[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.
                                 <all>