[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4734 Introduced in House (IH)]








109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 4734

To establish a comprehensive education program to bolster the economic 
competitiveness and national security of the United States by promoting 
  science, technology, engineering, and math education, careers, and 
           capacity, as well as foreign language acquisition.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 8, 2006

  Mr. Reyes introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
   Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the 
Committee on Science, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
  Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
           within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To establish a comprehensive education program to bolster the economic 
competitiveness and national security of the United States by promoting 
  science, technology, engineering, and math education, careers, and 
           capacity, as well as foreign language acquisition.

    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 ``21st Century 
National Defense Education Act'' or ``NDEA-21''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--

Sec.  1. Short title; Table of Contents.
Sec.  2. Purpose. 
Sec.  3. Findings. 
Sec.  4. Definitions. 
                         TITLE I--STEM PROGRAMS

             Subtitle A--Elementary and Secondary Education

Sec.  101. Math and Science Next Initiative.
Sec.  102. Math and science teacher education requirements (MASTER) 
                            plan.
                  Subtitle B--Undergraduate Education

Sec.  111. STEM Loan Forgiveness.
Sec.  112. Research Experiences for Undergraduates programs.
              Subtitle C--Graduate and Doctoral Education

Sec.  121. Professional science Master's program for national security 
                            and economic competitiveness.
Sec.  122. Advanced foreign language education grant program.
Sec.  123. STEM Teaching Fellowships.
               Subtitle D--STEM Revitalization Task Force

Sec.  131. STEM Revitalization Task Force.
Sec.  132. National STEM Advisor.
Sec.  133. Assistance from the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Sec.  134. Reports. 
            TITLE II--FOREIGN LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS

Sec.  201. Office of Teaching Another Language to Kids (TALK).
        ``Sec.  216. Office of Teaching Another Language to Kids.
Sec.  202. National Foreign Language Coordinating Council.

SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

    The purpose of this Act is to strengthen national security and 
ensure the competitiveness of the United States' economy by--
            (1) developing the skills and expertise of the Nation's 
        younger generations in science, technology, engineering, and 
        math; and
            (2) increasing American students' knowledge of languages, 
        cultures, and areas around the globe.

SEC. 3. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds as follows:
            (1) In 1958, in response to the Soviet Union's launch of 
        Sputnik, Congress passed into law the National Defense 
        Education Act (NDEA). The NDEA succeeded in educating a new 
        generation of scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and 
        linguists, which was essential to ensuring national security 
        and America's leadership in scientific advancement.
            (2) Although the United States remains a dominant force in 
        innovation, a series of indicators, from academic scores to 
        declining interest in science and engineering careers, 
        demonstrate that the United States is losing its innovative 
        edge.
            (3) Retirements in the science and engineering field are 
        rapidly increasing, leading to a potential shortage in the 
        high-tech talent required by the United States defense 
        industry, as well as key Federal research and national defense 
        agencies.
            (4) Language education is essential to America's future. In 
        the United States, language education has not been--and is not 
        yet--a national priority. While the Federal Government 
        recognizes the importance of language education to diplomacy, 
        national security, and international commerce, the States, 
        which are the major source of funding for education, do not yet 
        have the same appreciation for its importance.
            (5) A national sense of urgency is needed to bring about 
        change in the way the United States teaches foreign languages 
        and to reinvigorate the science, technology, engineering, and 
        math (STEM) fields.

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

    For the purposes of this Act:
            (1) STEM field.--The term ``STEM field'' means a branch of 
        knowledge or study of science, technology, engineering, or 
        mathematics, as those terms are defined in this section.
            (2) Science.--The term ``science'' means the branch of 
        knowledge or study of the physical sciences (meaning the branch 
        of knowledge or study of the material universe, including such 
        fields of knowledge or study as astronomy, atmospheric 
        sciences, chemistry, earth sciences, ocean sciences, physics, 
        and planetary sciences) and the life sciences (meaning the 
        branch of knowledge or study of living things, including such 
        fields of knowledge or study as biology, biochemistry, 
        biophysics, microbiology, genetics, physiology, botany, 
        zoology, ecology, and behavioral biology, except that the term 
        does not encompass the social sciences or the health 
        professions).
            (3) Technology.--The term ``technology'' means the 
        application of science to industrial and commercial objectives, 
        including the branch of knowledge or study--
                    (A) of computers, (including such fields of 
                knowledge or study as computer hardware, computer 
                software, computer engineering, information systems, 
                and robotics);
                    (B) of electronic or digital products and systems; 
                and
                    (C) related to the fashioning of implements, the 
                practicing of manual skills, and the extracting of 
                resources.
            (4) Engineering.--The term ``engineering'' means the 
        science by which the properties of matter and the sources of 
        energy in nature are made useful to humanity in structures, 
        machines, and products, as in the construction of engines, 
        bridges, buildings, mines, and chemical plants, including such 
        fields of knowledge or study as aeronautical engineering, 
        chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical 
        engineering, industrial engineering, materials engineering, 
        manufacturing engineering, and mechanical engineering.
            (5) Mathematics.--The term ``mathematics'' means the branch 
        of knowledge or study of numbers and the systematic treatment 
        of magnitude, relationships between figures and forms, and 
        relations between quantities expressed symbolically, including 
        such fields of knowledge or study as statistics, applied 
        mathematics, and operations research.
            (6) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given such 
        term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1002).
            (7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Education.
            (8) State.--The term ``State'' includes each of the several 
        States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
        Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, 
        the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other 
        territory or possession of the United States, except that such 
        term does not include the outlying areas for purposes of 
        section 101(e) of this Act.

                         TITLE I--STEM PROGRAMS

             Subtitle A--Elementary and Secondary Education

SEC. 101. MATH AND SCIENCE NEXT INITIATIVE.

    (a) Program Authorized.--For the purpose described in subsection 
(b), the Secretary of Education shall make a grant in an amount 
determined pursuant to subsection (e) to each State that submits an 
application in accordance with subsection (f).
    (b) Purpose.--A State receiving a grant under this section shall 
use the grant to make subgrants pursuant to subsection (c) and carry 
out the State activities described in subsection (d) for the purpose of 
providing a high-quality foundation in the STEM fields to children in 
kindergarten, elementary school, and secondary school.
    (c) Subgrants to LEAs.--
            (1) In general.--Of the amount of funds made available to a 
        State under this section for a fiscal year, the State shall use 
        not less than 85 percent of such amount to award subgrants on a 
        competitive basis to local educational agencies for the purpose 
        described in subsection (b).
            (2) Selection.--In awarding subgrants to local educational 
        agencies under this section, a State shall--
                    (A) determine the percentage of students served by 
                such agencies in the State who are underrepresented 
                minority students; and
                    (B) of the amount of funds made available to the 
                State under this section for a fiscal year, ensure that 
                not less than a percentage of such funds equal to the 
                percentage determined under subparagraph (A) is awarded 
                to one or more local educational agencies that serve a 
                population of students consisting of not less than 60 
                percent underrepresented minority students, except that 
                this paragraph shall not apply with respect to a State 
                in which no local educational agency in the State 
                serves such a population.
            (3) Preference.--In awarding subgrants to local educational 
        agencies under this section, subject to paragraph (2), a State 
        shall give preference to local educational agencies that agree 
        to collaborate with industry and one or more institutions of 
        higher education to carry out the activities described in 
        paragraph (4).
            (4) Authorized activities.--A local educational agency 
        receiving a subgrant under this section shall use the subgrant 
        for the following:
                    (A) Establishing a high standard of instruction in 
                the STEM fields through professional training for 
                teachers, including training on integrated laboratory 
                and academic content instruction.
                    (B) Developing effective instructional materials, 
                programs, curricula, learning systems, and strategies 
                in the STEM fields, including instructional materials 
                relating to integrated laboratory and academic content 
                instruction.
                    (C) Constructing and purchasing facilities and 
                equipment necessary for high-quality, contemporary 
                instruction in the STEM fields, including the provision 
                of modern science and computer laboratories.
                    (D) Developing contemporary courses of science 
                study and courses of study designed to address recent 
                advances and needs in the STEM fields, including 
                courses of study that integrate academic content 
                instruction with the use of a laboratory.
                    (E) Developing career development initiatives to 
                inform students about and promote career pathways in 
                the STEM fields.
    (d) State Activities.--Of the amount of funds made available to a 
State under this section for a fiscal year, the State shall reserve not 
more than 15 percent of such amount for State activities. Of the amount 
reserved under this subsection, the State shall use not more than--
            (1) 65 percent for professional development for instructors 
        in the STEM fields;
            (2) 25 percent for technical assistance for local 
        educational agencies and schools; and
            (3) 10 percent for planning, administration, and reporting.
    (e) Amount of Grants.--
            (1) Reservation of funds.--From the amount appropriated to 
        carry out this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall 
        reserve a total of 1 percent to award grants to the outlying 
        areas that submit applications in accordance with subsection 
        (f).
            (2) National reservations.--Of the amount of funds made 
        available to carry out this section for a fiscal year, the 
        Secretary shall reserve--
                    (A) not more than 2.5 percent or $25 million, 
                whichever is greater, for national activities and 
                program evaluation, including formulating guidelines to 
                measure the effectiveness of programs under this 
                section and determining whether such programs are 
                achieving the purpose described in subsection (b) and 
                are deserving of continued Federal support; and
                    (B) not more than $5,000,000 for promoting, and 
                disseminating information about, the programs under 
                this subsection.
            (3) Allocations to states.--Of the amount of funds 
        appropriated to carry out this section for a fiscal year, and 
        not reserved under paragraph (1) or (2), the Secretary shall 
        allocate such amount among the States submitting applications 
        in accordance with subsection (f) as follows:
                    (A) Two-thirds of such amount shall be allocated 
                based on the population of children aged 4 to 17 in the 
                State.
                    (B) One-third of such amount shall be allocated 
                based on the population of children aged 4 to 17 in the 
                State who are underrepresented minority students.
            (4) Minimum allocation.--Notwithstanding paragraph (3), the 
        Secretary shall ensure that each State described in such 
        paragraph receives an allocation of not less than one-fourth of 
        one percent of the amount allocated pursuant to such paragraph.
    (f) Applications.--To receive a grant under this section, a State 
shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such 
manner, and containing such information as the Secretary determines 
necessary. Each such application--
            (1) shall be for a 6-year period; and
            (2) shall include an implementation plan for such period.
    (g) Reports.--Each State receiving a grant under this section shall 
provide annual reports to the Secretary on the activities of the State 
under this section.
    (h) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) The term ``local educational agency'' has the meaning 
        given to that term in section 9101 of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
            (2) The term ``outlying area'' has the meaning given to 
        that term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

SEC. 102. MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHER EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (MASTER) 
              PLAN.

    (a) MASTER Plan Purposes.--The purposes of the programs under this 
section are to--
            (1) support cost-effective, content-based professional 
        development for kindergarten, elementary, and secondary school 
        STEM instructors;
            (2) support cost-effective development of kindergarten, 
        elementary, and secondary school STEM teaching strategies; and
            (3) encourage new college graduates and mid- and late-
        career professionals with degrees or work experience in the 
        STEM fields to enter kindergarten, elementary, and secondary 
        school STEM instruction,
in order to populate American classrooms with content-qualified STEM 
teachers equipped with the tools to teach STEM courses effectively.
    (b) Professional Development.--
            (1) National academy of sciences study.--The Director of 
        the National Science Foundation shall enter into an arrangement 
        with the National Academy of Sciences for a study to identify 
        appropriate mechanisms for promoting professional development 
        to ensure effective STEM instruction and to create a national 
        standard for effective STEM instruction. Such study shall be 
        completed not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
        this Act.
            (2) Program.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Science 
        Foundation shall establish a program to promote professional 
        development to ensure effective STEM instruction. Such program 
        shall be implemented through grants to institutions of higher 
        education, educational organizations, and for-profit companies. 
        The program shall be designed to give priority to grants that 
        support local educational agencies with large populations of 
        underrepresented minorities or deficient STEM performance.
    (c) Centers of Excellence.--
            (1) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Science 
        Foundation shall establish a competitive grant program for the 
        creation of Centers of Excellence for developing STEM 
        curricula. Such Centers of Excellence shall be located at 
        institutions of higher education that have received a grant 
        under the program and shall consist of consortia of school 
        districts, university departments of education, and university 
        STEM and related departments. The goals of such Centers of 
        Excellence shall be to--
                    (A) develop scientifically-based STEM curricula and 
                best STEM instruction practices;
                    (B) produce certified teachers in STEM fields 
                through 4-year or 5-year programs;
                    (C) promote professional development for current 
                STEM instructors; and
                    (D) encourage secondary and post-secondary students 
                to attain advanced degrees in the STEM fields and to 
                pursue STEM careers.
            (2) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized 
        to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation for 
        carrying out this subsection $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal 
        years 2006 through 2011.
    (d) Recruiting STEM Teachers.--The Secretary of Education, in 
consultation with other appropriate agencies, shall develop and 
implement a program for the purpose of encouraging mid- and late-career 
professionals in the STEM fields to become kindergarten, elementary 
school, and secondary school teachers in the STEM fields.

                  Subtitle B--Undergraduate Education

SEC. 111. STEM LOAN FORGIVENESS.

    (a) Purpose; Sense of the Congress.--
            (1) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to 
        encourage individuals to obtain a degree in a STEM field, and 
        to pursue a career in such a field as a teacher or a Federal 
        employee.
            (2) Sense of the congress.--It is the Sense of the Congress 
        that the Federal Government should utilize programs such as the 
        program under this section to attract 10,000 of America's 
        brightest students to the teaching profession every year, each 
        of whom can have an impact on nearly 1,000 students over the 
        life of their careers.
    (b) Loan Forgiveness.--
            (1) Loan forgiveness authorized.--The Secretary is 
        authorized to forgive, in accordance with paragraph (2), the 
        student loan debt of an eligible borrower in the amount 
        specified in subsection (d) of this section for consecutive 
        complete years of qualified service by such eligible borrower 
        completed after the date of enactment of this Act.
            (2) Method of loan forgiveness.--To provide the loan 
        forgiveness authorized in paragraph (1), the Secretary is 
        authorized to carry out a program--
                    (A) through the holder of the loan, to assume the 
                obligation to repay a qualified loan amount for a loan 
                made under part B of title IV of the Higher Education 
                Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1071 et seq.); and
                    (B) to cancel a qualified loan amount for loans 
                made under parts D and E of such title.
            (3) Reimbursement.--The Secretary shall reimburse an 
        institution of higher education for any amounts canceled under 
        paragraph (2) with respect to a loan under part E of title IV 
        of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087aa et seq.) 
        in the same manner as is required by section 465(b) of such Act 
        with respect to a loan cancelled under section 465(a) of such 
        Act.
    (c) Eligible Borrower.--The Secretary is authorized to provided 
loan forgiveness to any individual who--
            (1) has obtained an undergraduate degree in a STEM field;
            (2) is performing qualified service as a full-time employee 
        in a position--
                    (A) in an elementary or secondary school as a 
                teacher of a course in a STEM field; or
                    (B) in an agency of the United States Government in 
                a position that requires training or education in a 
                STEM field, as determined by the Secretary;
            (3) is a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United 
        States; and
            (4) is in repayment status and is not in default on a loan 
        for which the borrower seeks forgiveness.
    (d) Payment in Installments.--The Secretary shall forgive the loan 
obligation of the borrower, in accordance with subsection (b)(2), not 
to exceed $10,000 in the aggregate, in the following increments:
            (1) At the completion of the second year of service, $1,500 
        or 15 percent of the borrower's loan obligation that is 
        outstanding at the completion of such year, whichever is less.
            (2) At the completion of the third year of service, $1,500 
        or 15 percent of the borrower's loan obligation that was 
        outstanding at the completion of the second year of service, 
        whichever is less.
            (3) At the completion of the fourth year of service, $2,000 
        or 20 percent of the borrower's loan obligation that was 
        outstanding at the completion of the second year of service, 
        whichever is less.
            (4) At the completion of the fifth year of service, $5,000 
        or 50 percent of the borrower's loan obligation that was 
        outstanding at the completion of the second year of service, 
        whichever is less.
    (e) Application.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall by regulation 
        establish procedures by which borrowers shall apply for loan 
        forgiveness under this section.
            (2) Promise to complete service required for payment.--Any 
        application for loan forgiveness under this section shall 
        contain an agreement by the applicant that the applicant will 
        continue in qualifying service described under subsection 
        (c)(2) for not less than 5 consecutive complete years, or will, 
        upon a failure to complete such 5 years of service, repay the 
        United States the amount of the principal and interest forgiven 
        by the Secretary, at a rate and schedule, and in accordance 
        with regulations, prescribed by the Secretary. Such regulations 
        may provide for waiver by the Secretary of such repayment 
        obligations upon proof of economic hardship as specified in 
        such regulations.
    (f) Priority.--Loan forgiveness under this section shall be subject 
to the availability of appropriations. The Secretary shall select loan 
forgiveness recipients from the applicants based on academic 
achievement and a demonstrated commitment to national or community 
service, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary. In 
selecting loan forgiveness recipients, the Secretary shall take into 
consideration whether an eligible borrower is a member of minority 
group that is traditionally underrepresented in the STEM fields, as 
determined by the Secretary.
    (g) Regulations.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue regulations to carry 
out this section.
    (h) Program Evaluation.--
            (1) Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment 
        of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall 
        evaluate, based on guidelines established in advance of the 
        evaluation, the effectiveness of the program under this 
        section. The Secretary shall report to the President and 
        Congress regarding each such evaluation no later than 3 months 
        after its completion.
            (2) Of the funds appropriated to carry out this section, 
        not more than 5 percent shall be used for the program 
        evaluation described in paragraph (1).
    (i) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to 
authorize any refunding of any repayment of a loan.
    (j) Prevention of Double Benefits.--No borrower may, for the same 
service, receive a benefit under both this section and--
            (1) section 428J of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1078-10);
            (2) section 460 of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1087j); or
            (3) subtitle D of title I of the National and Community 
        Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12571 et seq.).
    (k) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term ``year'', 
where applied to service as a teacher, means an academic year as 
defined by the Secretary.
    (l) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for fiscal year 
2007, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 5 succeeding 
fiscal years.

SEC. 112. RESEARCH EXPERIENCES FOR UNDERGRADUATES PROGRAMS.

    (a) Establishment of Program.--The Director of the National Science 
Foundation shall establish a competitive STEM Research Experiences for 
Undergraduates Matching Fund program. The program shall promote 
research experiences for undergraduate students in STEM fields through 
grants to institutions of higher education.
    (b) Preference.--In awarding grants under this section the Director 
shall give preference to proposals that--
            (1) would enhance underrepresented minority participation 
        in STEM fields;
            (2) promote infrastructure development at institutions of 
        higher education;
            (3) employ students on campus predominantly in research-
        related jobs;
            (4) provide mentoring about STEM study and career pathways 
        to students participating in the program established under this 
        section; and
            (5) provide monetary incentives to faculty who agree to 
        mentor students, not in excess of $1,000.
    (c) Matching Funds.--Grants under this section shall be made in an 
amount not to exceed 50 percent of the costs of the research 
experiences for undergraduates program of the recipient institution.
    (d) Tracking and Promotion.--The Director shall implement the 
program under this section in a manner that tracks the success of the 
program, and that promotes STEM and research experiences for 
undergraduates programs. Success shall be measured on the basis of 
student-centered variables, including persistence in STEM major, 
graduation, and STEM graduate program matriculation, not on the basis 
of research outputs.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Science Foundation for carrying out this 
section $20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2011, not 
more than 2 percent of which for each fiscal year shall be for 
evaluation activities under subsection (d).

              Subtitle C--Graduate and Doctoral Education

SEC. 121. PROFESSIONAL SCIENCE MASTER'S PROGRAM FOR NATIONAL SECURITY 
              AND ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS.

    (a) Program.--The Director of the National Science Foundation shall 
establish a competitive program to provide grants to institutions of 
higher education for the creation of professional science Master's 
programs for national security and economic competitiveness. Such 
program shall provide a professional context for academic science 
expertise that has been identified by Federal agencies and industry as 
holding extreme importance and urgency. Such program shall be developed 
in coordination with industry, academia, the Department of Defense, the 
Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Energy, and other 
appropriate entities to create specific capacity in areas of high 
demand related to STEM. The Director may also seek input from or 
collaboration with the Sloan Foundation, which has a demonstrated 
record of success in professional science Master's programs.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Science Foundation for carrying out this 
section $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2011.

SEC. 122. ADVANCED FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Program.--The Director of the National Science Foundation shall 
establish a program to support STEM students pursuing study or research 
programs in foreign countries identified by the National Foreign 
Language Task Force as having languages of critical strategic 
importance to the United States. Study or research under this 
subsection shall be carried out in the language of the foreign country.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Science Foundation for carrying out this 
section $5,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2011.

SEC. 123. STEM TEACHING FELLOWSHIPS.

    (a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to authorize a 
national STEM Teaching Fellowship program in order to encourage 
individuals of superior ability and achievement to pursue teaching 
careers in the STEM fields and to provide such individuals with the 
financial support necessary to complete post-graduate degrees in the 
STEM fields.
    (b) Award of STEM Teaching Fellowships.--
            (1) Authority to award stem teaching fellowships.--Each 
        academic year, the Secretary shall award, from funds not 
        otherwise appropriated, STEM Teaching Fellowships, in 
        accordance with the provisions of this section, to 50 
        individuals of superior ability selected on the basis of high 
        academic achievement and a demonstrated commitment to national 
        or community service.
            (2) Designation of fellows.--Individuals receiving awards 
        under this section shall be known as ``STEM Teaching Fellows''. 
        The Secretary shall promote the STEM Teaching Fellows, and the 
        prestige of the fellowships, as a way to promote the STEM 
        fields in the United States.
            (3) Eligibility.--To be eligible to be a STEM Teaching 
        Fellow, an individual shall--
                    (A) be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the 
                United States;
                    (B) have earned a master's degree in a STEM field; 
                and
                    (C) enter into an agreement with the Secretary to 
                be a full-time teacher of a course in a STEM field at 
                an elementary or secondary school for 5 complete 
                academic years, in exchange for the fellowship award.
    (c) Administration of Fellowship Program.--
            (1) Authority to contract.--The Secretary is authorized to 
        enter into a contract with a nongovernmental entity to 
        administer the program under this section if the Secretary 
        determines that entering into the contract is an efficient 
        means of carrying out the program.
            (2) Fellowship board.--
                    (A) Appointment.--The Secretary shall appoint a 
                STEM Teaching Fellows Program Fellowship Board 
                (hereinafter in this section referred to as the 
                ``Board'') consisting of 9 individuals representative 
                of public and private institutions of higher education 
                who are especially qualified to serve on the Board. In 
                making appointments, the Secretary shall give due 
                consideration to the appointment of individuals who are 
                highly respected in the academic and professional 
                community for each of the STEM fields. The Secretary 
                shall assure that individuals appointed to the Board 
                are broadly representative of the range of disciplines 
                in the STEM fields.
                    (B) Duties.--The Board shall--
                            (i) oversee the operation of the program 
                        established by this section;
                            (ii) establish specific criteria for the 
                        award of STEM Teaching Fellowships, or, in the 
                        event that the Secretary enters into a contract 
                        with a nongovernmental entity to administer the 
                        program assisted under this section, such 
                        nongovernmental entity shall establish such 
                        criteria;
                            (iii) appoint panels of academic scholars 
                        with distinguished backgrounds in the STEM 
                        fields for the purpose of selecting fellows, 
                        except that, in the event that the Secretary 
                        enters into a contract with a nongovernmental 
                        entity to administer the program, such panels 
                        may be appointed by such nongovernmental 
                        entity; and
                            (iv) prepare and submit to the Congress at 
                        least once in every 3-year period--
                                    (I) a report on the effectiveness 
                                of the program established by this 
                                section; and
                                    (II) recommendations regarding any 
                                modifications in the program that the 
                                Board determines are appropriate.
                    (C) Consultations.--In carrying out its 
                responsibilities, the Board shall consult on a regular 
                basis with representatives of the National Science 
                Foundation and representatives of institutions of 
                higher education and associations of such institutions, 
                learned societies, and professional organizations.
                    (D) Term.--The term of office of each member of the 
                Board shall be 4 years, except that any member 
                appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the 
                remainder of the term for which the predecessor of the 
                member was appointed. No member may serve for a period 
                in excess of 6 years.
                    (E) Initial meeting; vacancy.--The Secretary shall 
                call the first meeting of the Board, at which the first 
                order of business shall be the election of a 
                Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson, who shall serve 
                until 1 year after the date of the appointment of the 
                Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. Thereafter each 
                officer shall be elected for a term of 2 years. In case 
                a vacancy occurs in either office, the Board shall 
                elect an individual from among the members of the Board 
                to fill such vacancy.
                    (F) Quorum; additional meetings.--
                            (i) A majority of the members of the Board 
                        shall constitute a quorum.
                            (ii) The Board shall meet at least once a 
                        year or more frequently, as may be necessary, 
                        to carry out the Board's responsibilities.
                    (G) Compensation.--Members of the Board, while 
                serving on the business of the Board, shall be entitled 
                to receive compensation at rates fixed by the 
                Secretary, but not exceeding the rate of basic pay 
                payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule, 
                including travel time, and while so serving away from 
                their homes or regular places of business, the members 
                may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in 
                lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of 
                title 5, United States Code, for persons in Government 
                service employed intermittently.
    (d) Allocation of Fellowships.--
            (1) Application process.--The Secretary shall make 
        applications for STEM Teaching Fellowships available not later 
        than October 1 of the academic year preceding the academic year 
        for which fellowships shall be awarded, and shall announce the 
        recipients of fellowships under this section not later than 
        April 1 of such preceding academic year.
            (2) Use of selection panels.--The recipients of fellowships 
        shall be selected in each designated STEM field from among all 
        applicants nationwide in each STEM field by distinguished 
        panels appointed by the Board to make such selections under 
        criteria established by the Board, except that, in the event 
        that the Secretary enters into a contract with a 
        nongovernmental entity to administer the program, such panels 
        may be appointed by such nongovernmental entity. The number of 
        recipients in each field in each year shall not exceed the 
        number of fellows allocated to that field for that year by the 
        Board.
    (e) Fellowship Award.--
            (1) Stipends.--The Secretary shall pay--
                    (A) to each STEM Teaching Fellow--
                            (i) for each of the 5 years during which 
                        the Fellow is teaching a course in a STEM field 
                        at an elementary or secondary school, a stipend 
                        in an amount equal to 25 percent of the salary 
                        paid by the school district to the Fellow for 
                        such teaching services, which shall be in 
                        addition to the salary paid by such school 
                        district; and
                            (ii) for each year, not to exceed 7 years, 
                        during which the Fellow is enrolled full-time 
                        or part-time in an educational program for 
                        which an institution of higher education awards 
                        a post-graduate degree in a STEM field, an 
                        amount equal to--
                                    (I) the cost of attendance (as 
                                defined in section 472 of the Higher 
                                Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                                1087ll)) for the Fellow for such year; 
                                less
                                    (II) any other grant assistance 
                                received by the Fellow for such year 
                                for the pursuit of such degree; and
                    (B) to a school district that employs a Fellow 
                under this section, for each of the 5 years during 
                which such Fellow is teaching a course in a STEM field 
                in an elementary or secondary school in such school 
                district, an amount equal to 25 percent of the salary 
                paid by the school district to the Fellow for such 
                teaching services, which the school district shall use 
                to provide resources to the elementary or secondary 
                school at which the Fellow is a teacher, to assist such 
                school in educating students in the STEM fields.
            (2) Post-graduate option.--A STEM Teaching Fellow shall be 
        eligible to receive the stipend described in paragraph 
        (1)(A)(ii) only if such Fellow successfully completes the 5-
        year teaching commitment described in subsection (b)(3)(C).
    (f) Fellowship Conditions.--
            (1) Reports from recipients.--The Secretary is authorized 
        to require reports containing such information in such form and 
        filed at such times as the Secretary determines necessary from 
        any STEM Teaching Fellow. The reports shall be accompanied by a 
        certificate from an appropriate official at--
                    (A) the elementary or secondary school at which the 
                Fellow is teaching, stating that such Fellow is 
                employed full-time as a teacher of a course in a STEM 
                field; or
                    (B) the institution of higher education at which 
                the Fellow is pursuing a post-graduate degree in a STEM 
                field, stating that such Fellow is enrolled full-time 
                in the post-graduate degree program for which a stipend 
                under subsection (e)(1)(A)(ii) is awarded.
            (2) Fellowship portability.--A STEM Teaching Fellow shall 
        be entitled to use the post-graduate fellowship stipend for a 
        post-graduate program at any one institution of higher 
        education in which the Fellow is enrolled.
            (3) Post-graduate fellowship options.--A STEM Teaching 
        Fellow shall not be required to pursue a post-graduate degree, 
        or to extend the fellowship beyond the 5-year teaching 
        commitment described in subsection (b)(3)(C).

               Subtitle D--STEM Revitalization Task Force

SEC. 131. STEM REVITALIZATION TASK FORCE.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established the STEM Revitalization 
Task Force (referred to in this subtitle as the ``Task Force''), which 
shall be an independent establishment as defined under section 104 of 
title 5, United States Code.
    (b) Membership.--The Task Force shall consist of the following 
members or their designees:
            (1) The National STEM Advisor, who shall serve as the 
        chairperson of the Task Force.
            (2) The Secretary of Education.
            (3) The Director of the National Science Foundation.
            (4) The Secretary of Homeland Security.
            (5) The Director of National Intelligence.
            (6) The Secretary of Defense.
            (7) The Secretary of Energy.
            (8) The Secretary of Commerce.
            (9) The Director of the National Institutes of Health.
            (10) The heads of such other Federal agencies as the Task 
        Force considers appropriate.
            (11) Three representatives from academia, selected by the 
        Director of the National Science Foundation.
            (12) Three representatives from the defense and homeland 
        security industry, one representative each selected by the 
        President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the 
        minority leader of the House of Representatives.
            (13) Five general industry representatives, one 
        representative each selected by the President, the majority 
        leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of 
        Representatives, the minority leader of the Senate, and the 
        minority leader of the House of Representatives.
    (c) Responsibilities.--The Task Force shall be charged with--
            (1) evaluating the effectiveness of STEM education and 
        programs in elementary and secondary schools and institutions 
        of higher education, including undergraduate and graduate 
        programs, and identifying successful programs and best 
        practices that can be replicated at other schools and 
        institutions;
            (2) developing a national marketing campaign promoting STEM 
        study and STEM careers that shall include the identification of 
        STEM educational programs and careers, public service 
        announcements, and an awareness campaign at elementary and 
        secondary schools, in part by appealing to Americans' 
        patriotism and vibrant sense of national duty; and
            (3) identifying STEM degrees for which there is a national 
        need, reporting specifically on national need in the fields of 
        energy, defense, homeland security, communications and 
        connectivity, conservation and environmental science, and 
        computer technology.
    (d) Staff.--
            (1) In general.--The National STEM Advisor may appoint and 
        fix the compensation of such additional personnel as the 
        Advisor considers necessary to carry out the duties of the Task 
        Force.
            (2) Details from other agencies.--Upon request of the Task 
        Force, the head of any Federal agency may detail, on a 
        reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of such agency to the 
        Task Force.
            (3) Experts and consultants.--With the approval of the Task 
        Force, the National STEM Advisor may procure temporary and 
        intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United 
        States Code.
    (e) Powers.--
            (1) Delegation.--Any member or employee of the Task Force 
        may, if authorized by the Task Force, take any action that the 
        Task Force is authorized to take in this Act.
            (2) Information.--The Task Force may secure directly from 
        any Federal agency such information as the Task Force considers 
        necessary to carry out its responsibilities. Upon request of 
        the National STEM Advisor, the head of such agency shall 
        furnish such information to the Task Force.
            (3) Donations.--The Task Force may accept, use, and dispose 
        of gifts or donations of services or property.
            (4) Mail.--The Task Force may use the United States mail in 
        the same manner and under the same conditions as other Federal 
        agencies.

SEC. 132. NATIONAL STEM ADVISOR.

    (a) In General.--There is established a National STEM Advisor who 
shall be appointed by the President. The National STEM Advisor shall be 
a nationally recognized individual with credentials and abilities 
across all of the sectors to be involved with creating and implementing 
long-term solutions to achieving national STEM competency.
    (b) Responsibilities.--The National STEM Advisor shall--
            (1) develop and oversee the implementation of a national 
        STEM strategy across all sectors;
            (2) establish formal relationships among the major 
        stakeholders involved in meeting the needs of the United States 
        for improved capabilities in STEM fields, including Federal, 
        State, and local government agencies, academia, industry, and 
        labor; and
            (3) coordinate and lead the public information campaign 
        described in paragraph (2) of section 133.
    (c) Compensation.--The National STEM Advisor shall be paid at a 
rate of pay payable for a position at level V of the Executive Schedule 
under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code.

SEC. 133. ASSISTANCE FROM THE OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY.

    The Office of Science and Technology Policy may provide to the Task 
Force, upon the request of the National STEM Advisor, such services, 
funds, facilities, staff, and other support services as the Office may 
determine advisable and as may be authorized by law.

SEC. 134. REPORTS.

    Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and 
annually thereafter, the Task Force shall prepare and transmit to the 
President and Congress a report that describes the activities of the 
Task Force and the efforts of the Task Force to perform the 
responsibilities described in section 133. Such report shall include a 
detailed statement of any findings by the Task Force and 
recommendations for legislative action and administrative action.

            TITLE II--FOREIGN LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS

SEC. 201. OFFICE OF TEACHING ANOTHER LANGUAGE TO KIDS (TALK).

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Education shall take such steps 
as may be appropriate for the orderly transfer of the personnel, 
assets, obligations, and functions of the Office of English Language 
Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement for Limited 
English Proficient Students to the Office of Teaching Another Language 
to Kids.
    (b) Amendments.--Title II of the Department of Education 
Organization Act (20 U.S.C. 3411 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) by striking section 209; and
            (2) by striking section 216 and inserting the following:

``SECTION 216. OFFICE OF TEACHING ANOTHER LANGUAGE TO KIDS.

    ``(a) Establishment and Duties.--
            ``(1) In general.--There is established within the 
        Department of Education an office to be known as the Office of 
        Teaching Another Language to Kids (in this section referred to 
        as the `Office') for the purpose of improving foreign language 
        education from kindergarten through 12th grade. The Secretary 
        shall appoint a director as the head of the Office.
            ``(2) Duties.--To carry out the purpose described in 
        paragraph (1), the Director of the Office shall--
                    ``(A) create--
                            ``(i) a local educational agency foreign 
                        language feeder program;
                            ``(ii) a dual language immersion program; 
                        and
                            ``(iii) a national foreign language program 
                        for the training of teachers;
                    ``(B) contract with educational organizations to 
                provide efficient and effective professional 
                instruction for programs of the Office, which training 
                may include summer language teaching institutes at 
                several locations around the country;
                    ``(C) recommend improvements and provide technical 
                assistance to other Federal programs serving language-
                minority students, students with limited English 
                proficiency, and their families;
                    ``(D) ensure that language-minority students and 
                students with limited English proficiency are included 
                in ways that are valid, reliable, and fair for all 
                standards and assessments conducted or funded by the 
                Department; and
                    ``(E) assist the Assistant Secretary of the Office 
                of Educational Research and Improvement in identifying 
                research priorities that reflect the needs of language-
                minority students and students with limited English 
                proficiency.
    ``(b) Foreign Language Feeder Program.--
            ``(1) Grants to seas.--
                    ``(A) Grants.--For the purpose described in 
                subparagraph (B), the Director of the Office shall make 
                a grant in the amount determined under subparagraph (C) 
                to each State educational agency that submits an 
                application under subparagraph (D).
                    ``(B) Use of funds.--Each State educational agency 
                receiving a grant under this subsection shall use the 
                grant for the purpose of making competitive subgrants 
                to consortia of local educational agencies to enable 
                such consortia to establish foreign language programs 
                emphasizing continuity of instruction from elementary 
                school through 12th grade and, if possible, through 
                college.
                    ``(C) Amount of grants.--From the total amount 
                appropriated to carry out this section for a fiscal 
                year, the Director of the Office shall allot to each 
                State educational agency that submits an application in 
                accordance with subparagraph (D) an amount that bears 
                the same ratio to such total amount as the population 
                of children aged 4 to 17 in the State bears to the 
                aggregate population of children aged 4 to 17 in all 
                States for which applications are submitted in 
                accordance with subparagraph (D).
                    ``(D) Application.--
                            ``(i) In general.--To seek a grant under 
                        this subsection, a State educational agency 
                        shall submit an application to the Director of 
                        the Office at such time, in such manner, and 
                        containing such information as the Director 
                        determines necessary to carry out this 
                        subsection.
                            ``(ii) Contents.--At a minimum, each 
                        application submitted under this subparagraph 
                        shall demonstrate to the Director's 
                        satisfaction that the State educational agency 
                        will meet basic standards to ensure that 
                        foreign language programs under this subsection 
                        are successful.
            ``(2) Subgrants to consortia of leas.--
                    ``(A) Use of funds.--A consortium of local 
                educational agencies receiving a subgrant under this 
                subsection shall use the subgrant to establish a 
                foreign language program emphasizing continuity of 
                instruction from elementary school through 12th grade. 
                Such program--
                            ``(i) shall include--
                                    ``(I) elementary school instruction 
                                at least 3 times each week in 30 minute 
                                periods;
                                    ``(II) middle school instruction at 
                                least 5 times each week in 45 minute 
                                periods; and
                                    ``(III) high school instruction at 
                                least 5 times each week in 50 minute 
                                periods;
                            ``(ii) may include international student 
                        exchange programs for high school students; and
                            ``(iii) shall be coordinated with, and 
                        relate to, the content being taught in other 
                        subject matter courses (a technique known as 
                        content-based language instruction).
                    ``(B) Application.--To seek a subgrant under this 
                subsection, a consortium of local educational agencies 
                shall submit an application to the State educational 
                agency at such time, in such manner, and containing 
                such information as the State educational agency may 
                require.
    ``(c) Dual Language Immersion Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director of the Office may make 
        grants to local educational agencies serving areas with a large 
        percentage of heritage language speakers to establish dual 
        language immersion programs described in paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Use of funds.--A grant may be made under this 
        subsection only if the applicant involved agrees to use the 
        grant to establish a dual language immersion program that--
                    ``(A) by instructing in both English and the 
                heritage language of the community, facilitates--
                            ``(i) foreign language acquisition; and
                            ``(ii) English language acquisition by 
                        students with limited English proficiency; and
                    ``(B) provides students with strong language skills 
                to enable those students to contribute to national 
                security, government service, and global economic 
                competitiveness.
            ``(3) Application.--To seek a grant under this subsection, 
        a local educational agency shall submit an application to the 
        Secretary in such form, in such manner, and containing such 
        agreements, assurances, and information as the Secretary may 
        require.
            ``(4) Heritage language.--For purposes of this subsection, 
        the term `heritage language' refers to a foreign language that 
        is used within a community by residents or citizens of the 
        United States who are native speakers of, or who have partial 
        fluency in, such language.
    ``(d) National Foreign Language Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--To carry out the purpose described in 
        subsection (a)(1), the Director of the Office may enter into 
        contracts with educational organizations for the development of 
        summer institutes for teachers of grades kindergarten through 
        12.
            ``(2) Use of funds.--A contract may be entered into under 
        paragraph (1) only if the applicant involved agrees, with 
        respect to the program established by the applicant, as 
        follows:
                    ``(A) To teach language instruction methodologies 
                based on the standards articulated in the documented 
                entitled `Standards for Foreign Language Learning in 
                the 21st Century'.
                    ``(B) To promote strong teaching skills for foreign 
                language teachers and individuals who are studying to 
                become teachers.
                    ``(C) To design programs to prepare a teacher to 
                provide professional development to other teachers at a 
                school, to assist novice teachers at such school, 
                including (if applicable) a mechanism to integrate 
                experiences from the summer workshop or institute.
                    ``(D) To recruit university students with foreign 
                language majors to participate in the institute and to 
                become language instructors.
    ``(e) Evaluation and Accountability Plan.--The Director of the 
Office shall develop an evaluation and accountability plan for use by 
each entity receiving a grant or subgrant under this section. The plan 
shall include objectives and measures for--
            ``(1) increasing participation by students in advanced 
        courses in foreign language;
            ``(2) increasing the percentages of secondary school 
        classes in foreign language taught by teachers with academic 
        majors in foreign language; and
            ``(3) increasing the number of foreign language teachers 
        who participate in professional development activities.
    ``(f) Reports by Grantees.--Each entity receiving a grant under 
this section shall annually report to the Secretary regarding the 
progress of the entity in meeting the performance objectives described 
in subsection (e).
    ``(g) National Evaluation.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each year, the Director shall conduct a 
        quantitative evaluation of the activities conducted under this 
        section and their long-term impacts.
            ``(2) Reports.--Not less than every 3 years, the Director 
        of the Office shall submit a report to the Congress on the 
        activities conducted under this section and the results of 
        evaluations conducted under paragraph (1).
    ``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            ``(1) In general.--To carry out this section, there are 
        authorized to be appropriated $500,000,000 for each of the 
        fiscal years 2007 through 2011.
            ``(2) Reservation.--Of the amount appropriated to carry out 
        this section for a fiscal year, the Director of the Office 
        shall use not less than 4 percent and not more than 8 percent 
        of such amount to conduct evaluations required by subsection 
        (g)(1).
    ``(i) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) The term `local educational agency' has the meaning 
        given to that term in section 9101 of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
            ``(2) The term `State educational agency' has the meaning 
        given to that term in section 9101 of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).''.

SEC. 202. NATIONAL FOREIGN LANGUAGE COORDINATING COUNCIL.

    (a) Establishment.--
            (1) In general.--There is established in the Executive 
        Office of the President the National Foreign Language 
        Coordinating Council (referred to as the ``Council'' in this 
        section).
            (2) Membership.--
                    (A) In general.--The Council shall consist of the 
                ex officio members specified in subparagraph (B) and 
                the representatives appointed under subparagraph (C).
                    (B) Ex officio members.--The Council shall include 
                the following ex officio members (or their designees):
                            (i) The National Foreign Language Advisor, 
                        who shall serve as the chairperson of the 
                        Council.
                            (ii) The Director of National Intelligence.
                            (iii) The Secretary of Homeland Security.
                            (iv) The Secretary of Defense.
                            (v) The Secretary of Education.
                            (vi) The Secretary of Agriculture.
                            (vii) The Attorney General of the United 
                        States.
                            (viii) The Secretary of Labor.
                            (ix) The Secretary of Housing and Urban 
                        Development.
                            (x) The Secretary of Health and Human 
                        Services.
                            (xi) The Secretary of Commerce.
                            (xii) One representative of the National 
                        Security Education Program Board.
                            (xiii) The Secretary of State.
                            (xiv) The heads of such other Federal 
                        agencies as the Council considers appropriate.
                    (C) Appointed members.--The Council shall include 
                the following members appointed by the President:
                            (i) Three representatives of academia.
                            (ii) Three representatives of industry.
            (3) Responsibilities.--
                    (A) In general.--The Council shall be charged 
                with--
                            (i) developing a national foreign language 
                        strategy within 18 months of the date of 
                        enactment of this Act; and
                            (ii) overseeing the implementation of such 
                        strategy.
                    (B) Strategy content.--The strategy developed under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include--
                            (i) identification of crucial priorities 
                        across all sectors, including by identifying 
                        foreign languages for which there is a national 
                        need;
                            (ii) identification and evaluation of 
                        Federal foreign language programs and 
                        activities, including--
                                    (I) recommendations on 
                                coordination;
                                    (II) program enhancements; and
                                    (III) allocation of resources so as 
                                to maximize use of resources;
                            (iii) needed national policies and 
                        corresponding legislative and regulatory 
                        actions in support of, and allocation of 
                        designated resources to, promising programs and 
                        initiatives at all levels (Federal, State, and 
                        local), especially in the less commonly taught 
                        languages that are seen as critical for 
                        national security and global competitiveness in 
                        the next 20 to 50 years;
                            (iv) effective ways to increase public 
                        awareness of the need for foreign language 
                        skills and career paths in all sectors that can 
                        employ those skills, with the objective of 
                        increasing support for foreign language study 
                        among--
                                    (I) Federal, State, and local 
                                leaders;
                                    (II) students;
                                    (III) parents;
                                    (IV) elementary, secondary, and 
                                postsecondary educational institutions; 
                                and
                                    (V) potential employers;
                            (v) incentives for related educational 
                        programs, including foreign language teacher 
                        training;
                            (vi) coordination of cross-sector efforts, 
                        including public-private partnerships;
                            (vii) coordination initiatives to develop a 
                        strategic posture for language research and 
                        recommendations for funding for applied foreign 
                        language research into issues of national 
                        concern;
                            (viii) assistance for--
                                    (I) the development and 
                                implementation of foreign language 
                                content and performance standards, 
                                including implementation of such 
                                standards developed by the Council or 
                                other groups;
                                    (II) corresponding assessments for 
                                the elementary, secondary, and 
                                postsecondary education levels, 
                                including the National Assessment of 
                                Educational Progress in foreign 
                                languages;
                                    (III) the development and 
                                implementation of language skill-level 
                                certification standards;
                                    (IV) an ideal course of pre-service 
                                and professional development study for 
                                those who teach foreign language; and
                                    (V) suggested graduation criteria 
                                for foreign language studies and 
                                appropriate non-language studies, such 
                                as--
                                            (aa) international 
                                        business;
                                            (bb) national security;
                                            (cc) public administration; 
                                        and
                                            (dd) health care; and
                            (ix) identification of and means for 
                        replicating best practices at all levels and in 
                        all sectors, including best practices from the 
                        international community.
            (4) Meetings.--The Council may hold such meetings, and sit 
        and act at such times and places, as the Council considers 
        appropriate, but shall meet in formal session at least 2 times 
        a year. State and local government agencies and other 
        organizations (such as academic sector institutions, foreign 
        language-related interest groups, business associations, 
        industry, and heritage community organizations) shall be 
        invited, as appropriate, to public meetings of the Council at 
        least once a year.
            (5) Staff.--
                    (A) In general.--The National Foreign Language 
                Advisor may appoint and fix the compensation of such 
                additional personnel as the Advisor considers necessary 
                to carry out the duties of the Council.
                    (B) Details from other agencies.--Upon request of 
                the Council, the head of any Federal agency may detail, 
                on a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of such 
                agency to the Council.
                    (C) Experts and consultants.--With the approval of 
                the Council, the National Foreign Language Advisor may 
                procure temporary and intermittent services under 
                section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code.
            (6) Powers.--
                    (A) Delegation.--Any member or employee of the 
                Council may, if authorized by the Council, take any 
                action that the Council is authorized to take in this 
                Act.
                    (B) Information.--The Council may secure directly 
                from any Federal agency such information as the Council 
                considers necessary to carry out its responsibilities. 
                Upon request of the National Foreign Language Advisor, 
                the head of such agency shall furnish such information 
                to the Council.
                    (C) Donations.--The Council may accept, use, and 
                dispose of gifts or donations of services or property.
                    (D) Mail.--The Council may use the United States 
                mail in the same manner and under the same conditions 
                as other Federal agencies.
            (7) Conferences, newsletter, and website.--In carrying out 
        this section, the Council--
                    (A) may arrange Federal, regional, State, and local 
                conferences for the purpose of developing and 
                coordinating effective programs and activities to 
                improve foreign language education;
                    (B) may publish a newsletter concerning Federal, 
                State, and local programs that are effectively meeting 
                the foreign language needs of the Nation; and
                    (C) shall create and maintain a website containing 
                information on the Council and its activities, best 
                practices on language education, and other relevant 
                information.
            (8) Reports.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Council 
        shall prepare and transmit to the President and Congress a 
        report that describes--
                    (A) the activities of the Council;
                    (B) the efforts of the Council to improve foreign 
                language education and training; and
                    (C) any impediments, including any statutory and 
                regulatory restrictions, to such efforts.
    (b) National Foreign Language Advisor.--
            (1) In general.--There shall be a National Foreign Language 
        Advisor, who shall be appointed by the President. The National 
        Foreign Language Advisor shall be a nationally recognized 
        individual with credentials and abilities across all of the 
        sectors to be involved with creating and implementing long-term 
        solutions to achieving national foreign language and cultural 
        competency.
            (2) Responsibilities.--The National Foreign Language 
        Advisor shall--
                    (A) develop and oversee the implementation of a 
                national foreign language strategy across all sectors;
                    (B) establish formal relationships among the major 
                stakeholders in meeting the needs of the Nation for 
                improved capabilities in foreign languages and cultural 
                understanding, including Federal, State, and local 
                government agencies, academia, industry, labor, and 
                heritage communities; and
                    (C) coordinate and lead a public information 
                campaign that raises awareness of public and private 
                sector careers requiring foreign language skills and 
                cultural understanding, with the objective of 
                increasing interest in and support for the study of 
                foreign languages among national leaders, the business 
                community, local officials, parents, and individuals.
            (3) Compensation.--The National Foreign Language Advisor 
        shall be paid at a rate of pay payable for a position at level 
        V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, 
        United States Code.
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