[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3130 Reported in House (RH)]




                                                 Union Calendar No. 301



107th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 3130

                      [Report No. 107-505, Part I]

  To provide for increasing the technically trained workforce in the 
                             United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 16, 2001

  Mr. Boehlert (for himself, Mr. Larson of Connecticut, Ms. Hart, Mr. 
Honda, and Mr. Udall of Colorado) 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

                             June 12, 2002

 Additional sponsors: Mrs. Morella, Mr. Ferguson, Mrs. McCarthy of New 
York, Mr. Faleomavaega, Mr. Grucci, Mr. Inslee, Mr. Upton, Ms. DeLauro, 
 Mr. Wolf, Mr. Holt, Mr. Goodlatte, Mr. Smith of Texas, Mrs. Wilson of 
   New Mexico, Ms. Dunn, Mr. Dooley of California, Ms. Harman, Mrs. 
 Maloney of New York, Mr. Reyes, Mr. Lipinski, Ms. Rivers, Ms. Eshoo, 
   Mr. Boucher, Ms. Lofgren, Mr. Berman, Mr. Baird, Mr. Bartlett of 
Maryland, Ms. McCollum, Ms. Pelosi, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, 
    Mr. Borski, Mr. Hoeffel, Mr. Smith of Michigan, Mr. Ehlers, Ms. 
   Woolsey, Mr. Baca, Mr. Etheridge, Mr. Calvert, Mr. Shays, and Mr. 
                                Lampson

                             June 12, 2002

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

                             June 12, 2002

Referral to the Committee on Education and the Workforce extended for a 
               period ending not later than June 12, 2002

                             June 12, 2002

 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 October 
                               16, 2001]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To provide for increasing the technically trained workforce in the 
                             United States.

    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 ``Undergraduate Science, Mathematics, 
Engineering, and Technology Education Improvement Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Studies show that about half of all United States post-
        World War II economic growth is a direct result of 
        technological innovation, and science, engineering, and 
        technology play a central role in the creation of new goods and 
        services, new jobs, and new capital.
            (2) The growth in the number of jobs requiring technical 
        skills is projected to be more than 50 percent over the next 
        decade.
            (3) A workforce that is highly trained in science, 
        mathematics, engineering, and technology is crucial to 
        generating the innovation that drives economic growth, yet 
        females, who represent 50 percent of the United States 
        population, make up only 19 percent of the science, 
        engineering, and technology workforce.
            (4) Outside of the biomedical sciences, the number of 
        undergraduate degrees awarded in the science, mathematics, 
        engineering, and technology disciplines has been flat or 
        declining since 1987, despite rapid population growth and a 
        significant increase in undergraduate enrollment over the same 
        period.
            (5) The demand for H-1B visas has increased over the past 
        several years, suggesting that the United States is not 
        training a sufficient number of scientists and engineers.
            (6) International comparisons of 24-year olds have shown 
        that the proportion of natural science and engineering degrees 
        to the total of undergraduate degrees is lower in the United 
        States than in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, 
        and Canada.
            (7) Technological and scientific advancements hold 
        significant potential for elevating the quality of life and the 
        standard of living in the United States. The quality and 
        quantity of such advancements are dependent on a technically 
        trained workforce.
            (8) Reversing the downward enrollment and graduation trends 
        in a number of science and engineering disciplines is not only 
        imperative to maintaining our Nation's prosperity, it is also 
        important for our national security.
            (9) The decline of student majors in science, mathematics, 
        engineering, and technology is reportedly linked to poor 
        teaching quality in these disciplines and lack of institutional 
        commitment to undergraduate education as compared to research.
            (10) Undergraduate science, mathematics, engineering, and 
        technology faculty generally lack any formal preparation for 
        their role as undergraduate educators. In addition, faculty 
        members are generally not rewarded, and in some cases are 
        penalized, for the time they devote to undergraduate education.
            (11) Faculty experienced in working with undergraduate 
        students report that undergraduate research experiences 
        contribute significantly to a student's decision to stay in an 
        undergraduate science, mathematics, engineering, or technology 
        major and to continue their education through graduate studies.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS

    In this Act--
            (1) the term ``academic unit'' means a department, 
        division, institute, school, college, or other subcomponent of 
        an institution of higher education;
            (2) the term ``community college'' has the meaning given 
        such term in section 7501(4) of the Elementary and Secondary 
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7601(4));
            (3) the term ``Director'' means the Director of the 
        National Science Foundation;
            (4) the term ``eligible nonprofit organization'' means a 
        nonprofit research institute or a nonprofit professional 
        association with demonstrated experience delivering science, 
        mathematics, engineering, or technology education, as 
        determined by the Director;
            (5) the term ``institution of higher education'' has the 
        meaning given such term in section 101(a) of the Higher 
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)); and
            (6) the term ``research-grade instrumentation'' means a 
        single instrument or a networked system of instruments that 
        enable publication-quality research to be performed by students 
        or faculty.

SEC. 4. TECHNOLOGY TALENT.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Technology 
Talent Act of 2002''.
    (b) Grant Program.--
            (1) In general.--The Director is authorized to award 
        grants, on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis, to institutions 
        of higher education with physical or information science, 
        mathematics, engineering, or technology programs for the 
        purpose of increasing the number and quality of students 
        studying and receiving associate or baccalaureate degrees in 
        the physical and information sciences, mathematics, 
        engineering, and technology. An institution of higher education 
that is awarded a grant under this section shall be known as a 
``National Science Foundation Science and Engineering Talent Expansion 
Center''.
            (2) Requirements.--
                    (A) Number.--The Director shall award not fewer 
                than 10 grants under this section each year, contingent 
                upon available funds.
                    (B) Duration.--Grants under this section shall be 
                awarded for a period of 5 years, with the final 2 years 
                of funding contingent on the Director's determination 
                that satisfactory progress has been made by the grantee 
                during the first 3 years of the grant period toward 
                achieving the increases in the number of students 
                proposed pursuant to subparagraph (E).
                    (C) Principal investigator.--At least 1 principal 
                investigator for each grant awarded under this section 
                must be in a position of administrative leadership at 
                the institution of higher education, and at least 1 
                principal investigator must be a faculty member from an 
                academic department included in the work of the 
                project.
                    (D) Subsequent grants.--An institution of higher 
                education that has completed a grant awarded under this 
                section may apply for a subsequent grant under this 
                section.
                    (E) Increases.--
                            (i) Institutions of higher education with 
                        baccalaureate degree programs.--An institution 
                        of higher education that awards baccalaureate 
                        degrees and desires to receive a grant under 
                        this section shall propose in its application 
                        specific increases in the number of students 
                        who are United States citizens or permanent 
                        resident aliens obtaining baccalaureate degrees 
                        at the institution within the physical or 
                        information sciences, mathematics, engineering, 
                        or technology, and shall state the mechanisms 
                        by which the success of the grant project shall 
                        be assessed.
                            (ii) Community colleges.--A community 
                        college that desires to receive a grant under 
                        this section shall propose in its application 
                        specific increases in the number of students 
                        who are United States citizens or permanent 
                        resident aliens pursuing degrees, 
                        concentrations, or certifications in the 
                        physical or information sciences, mathematics, 
                        engineering, or technology programs or pursuing 
                        credits toward transfer to a baccalaureate 
                        degree program in the physical or information 
                        sciences, mathematics, engineering, or 
                        technology, and shall state the mechanisms by 
                        which the success of the grant project shall be 
                        assessed.
                    (F) Recordkeeping.--Grantee institutions shall 
                maintain, and transmit annually to the National Science 
                Foundation, in a format indicated by the Director, 
                baseline and subsequent data on undergraduate students 
                in physical and information science, mathematics, 
                engineering, and technology programs. Such data shall 
                include information on--
                            (i) the number of students enrolled;
                            (ii) student academic achievement, 
                        including quantifiable measurements of 
                        students' mastery of content and skills;
                            (iii) persistence to degree completion, 
                        including students who transfer from science, 
                        mathematics, engineering, and technology 
                        programs to programs in other academic 
                        disciplines; and
                            (iv) placement during the first year after 
                        degree completion in post-graduate education or 
                        career pathways.
                    (G) Priority.--The Director may give priority in 
                awarding grants under this section to institutions of 
                higher education whose application--
                            (i) indicates a plan to build on previous 
                        and existing efforts with demonstrated success, 
                        including efforts involving industry, in 
                        improving undergraduate learning and teaching, 
                        including efforts funded by Federal grants from 
                        the National Science Foundation or other 
                        agencies; and
                            (ii) provides evidence of a commitment by 
                        the institution's administration to support and 
                        reward faculty involvement in carrying out the 
                        proposed implementation plan for the project.
    (c) Uses of Funds.--Activities supported by grants under this 
section may include--
            (1) projects that specifically aim to increase the number 
        of traditionally underrepresented students in the physical or 
        information sciences, mathematics, engineering, or technology, 
        such as mentoring programs;
            (2) projects that expand the capacity of institutions of 
        higher education to incorporate current advances in science and 
        technology into the undergraduate learning environment;
            (3) bridge projects that enable students at community 
        colleges to matriculate directly into baccalaureate physical or 
        information science, mathematics, engineering, or technology 
        programs, including those targeted at traditionally 
        underrepresented groups in such disciplines;
            (4) projects including interdisciplinary approaches to 
        undergraduate physical and information science, mathematics, 
        engineering, and technology education;
            (5) projects that focus directly on the quality of student 
        learning, including those that encourage--
                    (A) high-caliber teaching, including enabling 
                faculty to spend additional time teaching participating 
                students in smaller class settings, particularly in the 
                laboratory environment, by, for example, providing 
                summer salary or other additional salary for faculty 
                members or stipends for students;
                    (B) opportunities to develop new pedagogical 
                approaches including the development of web-based 
                course strategies, distributed and collaborative 
                digital teaching tools, or interactive course modules; 
                and
                    (C) screening and training of teaching assistants;
            (6) projects that--
                    (A) facilitate student exposure to potential 
                careers, including cooperative projects with industry 
                or government that place students in internships as 
                early as the summer following their first year of 
                study;
                    (B) provide part-time employment in industry during 
                the school year; or
                    (C) provide opportunities for undergraduates to 
                participate in industry or government sponsored 
                research;
            (7) projects that assist institutions of higher education 
        in States that participate in the Experimental Program to 
        Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) to broaden the science, 
        engineering, mathematics, and technology student base or 
        increase retention in these fields;
            (8) projects to encourage undergraduate research on-campus 
        or off-campus;
            (9) projects that provide scholarships or stipends to 
        students entering and persisting in the study of science, 
        mathematics, engineering, or technology;
            (10) projects that leverage the Federal investment by 
        providing matching funds from industry, from State or local 
        government sources, or from private sources; and
            (11) other innovative approaches to achieving the purpose 
        described in subsection (b)(1).
    (d) Assessment, Evaluation, and Dissemination of Information.--
            (1) Project assessment.--The Director shall require each 
        recipient of a grant awarded under this section to implement 
        project-based assessment that facilitates program evaluation 
        under paragraph (2) and that assesses the impact of the project 
        on achieving the purpose stated in subsection (b)(1), as well 
        as on institutional policies and practices.
            (2) Program evaluation.--Not later than 180 days after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall award at 
        least 1 grant or contract to an independent evaluative 
        organization to--
                    (A) develop metrics for measuring the impact of the 
                program authorized under this section on--
                            (i) the number of students enrolled;
                            (ii) student academic achievement, 
                        including quantifiable measurements of 
                        students' mastery of content and skills;
                            (iii) persistence to degree completion, 
                        including students who transfer from science, 
                        mathematics, engineering, and technology 
                        programs to programs in other academic 
                        disciplines; and
                            (iv) placement during the first year after 
                        degree completion in post-graduate education or 
                        career pathways; and
                    (B) conduct an evaluation of the impacts of the 
                program described in subparagraph (A), including a 
                comparison of the funded projects to identify best 
                practices with respect to achieving the purpose stated 
                in subsection (b)(1).
            (3) Dissemination of information.--The Director, at least 
        once each year, shall disseminate information on the activities 
        and the results of the projects assisted under this section, 
        including best practices identified pursuant to paragraph 
        (2)(B), to participating institutions of higher education and 
        other interested institutions of higher education.
    (e) Underrepresented Groups.--In carrying out the program 
authorized by this section the Director shall strive to increase the 
number of students receiving baccalaureate degrees, concentrations, or 
certifications in the physical or information sciences, mathematics, 
engineering, or technology who come from groups underrepresented in 
these fields.
    (f) Reports.--
            (1) List.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act, the Director shall develop, and 
        disseminate to institutions of higher education, a list of 
        examples of existing institutional and government efforts 
        relevant to the purpose stated in subsection (b)(1).
            (2) Interim progress report.--At the end of the third year 
        of the program authorized under this section, the Director 
        shall transmit to the Congress an interim progress report of 
        the evaluation conducted under subsection (d)(2).
            (3) Final report.--Not later than 6 years after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Director shall transmit to the 
        Congress a final report of the evaluation conducted under 
        subsection (d)(2).
    (g) Advisory Committee.--
            (1) Establishment.--The Director shall establish an 
        advisory committee, that includes significant representation 
        from industry and academic leaders, for the grant program 
        authorized under this section. The advisory committee shall--
                    (A) assist the Director in securing active 
                industry, and State and local government, participation 
                in the program;
                    (B) recommend to the Director innovative approaches 
                to achieving the purpose stated in subsection (b)(1); 
                and
                    (C) advise the Director regarding program metrics, 
                implementation and performance of the program, and 
                program progress reports.
            (2) Duration.--Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee 
        Act shall not apply to the advisory committee established under 
        this subsection.
    (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Science Foundation to carry out this 
section--
            (1) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2003; and
            (2) such sums as may be necessary thereafter.
    (i) Related Programs.--The Director shall give consideration to 
achieving the purpose stated in subsection (b)(1) by awarding grants to 
institutions participating in the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority 
Participation.

SEC. 5. INSTITUTIONAL REFORM.

    (a) In General.--The Director shall award grants, on a merit-
reviewed, competitive basis, to institutions of higher education to 
expand previously implemented reforms of undergraduate science, 
mathematics, engineering, or technology education that have been 
demonstrated to have been successful in increasing the number and 
quality of students studying and receiving associate or baccalaureate 
degrees in science, mathematics, engineering, or technology.
    (b) Uses of Funds.--Activities supported by grants under this 
section may include--
            (1) expansion of successful reform efforts beyond a single 
        course or group of courses to achieve reform within an entire 
        academic unit;
            (2) expansion of successful reform efforts beyond a single 
        academic unit to other science, mathematics, engineering, or 
        technology academic units within an institution;
            (3) creation of multidisciplinary courses or programs that 
        formalize collaborations for the purpose of improved student 
        instruction and research in science, mathematics, engineering, 
        and technology;
            (4) expansion of undergraduate research opportunities 
        beyond a particular laboratory, course, or academic unit to 
        engage multiple academic units in providing multidisciplinary 
        research opportunities for undergraduate students;
            (5) expansion of innovative tutoring or mentoring programs 
        proven to enhance student recruitment or persistence to degree 
        completion in science, mathematics, engineering, or technology;
            (6) improvement of undergraduate science, mathematics, 
        engineering, and technology education for nonmajors, including 
        teacher education majors; and
            (7) implementation of technology-driven reform efforts, 
        including the installation of technology to facilitate such 
        reform, that directly impact undergraduate science, 
        mathematics, engineering, or technology instruction or research 
        experiences.
    (c) Selection Process.--
            (1) Applications.--An institution of higher education 
        seeking a grant under this section shall submit an application 
        to the Director at such time, in such manner, and containing 
        such information as the Director may require. The application 
        shall include, at a minimum--
                    (A) a description of the proposed reform effort;
                    (B) a description of the previously implemented 
                reform effort that will serve as the basis for the 
                proposed reform effort and evidence of success of that 
                previous effort, including data on student recruitment, 
                persistence to degree completion, and academic 
                achievement;
                    (C) evidence of active participation in the 
                proposed project by individuals who were central to the 
                success of the previously implemented reform effort; 
                and
                    (D) evidence of institutional support for, and 
                commitment to, the proposed reform effort, including a 
                description of existing or planned institutional 
                policies and practices regarding faculty hiring, 
                promotion, tenure, and teaching assignment that reward 
                faculty contributions to undergraduate education equal 
                to, or greater than, scholarly scientific research.
            (2) Review of applications.--In evaluating applications 
        submitted under paragraph (1), the Director shall consider at a 
        minimum--
                    (A) the evidence of past success in implementing 
                undergraduate education reform and the likelihood of 
                success in undertaking the proposed expanded effort;
                    (B) the extent to which the faculty, staff, and 
                administrators are committed to making the proposed 
                institutional reform a priority of the participating 
                academic unit;
                    (C) the degree to which the proposed reform will 
                contribute to change in institutional culture and 
                policy such that a greater value is placed on faculty 
                engagement in undergraduate education and that a 
                commensurate reward structure is implemented to 
                recognize faculty for their scholarly work in this 
                area; and
                    (D) the likelihood that the institution will 
                sustain or expand the reform beyond the period of the 
                grant.
            (3) Grant distribution.--The Director shall ensure, to the 
        extent practicable, that grants awarded under this section are 
        made to a variety of types of institutions of higher education.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Science Foundation to carry out this 
section $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2003 through 2007.

SEC. 6. FACULTY DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) In General.--The Director shall award grants, on a merit-
reviewed, competitive basis, to--
            (1) institutions of higher education;
            (2) eligible nonprofit organizations; or
            (3) consortia of institutions and organizations described 
        in paragraphs (1) and (2),
for professional development of undergraduate faculty in support of 
improved undergraduate science, mathematics, engineering, and 
technology education.
    (b) Uses of Funds.--Activities supported by grants under this 
section may include--
            (1) support for individuals to participate in scholarly 
        activities aimed at improving undergraduate science, 
        mathematics, engineering, and technology education including--
                    (A) sabbatical funding, including partial or full 
                support for salary, benefits, and supplies, for faculty 
                participating in scholarly research in--
                            (i) science, mathematics, engineering, or 
                        technology;
                            (ii) the science of learning; or
                            (iii) assessment and evaluation related to 
                        undergraduate instruction and student academic 
                        achievement;
                    (B) stipend support for graduate students and post-
                doctoral fellows to participate in instructional or 
                evaluative activities at primarily undergraduate 
                institutions; and
                    (C) release time from teaching for faculty engaged 
                in the development, implementation, and assessment of 
                undergraduate science, mathematics, engineering, and 
                technology education reform activities following 
                participation in a sabbatical opportunity or faculty 
                development program described in this subsection; and
            (2) support for institutions to develop, implement, and 
        assess faculty development programs focused on improved 
        instruction, mentoring, evaluation, and support of 
        undergraduate science, mathematics, engineering, and technology 
        students, including costs associated with--
                    (A) stipend support or release time for faculty and 
                staff engaged in the development, delivery, and 
                assessment of the faculty development program;
                    (B) stipend support or release time for faculty, 
                graduate students, or post-doctoral fellows from the 
                host institution or external institutions who are 
                engaged as participants in such faculty development 
                programs; and
                    (C) support for materials, supplies, travel 
                expenses, and consulting fees associated with the 
                development, delivery, and assessment of such faculty 
                development programs.
    (c) Applications.--An entity seeking a grant under this section 
shall submit an application to the Director at such time, in such 
manner, and containing such information as the Director may require. 
The application shall include, at a minimum--
            (1) a description of the activities to be carried out under 
        the proposed project and the projected impact of the project on 
        undergraduate majors and nonmajors enrolled in science, 
        mathematics, engineering, or technology courses or programs;
            (2) a plan for assessment of the outcomes of the proposed 
        project;
            (3) a plan for dissemination of information regarding the 
        activities and outcomes of the proposed project; and
            (4) evidence of institutional support for implementation of 
        the proposed project, including commitment to appropriate 
        faculty sabbaticals and release time from teaching.
    (d) Annual Meeting.--The Director shall convene an annual meeting 
of awardees under this section to foster greater national information 
dissemination and collaboration in the area of undergraduate science, 
mathematics, engineering, and technology education.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are to be authorized to 
be appropriated to the National Science Foundation to carry out this 
section $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2003 through 2007.

SEC. 7. ACCESS TO RESEARCH-GRADE INSTRUMENTATION.

    (a) In General.--The Director shall award grants, on a merit-
reviewed, competitive basis, to institutions of higher education to 
support the acquisition of research-grade instrumentation and to 
support training related to the use of that instrumentation. 
Instruments provided through awards under this section shall be used 
primarily for undergraduate research, undergraduate instruction, or 
both, in science, mathematics, engineering, or technology.
    (b) Eligible Institutions.--Grants may be awarded under this 
section only to institutions of higher education that award fewer than 
10 doctoral degrees per year in disciplines for which the National 
Science Foundation provides research support.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are to be authorized to 
be appropriated to the National Science Foundation to carry out this 
section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2003 through 2007.

SEC. 8. UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH EXPERIENCES.

    (a) In General.--The Director shall award grants, on a merit-
reviewed, competitive basis, to institutions of higher education, 
eligible nonprofit organizations, or consortia thereof to establish 
sites that provide research experiences for 10 or more undergraduate 
science, mathematics, engineering, or technology students. The Director 
shall ensure that--
            (1) at least half of the students participating at each 
        site funded under this section shall be recruited from 
        institutions of higher education where research activities in 
        science, mathematics, engineering, or technology are limited or 
        nonexistent;
            (2) the awards provide undergraduate research experiences 
        in a wide range of science, mathematics, engineering, or 
        technology disciplines;
            (3) awards support a variety of projects including 
        independent investigator-led projects, multidisciplinary 
        projects, and multiinstitutional projects (including virtual 
        projects);
            (4) students participating in the projects have mentors, 
        including during the academic year, to help connect the 
        students' research experiences to the overall academic course 
        of study and to help students achieve success in courses of 
        study leading to a baccalaureate degree in science, 
        mathematics, engineering, or technology;
            (5) mentors and students are supported with appropriate 
        summer salary or stipends; and
            (6) all student participants are tracked through receipt of 
        the undergraduate degree and for at least 1 year thereafter.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Science Foundation to carry out this 
section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2003 through 2007.

SEC. 9. DISSEMINATION OF PROJECT INFORMATION.

    The Director shall ensure that all National Science Foundation-
sponsored undergraduate science, mathematics, engineering, or 
technology education projects, including those sponsored by National 
Science Foundation research directorates, shall disseminate via the 
Internet, at a minimum, the following information:
            (1) Scope, goals, and objectives of each project.
            (2) Activities, methodologies, and practices developed and 
        implemented.
            (3) Outcomes, both positive and negative, of project 
        assessment activities.

SEC. 10. EVALUATION.

    (a) In General.--The Director, through the Research, Evaluation and 
Communication Division of the Education and Human Resources Directorate 
of the National Science Foundation, shall evaluate the effectiveness of 
all undergraduate science, mathematics, engineering, or technology 
education activities supported by the National Science Foundation in 
increasing the number and quality of students, including students from 
groups underrepresented in science, mathematics, engineering, and 
technology fields, studying and receiving associate or baccalaureate 
degrees in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology. In 
conducting the evaluation, the Director shall consider information on--
            (1) the number of students enrolled;
            (2) student academic achievement, including quantifiable 
        measurements of students' mastery of content and skills;
            (3) persistence to degree completion, including students 
        who transfer from science, mathematics, engineering, and 
        technology programs to programs in other academic disciplines; 
        and
            (4) placement during the first year after degree completion 
        in post-graduate education or career pathways.
    (b) Assessment Benchmarks and Tools.--The Director, through the 
Research, Evaluation and Communication Division of the Education and 
Human Resources Directorate of the National Science Foundation, shall 
establish a common set of assessment benchmarks and tools, and shall 
enable every National Science Foundation-sponsored project to 
incorporate the use of these benchmarks and tools in their project-
based assessment activities.
    (c) Dissemination of Evaluation Results.--The results of the 
evaluations required under subsection (a) shall be made available to 
the public.
    (d) Reports to Congress.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, and once every 3 years thereafter, the 
Director shall transmit to the Congress a report containing the results 
of evaluations under subsection (a).

SEC. 11. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES STUDY ON UNDERGRADUATE 
              RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.

    (a) Study.--Not later than 3 months after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Director shall enter into an arrangement with the 
National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences to 
perform a study on the factors that influence undergraduate students to 
enter and persist to degree completion in science, mathematics, 
engineering, and technology programs or to leave such programs and 
matriculate to other academic programs, as reported by students.
    (b) Transmittal to Congress.--Not later than 18 months after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall transmit to the 
Congress a report containing the results of the study under subsection 
(a).
    (c) Authorization of Appropriation.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Science Foundation for carrying out this 
section $700,000 for fiscal year 2003, to remain available until 
expended.

SEC. 12. MINORITY-SERVING INSTITUTIONS UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) The Director shall establish a program to award grants 
        to Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges 
        and Universities, Alaska Native-Serving Institutions, Native 
        Hawaiian-Serving Institutions, and tribally controlled colleges 
        and universities to enhance the quality of undergraduate 
        science, mathematics, and engineering education at such 
        institutions and to increase the retention and graduation rates 
        of students pursuing baccalaureate degrees in science, 
        mathematics, or engineering.
            (2) Grants shall be awarded under this section on a merit-
        reviewed, competitive basis.
    (b) Program Components.--Grants awarded under this section shall 
support--
            (1) activities to improve courses and curriculum in 
        science, mathematics, or engineering disciplines;
            (2) faculty development, including support for--
                    (A) sabbaticals and exchange programs to improve 
                the faculty's research competency and knowledge of 
                technological advances;
                    (B) professional development workshops on 
                innovative teaching practices and assessment;
                    (C) visiting faculty, including researchers from 
                industry; and
                    (D) faculty reassigned time or release time to 
                mentor students or to participate in curriculum reform 
                and academic enhancement activities;
            (3) stipends for undergraduate students participating in 
        research activities in science, mathematics, or engineering 
        disciplines on-campus or off-campus at industrial, 
        governmental, or academic research laboratories; and
            (4) other activities that are consistent with subsection 
        (a)(1), as determined by the Director.
    (c) Application.--An institution seeking funding under this section 
shall submit an application to the Director at such time, in such 
manner, and containing such information as the Director may require.

SEC. 13. ADVANCED TECHNOLOGICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM.

    (a) Core Science and Mathematics Courses.--Section 3(a) of the 
Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 1862i(a)) is 
amended--
            (1) by inserting ``, and to improve the quality of their 
        core education courses in science and mathematics'' after 
        ``education in advanced-technology fields'';
            (2) in paragraph (1) by inserting ``and in core science and 
        mathematics courses'' after ``advanced-technology fields''; and
            (3) in paragraph (2) by striking ``in advanced-technology 
        fields'' and inserting ``who provide instruction in science, 
        mathematics, and advanced-technology fields''.
    (b) Articulation Partnerships.--Section 3(c)(1)(B) of the 
Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 
1862i(c)(1)(B)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of clause (i);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of clause (ii) and 
        inserting a semicolon; and
            (3) by adding after clause (ii) the following new clauses:
                    ``(iii) provide students with research experiences 
                at bachelor-degree-granting institutions participating 
                in the partnership, including stipend support for 
                students participating in summer programs; and
                    ``(iv) provide faculty mentors for students 
                participating in activities under clause (iii), 
                including summer salary support for faculty mentors.''.
    (c) Advanced Technological Education Advisory Committee.--
            (1) Establishment.--The Director shall establish an 
        advisory committee on science, mathematics, and technology 
        education at community colleges consisting of non-Federal 
        members, including representatives from academia and industry. 
        The advisory committee shall review, and provide the Director 
        with an assessment of, activities carried out under the 
        Advanced Technological Education Program (in this section 
        referred to as the ``Program''), including--
                    (A) conformity of the Program to the requirements 
                of the Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992;
                    (B) the effectiveness of activities supported under 
                the Program in strengthening the scientific and 
                technical education and training capabilities of 
                community colleges;
                    (C) the effectiveness of the National Science 
                Foundation and institutions receiving awards under the 
                Program in disseminating information to other community 
                colleges about activities carried out under the Program 
                and about model curricula and teaching methods 
                developed under the Program;
                    (D) the balance of resources allocated under the 
                Program for support of national centers of excellence, 
                individual institution grants, and articulation 
                partnerships; and
                    (E) other issues identified by the Director.
        The advisory committee shall make recommendations to the 
        Director for improvements to the Program based on its reviews 
        and assessments.
            (2) Advisory committee reports.--The advisory committee 
        established under paragraph (1) shall report annually to the 
        Director and to Congress on the findings and recommendations 
        resulting from the reviews and assessments conducted in 
        accordance with paragraph (1).
            (3) Duration.--Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee 
        Act shall not apply to the advisory committee established under 
        this subsection.
    (d) National Science Foundation Report.--Within 6 months after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall transmit a report 
to Congress on--
            (1) efforts by the National Science Foundation and awardees 
        under the Program to disseminate information about the results 
        of projects;
            (2) the effectiveness of national centers of scientific and 
        technical education established under section 3(b) of the 
        Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992 in serving as 
        national and regional clearinghouses of information and models 
        for best practices in undergraduate science, mathematics, and 
        technology education; and
            (3) efforts to satisfy the requirement of section 3(f)(4) 
        of the Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Science Foundation--
            (1) for activities to improve core science and mathematics 
        education in accordance with section 3(a) of the Scientific and 
        Advanced-Technology Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 1862i(a)), as 
        amended by subsection (a) of this section, $5,000,000 for each 
        of fiscal years 2003 through 2007;
            (2) for acquisition of instrumentation in accordance with 
        section 3(a)(4) of the Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act 
        of 1992--
                    (A) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2003;
                    (B) $3,500,000 for fiscal year 2004;
                    (C) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;
                    (D) $4,500,000 for fiscal year 2006; and
                    (E) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
            (3) for support for research experiences for undergraduate 
        students in accordance with section 3(c)(1)(B) of the 
        Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 
        1862i(c)(1)(B)), as amended by subsection (b) of this section, 
        $750,000 for each of fiscal years 2003 through 2007.




                                                 Union Calendar No. 301

107th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                               H. R. 3130

                      [Report No. 107-505, Part I]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

  To provide for increasing the technically trained workforce in the 
                             United States.

_______________________________________________________________________

                             June 12, 2002

        Reported from the Committee on Science with an amendment

                             June 12, 2002

Referral to the Committee on Education and the Workforce extended for a 
               period ending not later than June 12, 2002

                             June 12, 2002

 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