[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2624 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







106th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 2624

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 24, 2000

Mr. Roberts (for himself and Ms. Snowe) introduced the following bill; 
     which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, 
                     Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 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 and engineers to continue the research and 
        development that is 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 
        Math 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 mathematics and science 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.
            (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.
            (8) Children are naturally curious and inquisitive. To 
        successfully tap into these innate qualities, education in 
        science 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. High-quality 
        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, and contains 
        sufficient opportunities for advancement.
            (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.

    The National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1861 et 
seq.) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating section 16 as section 18; and
            (2) by inserting after section 15 the following new 
        section:
``Sec. 16. Grants and awards
    ``(a)(1) The Director of the National Science Foundation shall 
conduct a grant program to make grants to a State or local educational 
agency or to a private elementary or middle school for the purpose of 
hiring a master teacher described in paragraph (3).
    ``(2) In order to be eligible to receive a grant under this 
subsection, a State or local educational agency or private elementary 
or middle school shall submit to the Director a description of 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, and a description of how 
professional development will be integrated with the math or science 
program of the State educational agency or local educational agency or 
school including a master teacher.
    ``(3) A master teacher referred to in paragraph (1)--
            ``(A) shall provide support for not more than 10 teachers 
        at public and private schools in math, science, engineering or 
        technology programs for students in grades kindergarten through 
        the eighth grade; and
            ``(B) shall be responsible for in-classroom assistance and 
        oversight of hands-on inquiry materials, equipment, and 
        supplies, including supplying and repairing such materials.
    ``(4) Grants shall be made under this section out of funds 
available for the National Science Foundation for Education and Human 
Resources Activities.
    ``(b) In this section, the terms `State educational agency' and 
`local educational agency' have the meaning given those terms in 
section 14101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.''.

SEC. 5. HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE FOR ALL SCHOOLS.

    The National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1861 et 
seq.) is further amended in section 16 (as added by section 4) by 
adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c)(1) The Director is authorized to award grants, on a 
competitive basis, to secondary school and college students working 
with university faculty, software developers, and experts in 
educational technology, or to university faculty, software developers, 
and experts in educational technology working with secondary school or 
college students, for the development of high-quality educational 
software and Internet web sites by such students, faculty, developers, 
and experts.
    ``(2)(A) The Director shall recognize outstanding educational 
software and Internet web sites developed with assistance provided 
under this subsection.
    ``(B) The President is requested to, and the Director shall, issue 
an official certificate signed by the President and Director, to each 
student and faculty member who develops outstanding educational 
software or Internet web sites recognized under this subsection.
    ``(3) The educational software or Internet web sites that are 
recognized under this subsection shall focus on core curriculum areas.
    ``(4) The Director shall give priority to awarding grants for the 
development of educational software or Internet web sites in the areas 
of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology.
    ``(5) The Director shall designate official judges to recognize 
outstanding educational software or Internet web sites assisted under 
this section.''.

SEC. 6. ESTABLISHMENT OF WORKING GROUP ON SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, 
              ENGINEERING, AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION.

    The National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1861 et 
seq.) is further amended by inserting after section 16 (as added by 
section 4) the following new section:
``Sec. 17. Establishment of working group on science, mathematics, 
              engineering, and technology education
    ``(a) There is established in the National Science Foundation a 
working group to review and coordinate regular and supplemental 
curricula in kindergarten through the twelfth grade for science, 
mathematics, engineering, and technology, taking into account--
            ``(1) the content, scope, and sequence of such curricula;
            ``(2) the research basis for such curricula; and
            ``(3) the demonstrated results of such curricula.
    ``(b) There shall be 15 members of the working group established by 
subsection (a), who shall have experience in the fields of life 
science, physical science, earth science, chemistry, technology, math, 
or engineering, and who shall be appointed by the Director for a three-
year term that may be extended once for an additional three years. The 
members shall be appointed as follows:
            ``(1) 4 members appointed from among representatives from 
        appropriate professional societies representing the scientific 
        disciplines.
            ``(2) 3 members appointed from among business leaders who 
        are active in education.
            ``(3) 2 members appointed from among representatives of 
        institutions of higher education.
            ``(4) 2 members appointed from among representatives of 
        schools of education within such institutions.
            ``(5) 4 members appointed from among representatives of 
        professional societies that represent science teaching.
    ``(c)(1) The working group established by subsection (a)--
            ``(A) shall, beginning not later than three years after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act, award recognition annually 
        in predetermined categories;
            ``(B) shall publish all criteria upon which a review by the 
        working group under this section is based; and
            ``(C) shall disseminate information on award-winning 
        programs for the purpose of acting as a resource for State and 
        local educational agencies--
                    ``(i) for determining the best methods for teachers 
                to present science, mathematics, engineering, and 
                technology subject areas to students; and
                    ``(ii) for organizing science, mathematics, 
                engineering, and technology disciplines.
    ``(2) The information required to be disseminated by paragraph 
(1)(C) shall include information describing the activities of the 
award-winning programs and the awards made in each category.''.

SEC. 7. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.

    (a) General Authority.--
            (1) In general.--
                    (A) Grant program.--The Director 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 an information technology 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 Agency.--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 (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 agreement 
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.--Each eligible local educational agency 
        desiring a grant under this section 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);
            (2) demonstrate the greatest economic need; and
            (3) use a curriculum recognized by the working group 
        established by section 17 of the National Science Foundation 
        Act of 1950 (as added by section 6).
    (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) Definitions.--Except as otherwise provided, for purposes of 
this section--
            (1) the term ``Director'' means the Director of the 
        National Science Foundation;
            (2) 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); and
            (3) 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).
    (i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Science Foundation to carry out this 
section, $3,000,000.
    (j) Maximum Grant Award.--An award made to an eligible local 
educational agency under this section may not exceed $300,000.

SEC. 8. DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION ON REQUIRED COURSE OF STUDY FOR 
              CAREERS IN SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, ENGINEERING, AND 
              TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION.

    The Director of the National Science Foundation shall, jointly with 
the Secretary of Education, compile and disseminate information 
(including, but not limited to, through outreach, school counselor 
education, and visiting speakers) regarding--
            (1) 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.

SEC. 9. REQUIREMENT TO CONDUCT STUDY EVALUATION.

    (a) Study Required.--The Director of the National Science 
Foundation shall enter into an agreement with the National Academy of 
Sciences under which the Academy shall compile and evaluate studies on 
the effectiveness of technology in the classroom on learning and 
student performance, as measured by State standardized tests. 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 180 days 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 $600,000 for the 
purpose of conducting the study evaluation required by subsection (a).

SEC. 10. TEACHER TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

    The National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1861 et 
seq.) is further amended in section 16 (as added by section 4) by 
adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(d) The Director shall establish a grant program under which 
grants may be made for instruction of teachers for grades kindergarten 
through the twelfth grade on the use of technology in the classroom.''.

SEC. 11. MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPUTER LITERACY ASSISTANCE.

    The National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1861 et 
seq.) is further amended in section 16 (as added by section 4) by 
adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(e)(1) The Director is authorized to award grants to assist 
States in reaching the goal of making all middle school graduates in 
the State technology literate.
    ``(2) Grants awarded under this subsection shall be used for 
teacher training in technology, with an emphasis on programs that 
prepare 1 or more teachers in each middle school in the State to become 
technology leaders who then serve as experts and train other teachers.
    ``(3) Each State shall encourage schools that receive assistance 
under this subsection to provide matching funds, with respect to the 
cost of teacher training in technology to be assisted under this 
subsection, in order to enhance the impact of the teacher training and 
to help ensure that all middle school graduates in the State are 
computer literate.''.

SEC. 12. SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION 
              CONFERENCE.

    (a) In General.--Within 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Director of the National Science Foundation shall convene 
a conference of representatives from Federal, State, and local 
governments, private industries, professional organizations, educators, 
science, mathematics, engineering, and technology educational resource 
providers, students, and any other stakeholders the Director decides 
would provide useful participation in the conference. Such conference 
shall be known as the National Science Education Forum.
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of the conference convened under 
subsection (a) shall be to--
            (1) identify existing science, mathematics, engineering, 
        and technology education programs and resource providers;
            (2) examine how well existing programs are coordinated and 
        how much collaboration exists among them;
            (3) examine the common goals and differences among the 
        participants at the conference; and
            (4) develop strategies that will support partnerships and 
        leverage resources.
    (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; and
            (2) ensure that a similar report is published and 
        distributed as widely as possible to stakeholders in science, 
        mathematics, engineering, and technology education.

SEC. 13. GRANTS FOR DISTANCE LEARNING.

    The National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1861 et 
seq.) is further amended in section 16 (as added by section 4) by 
adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(f) The Director may make grants 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 
for the National Science Foundation for Education and Human Resources 
Activities, for activities in which distance learning is integrated 
into the education process in grades kindergarten through the twelfth 
grade.''.

SEC. 14. AVAILABILITY OF CURRICULAR PROGRAMS THROUGH THE INTERNET.

    The Director of the National Science Foundation shall make 
available through the Internet at no cost a complete field-test version 
(including text and graphics) of any curricular program, the 
development for which the National Science Foundation provided funds.

SEC. 15. 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 twelfth 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 and research 
techniques and encourage incorporation of such techniques into the 
classroom.
    (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, and how 
techniques with respect to such research may be incorporated into the 
educational process.
    (c) Period of Program.--Participation in a research program in 
accordance with this section may be for a period of one academic year 
or 2 sequential summers.
    (d) Internet Site.--The Director of the National Science Foundation 
shall establish an Internet web site which may be used by students and 
teachers participating in the program under this section to incorporate 
research knowledge and techniques into the educational process.
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