, and local 
        governments, private industries, private businesses, and 
        professional organizations;
            (2) educators;
            (3) science, mathematics, engineering, and technology 
        educational resource providers;
            (4) students; and
            (5) any other stakeholders the Director determines would 
        provide useful participation in the conference.
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of the conference convened under 
subsection (a) shall be to--
            (1) identify and gather information on existing science, 
        mathematics, engineering, and technology education programs and 
        resource providers, including information on distribution, 
        partners, cost assessment, and derivation;
            (2) determine the extent of any existing coordination 
        between providers of curricular activities, initiatives, and 
        units; and
            (3) identify the common goals and differences among the 
        participants at the conference.
    (c) Report and Publication.--At the conclusion of the conference 
the Director of the National Science Foundation shall--
            (1) transmit to the Committee on Science of the House of 
        Representatives and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate a report on the outcome and 
        conclusions of the conference, including an inventory of 
        curricular activities, initiatives, and units, the content of 
        the conference, and strategies developed that will support 
        partnerships and leverage resources; and
            (2) ensure that a similar report is published and 
        distributed as widely as possible to stakeholders in science, 
        mathematics, engineering, and technology education.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated for the National Science Foundation to carry out this 
section--
            (1) $300,000 for fiscal year 2001; and
            (2) $200,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 and 2003.

SEC. 10. GRANTS FOR DISTANCE LEARNING.

    (a) In General.--The Director of the National Science Foundation 
may make competitive, merit-based awards to develop partnerships for 
distance learning of science, mathematics, engineering, and technology 
education to a State or local educational agency or to a private 
elementary, middle, or secondary school, under any grant program 
administered by the Director using funds appropriated to the National 
Science Foundation for activities in which distance learning is 
integrated into the education process in grades kindergarten through 
the 12th grade.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated for the National Science Foundation to carry out this 
section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 through 2003.

SEC. 11. SCHOLARSHIPS TO PARTICIPATE IN CERTAIN RESEARCH ACTIVITIES.

    (a) In General.--The President, acting through the National Science 
Foundation, shall provide scholarships to teachers at public and 
private schools in grades kindergarten through the 12th grade in order 
that such teachers may participate in research programs conducted at 
private entities or Federal or State government agencies. The purpose 
of such scholarships shall be to provide teachers with an opportunity 
to expand their knowledge of science, mathematics, engineering, 
technology, and research techniques.
    (b) Requirements.--In order to be eligible to receive a scholarship 
under this section, a teacher described in subsection (a) shall be 
required to develop, in conjunction with the private entity or 
Government agency at which the teacher will be participating in a 
research program, a proposal to be submitted to the President 
describing the types of research activities involved.
    (c) Period of Program.--Participation in a research program in 
accordance with this section may be for a period of one academic year 
or two sequential summers.
    (d) Use of Funds.--The Director may only use funds for purposes of 
this section for salaries of scholarship recipients, administrative 
expenses (including information dissemination, direct mailing, 
advertising, and direct staff costs for coordination and accounting 
services), expenses for conducting an orientation program, relocation 
expenses, and the expenses of conducting final selection interviews.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated for the National Science Foundation to carry out this 
section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 through 2003.

SEC. 12. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION EXTENSION ASSISTANCE.

    (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to improve the 
utilization of educational technologies in elementary and secondary 
education by creating an educational technology extension service based 
at undergraduate institutions of higher education.
    (b) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
            (1) Extension services such as the Manufacturing Extension 
        Partnership and the Agricultural Extension Service have proven 
        to be effective public/private partnerships to integrate new 
        technologies and to improve utilization of existing 
        technologies by small to medium sized manufacturers and the 
        United States agricultural community.
            (2) Undergraduate institutions of higher education working 
        with nonprofit organizations and State and Federal agencies can 
        tailor educational technology extension programs to meet 
        specific local and regional requirements.
            (3) Undergraduate institutions of higher education, often 
        with the assistance of the National Science Foundation, have 
        for the past 20 years been integrating educational technologies 
        into their curricula, and as such they can draw upon their own 
        experiences to advise elementary and secondary school educators 
        on ways to integrate a variety of educational technologies into 
        the educational process.
            (4) Many elementary and secondary school systems, 
        particularly in rural and traditionally underserved areas, lack 
        general information on the most effective methods to integrate 
        their existing technology infrastructure, as well as new 
        educational technology, into the educational process and 
        curriculum.
            (5) Most Federal and State educational technology programs 
        have focused on acquiring educational technologies with less 
        emphasis on the utilization of those technologies in the 
        classroom and the training and infrastructural requirements 
        needed to efficiently support those types of technologies. As a 
        result, in many instances, the full potential of educational 
        technology has not been realized.
            (6) Our global economy is increasingly reliant on a 
        workforce not only comfortable with technology, but also able 
        to integrate rapid technological changes into the production 
        process. As such, in order to remain competitive in a global 
        economy, it is imperative that we maintain a work-ready labor 
        force.
            (7) According to ``Teacher Quality: A Report on the 
        Preparation and Qualifications of Public School Teachers'', 
        prepared by the Department of Education, only one in five 
        teachers felt they were well prepared to work in a modern 
        classroom.
            (8) The most common form of professional development for 
        teachers continues to be workshops that typically last no more 
        than one day and have little relevance to teachers' work in the 
        classroom.
            (9) A 1998 national survey completed by the Department of 
        Education found that only 19 percent of teachers had been 
        formally mentored by another teacher, and that 70 percent of 
        these teachers felt that this collaboration was very helpful to 
        their teaching.
    (c) Program Authorized.--
            (1) General authority.--The Director of the National 
        Science Foundation, in cooperation with the Secretary of 
        Education and the Director of the National Institute of 
        Standards and Technology, is authorized to provide assistance 
        for the creation and support of regional centers for the 
        utilization of educational technologies (hereinafter in this 
        section referred to as ``ETU Centers'').
            (2) Functions of centers.--
                    (A) Establishment.--ETU Centers may be established 
                at any institution of higher education, but such 
                centers may include the participation of nonprofit 
                entities, organizations, or groups thereof.
                    (B) Objectives of centers.--The objective of the 
                ETU Centers is to enhance the utilization of 
                educational technologies in elementary and secondary 
                education through--
                            (i) advising elementary and secondary 
                        school administrators, school boards, and 
                        teachers on the adoption and utilization of new 
                        educational technologies and the utility of 
                        local schools' existing educational technology 
                        assets and infrastructure;
                            (ii) participation of individuals from the 
                        private sector, universities, State and local 
                        governments, and other Federal agencies;
                            (iii) active dissemination of technical and 
                        management information about the use of 
                        educational technologies; and
                            (iv) utilization, where appropriate, of the 
                        expertise and capabilities that exist in 
                        Federal laboratories and Federal agencies.
                    (C) Activities of centers.--The activities of the 
                ETU Centers shall include the following:
                            (i) The active transfer and dissemination 
                        of research findings and ETU Center expertise 
                        to local school authorities, including school 
                        administrators, school boards, and teachers.
                            (ii) The training of teachers in the 
                        integration of local schools existing 
                        educational technology infrastructure into 
                        their instructional design.
                            (iii) The training and advising of 
                        teachers, administrators, and school board 
                        members in the acquisition, utilization, and 
                        support of educational technologies.
                            (iv) Support services to teachers, 
                        administrators, and school board members as 
                        agreed upon by ETU Center representatives and 
                        local school authorities.
                            (v) The advising of teachers, 
                        administrators, and school board members on 
                        current skill set standards employed by private 
                        industry.
            (3) Program administration.--
                    (A) Proposed rules.--The Director of the National 
                Science Foundation, after consultation with the 
                Secretary of Education and the Director of the National 
                Institute of Standards and Technology, shall publish in 
                the Federal Register, within 90 days after the date of 
                the enactment of this section, proposed rules for the 
                program for establishing ETU Centers, including--
                            (i) a description of the program;
                            (ii) the procedures to be followed by 
                        applicants;
                            (iii) the criteria for determining 
                        qualified applicants; and
                            (iv) the criteria, including those listed 
                        in this section, for choosing recipients of 
                        financial assistance under this section from 
                        among qualified applicants.
                    (B) Final rules.--The Director of the National 
                Science Foundation shall publish final rules for the 
                program under this section after the expiration of a 
                30-day comment period on such proposed rules.
            (4) Eligibility and selection.--
                    (A) Applications required.--Any undergraduate 
                institution of higher education, consortium of such 
                institutions, nonprofit organizations, or groups 
                thereof may submit an application for financial support 
                under this section in accordance with the procedures 
                established under this section. In order to receive 
                assistance under this section, an applicant shall 
                provide adequate assurances that the applicant will 
                contribute 50 percent or more of the proposed Center's 
                capital and annual operating and maintenance costs.
                    (B) Selection.--The Director of the National 
                Science Foundation, in conjunction with the Secretary 
                of Education and the Director of the National Institute 
                of Standards and Technology, shall subject each 
                application to competitive, merit review. In making a 
                decision whether to approve such application and 
                provide financial support under this section, the 
                Director of the National Science Foundation shall 
                consider at a minimum--
                            (i) the merits of the application, 
                        particularly those portions of the application 
                        regarding the adaption of training and 
                        educational technologies to the needs of 
                        particular regions;
                            (ii) the quality of service to be provided;
                            (iii) the geographical diversity and extent 
                        of service area, with particular emphasis on 
                        rural and traditionally underdeveloped areas; 
                        and
                            (iv) the percentage of funding and amount 
                        of in-kind commitment from other sources.
                    (C) Evaluation.--Each ETU Center which receives 
                financial assistance under this section shall be 
                evaluated during its third year of operation by an 
                evaluation panel appointed by the Director of the 
                National Science Foundation. Each evaluation panel 
                shall measure the involved Center's performance against 
                the objectives specified in this section. Funding for 
                an ETU Center shall not be renewed unless the 
                evaluation is positive.

SEC. 13. INTERAGENCY COORDINATION OF SCIENCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

    (a) Interagency Coordination Committee.--
            (1) Establishment.--The Director of the Office of Science 
        and Technology Policy shall establish an interagency committee 
        to coordinate Federal programs in support of science and 
        mathematics education at the elementary and secondary level.
            (2) Membership.--The membership of the committee shall 
        consist of the heads, or designees, of the National Science 
        Foundation, the Department of Energy, the National Aeronautics 
        and Space Administration, the Department of Education, and 
        other Federal departments and agencies that have programs 
        directed toward support of elementary and secondary science and 
        mathematics education.
            (3) Functions.--The committee shall--
                    (A) prepare a catalog of Federal research, 
                development, demonstration and other programs designed 
                to improve elementary and secondary science or 
                mathematics education, including for each program a 
                summary of its goals and the kinds of activities 
                supported, a summary of accomplishments (including 
                evidence of effectiveness in improving student 
                learning), the funding level, and, for grant programs, 
                the eligibility requirements and the selection process 
                for awards;
                    (B) review the programs identified under 
                subparagraph (A) in order to--
                            (i) determine the relative funding levels 
                        among support for--
                                    (I) teacher professional 
                                development;
                                    (II) curricular materials;
                                    (III) improved classroom teaching 
                                practices;
                                    (IV) applications of computers and 
                                related information technologies; and
                                    (V) other major categories of 
                                activities;
                            (ii) assess whether the balance among kinds 
                        of activities as determined under clause (i) is 
                        appropriate and whether unnecessary duplication 
                        or overlap among programs exists;
                            (iii) assess the degree to which the 
                        programs assist the efforts of State and local 
                        school systems to implement standards-based 
                        reform of science and mathematics education, 
                        and group the programs in the categories of 
                        high, moderate, and low relevance for assisting 
                        standards-based reform;
                            (iv) for grant programs, identify ways to 
                        simplify the application procedures and 
                        requirements and to achieve greater conformity 
                        among the procedures and requirements of the 
                        agencies; and
                            (v) evaluate the adequacy of the assessment 
                        procedures used by the departments and agencies 
                        to determine whether the goals and objectives 
                        of programs are being achieved, and identify 
                        the best practices identified from the 
                        evaluation for assessment of program 
                        effectiveness; and
                    (C) monitor the implementation of the plan 
                developed under subsection (c) and provide to the 
                Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy 
                its findings and recommendations for modifications to 
                that plan.
    (b) External Review.--The Director of the National Science 
Foundation shall enter into an agreement with the National Research 
Council to conduct an independent review of programs as described in 
subsection (a)(3)(B) and to develop findings and recommendations. The 
findings and recommendations from the National Research Council review 
of programs shall be reported to the Director of the Office of Science 
and Technology Policy and to the Congress.
    (c) Education Plan.--
            (1) Plan contents.--On the basis of the findings of the 
        review carried out in accordance with subsection (a)(3)(B) and 
        taking into consideration the findings and recommendations of 
        the National Research Council in accordance with subsection 
        (b), the Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
        Policy shall prepare a plan for Federal elementary and 
        secondary science and mathematics education programs which 
        shall include--
                    (A) a strategy to increase the effectiveness of 
                Federal programs to assist the efforts of State and 
                local school systems to implement standards-based 
                reform of elementary and secondary science and 
                mathematics education;
                    (B) a coordinated approach for identifying best 
                practices for the use of computers and related 
                information technologies in classroom instruction;
                    (C) the recommended balance for Federal resource 
                allocation among the major types of activities 
                supported, including projected funding allocations for 
                each major activity broken out by department and 
                agency;
                    (D) identification of effective Federal programs 
                that have made measurable contributions to achieving 
                standards-based science and mathematics education 
                reform;
                    (E) recommendations to the departments and agencies 
                for actions needed to increase uniformity across the 
                Federal Government for application procedures and 
                requirements for grant  awards for support of 
elementary and secondary science and mathematics education; and
                    (F) dissemination procedures for replicating 
                results from effective programs, particularly best 
                practices for classroom instruction.
            (2) Consultation.--The Director shall consult with 
        academic, State, industry, and other appropriate entities 
        engaged in efforts to reform science and mathematics education 
        as necessary and appropriate for preparing the plan under 
        paragraph (1).
    (d) Reports.--
            (1) Initial report.--The Director of the Office of Science 
        and Technology Policy shall submit to the Congress, not later 
        than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, a 
        report which--
                    (A) includes the plan described in subsection 
                (c)(1);
                    (B) in accordance with subsection (c)(1)(C), 
                describes, for each department and agency represented 
                on the committee established under subsection (a)(1), 
                appropriate levels of Federal funding;
                    (C) includes the catalog prepared under subsection 
                (a)(3)(A);
                    (D) includes the findings from the review required 
                under subsection (a)(3)(B)(iii);
                    (E) includes the findings and recommendations of 
                the National Research Council developed under 
                subsection (b); and
                    (F) describes the procedures used by each 
                department and agency represented on the committee to 
                assess the effectiveness of its education programs.
            (2) Annual updates.--The Director of the Office of Science 
        and Technology Policy shall submit to the Congress an annual 
        update, at the time of the President's annual budget request, 
        of the report submitted under paragraph (1), which shall 
        include, for each department and agency represented on the 
        committee, appropriate levels of Federal funding for the fiscal 
        year during which the report is submitted and the levels 
        proposed for the fiscal year with respect to which the budget 
        submission applies.

SEC. 14. SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, AND ENGINEERING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

    (a) Program Authorized.--The Director of the National Science 
Foundation is authorized to establish a scholarship program to assist 
graduates of baccalaureate degree programs in science, mathematics or 
engineering, or individuals pursuing degrees in those fields, to 
fulfill the academic requirements necessary to become certified as 
elementary or secondary school teachers.
    (b) Scholarship Amount and Duration.--Each scholarship provided 
under subsection (a) shall be in the amount of $5,000 and shall cover a 
period of 1 year.
    (c) Requirements.--
            (1) Eligibility.--Undergraduate students majoring in 
        science, mathematics, or engineering who are within one 
        academic year of completion of degree requirements, and 
        individuals who have received degrees in such fields, are 
        eligible to receive scholarships under the program established 
        by subsection (a).
            (2) Guidelines, procedures, and criteria.--The Director 
        shall establish and publish application and selection 
        guidelines, procedures, and criteria for the scholarship 
        program.
            (3) Requirements for applications.--Each application for a 
        scholarship shall include a plan specifying the course of study 
        that will allow the applicant to fulfill the academic 
        requirements for obtaining a teaching certificate during the 
        scholarship period.
            (4) Work requirement.--As a condition of acceptance of a 
        scholarship under this section, a recipient shall agree to work 
        as an elementary or secondary school teacher for a minimum of 
        two years following certification as such a teacher or to repay 
        the amount of the scholarship to the National Science 
        Foundation.
    (d) 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 2001, 2002, and 2003.

SEC. 15. GO GIRL GRANTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Getting Our 
Girls Ready for the 21st Century Act (Go Girl Act)''.
    (b) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) Women have historically been underrepresented in 
        mathematics, science, and technology occupations.
            (2) Female students take fewer high-level mathematics and 
        science courses in high school than male students.
            (3) Female students take far fewer advanced computer 
        classes and tend to take only the basic data entry and word 
        processing classes compared to courses that male students take.
            (4) Female students earn fewer bachelors, masters, and 
        doctoral degrees in mathematics, science, and technology than 
        male students.
            (5) Early career exploration is key to choosing a career.
            (6) Teachers' attitudes, methods of teaching, and classroom 
        atmosphere affect females' interest in nontraditional fields.
            (7) Stereotypes about appropriate careers for females, a 
        lack of female role models, and a lack of basic career 
        information significantly deters girls' interest in 
        mathematics, science, and technology careers.
            (8) Females consistently rate themselves significantly 
        lower than males in computer ability.
            (9) By the year 2000, 65 percent of all jobs will require 
        technological skills.
            (10) Limited access is a hurdle faced by females seeking 
        jobs in mathematics, science, and technology.
            (11) Common recruitment and hiring practices make extensive 
        use of traditional networks that often overlook females.
    (c) Program Authority.--
            (1) In general.--The Director of the National Science 
        Foundation is authorized to provide grants to and enter into 
        contracts or cooperative agreements with with local educational 
agencies and institutions of higher education to encourage the ongoing 
interest of girls in science, mathematics, and technology and to 
prepare girls to pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees and careers 
in science, mathematics, or technology.
            (2) Application.--
                    (A) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant 
                under this section, a local educational agency or 
                institution of higher education shall submit an 
                application to the Director at such time, in such form, 
                and containing such information as the Director may 
                reasonably require.
                    (B) Contents.--The application referred to in 
                subparagraph (A) shall contain, at a minimum, the 
                following:
                            (i) A specific program description, 
                        including the content of the program and the 
                        research and models used to design the program.
                            (ii) A description of how an eligible 
                        entity will provide for collaboration between 
                        elementary and secondary school programs to 
                        fulfill goals of the grant program.
                            (iii) An explanation regarding the 
                        recruitment and selection of participants.
                            (iv) A description of the instructional and 
                        motivational activities planned to be used.
                            (v) An evaluation plan.
    (d) Uses of Funds for Elementary School Program.--Under grants 
awarded pursuant to subsection (c), funds may be used for the 
following:
            (1) Encouraging girls in grades 4 and higher to enjoy and 
        pursue studies in science, mathematics, and technology.
            (2) Acquainting girls in grades 4 and higher with careers 
        in science, mathematics, and technology.
            (3) Educating the parents of girls in grades 4 and higher 
        about the difficulties faced by girls to maintain an interest 
        and desire to achieve in science, mathematics, and technology 
        and enlisting the help of the parents in overcoming these 
        difficulties.
            (4) Tutoring in reading, science, mathematics, and 
        technology.
            (5) Mentoring relationships, both in-person and through the 
        Internet.
            (6) Paying the costs of attending events and academic 
        programs in science, mathematics, and technology.
            (7) After-school activities designed to encourage the 
        interest of girls in grades 4 and higher in science, 
        mathematics, and technology.
            (8) Summer programs designed to encourage interest in and 
        develop skills in science, mathematics, and technology.
            (9) Purchasing software designed for girls, or designed to 
        encourage girls' interest in science, mathematics, and 
        technology.
            (10) Field trips to locations that educate and encourage 
        girls' interest in science, mathematics, and technology.
            (11) Field trips to locations that acquaint girls with 
        careers in science, mathematics, and technology.
            (12) Purchasing and disseminating information to parents of 
        girls in grades 4 and higher that will help parents to 
        encourage their daughters' interest in science, mathematics, 
        and technology.
    (e) Uses of Funds for Secondary School Program.--Under grants 
awarded pursuant to subsection (c), funds may be used for the 
following:
            (1) Encouraging girls in grades 9 and higher to major in 
        science, mathematics, and technology in a postsecondary 
        institution.
            (2) Providing academic advice and assistance in high school 
        course selection.
            (3) Encouraging girls in grades 9 and higher to plan for 
        careers in science, mathematics, and technology.
            (4) Educating the parents of girls in grades 9 and higher 
        about the difficulties faced by girls to maintain an interest 
        and desire to achieve in science, mathematics, and technology 
        and enlist the help of the parents in overcoming these 
        difficulties.
            (5) Tutoring in science, mathematics, and technology.
            (6) Mentoring relationships, both in-person and through the 
        Internet.
            (7) Paying the costs of attending events and academic 
        programs in science, mathematics, and technology.
            (8) Paying 50 percent of the cost of an internship in 
        science, mathematics, or technology.
            (9) After-school activities designed to encourage the 
        interest of girls in grades 9 and higher in science, 
        mathematics, and technology, including the cost of  that 
portion of a staff salary to supervise these activities.
            (10) Summer programs designed to encourage interest in and 
        develop skills in science, mathematics, and technology.
            (11) Purchasing software designed for girls, or designed to 
        encourage girls' interest in science, mathematics, and 
        technology.
            (12) Field trips to locations that educate and encourage 
        girls' interest in science, mathematics, and technology.
            (13) Field trips to locations that acquaint girls with 
        careers in science, mathematics, and technology.
            (14) Visits to institutions of higher education to acquaint 
        girls with college-level programs in science, mathematics, or 
        technology, and to meet with educators and female college 
        students who will encourage them to pursue degrees in science, 
        mathematics, and technology.
    (f) Definition.--In this section the term ``local educational 
agency'' has the same meaning given such term in section 14101 of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 8801), except 
that in the case of Hawaii, the District of Columbia, and the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the term ``local educational agency'' 
shall be deemed to mean the State educational agency.

SEC. 16. GRANT FOR LEARNING COMMUNITY CONSORTIUM FOR ADVANCEMENT OF 
              WOMEN, MINORITIES, AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN 
              SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNOLOGY.

    The Director of the National Science Foundation may, through a 
competitive, merit-based process, provide to a consortium composed of 
community colleges a grant in an amount not more than $11,000,000 for 
the purpose of carrying out a pilot project to provide support to 
encourage women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to enter and 
complete programs in science, engineering, and technology.

SEC. 17. USE OF FUNDS FOR PROVIDING RELEASE TIME AND OTHER INCENTIVES.

    A recipient of a grant under section 4 or 8 may use funds received 
through such grant for expenses related to leave from work (consistent 
with State law and contractual obligations), and other incentives, to 
permit and encourage full-time teachers to participate in--
            (1) professional development activities relating to the use 
        of technology in education; and
            (2) the development, demonstration, and evaluation of 
        applications of technology in elementary and secondary 
        education.

SEC. 18. SCIENCE TEACHER EDUCATION.

    (a) Program Authorized.--The Director of the National Science 
Foundation may establish a program to improve the undergraduate 
education and in-service professional development of science and 
mathematics teachers in elementary and secondary schools. Under the 
program, competitive awards shall be made on the basis of merit to 
institutions of higher education that offer baccalaureate degrees in 
education, science and mathematics.
    (b) Purpose of Awards.--Awards made under subsection (a) shall be 
for developing--
            (1) courses and curricular materials for--
                    (A) the preparation of undergraduate students 
                pursuing education degrees who intend to serve in 
                elementary or secondary schools as science or 
                mathematics teachers; or
                    (B) the professional development of science and 
                mathematics teachers serving in elementary and 
                secondary schools; and
            (2) educational materials and instructional techniques 
        incorporating innovative uses of information technology.
    (c) Requirements.--The Director shall establish and publish 
application and selection guidelines, procedures, and criteria for the 
program established by subsection (a). Proposals for awards under the 
program shall involve collaborations of education, mathematics, and 
science faculty and include a plan for a continued collaboration beyond 
the period of the award. In making awards under this section, the 
Director shall consider--
            (1) the degree to which courses and materials proposed to 
        be developed in accordance with subsection (b) combine content 
        knowledge and pedagogical techniques that are consistent with 
        hands-on, inquiry-based teaching, are aligned with established 
        national science or mathematics standards, and are based on 
        validated education research findings; and
            (2) evidence of a strong commitment by the administrative 
        heads of the schools and departments, whose faculty are 
        involved in preparing a proposal to the program, to provide 
        appropriate rewards and incentives to encourage continued 
        faculty participation in the collaborative activity.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Science Foundation to carry out this 
section $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 through 2003.

SEC. 19. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
    (1) The terms ``local educational agency'' and ``State educational 
agency'' have the meanings given such terms in section 14101 of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 8801).
    (2) The term ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning 
given that term by section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1001).




                                                 Union Calendar No. 526

106th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                               H. R. 4271

                      [Report No. 106-821, Part I]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

  To establish and expand programs relating to science, mathematics, 
     engineering, and technology education, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                           September 21, 2000

 The Committee on Education and the Workforce discharged; committed to 
the Committee on the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered 
                             to be printed