[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 100 Introduced in House (IH)]







107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 100

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 3, 2001

 Mr. Ehlers (for himself, Mr. Kolbe, Mr. Horn, Mr. Baca, Mr. Sandlin, 
 Mr. Camp, Mr. Filner, and Mr. Gibbons) 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

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 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.
    (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. The description of 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 2002 through 2004.

SEC. 5. 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 2002 through 2004.

SEC. 6. 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. 7. 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 2002 through 2004.

SEC. 8. 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 2002; and
            (2) $200,000 for each of fiscal years 2003 and 2004.

SEC. 9. 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 2002 through 2004.

SEC. 10. 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 2002 through 2004.

SEC. 11. 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. 12. 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).
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