[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 478 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
107th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 478
To establish and expand programs relating to engineering, science,
technology, and mathematics education, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 7, 2001
Mr. Roberts (for himself, Mr. Kennedy, and Mr. Bingaman) 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 engineering, science,
technology, and mathematics 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Engineering,
Science, Technology, and Mathematics Education Enhancement Act'' or the
``ESTM Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Assurance of continued local control.
TITLE I--NATIONAL SCIENCE EDUCATION ENHANCEMENT
Sec. 101. Short title.
Sec. 102. Support for mentoring activities for engineering, science,
technology and mathematics teachers.
Sec. 103. Expansion of Eisenhower National Clearinghouse.
Sec. 104. Summer Professional Development Institutes.
Sec. 105. Grants for teacher technology training software and
instructional materials.
Sec. 106. Reservation for after-school activities.
Sec. 107. After-school science day care at community learning centers.
TITLE II--PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Sec. 201. Master teacher grant program.
Sec. 202. Dissemination of information on required course of study for
careers in engineering, science, technology
and mathematics education.
Sec. 203. Requirement to conduct study evaluation.
Sec. 204. Teacher technology professional development.
Sec. 205. Engineering, science, technology and mathematics business
education conference.
Sec. 206. Grants for distance learning.
Sec. 207. Scholarships to participate in certain research activities.
Sec. 208. Interagency coordination of science education programs.
Sec. 209. Definitions.
TITLE III--OTHER PROVISIONS
Sec. 301. Work-study amendments.
Sec. 302. Study.
Sec. 303. Report to congress.
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.
TITLE I--NATIONAL SCIENCE EDUCATION ENHANCEMENT
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``National Science Education
Enhancement Act''.
SEC. 102. SUPPORT FOR MENTORING ACTIVITIES FOR ENGINEERING, SCIENCE,
TECHNOLOGY AND MATHEMATICS TEACHERS.
(a) Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies
Through Professional Development.--Section 1119(b)(1) of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301(b)(1)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (D);
(2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (E)
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(F) include mentoring programs focusing on
changing engineering, science, technology and
mathematics teacher behaviors and practices to help
novice teachers develop and gain confidence in their
skills, to increase the likelihood that they will
continue in the teaching profession, and generally to
improve the quality of their teaching.''.
(b) Dissemination of Mentoring Information by Eisenhower National
Clearinghouse.--Section 2102(a)(3)(C) of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6622(a)(3)(C)) is amended by striking
``materials'' and inserting ``materials, including information on model
engineering, science, technology and mathematics teacher mentoring
programs,''.
(c) Eisenhower Professional Development Program State
Applications.--Section 2205(b)(2) of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6645(b)(2)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (N);
(2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (O)
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(P) describe how the State will administer a
mentoring system to ensure consistent implementation of
mentoring programs for engineering, science, technology
and mathematics teachers, provide a structure for local
mentoring program evaluation, provide technical
assistance to local mentoring programs, ensure
compliance by local mentoring programs with State
teacher training requirements, and provide incentives
for local educational agencies to take mentoring into
consideration in assessing instructional staff hiring
needs.''.
(d) Eisenhower Professional Development Program Local Activities.--
Section 2210(b)(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6650(b)(2)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (D);
(2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (E)
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(F) include mentoring programs focusing on
changing engineering, science, technology and
mathematics teacher behaviors and practices to help
novice teachers develop and gain confidence in their
skills, to increase the likelihood that they will
continue in the teaching profession, and generally to
improve the quality of their teaching.''.
(e) Accountability.--Section 2401(a) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6701(a)) is amended by
striking ``part.'' and inserting ``part, including the impact of State
and local mentoring programs on teaching quality and teacher retention
rates.''.
SEC. 103. EXPANSION OF EISENHOWER NATIONAL CLEARINGHOUSE.
(a) Allocation of Appropriated Amounts.--Section 2003(b)(1) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6603(b)(1))
is amended by striking ``2103;'' and inserting ``2103, and $10,000,000
shall be available to carry out subparagraphs (A), (F), and (G) of
section 2102(b)(3);''.
(b) Use of Funds.--Section 2102(b)(3) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6622(b)(3)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``(including, to the
extent practicable,'' and inserting ``(including'';
(2) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(3) by amending subparagraph (F) to read as follows:
``(F) solicit and gather (in consultation with the
Department, national teacher associations, professional
associations, and other reviewers and developers of
educational materials and programs) all qualitative and
evaluative materials and all programs, including full text and
graphics, for the Clearinghouse, review the evaluation of the materials
and programs, rank the effectiveness of the materials and programs on
the basis of the evaluations, and distribute the results of the reviews
(in a short, standardized, and electronic format that contains
electronic links to an electronic version of the original qualitative
and evaluative materials), excerpts of the materials and links to
Internet-based sites, and information regarding on-line communities of
users to teachers in an easily accessible manner, except that nothing
in this subparagraph shall be construed to permit the Clearinghouse to
directly conduct an evaluation of the materials or programs; and''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(G) develop and establish an Internet-based site
offering a search mechanism to assist site visitors in
identifying information available through the
Clearinghouse on engineering, science, technology and mathematics
education instructional materials and programs, including electronic
links to information on classroom demonstrations and experiments,
teachers who have used materials or participated in programs, vendors,
curricula, and textbooks.''.
(c) Clearinghouse.--Section 2102(b) of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6622(b)) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(9) Effective use of technology.--In reviewing
evaluations of materials and programs under this subsection the
Clearinghouse shall give particular attention to the effective
use of materials and technology in engineering, science,
technology and mathematics education.''.
(d) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the National Academy of Sciences, in conjunction
with appropriate related associations and organizations, shall--
(1) conduct a study on the Eisenhower National
Clearinghouse and whether the provisions enacted in the
amendments made by this section have resulted in the
Clearinghouse becoming a more effective entity; and
(2) submit to Congress a report on the study, including any
recommendations of the Academy regarding the Clearinghouse.
SEC. 104. SUMMER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTES.
(a) In General.--Section 2211 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6651) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(d) Summer Professional Development Institutes for Teachers.--
``(1) Program authorized.--From amounts made available to
carry out this subsection, the Secretary is authorized to make
grants to State agencies for higher education, working in
conjunction with the State educational agency (if such agencies
are separate), for activities described in paragraph (3). Such
grants shall be awarded on a competitive basis that includes a
peer review of the grant applications.
``(2) Subgrants.--A recipient of a grant under paragraph
(1) shall carry out the activities described in paragraph (3)
by making subgrants to, or entering into contracts or
cooperative agreements with, institutions of higher education,
and nonprofit organizations of demonstrated effectiveness,
including museums and educational partnership organizations,
which must work in conjunction with a local educational agency,
consortium of local educational agencies, or schools.
``(3) Allowable activities.--
``(A) In general.--Each recipient of funds under
paragraph (2) shall use the funds for the following:
``(i) The establishment and operation of
engineering, science, technology and
mathematics summer institutes that provide
professional development to elementary and
secondary school teachers. Such institutes
shall be content-based, build on school year
curricula, and focus only secondarily on
pedagogy.
``(ii) To provide teachers with travel
expense reimbursement, a stipend, or classroom
materials related to such an institute.
``(iii) The establishment of a mechanism to
provide supplemental assistance and follow up
training during the school year for summer
institute graduates.
``(B) Requirements for curricula.--The curricula
referred to in subparagraph (A)(i) shall be object-
centered, experiment-oriented, content-based, and
grounded in current research.
``(C) Requirements for institutes.--The summer
institutes referred to in subparagraph (A)(i)--
``(i) shall be conducted during a period of
a minimum of two weeks;
``(ii) shall provide for direct interaction
between students and faculty;
``(iii) shall have a component that
includes use of the Internet; and
``(iv) shall provide for follow-up training
in the classroom during the academic year for a
period of a minimum of three days, which shall
not be required to be consecutive, except that--
``(I) if the program at the summer
institute is for a period of only two
weeks, the follow-up training shall be
for a period of more than 3 days; and
``(II) for teachers in rural school
districts, follow-up training through
the Internet may be used.
``(4) Review of applications by national science
foundation.--The Secretary shall provide each application for a
grant under this subsection to the Director of the National
Science Foundation in order that such applications may undergo the
peer-review process described in paragraph (5)(B), and shall implement
the recommendations of the Director in awarding grants under this
subsection.
``(5) Requirements on national science foundation.--
``(A) In general.--Each year, not later than 6
months before the application deadline for a subgrant,
contract, or cooperative agreement described in
paragraph (2), the Director of the National Science
Foundation shall develop a structure for the summer
institutes supported under this subsection. Such
applications shall address how funds will be used in
accordance with the structure developed by the
Director.
``(B) Application peer-review process.--The
Director--
``(i) shall establish a peer-review process
for applications for grants received under this
subsection; and
``(ii) shall forward the applications
selected by the Director through such process
to the Secretary.
``(C) Priority.--In making awards under paragraph
(2)(A), a grant recipient shall give priority to
applicants whose application includes an assurance that
the applicant will use a curriculum that is three or
four weeks in length.
``(6) Other requirements.--Paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of
subsection (a), and subsection (c), shall apply to recipients
of funds under this subsection in the same manner as such
provisions apply to recipients of funds under subsection
(a)(1).
``(7) Credit for participation.--Participation in an
institute supported under this subsection shall earn credit
toward--
``(A) State continuing education requirements for
teachers; or
``(B) a post-baccalaureate degree program at an
institution of higher education.''.
(b) Funding.--
(1) Allocation of appropriated amounts.--Section 2003(b)(2)
of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6603(b)(2)) is amended by striking ``B;'' and inserting
``B, of which $100,000,000, $150,000,000, $200,000,000, and
$200,000,000 shall be available to carry out section 2211(d)
for fiscal years 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005, respectively;''.
(2) Reservation of funds.--Section 2202(a) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
6642(a)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) the amount made available under section 2003(b)(2) to
carry out section 2211(d).''.
SEC. 105. GRANTS FOR TEACHER TECHNOLOGY TRAINING SOFTWARE AND
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS.
Section 3134 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 6844) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) providing technology training software and
instructional materials to teachers.''.
SEC. 106. RESERVATION FOR AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES.
Section 10904(a) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 8244) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon in paragraph
(2);
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (3) and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) an assurance that if awarded a grant under this part,
the grant recipient shall use not less than 5 percent of the
amount received to provide after-school day care services that
focus on science activities.''.
SEC. 107. AFTER-SCHOOL SCIENCE DAY CARE AT COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS.
Section 10905(3) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 8245(3)) is amended by striking ``services.'' and
inserting ``services, including after-school day care services that
focus on science activities for children in grades kindergarten through
the sixth grade.''.
TITLE II--PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
SEC. 201. 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, an 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, 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 engineering, science,
technology or mathematics 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. 202. DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION ON REQUIRED COURSE OF STUDY FOR
CAREERS IN ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND
MATHEMATICS 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 engineering, science,
technology or mathematics education for purposes of teaching in
an elementary or secondary school; and
(2) the licensing requirements in each State for
engineering, science, technology or mathematics 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. 203. 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. 204. 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, an 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 engineering, science,
technology or mathematics 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. 205. ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MATHEMATICS 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 engineering, science, technology
and mathematics education stakeholders, including--
(1) representatives from Federal, State, and local
governments, private industries, private businesses, and
professional organizations;
(2) educators;
(3) engineering, science, technology and mathematics
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
engineering, science, technology and mathematics 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
engineering, science, technology and mathematics 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. 206. 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 engineering, science, technology and mathematics
education to a State or local educational agency or to an 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. 207. 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 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 engineering, science, technology, mathematics 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. 208. 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. 209. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Institution of higher education.--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).
(2) Local and state educational agency.--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).
TITLE III--OTHER PROVISIONS
SEC. 301. WORK-STUDY AMENDMENTS.
(a) Technology Training Treated as Community Service.--Section
441(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 2751(c)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``technology training,''
after ``literacy training,''; and
(2) in paragraph (4)(A), by inserting before the semicolon
at the end the following: ``, including tutoring teachers in
the uses of classroom technology''.
(b) Additional Spending for Technology Training.--Section
443(b)(2)(B) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
2753(b)(2)(B)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``7 percent'' and inserting ``10 percent'';
(2) by inserting ``(i)'' after ``shall ensure that''; and
(3) by inserting after ``requirement of this subparagraph''
the following: ``, and (ii) at least 3 percent of the total
amount of funds granted to such institution under this section
for such fiscal year is used to compensate students employed in
technology training or tutoring teachers in the uses of
classroom technology (or both),''.
SEC. 302. STUDY.
The Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with other Government
agencies, appropriate organizations, and private businesses and
corporations, shall conduct a study of--
(1) the feasibility and effectiveness of various
incentives, including tax credits, for corporations and
businesses to provide--
(A) personnel with regular compensation for time
spent as volunteers engaged in the technological
training of teachers; and
(B) facilities for the provision of such training
of teachers;
(2) alternative methods of providing financial support,
through income tax credits, loan forgiveness, or otherwise, to
individuals seeking training or retraining in engineering,
science, technology and mathematics education;
(3) the effectiveness of colleges and universities in
training teachers who are able to use technology and able to
integrate technology into lesson plans and curricula, including
distance learning;
(4) methods to coordinate a working alliance at various
levels of government between the business and academic
community; and
(5) additional means of improving the efficiency of the
technological training of teachers.
SEC. 303. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall transmit to the Congress a report
outlining the results of the study conducted under section 302. Such
report shall include proposals for a comprehensive approach to
providing technologically competent teachers to our Nation's schools.
With respect to any objectives described in paragraphs (1) though (5)
of section 302 that the Secretary determines are feasible and
effective, such report shall include a plan for accomplishing such
objectives.
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