[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2272 Engrossed Amendment Senate (EAS)]
In the Senate of the United States,
July 19, 2007.
Resolved, That the bill from the House of Representatives (H.R.
2272) entitled ``An Act to invest in innovation through research and
development, and to improve the competitiveness of the United
States.'', do pass with the following
AMENDMENT:
Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``America COMPETES Act'' or the
``America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in
Technology, Education, and Science Act''.
SEC. 2. ORGANIZATION OF ACT INTO DIVISIONS; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Divisions.--This Act is organized into 5 divisions as follows:
(1) Division a.--Commerce and Science.
(2) Division b.--Department of Energy.
(3) Division c.--Education.
(4) Division d.--National Science Foundation.
(5) Division e.--General Provisions.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Organization of Act into divisions; table of contents.
DIVISION A--COMMERCE AND SCIENCE
Sec. 1001. Short title.
TITLE I--OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY; GOVERNMENT-WIDE
SCIENCE
Sec. 1101. National Science and Technology Summit.
Sec. 1102. Study on barriers to innovation.
Sec. 1103. National Innovation Medal.
Sec. 1104. Release of scientific research results.
Sec. 1105. Semiannual Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Days.
Sec. 1106. Study of service science.
TITLE II--INNOVATION PROMOTION
Sec. 1201. President's Council on Innovation and Competitiveness.
Sec. 1202. Innovation acceleration research.
TITLE III--NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
Sec. 1301. NASA's contribution to innovation.
Sec. 1302. Aeronautics Institute for Research.
Sec. 1303. Basic research enhancement.
Sec. 1304. Aging workforce issues program.
Sec. 1305. Conforming amendments.
Sec. 1306. Fiscal year 2008 basic science and research funding.
TITLE IV--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY
Sec. 1401. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 1402. Amendments to the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act
of 1980.
Sec. 1403. Innovation acceleration.
Sec. 1404. Manufacturing extension.
Sec. 1405. Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology.
Sec. 1406. Technical amendments to the National Institute of Standards
and Technology Act and other technical
amendments.
Sec. 1407. Clarification of eligible contributions in connection with
regional Centers responsible for
implementing the objectives of the hollings
manufacturing partnership program.
TITLE V--OCEAN AND ATMOSPHERIC PROGRAMS
Sec. 1501. Ocean and atmospheric research and development program.
Sec. 1502. NOAA ocean and atmospheric science education programs.
Sec. 1503. NOAA's contribution to innovation.
Sec. 1504. NOAA accountability and transparency.
DIVISION B--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Sec. 2001. Short title.
Sec. 2002. Definitions.
Sec. 2003. Mathematics, science, and engineering education at the
Department of Energy.
Sec. 2004. Department of Energy early-career research grants.
Sec. 2005. Advanced Research Projects Authority-Energy.
Sec. 2006. Authorization of appropriations for the Department of Energy
for basic research.
Sec. 2007. Discovery science and engineering innovation institutes.
Sec. 2008. Protecting America's Competitive Edge (PACE) graduate
fellowship program.
Sec. 2009. Title IX compliance.
Sec. 2010. High-risk, high-reward research.
Sec. 2011. Distinguished scientist program.
DIVISION C--EDUCATION
Sec. 3001. Findings.
Sec. 3002. Definitions.
TITLE I--TEACHER ASSISTANCE
Subtitle A--Teachers for a Competitive Tomorrow
Sec. 3111. Purpose.
Sec. 3112. Definitions.
Sec. 3113. Programs for baccalaureate degrees in mathematics, science,
engineering, or critical foreign languages,
with concurrent teacher certification.
Sec. 3114. Programs for master's degrees in mathematics, science,
technology, or critical foreign languages
education.
Sec. 3115. General provisions.
Sec. 3116. Authorization of appropriations.
Subtitle B--Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Programs
Sec. 3121. Purpose.
Sec. 3122. Definitions.
Sec. 3123. Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs.
Subtitle C--Promising Practices in Mathematics, Science, Technology,
and Engineering Teaching
Sec. 3131. Promising practices.
TITLE II--MATHEMATICS
Sec. 3201. Math Now for elementary school and middle school students
program.
Sec. 3202. Summer term education programs.
Sec. 3203. Math skills for secondary school students.
TITLE III--FOREIGN LANGUAGE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
Sec. 3301. Findings and purpose.
Sec. 3302. Definitions.
Sec. 3303. Program authorized.
Sec. 3304. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE IV--ALIGNMENT OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Sec. 3401. Alignment of secondary school graduation requirements with
the demands of 21st century postsecondary
endeavors and support for P-16 education
data systems.
TITLE V--MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE PARTNERSHIP BONUS GRANTS
Sec. 3501. Mathematics and science partnership bonus grants.
Sec. 3502. Authorization of appropriations.
DIVISION D--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Sec. 4001. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 4002. Strengthening of education and human resources directorate
through equitable distribution of new
funds.
Sec. 4003. Graduate fellowships and graduate traineeships.
Sec. 4004. Professional science master's degree programs.
Sec. 4005. Increased support for science education through the National
Science Foundation.
Sec. 4006. Meeting critical national science needs.
Sec. 4007. Reaffirmation of the merit-review process of the National
Science Foundation.
Sec. 4008. Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research.
Sec. 4009. Encouraging participation.
Sec. 4010. Cyberinfrastructure.
Sec. 4011. Federal information and communications technology research.
Sec. 4012. Robert Noyce Teacher Program.
Sec. 4013. Sense of the Senate regarding the mathematics and science
partnership programs of the Department of
Education and the National Science
Foundation.
Sec. 4014. National Science Foundation teacher institutes for the 21st
century.
Sec. 4015. Partnerships for access to laboratory science.
DIVISION E--GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 5001. Collection of data relating to trade in services.
Sec. 5002. Sense of the Senate regarding small business growth and
capital markets.
Sec. 5003. Government Accountability Office Review of Activities,
Grants, and Programs.
Sec. 5004. Prohibition against funding anti-competitiveness.
Sec. 5005. Feasibility study on free online college degree program.
Sec. 5006. Sense of the Senate regarding deemed exports.
Sec. 5007. Sense of the Senate regarding capital markets.
DIVISION A--COMMERCE AND SCIENCE
SEC. 1001. SHORT TITLE.
This division may be cited as the ``American Innovation and
Competitiveness Act''.
TITLE I--OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY; GOVERNMENT-WIDE
SCIENCE
SEC. 1101. NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the President shall convene a National Science
and Technology Summit to examine the health and direction of the United
States' science, technology, engineering, and mathematics enterprises.
The Summit shall include representatives of industry, small business,
labor, academia, State government, Federal research and development
agencies, non-profit environmental and energy policy groups concerned
with science and technology issues, and other nongovernmental
organizations, including representatives of science, technology, and
engineering organizations and associations that represent individuals
identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal
Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b).
(b) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
conclusion of the Summit, the President shall issue a report on the
results of the Summit. The report shall identify key research and
technology challenges and recommendations, including recommendations to
increase the representation of individuals identified in section 33 or
34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C.
1885a or 1885b) in science, engineering, and technology enterprises,
for areas of investment for Federal research and technology programs to
be carried out during the 5-year period beginning on the date the
report is issued.
(c) Annual Evaluation.--Beginning in 2008, the Director of the
Office of Science and Technology Policy shall publish and submit to
Congress an annual report that contains recommendations for areas of
investment for Federal research and technology programs, including a
justification for each area identified in the report. Each report
submitted during the 5-year period beginning on the date of the
conclusion of the Summit shall take into account any recommendations
made by the Summit.
SEC. 1102. STUDY ON BARRIERS TO INNOVATION.
(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology
Policy shall enter into a contract with the National Academy of
Sciences to conduct and complete a study to identify, and to review
methods to mitigate, new forms of risk for businesses beyond
conventional operational and financial risk that affect the ability to
innovate, including studying and reviewing--
(1) incentive and compensation structures that could
effectively encourage long-term value creation and innovation;
(2) methods of voluntary and supplemental disclosure by
industry of intellectual capital, innovation performance, and
indicators of future valuation;
(3) means by which government could work with industry to
enhance the legal and regulatory framework to encourage the
disclosures described in paragraph (2);
(4) practices that may be significant deterrents to United
States businesses engaging in innovation risk-taking compared
to foreign competitors;
(5) costs faced by United States businesses engaging in
innovation compared to foreign competitors, including the
burden placed on businesses by high and rising health care
costs;
(6) means by which industry, trade associations, and
universities could collaborate to support research on
management practices and methodologies for assessing the value
and risks of longer term innovation strategies;
(7) means to encourage new, open, and collaborative
dialogue between industry associations, regulatory authorities,
management, shareholders, labor, and other concerned interests
to encourage appropriate approaches to innovation risk-taking;
(8) incentives to encourage participation among
institutions of higher education, especially those in rural and
underserved areas, to engage in innovation;
(9) relevant Federal regulations that may discourage or
encourage innovation;
(10) all provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
including tax provisions, compliance costs, and reporting
requirements, that discourage innovation;
(11) the extent to which Federal funding promotes or
hinders innovation;
(12) the extent to which individuals are being equipped
with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in the 21st
century workforce, as measured by--
(A) elementary school and secondary school student
academic achievement on the State academic assessments
required under section 1111(b)(3) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311
(b)(3)), especially in mathematics, science, and
reading, identified by ethnicity, race, and gender;
(B) the rate of student entrance into institutions
of higher education, identified by ethnicity, race, and
gender, by type of institution, and barriers to access
to institutions of higher education;
(C) the rates of--
(i) students successfully completing
postsecondary education programs, identified by
ethnicity, race, and gender; and
(ii) certificates, associate degrees, and
baccalaureate degrees awarded in the fields of
science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics, identified by ethnicity, race, and
gender; and
(D) access to, and availability of, high quality
job training programs;
(13) the projected outcomes of increasing the number of
individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and
Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b)
in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields;
and
(14) the identification of strategies to increase the
participation of individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of
the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C.
1885a or 1885b) in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics fields.
(b) Report Required.--Not later than 1 year after entering into the
contract required by subsection (a) and 4 years after entering into
such contract, the National Academy of Sciences shall submit to
Congress a report on the study conducted under such subsection.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the National Academy of Sciences $1,000,000 for fiscal
year 2008 for the purpose of carrying out the study required under this
section.
SEC. 1103. NATIONAL INNOVATION MEDAL.
Section 16 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of
1980 (15 U.S.C. 3711) is amended--
(1) by striking the section heading and inserting ``sec.
16. national technology and innovation medal.''; and
(2) in subsection (a), by striking ``Technology Medal'' and
inserting ``Technology and Innovation Medal''.
SEC. 1104. RELEASE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH RESULTS.
(a) Principles.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology
Policy, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management
and Budget and the heads of all Federal civilian agencies that conduct
scientific research, shall develop and issue an overarching set of
principles to ensure the communication and open exchange of data and
results to other agencies, policymakers, and the public of research
conducted by a scientist employed by a Federal civilian agency and to
prevent the intentional or unintentional suppression or distortion of
such research findings. The principles shall encourage the open
exchange of data and results of research undertaken by a scientist
employed by such an agency and shall be consistent with existing
Federal laws, including chapter 18 of title 35, United States Code
(commonly known as the ``Bayh-Dole Act'').
(b) Implementation.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy shall ensure that all civilian Federal agencies that
conduct scientific research develop specific policies and procedures
regarding the public release of data and results of research conducted
by a scientist employed by such an agency consistent with the
principles established under subsection (a). Such polices and
procedures shall--
(1) specifically address what is and what is not permitted
or recommended under such policies and procedures;
(2) be specifically designed for each such agency;
(3) be applied uniformly throughout each such agency; and
(4) be widely communicated and readily accessible to all
employees of each such agency and the public.
SEC. 1105. SEMIANNUAL SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS
DAYS.
It is the sense of Congress that the Director of the Office of
Science and Technology Policy should--
(1) encourage all elementary and middle schools to observe
a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Day twice
in every school year for the purpose of bringing in science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics mentors to provide
hands-on lessons to excite and inspire students to pursue the
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields
(including continuing education and career paths);
(2) initiate a program, in consultation with Federal
agencies and departments, to provide support systems, tools
(from existing outreach offices), and mechanisms to allow and
encourage Federal employees with scientific, technological,
engineering, or mathematical responsibilities to reach out to
local classrooms on such Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics Days to instruct and inspire school children,
focusing on real life science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics-related applicable experiences along with hands-on
demonstrations in order to demonstrate the advantages and
direct applications of studying the science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics fields; and
(3) promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics Days involvement by private sector and institutions
of higher education employees, including partnerships with
scientific, engineering, and mathematical professional
organizations representing individuals identified in section 33
or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act
(42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b), in a manner similar to the Federal
employee involvement described in paragraph (2).
SEC. 1106. STUDY OF SERVICE SCIENCE.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that, in order
to strengthen the competitiveness of United States enterprises and
institutions and to prepare the people of the United States for high-
wage, high-skill employment, the Federal Government should better
understand and respond strategically to the emerging management and
learning discipline known as service science.
(b) Study.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy,
through the National Academy of Sciences, shall conduct a study and
report to Congress regarding how the Federal Government should support,
through research, education, and training, the emerging management and
learning discipline known as service science.
(c) Outside Resources.--In conducting the study under subsection
(b), the National Academy of Sciences shall consult with leaders from
2- and 4-year institutions of higher education, as defined in section
101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)), leaders
from corporations, and other relevant parties.
(d) Service Science Defined.--In this section, the term ``service
science'' means curricula, training, and research programs that are
designed to teach individuals to apply scientific, engineering, and
management disciplines that integrate elements of computer science,
operations research, industrial engineering, business strategy,
management sciences, and social and legal sciences, in order to
encourage innovation in how organizations create value for customers
and shareholders that could not be achieved through such disciplines
working in isolation.
TITLE II--INNOVATION PROMOTION
SEC. 1201. PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL ON INNOVATION AND COMPETITIVENESS.
(a) In General.--The President shall establish a President's
Council on Innovation and Competitiveness.
(b) Duties.--The Council's duties shall include--
(1) monitoring implementation of public laws and
initiatives for promoting innovation, including policies
related to research funding, taxation, immigration, trade, and
education that are proposed in this Act or in any other Act;
(2) providing advice to the President with respect to
global trends in competitiveness and innovation and allocation
of Federal resources in education, job training, and technology
research and development considering such global trends in
competitiveness and innovation;
(3) in consultation with the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget, developing a process for using metrics
to assess the impact of existing and proposed policies and
rules that affect innovation capabilities in the United States;
(4) identifying opportunities and making recommendations
for the heads of executive agencies to improve innovation,
monitoring, and reporting on the implementation of such
recommendations;
(5) developing metrics for measuring the progress of the
Federal Government with respect to improving conditions for
innovation, including through talent development, investment,
and infrastructure improvements; and
(6) submitting to the President and Congress an annual
report on such progress.
(c) Membership and Coordination.--
(1) Membership.--The Council shall be composed of the
Secretary or head of each of the following:
(A) The Department of Commerce.
(B) The Department of Defense.
(C) The Department of Education.
(D) The Department of Energy.
(E) The Department of Health and Human Services.
(F) The Department of Homeland Security.
(G) The Department of Labor.
(H) The Department of the Treasury.
(I) The National Aeronautics and Space
Administration.
(J) The Securities and Exchange Commission.
(K) The National Science Foundation.
(L) The Office of the United States Trade
Representative.
(M) The Office of Management and Budget.
(N) The Office of Science and Technology Policy.
(O) The Environmental Protection Agency.
(P) The Small Business Administration.
(Q) Any other department or agency designated by
the President.
(2) Chairperson.--The Secretary of Commerce shall serve as
Chairperson of the Council.
(3) Coordination.--The Chairperson of the Council shall
ensure appropriate coordination between the Council and the
National Economic Council, the National Security Council, and
the National Science and Technology Council.
(4) Meetings.--The Council shall meet on a semi-annual
basis at the call of the Chairperson and the initial meeting of
the Council shall occur not later than 6 months after the date
of enactment of this Act.
(d) Development of Innovation Agenda.--
(1) In general.--The Council shall develop a comprehensive
agenda for strengthening the innovation and competitiveness
capabilities of the Federal Government, State governments,
academia, and the private sector in the United States.
(2) Contents.--The comprehensive agenda required by
paragraph (1) shall include the following:
(A) An assessment of current strengths and
weaknesses of the United States investment in research
and development.
(B) Recommendations for addressing weaknesses and
maintaining the United States as a world leader in
research and development and technological innovation,
including strategies for increasing the participation
of individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the
Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42
U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b) in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics fields.
(C) Recommendations for strengthening the
innovation and competitiveness capabilities of the
Federal government, State governments, academia, and
the private sector in the United States.
(3) Advisors.--
(A) Recommendation.--Not later than 30 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, the National Academy
of Sciences, in consultation with the National Academy
of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine, and the
National Research Council, shall develop and submit to
the President a list of 50 individuals that are
recommended to serve as advisors to the Council during
the development of the comprehensive agenda required by
paragraph (1). The list of advisors shall include
appropriate representatives from the following:
(i) The private sector of the economy.
(ii) Labor.
(iii) Various fields including information
technology, energy, engineering, high-
technology manufacturing, health care, and
education.
(iv) Scientific organizations.
(v) Academic organizations and other
nongovernmental organizations working in the
area of science or technology.
(vi) Nongovernmental organizations, such as
professional organizations, that represent
individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of
the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities
Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b) in the areas of
science, engineering, technology, and
mathematics.
(B) Designation.--Not later than 30 days after the
date that the National Academy of Sciences submits the
list of recommended individuals to serve as advisors,
the President shall designate 50 individuals to serve
as advisors to the Council.
(C) Requirement to consult.--The Council shall
develop the comprehensive agenda required by paragraph
(1) in consultation with the advisors.
(4) Initial submission and updates.--
(A) Initial submission.--Not later than 1 year
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Council
shall submit to Congress and the President the
comprehensive agenda required by paragraph (1).
(B) Updates.--At least once every 2 years, the
Council shall update the comprehensive agenda required
by paragraph (1) and submit each such update to
Congress and the President.
(e) Technical Amendment.--Section 101(b) of the High-Performance
Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5511(b)) is amended by striking ``an''
in the first sentence and inserting ``a distinct''.
(f) Optional Assignment.--Notwithstanding subsection (a) and
paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (c), the President may designate
an existing council to carry out the requirements of this section.
SEC. 1202. INNOVATION ACCELERATION RESEARCH.
(a) Program Established.--The President, through the head of each
Federal research agency, shall establish a program, to be known as the
Innovation Acceleration Research Program, to support and promote
innovation in the United States through research projects that can
yield results with far-ranging or wide-ranging implications but are
considered too novel or span too diverse a range of disciplines to fare
well in the traditional peer review process. Priority in the awarding
of grants under this program shall be given to research projects that--
(1) meet fundamental technology or scientific challenges;
(2) involve multidisciplinary work; and
(3) involve a high degree of novelty.
(b) Departments and Agencies.--
(1) Funding goals.--The President shall ensure that it is
the goal of each Executive agency (as defined in section 105 of
title 5, United States Code) that finances research in science,
mathematics, engineering, and technology to allocate
approximately 8 percent of the agency's total annual research
and development budget to funding research, including grants,
under the Innovation Acceleration Research Program.
(2) Administration.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the head of each
Executive agency participating in the Innovation
Acceleration Research Program under paragraph (1) shall
submit to the Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy and the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget a plan for implementing the
research program within such Executive agency. An
implementation plan may incorporate existing
initiatives of the Executive agencies that promote
research in innovation as described in subsection (a).
(B) Required metrics.--
(i) In general.--The head of each Executive
agency submitting an implementation plan
pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall include
metrics upon which grant funding decisions will
be made and metrics for assessing the success
of the grants awarded.
(ii) Metrics for basic research.--The
metrics developed under clause (i) to assess
basic research programs shall assess management
of the programs and shall not assess specific
scientific outcomes of the research conducted
by the programs.
(C) Grant duration and renewals.--
(i) In general.--Any grants issued by an
Executive agency under this section shall be
for a period not to exceed 3 years.
(ii) Evaluation.--Not later than 90 days
prior to the expiration of a grant issued under
this section, the Executive agency that
approved the grant shall complete an evaluation
of the effectiveness of the grant based on the
metrics established pursuant to subparagraph
(B). In its evaluation, the Executive agency
shall consider the extent to which the program
funded by the grant met the goals of quality
improvement and job creation.
(iii) Publication of review.--The Executive
agency shall publish and make available to the
public the review of each grant approved
pursuant to this section.
(iv) Failure to meet metrics.--Any grant
that the Executive agency awarding the grant
determines has failed to satisfy any of the
metrics developed pursuant to subparagraph (B),
shall not be eligible for a renewal.
(v) Renewal.--A grant issued under this
section that satisfies all of the metrics
developed pursuant to subparagraph (B), may be
renewed once for a period of not more than 3
years. Additional renewals may be considered
only if the head of the Executive agency makes
a specific finding that the program being
funded involves a significant technology or
scientific advance that requires a longer time
frame to complete critical research, and the
research satisfies all the metrics developed
pursuant to subparagraph (B).
(vi) Waiver.--The head of the Executive
agency may authorize a waiver of the
requirement of clauses (iv) and (v) related to
satisfying metric requirements if he or she
determines that the grant failed to meet a
small number of metrics and the failure was not
significant for the overall performance of the
grant.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Federal research agency.--The term ``Federal research
agency'' means a major organizational component of a department
or agency of the Federal Government, or other establishment of
the Federal Government operating with appropriated funds, that
has as its primary purpose the performance of scientific
research.
(2) Major organizational component.--The term ``major
organizational component'', with respect to a department,
agency, or other establishment of the Federal Government, means
a component of the department, agency, or other establishment
that is administered by an individual whose rate of basic pay
is not less than the rate of basic pay payable under level V of
the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United
States Code.
TITLE III--NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
SEC. 1301. NASA'S CONTRIBUTION TO INNOVATION.
(a) Participation in Interagency Activities.--The National
Aeronautics and Space Administration shall be a full participant in any
interagency effort to promote innovation and economic competitiveness
through near-term and long-term basic scientific research and
development and the promotion of science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics education, consistent with the agency mission, including
authorized activities.
(b) Historic Foundation.--In order to carry out the participation
described in subsection (a), the Administrator of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration shall build on the historic role
of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in stimulating
excellence in the advancement of physical science and engineering
disciplines and in providing opportunities and incentives for the
pursuit of academic studies in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics.
(c) Balanced Science Program and Robust Authorization Levels.--The
balanced science program authorized by section 101(d) of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (42
U.S.C. 16611) shall be an element of the contribution by the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration to such interagency programs. It
is the sense of Congress that a robust National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, funded at the levels authorized for fiscal years 2007
and 2008 under sections 202 and 203 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 16631 and
16632) and at appropriate levels in subsequent fiscal years would
enable a fair balance among science, aeronautics, education,
exploration, and human space flight programs and allow full
participation in any interagency efforts to promote innovation and
economic competitiveness.
(d) Annual Report.--
(1) Requirement.--The Administrator shall submit to
Congress and the President an annual report describing the
activities conducted pursuant to this section, including a
description of the goals and the objective metrics upon which
funding decisions were made.
(2) Content.--Each report submitted pursuant to paragraph
(1) shall include, with regard to science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics education programs, at a minimum,
the following:
(A) A description of each program.
(B) The amount spent on each program.
(C) The number of students or teachers served by
each program.
(D) Measurement of how each program improved
student achievement, including with regard to
challenging State achievement standards.
SEC. 1302. AERONAUTICS INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH.
(a) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration shall establish within the
Administration an Aeronautics Institute for Research for the
purpose of managing the aeronautics research carried out by the
Administration.
(2) Director.--The Institute shall be headed by a Director
with appropriate experience in aeronautics research and
development.
(b) Duties.--The Institute shall implement the programs authorized
under title IV of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Authorization Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16701 et seq.).
(c) Cooperation With Other Agencies.--
(1) In general.--The Institute shall operate in conjunction
with relevant programs in the Department of Transportation, the
Department of Defense, the Department of Commerce, and the
Department of Homeland Security, including the activities of
the Joint Planning and Development Office established under the
Vision 100--Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (Public Law
108-176; 117 Stat. 2490).
(2) Resources.--The Director of the Institute may accept
assistance, staff, and funding from those Departments and other
Federal agencies. Any such funding shall be in addition to
funds authorized for aeronautics under the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (Public Law
109-155).
(3) Other coordination.--The Director of the Institute may
utilize the Next Generation Air Transportation Senior Policy
Committee established under section 710 of the Vision 100--
Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (Public Law 108-176; 49
U.S.C. 40101 note) to coordinate its programs with other
Departments and agencies.
(d) Partnerships.--In developing and carrying out its plans, the
Institute shall consult with the public and ensure the participation of
experts from the private sector including representatives of commercial
aviation, general aviation, aviation labor groups, aviation research
and development entities, aircraft and air traffic control suppliers,
and the space industry.
SEC. 1303. BASIC RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT.
(a) In General.--The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration, the Director of the National Science Foundation,
the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Defense, and Secretary of
Commerce shall, to the extent practicable, coordinate basic and
fundamental research activities related to physical sciences,
technology, engineering and mathematics.
(b) Establishment of Basic Research Executive Council.--In order to
ensure effective application of resources to basic science activity and
to facilitate cooperative basic and fundamental research activities
with other governmental organizations, the Administrator of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall establish within
the Administration a Basic Research Executive Council to oversee the
distribution and management of programs and resources engaged in
support of basic research activity.
(c) Membership.--The membership of the Basic Research Executive
Council shall consist of the most senior agency official representing
each of the following areas of research:
(1) Space Science.
(2) Earth Science.
(3) Life and Microgravity Sciences.
(4) Aeronautical Research.
(d) Leadership.--The Basic Research Executive Council shall be
chaired by an individual appointed for that purpose who shall have, as
a minimum, a appropriate graduate degree in a recognizable discipline
in the physical sciences, and appropriate experience in the conduct and
management of basic research activity. The Chairman of the Council
shall report directly to the Administrator of the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration.
(e) Supporting Resources and Personnel.--The Chairman of the Basic
Research Executive Council shall be provided with adequate
administrative staff support to conduct the activity and functions of
the Council.
(f) Duties.--The Basic Research Executive Council shall have, at
minimum, the following duties:
(1) To establish criteria for the identification of
research activity as basic in nature.
(2) To establish, in consultation with the Office of
Science and Technology Policy, the National Science Foundation,
the National Academy of Sciences, the National Institutes of
Health, and other appropriate external organizations, a
prioritization of fundamental research activity to be conducted
by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, to be
reviewed and updated on an annual basis, taking into
consideration evolving national research priorities.
(3) To monitor, review, and evaluate all basic research
activity of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
for compliance with basic research priorities established under
paragraph (2).
(4) To make recommendations to the Administrator of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration regarding
adjustments in the basic research activities of the
Administration to ensure consistency with the research
priorities established under this section.
(5) To provide an annual report to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
Committee on Science of the House of Representatives outlining
the activities of the Council during the preceding year and the
status of basic research activity within the Administration.
The initial such report, to serve as a baseline document, shall
be provided within 90 days after the establishment and initial
operations of the Council.
SEC. 1304. AGING WORKFORCE ISSUES PROGRAM.
It is the sense of Congress that the Administrator of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration should implement a program to
address aging work force issues in aerospace that--
(1) documents technical and management experiences before
senior people leave the Administration, including--
(A) documenting lessons learned;
(B) briefing organizations;
(C) providing opportunities for archiving lessons
in a database; and
(D) providing opportunities for near-term retirees
to transition out early from their primary assignment
in order to document their career lessons learned and
brief new employees prior to their separation from the
Administration;
(2) provides incentives for retirees to return and teach
new employees about their career lessons and experiences; and
(3) provides for the development of an award to recognize
and reward outstanding senior employees for their contributions
to knowledge sharing.
SEC. 1305. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
Section 101(d) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Authorization Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16611(d)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon in paragraph
(2)(B);
(2) by striking ``Act.'' in paragraph (2)(C) and inserting
``Act; and'';
(3) by adding at the end of paragraph (2) the following:
``(D) the number and content of science activities
which are undertaken in support of science missions
described in subparagraph (A), and the number and
content of science activities which may be considered
as fundamental, or basic research, whether incorporated
within specific missions or conducted independently of
any specific mission.''; and
(4) by adding at the end of paragraph (3) the following:
``(H) How NASA science activities can best be
structured to ensure that basic and fundamental
research can be effectively maintained and coordinated
in response to national goals in competitiveness and
innovation, and in contributing to national scientific,
technology, engineering and mathematics leadership.''.
SEC. 1306. FISCAL YEAR 2008 BASIC SCIENCE AND RESEARCH FUNDING.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administrator of
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall increase
funding for basic science and research, including for the Explorer
Program, for fiscal year 2008 by $160,000,000 by transferring such
amount for such purpose from accounts of the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration. The transfer shall be contingent upon the
availability of unobligated balances to the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration.
TITLE IV--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY
SEC. 1401. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of
Commerce for the use of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology--
(1) for fiscal year 2008, $703,611,000, of which
$115,000,000 shall be used for the Hollings Manufacturing
Extension Partnership Program;
(2) for fiscal year 2009, $773,972,000, of which
$122,005,000 shall be used for the Hollings Manufacturing
Extension Partnership Program;
(3) for fiscal year 2010, $851,369,000, of which
$131,766,000 shall be used for the Hollings Manufacturing
Extension Partnership Program; and
(4) for fiscal year 2011, $936,506,000, of which
$142,300,000 shall be used for the Hollings Manufacturing
Extension Partnership Program.
SEC. 1402. AMENDMENTS TO THE STEVENSON-WYDLER TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION ACT
OF 1980.
(a) In General.--Section 5 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology
Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3704) is repealed.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Title 5, united states code.--Section 5314 of title 5,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``Under Secretary of
Commerce for Technology.''.
(2) Definitions.--Section 4 of the Stevenson-Wydler
Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3703) is amended--
(A) by striking paragraphs (1) and (3); and
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (13) as
paragraphs (1) through (11), respectively.
(3) Repeal of authorization.--Section 21(a) of the
Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C.
3713(a)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``sections 5,
11(g), and 16'' and inserting ``sections 11(g) and
16''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$500,000 is
authorized only for the purpose of carrying out the
requirements of the Japanese technical literature
program established under section 5(d) of this Act;''.
(4) High-performance computing act of 1991.--Section 208 of
the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5528) is
amended by striking subsection (c) and redesignating subsection
(d) as subsection (c).
(5) Assistive technology act of 1998.--Section
6(b)(4)(B)(v) of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (29
U.S.C. 3005(b)(4)(B)(v)) is amended by striking ``the
Technology Administration of the Department of Commerce,'' and
inserting ``the National Institute of Standards and
Technology,''.
SEC. 1403. INNOVATION ACCELERATION.
(a) Program.--In order to implement section 1202 of this Act, the
Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall--
(1) establish a program linked to the goals and objectives
of the measurement laboratories, to be known as the ``Standards
and Technology Acceleration Research Program'', to support and
promote innovation in the United States through high-risk,
high-reward research; and
(2) set aside, from funds available to the measurement
laboratories, an amount equal to not less than 8 percent of the
funds available to the Institute each fiscal year for such
Program.
(b) External Funding.--The Director shall ensure that at least 80
percent of the funds available for such Program shall be used to award
competitive, merit-reviewed grants, cooperative agreements, or
contracts to public or private entities, including businesses and
universities. In selecting entities to receive such assistance, the
Director shall ensure that the project proposed by an entity has
scientific and technical merit and that any resulting intellectual
property shall vest in a United States entity that can commercialize
the technology in a timely manner. Each external project shall involve
at least one small or medium-sized business and the Director shall give
priority to joint ventures between small or medium-sized businesses and
educational institutions. Any grant shall be for a period not to exceed
3 years.
(c) Competitions.--The Director shall solicit proposals annually to
address areas of national need for high-risk, high-reward research, as
identified by the Director.
(d) Annual Report.--Each year the Director shall issue an annual
report describing the program's activities, including include a
description of the metrics upon which grant funding decisions were made
in the previous fiscal year, any proposed changes to those metrics,
metrics for evaluating the success of ongoing and completed grants, and
an evaluation of ongoing and completed grants. The first annual report
shall include best practices for management of programs to stimulate
high-risk, high-reward research.
(e) Administrative Expenses.--No more than 5 percent of the finding
available to the program may be used for administrative expenses.
(f) High-Risk, High-Reward Research Defined.--In this section, the
term ``high-risk, high-reward research'' means research that--
(1) has the potential for yielding results with far-ranging
or wide-ranging implications;
(2) addresses critical national needs related to
measurement standards and technology; and
(3) is too novel or spans too diverse a range of
disciplines to fare well in the traditional peer review
process.
SEC. 1404. MANUFACTURING EXTENSION.
(a) Manufacturing Center Evaluation.--Section 25(c)(5) of the
National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C.
278k(c)(5)) is amended by inserting ``A Center that has not received a
positive evaluation by the evaluation panel shall be notified by the
panel of the deficiencies in its performance and shall be placed on
probation for one year, after which time the panel shall reevaluate the
Center. If the Center has not addressed the deficiencies identified by
the panel, or shown a significant improvement in its performance, the
Director shall conduct a new competition to select an operator for the
Center or may close the Center.'' after ``at declining levels.''.
(b) Federal Share.--Section 25 of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k) is amended by striking
subsection (d) and inserting the following:
``(d) Acceptance of Funds.--In addition to such sums as may be
appropriated to the Secretary and Director to operate the Centers
program, the Secretary and Director also may accept funds from other
Federal departments and agencies and under section 2(c)(7) from the
private sector for the purpose of strengthening United States
manufacturing. Such funds from the private sector, if allocated to a
Center or Centers, shall not be considered in the calculation of the
Federal share of capital and annual operating and maintenance costs
under subsection (c).''.
SEC. 1405. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE TECHNOLOGY.
(a) In General.--The Director of the National Institutes of
Standards and Technology shall re-establish the Experimental Program to
Stimulate Competitive Technology. The purpose of the program shall be
to strengthen the technological competitiveness of those States that
have historically received less Federal research and development funds
than a majority of the States have received.
(b) Arrangements.--In carrying out the program, the Director shall
cooperate with State, regional, or local science and technology-based
economic development organization and with representatives of small
business firms and other appropriate technology-based businesses.
(c) Grants and Cooperative Agreements.--In carrying out the
program, the Director may make grants or enter into cooperative
agreements to provide for--
(1) technology research and development;
(2) technology transfer from university research;
(3) technology deployment and diffusion; and
(4) the strengthening of technological and innovation
capabilities through consortia comprised of--
(A) technology-based small business firms;
(B) industries and emerging companies;
(C) institutions of higher education including
community colleges; and
(D) State and local development agencies and
entities.
(d) Requirements for Making Awards.--
(1) In general.--In making awards under this section, the
Director shall ensure that the awards are awarded on a
competitive basis that includes a review of the merits of the
activities that are the subject of the award, giving special
emphasis to those projects which will increase the
participation of women, Native Americans (including Native
Hawaiians and Alaska Natives), and underrepresented groups in
science and technology.
(2) Matching requirement.--The non-Federal share of the
activities (other than planning activities) carried out under
an award under this subsection shall be not less than 50
percent of the cost of those activities.
(e) Criteria for States.--The Director shall establish criteria for
achievement by each State that participates in the program. Upon the
achievement of all such criteria, a State shall cease to be eligible to
participate in the program.
(f) Coordination.--To the extent practicable, in carrying out this
subsection, the Director shall coordinate the program with other
programs of the Department of Commerce.
(g) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Director shall prepare and submit to
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Science of the House of
Representatives a report that meets the requirements of this
subsection.
(2) Requirements for report.--The report required by this
subsection shall contain--
(A) a description of the structure and procedures
of the program;
(B) a management plan for the program;
(C) a description of the merit-based review process
to be used in the program;
(D) milestones for the evaluation of activities to
be assisted under the program in fiscal year 2008;
(E) an assessment of the eligibility of each State
that participates in the Experimental Program to
Stimulate Competitive Research of the National Science
Foundation to participate in the program under this
subsection; and
(F) the evaluation criteria with respect to which
the overall management and effectiveness of the program
will be evaluated.
SEC. 1406. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS
AND TECHNOLOGY ACT AND OTHER TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.
(a) Research Fellowships.--Section 18 of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g-1) is amended by striking
``up to 1 per centum of the'' in the first sentence.
(b) Financial Agreements.--
(1) Clarification.--Section 2(b)(4) of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 272(b)(4))
is amended by inserting ``and grants and cooperative
agreements,'' after ``arrangements,''.
(2) Memberships.--Section 2(c) of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 272(c)) is amended--
(A) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon in
paragraph (21);
(B) by redesignating paragraph (22) as paragraph
(23); and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (21) the
following:
``(22) notwithstanding subsection (b)(4) of this section,
sections 6301 through 6308 of title 31, United States Code
(commonly known as the `Grants and Cooperative Agreements
Act'), sections 3551 through 3556 of such title (commonly known
as the `Competition in Contracting Act'), and the Federal
Acquisition Regulations set forth in title 48, Code of Federal
Regulations, to expend appropriated funds for National
Institute of Standards and Technology memberships in scientific
organizations, registration fees for attendance at conferences,
and sponsorship of conferences in furtherance of technology
transfer; and''.
(c) Outdated Specifications.--
(1) Redefinition of metric system.--Section 2 of the Act of
July 28, 1866, entitled ``An Act to authorize the Use of the
Metric System of Weights and Measures'' (15 U.S.C. 205; 14
Stat. 339) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 2. METRIC SYSTEM DEFINED.
``The metric system of measurement shall be defined as the
International System of Units as established in 1960, and subsequently
maintained, by the General Conference of Weights and Measures, and as
interpreted or modified for the United States by the Secretary of
Commerce.''.
(2) Repeal of redundant and obsolete authority.--The Act of
July 21, 1950, entitled, ``An Act To redefine the units and
establish the standards of electrical and photometric
measurements of 1950'' (15 U.S.C. 223) is hereby repealed.
(3) Idaho time zone.--Section 3 of the Act of March 19,
1918, (commonly known as the ``Calder Act'') (15 U.S.C. 264) is
amended--
(A) in the section heading, by striking ``third
zone'' and inserting ``fourth zone''; and
(B) by striking ``third zone'' and inserting
``fourth zone''.
(4) Standard time.--Section 1 of the Act of March 19, 1918,
(commonly known as the ``Calder Act'') (15 U.S.C. 261) is
amended--
(A) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before ``For
the purpose'';
(B) by striking the second sentence and the extra
period after it and inserting ``Except as provided in
section 3(a) of the Uniform Time Act of 1966 (15 U.S.C.
260a), the standard time of the first zone shall be
Coordinated Universal Time retarded by 4 hours; that of
the second zone retarded by 5 hours; that of the third
zone retarded by 6 hours; that of the fourth zone
retarded by 7 hours; that of the fifth zone retarded 8
hours; that of the sixth zone retarded by 9 hours; that
of the seventh zone retarded by 10 hours; that of the
eighth zone retarded by 11 hours; and that of the ninth
zone shall be Coordinated Universal Time advanced by 10
hours.''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Coordinated Universal Time Defined.--In this section, the
term `Coordinated Universal Time' means the time scale maintained
through the General Conference of Weights and Measures and interpreted
or modified for the United States by the Secretary of Commerce in
coordination with the Secretary of the Navy.''.
(d) Non-Energy Inventions Program.--Section 27 of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278m) is repealed.
SEC. 1407. CLARIFICATION OF ELIGIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS IN CONNECTION WITH
REGIONAL CENTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE
OBJECTIVES OF THE HOLLINGS MANUFACTURING PARTNERSHIP
PROGRAM.
Paragraph (3) of section 25(c) of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k(c)(3)) is amended to read
as follows:
``(3) Financial support.--
``(A) In general.--Any nonprofit institution, or
group thereof, or consortia of nonprofit institutions,
including entities existing on August 23, 1988, may
submit to the Secretary an application for financial
support under this subsection, in accordance with the
procedures established by the Secretary and published
in the Federal Register under paragraph (2).
``(B) Center contributions.--In order to receive
assistance under this section, an applicant for
financial assistance under subparagraph (A) shall
provide adequate assurances that non-Federal assets
obtained from the applicant and the applicant's
partnering organizations will be used as a funding
source to meet not less than 50 percent of the costs
incurred for the first 3 years and an increasing share
for each of the last 3 years. For purposes of the
preceding sentence, the costs incurred means the costs
incurred in connection with the activities undertaken
to improve the management, productivity, and
technological performance of small- and medium-sized
manufacturing companies.
``(C) Agreements with other entities.--In meeting
the 50 percent requirement, it is anticipated that a
Center will enter into agreements with other entities
such as private industry, universities, and State
governments to accomplish programmatic objectives and
access new and existing resources that will further the
impact of the Federal investment made on behalf of
small- and medium-sized manufacturing companies. All
non-Federal costs, contributed by such entities and
determined by a Center as programmatically reasonable
and allocable are includable as a portion of the
Center's contribution.
``(D) Allocation of legal rights.--Each applicant
under subparagraph (A) shall also submit a proposal for
the allocation of any legal right associated with any
invention that may result from an activity of a Center
for which such applicant receives financial assistance
under this section.''.
TITLE V--OCEAN AND ATMOSPHERIC PROGRAMS
SEC. 1501. OCEAN AND ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, in consultation with the Director of the National
Science Foundation and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration, shall establish a coordinated program of
ocean, coastal, Great Lakes, and atmospheric research and development,
in collaboration with academic institutions and other nongovernmental
entities, that shall focus on the development of advanced technologies
and analytical methods that will promote United States leadership in
ocean and atmospheric science and competitiveness in the applied uses
of such knowledge.
SEC. 1502. NOAA OCEAN AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--The Administrator of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration shall conduct, develop, support, promote,
and coordinate formal and informal educational activities at all levels
to enhance public awareness and understanding of ocean, coastal, Great
Lakes, and atmospheric science and stewardship by the general public
and other coastal stakeholders, including underrepresented groups in
ocean and atmospheric science and policy careers. In conducting those
activities, the Administrator shall build upon the educational programs
and activities of the agency.
(b) NOAA Science Education Plan.--The Administrator, appropriate
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration programs, ocean
atmospheric science and education experts, and interested members of
the public shall develop a science education plan setting forth
education goals and strategies for the Administration, as well as
programmatic actions to carry out such goals and priorities over the
next 20 years, and evaluate and update such plan every 5 years.
(c) Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed to
affect the application of section 438 of the General Education
Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232a) or sections 504 and 508 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794 and 794d).
SEC. 1503. NOAA'S CONTRIBUTION TO INNOVATION.
(a) Participation in Interagency Activities.--The National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration shall be a full participant in any
interagency effort to promote innovation and economic competitiveness
through near-term and long-term basic scientific research and
development and the promotion of science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics education, consistent with the agency mission, including
authorized activities.
(b) Historic Foundation.--In order to carry out the participation
described in subsection (a), the Administrator of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration shall build on the historic role of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in stimulating
excellence in the advancement of ocean and atmospheric science and
engineering disciplines and in providing opportunities and incentives
for the pursuit of academic studies in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics.
SEC. 1504. NOAA ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY.
(a) Review of Activities Carried Out With NOAA Funds.--
(1) Requirement for review.--The Inspector General of the
Department of Commerce shall conduct routine, independent
reviews of the activities carried out with grants or other
financial assistance made available by the Administrator of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Such reviews
shall include cost-benefit analysis of such activities and
reviews to determine if the goals of such activities are being
accomplished.
(2) Availability to the public.--The Administrator shall
make each review conducted pursuant to paragraph (1) available
to the public through the website of the Administration not
later than 60 days after the date such review is completed.
(b) Prohibition on Use of NOAA Funds for Meetings.--No funds made
available by the Administrator through a grant or contract may be used
by the person who received such grant or contract, including any
subcontractor to such person, for a banquet or conference, other than a
conference related to training or a routine meeting with officers or
employees of the Administration to discuss an ongoing project or
training.
(c) Prohibition on Conflicts of Interest.--Each person who receives
funds from the Administrator through a grant or contract shall submit
to the Administrator a certification stating that none of such funds
will be made available through a subcontract or in any other manner to
another person who has a financial interest or other conflict of
interest with the person who received such funds from the
Administrator.
DIVISION B--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
SEC. 2001. SHORT TITLE.
This division may be cited as the ``Protecting America's
Competitive Edge Through Energy Act'' or the ``PACE-Energy Act''.
SEC. 2002. DEFINITIONS.
In this division:
(1) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the
Department of Energy.
(2) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given in
section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001(a)).
(3) National laboratory.--The term ``National Laboratory''
has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Energy, acting through the Under Secretary for Science
appointed under section 202(b) of the Department of Energy
Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7132(b)).
SEC. 2003. MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, AND ENGINEERING EDUCATION AT THE
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY.
(a) Science Education Programs.--Section 3164 of the Department of
Energy Science Education Enhancement Act (42 U.S.C. 7381a) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (b) through (d) as
subsections (c) through (e), respectively;
(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
``(b) Organization of Mathematics, Science, and Engineering
Education Programs.--
``(1) Director of mathematics, science and engineering
education.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Science
(referred to in this subsection as the `Under Secretary'),
shall appoint a Director of Mathematics, Science, and
Engineering Education (referred to in this subsection as the
`Director') with the principal responsibility for administering
mathematics, science, and engineering education programs across
all functions of the Department.
``(2) Qualifications.--The Director shall be an individual,
who by reason of professional background and experience, is
specially qualified to advise the Under Secretary on all
matters pertaining to mathematics, science, and engineering
education at the Department.
``(3) Duties.--The Director shall--
``(A) oversee all mathematics, science, and
engineering education programs of the Department;
``(B) represent the Department as the principal
interagency liaison for all mathematics, science, and
engineering education programs, unless otherwise
represented by the Secretary or the Under Secretary;
``(C) prepare the annual budget and advise the
Under Secretary on all budgetary issues for
mathematics, science, and engineering education
programs of the Department;
``(D) increase, to the maximum extent practicable,
the participation and advancement of women and
underrepresented minorities at every level of science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics education; and
``(E) perform other such matters related to
mathematics, science, and engineering education as are
required by the Secretary or the Under Secretary.
``(4) Staff and other resources.--The Secretary shall
assign to the Director such personnel and other resources as
the Secretary considers necessary to permit the Director to
carry out the duties of the Director.
``(5) Assessment.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall offer to
enter into a contract with the National Academy of
Sciences under which the National Academy, not later
than 5 years after, and not later than 10 years after,
the date of enactment of this paragraph, shall assess
the performance of the mathematics, science, and
engineering education programs of the Department.
``(B) Considerations.--An assessment under this
paragraph shall be conducted taking into consideration,
where applicable, the effect of mathematics, science,
and engineering education programs of the Department on
student academic achievement in math and science.
``(6) Authorization of appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to
carry out this subsection.''; and
(3) by striking subsection (d) (as redesignated by
paragraph (1)) and inserting the following:
``(d) Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education Fund.--The
Secretary shall establish a Mathematics, Science, and Engineering
Education Fund, using not less than 0.3 percent of the amount made
available to the Department for research, development, demonstration,
and commercial application for each fiscal year, to carry out sections
3165, 3166, and 3167.''.
(b) Consultation.--The Secretary shall--
(1) consult with the Secretary of Education regarding
activities authorized under subpart B of the Department of
Energy Science Education Enhancement Act (as added by
subsection (d)(3)) to improve mathematics and science
education; and
(2) otherwise make available to the Secretary of Education
reports associated with programs authorized under that section.
(c) Definition.--Section 3168 of the Department of Energy Science
Education Enhancement Act (42 U.S.C. 7381d) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(5) National laboratory.--The term `National Laboratory'
has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).''.
(d) Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education Programs.--The
Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act (42 U.S.C. 7381
et seq.) is amended--
(1) by inserting after section 3162 the following:
``Subpart A--Science Education Enhancement'';
(2) in section 3169, by striking ``part'' and inserting
``subpart''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``Subpart B--Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education Programs
``SEC. 3170. DEFINITIONS.
``In this subpart:
``(1) Director.--The term `Director' means the Director of
Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education.
``(2) National laboratory.--The term `National Laboratory'
has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).
``CHAPTER 1--ASSISTANCE FOR SPECIALTY SCHOOLS FOR MATHEMATICS AND
SCIENCE
``SEC. 3171. SPECIALTY SCHOOLS FOR MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE.
``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to provide
assistance to States to establish or expand public, statewide specialty
secondary schools that provide comprehensive mathematics and science
(including engineering and technology) education to improve the
academic achievement of students in mathematics and science.
``(b) Definition of Specialty School for Mathematics and Science.--
In this chapter, the term `specialty school for mathematics and
science' means a public secondary school (including a school that
provides residential services to students) that--
``(1) serves students residing in the State in which the
school is located; and
``(2) offers to those students a high-quality,
comprehensive mathematics and science (including engineering
and technology) curriculum designed to improve the academic
achievement of students in mathematics and science.
``(c) Grants Authorized.--
``(1) In general.--From the amounts authorized under
subsection (i), the Secretary, acting through the Director,
shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to States in order
to provide assistance to the States for the costs of
establishing or expanding public, statewide specialty schools
for mathematics and science.
``(2) Resources.--The Director shall ensure that
appropriate resources of the Department, including the National
Laboratories, are available to schools funded under this
section in order to--
``(A) increase experiential, hands-on learning
opportunities in mathematics, science, engineering, and
technology for students attending such schools; and
``(B) provide ongoing professional development
opportunities for teachers employed at such schools.
``(3) Assistance.--Consistent with sections 3165 and 3166,
the Director shall make available necessary funds for a program
using scientific and engineering staff of the National
Laboratories, during which the staff--
``(A) assists teachers in teaching courses at the
schools funded under this section;
``(B) uses National Laboratory scientific equipment
in teaching the courses; and
``(C) uses distance education and other
technologies to provide assistance described in
subparagraphs (A) and (B) to schools funded under this
section that are not located near the National
Laboratories.
``(4) Restriction.--No State shall receive funding for more
than 1 specialty school for mathematics and science for a
fiscal year.
``(d) Federal and Non-Federal Shares.--
``(1) Federal share.--The Federal share of the costs
described in subsection (c)(1) shall not exceed 50 percent.
``(2) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal share of the
costs described in subsection (c)(1) shall be--
``(A) not less than 50 percent; and
``(B) provided from non-Federal sources, in cash or
in kind, fairly evaluated, including services.
``(e) Application.--Each State desiring a grant under this section
shall submit an application to the Director at such time, in such
manner, and accompanied by such information as the Director may require
that describes--
``(1) the process by which and selection criteria with
which the State will select and designate a school as a
specialty school for mathematics and science in accordance with
this section;
``(2) how the State will ensure that funds made available
under this section are used to establish or expand a specialty
school for mathematics and science--
``(A) in accordance with the activities described
in subsection (g); and
``(B) that has the capacity to improve the academic
achievement of all students in all core academic
subjects, and particularly in mathematics and science;
``(3) how the State will measure the extent to which the
school increases student academic achievement on State academic
achievement standards in mathematics, science, and, to the
extent applicable, technology and engineering;
``(4) the curricula and materials to be used in the school;
``(5) the availability of funds from non-Federal sources
for the non-Federal share of the costs of the activities
authorized under this section; and
``(6) how the State will use technical assistance and
support from the Department, including the National
Laboratories, and other entities with experience and expertise
in mathematics, science, technology, and engineering education,
including institutions of higher education.
``(f) Distribution.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Director shall--
``(1) ensure a wide, equitable distribution among States
that propose to serve students from urban and rural areas; and
``(2) provide equal consideration to States without
National Laboratories.
``(g) Uses of Funds.--
``(1) In general.--A State that receives a grant under this
section shall use the funds made available through the grant
to--
``(A) employ proven strategies and methods for
improving student learning and teaching in mathematics,
science, technology, and engineering;
``(B) integrate into the curriculum of the school
comprehensive mathematics and science education,
including instruction and assessments in mathematics,
science, and to the extent applicable, technology and
engineering that are aligned with the State's academic
content and student academic achievement standards
(within the meaning of section 1111 of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311)),
classroom management, professional development,
parental involvement, and school management; and
``(C) provide high-quality and continuous teacher
and staff professional development.
``(2) Special rule.--Grant funds under this section may be
used for activities described in paragraph (1) only if the
activities are directly related to improving student academic
achievement in mathematics, science, and to the extent
applicable, technology and engineering.
``(h) Evaluation and Report.--
``(1) State evaluation and report.--
``(A) Evaluation.--Each State that receives a grant
under this section shall develop and carry out an
evaluation and accountability plan for the activities
funded through the grant that measures the impact of
the activities, including measurable objectives for
improved student academic achievement on State
mathematics, science, and, to the extent applicable,
technology and engineering assessments.
``(B) Report.--The State shall submit to the
Director a report containing the results of the
evaluation and accountability plan.
``(2) Report to congress.--Not later than 2 years after the
date of enactment of the PACE-Energy Act, the Director shall
submit a report to the appropriate committees of Congress
detailing the impact of the activities assisted with funds made
available under this section.
``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section--
``(1) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
``(2) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
``(3) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
``(4) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.
``CHAPTER 2--EXPERIENTIAL-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
``SEC. 3175. EXPERIENTIAL-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.
``(a) Internships Authorized.--
``(1) In general.--From the amounts authorized under
subsection (f), the Secretary, acting through the Director,
shall establish a summer internship program for middle school
and secondary school students that shall--
``(A) provide the students with internships at the
National Laboratories;
``(B) promote experiential, hands-on learning in
mathematics, science, technology, or engineering; and
``(C) be of at least 2 weeks in duration.
``(2) Residential services.--The Director may provide
residential services to students participating in the
Internship authorized under this chapter.
``(b) Selection Criteria.--
``(1) In general.--The Director shall establish criteria to
determine the sufficient level of academic preparedness
necessary for a student to be eligible for an internship under
this section.
``(2) Participation.--The Director shall ensure the
participation of students from a wide distribution of States,
including States without National Laboratories.
``(3) Student achievement.--The Director may consider the
academic achievement of middle and secondary school students in
determining eligibility under this section, in accordance with
subsection (1) and (2).
``(c) Priority.--
``(1) In general.--The Director shall give priority for an
internship under this section to a student who meets the
eligibility criteria described in subsection (b) and who
attends a school--
``(A)(i) in which not less than 30 percent of the
children enrolled in the school are from low-income
families; or
``(ii) that is designated with a school locale code
of 6, 7, or 8, as determined by the Secretary of
Education; and
``(B) for which there is--
``(i) a high percentage of teachers who are
not teaching in the academic subject areas or
grade levels in which the teachers were trained
to teach;
``(ii) a high teacher turnover rate; or
``(iii) a high percentage of teachers with
emergency, provisional, or temporary
certification or licenses.
``(2) Coordination.--The Director shall consult with the
Secretary of Education in order to determine whether a student
meets the priority requirements of this subsection.
``(d) Outreach and Experiential-Based Programs for Minority
Students.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the
Director, in cooperation with Hispanic-serving institutions,
historically Black colleges and universities, tribally
controlled colleges and universities, Alaska Native- and Native
Hawaiian-serving institutions, and other minority-serving
institutions and nonprofit entities with substantial experience
relating to outreach and experiential-based learning projects,
shall establish outreach and experiential-based learning
programs that will encourage underrepresented minority students
in kindergarten through grade 12 to pursue careers in math,
science, and engineering.
``(2) Community involvement.--The Secretary shall ensure
that the programs established under paragraph (1) involve, to
the maximum extent practicable--
``(A) participation by parents and educators; and
``(B) the establishment of partnerships with
business organizations and appropriate Federal, State,
and local agencies.
``(3) Distribution.--The Secretary shall ensure that the
programs established under paragraph (1) are located in diverse
geographic regions of the United States, to the maximum extent
practicable.
``(e) Evaluation and Accountability Plan.--The Director shall
develop an evaluation and accountability plan for the activities funded
under this chapter that objectively measures the impact of the
activities.
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $15,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2008 through 2011.
``CHAPTER 3--NATIONAL LABORATORIES CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE IN
MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND ENGINEERING EDUCATION
``SEC. 3181. NATIONAL LABORATORIES CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE IN
MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND ENGINEERING
EDUCATION.
``(a) Definition of High-Need Public Secondary School.--In this
chapter, the term `high-need public secondary school' means a secondary
school--
``(1) with a high concentration of low-income individuals
(as defined in section 1707 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6537)); or
``(2) designated with a school locale code of 6, 7, or 8,
as determined by the Secretary of Education.
``(b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish at each of the
National Laboratories a program to support a Center of Excellence in
Mathematics, Science, Technology, and Engineering at 1 high-need public
secondary school located in the region of the National Laboratory to
provide assistance in accordance with subsection (f).
``(c) Partnership.--Each high-need public secondary school selected
as a Center of Excellence shall form a partnership with a department
that provides training for teachers and principals at an institution of
higher education for purposes of compliance with subsection (g).
``(d) Selection.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the
Director, shall establish criteria to guide the National
Laboratories in selecting the sites of the Centers of
Excellence.
``(2) Process.--The National Laboratories shall select the
sites of the Centers of Excellence through an open, widely
publicized, and competitive process.
``(e) Goals.--The Secretary shall establish goals and performance
assessments for each Center of Excellence authorized under subsection
(b).
``(f) Assistance.--Consistent with sections 3165 and 3166, the
Director shall make available necessary funds for a program using
scientific and engineering staff of the National Laboratories, during
which the staff--
``(1) assists teachers in teaching courses at the Centers
of Excellence in Mathematics, Science, Technology, and
Engineering; and
``(2) uses National Laboratory scientific equipment in the
teaching of the courses.
``(g) Special Rule.--Each Center of Excellence shall ensure--
``(1) provision of clinical practicum, student teaching, or
internship experiences for mathematics, science, and technology
teacher candidates as part of its teacher preparation program;
``(2) provision of supervision and mentoring for teacher
candidates in the teacher preparation program; and
``(3) to the maximum extent practicable, provision of
professional development for veteran teachers in the public
secondary schools in the region.
``(h) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall consider the results of
performance assessments required under subsection (e) in determining
the contract award fee of a National Laboratory management and
operations contractor.
``(i) Plan.--The Director shall--
``(1) develop an evaluation and accountability plan for the
activities funded under this chapter that objectively measures
the impact of the activities; and
``(2) disseminate information obtained from those
measurements.
``(j) No Effect on Similar Programs.--Nothing in this section
displaces or otherwise affects any similar program being carried out as
of the date of enactment of this subpart at any National Laboratory
under any other provision of law.
``CHAPTER 4--SUMMER INSTITUTES
``SEC. 3185. SUMMER INSTITUTES.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Eligible partner.--The term `eligible partner'
means--
``(A) the mathematics, science, or engineering
department at an institution of higher education,
acting in coordination with a department at an
institution of higher education that provides training
for teachers and principals; or
``(B) a nonprofit entity with expertise in
providing professional development for mathematics,
science, or technology teachers.
``(2) Summer institute.--The term `summer institute' means
an institute, conducted during the summer, that--
``(A) is conducted for a period of not less than 2
weeks;
``(B) includes, as a component, a program that
provides direct interaction between students and
faculty, including personnel of 1 or more National
Laboratories who have scientific expertise; and
``(C) provides for follow-up training, during the
academic year, that is conducted in the classroom.
``(b) Summer Institute Programs Authorized.--
``(1) Programs at the national laboratories.--The
Secretary, acting through the Director, shall establish or
expand programs of summer institutes at each of the National
Laboratories to provide additional training to strengthen the
mathematics, science, technology, and engineering teaching
skills of teachers employed at public schools for kindergarten
through grade 12, in accordance with the activities authorized
under subsections (c) and (d).
``(2) Programs with eligible partners.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary, acting through
the Director, shall identify and provide assistance to
eligible partners to establish or expand programs of
summer institutes that provide additional training to
strengthen the mathematics, science, technology, and
engineering teaching skills of teachers employed at
public schools for kindergarten through grade 12, in
accordance with the activities authorized under
subsections (c) and (d).
``(B) Assistance.--Consistent with sections 3165
and 3166, the Director shall make available necessary
funds for a program using scientific and engineering
staff of the National Laboratories, during which the
staff--
``(i) assists in providing training to
teachers at summer institutes; and
``(ii) uses National Laboratory scientific
equipment in the training.
``(C) Limitation of amount.--To carry out this
paragraph, the Director may use not more than 50
percent of the amounts authorized under subsection (h)
for a fiscal year.
``(c) Required Activities.--Each program authorized under
subsection (b) shall--
``(1) create opportunities for enhanced and ongoing
professional development for teachers that improves the
mathematics, science, technology, and engineering content
knowledge of such teachers;
``(2) include material pertaining to recent developments in
mathematics, science, technology, and engineering pedagogy;
``(3) provide training on the use and integration of
technology in the classroom;
``(4) directly relate to the curriculum and academic areas
in which the teachers provide instruction;
``(5) enhance the ability of the teachers to understand and
use the challenging State academic content standards for
mathematics, science, and, to the extent applicable, technology
and engineering and to select appropriate curricula;
``(6) train teachers to use curricula that are--
``(A) based on scientific research;
``(B) aligned with challenging State academic
content standards; and
``(C) object-centered, experiment-oriented, and
concept- and content-based;
``(7) provide professional development activities,
including supplemental and follow-up activities; and
``(8) allow for the exchange of best practices among the
participants.
``(d) Permissible Activities.--A program authorized under
subsection (b) may include--
``(1) a program that provides teachers with opportunities
to work under the guidance of experienced teachers and college
faculty;
``(2) instruction in the use and integration of data and
assessments to inform and instruct classroom practice; and
``(3) extended master teacher programs.
``(e) Priority.--To the maximum extent practicable, the Director
shall ensure that each summer institute program authorized under
subsection (b) provides training to--
``(1) teachers from a wide range of school districts;
``(2) teachers from disadvantaged school districts; and
``(3) teachers from groups underrepresented in the fields
of mathematics, science, technology, and engineering teaching,
including women and members of minority groups.
``(f) Coordination and Consultation.--The Director shall consult
and coordinate with the Secretary of Education and the Director of the
National Science Foundation regarding the implementation of the
programs authorized under subsection (b).
``(g) Evaluation and Accountability Plan.--
``(1) In general.--The Director shall develop an evaluation
and accountability plan for the activities funded under this
section that measures the impact of the activities.
``(2) Contents.--The evaluation and accountability plan
shall include--
``(A) measurable objectives to increase the number
of mathematics, science, and technology teachers who
participate in the summer institutes involved; and
``(B) measurable objectives for improved student
academic achievement on State mathematics, science, and
to the extent applicable, technology and engineering
assessments.
``(3) Report to congress.--The Secretary shall submit to
Congress with the annual budget submission of the Secretary a
report on how the activities assisted under this section
improve the mathematics, science, technology, and engineering
teaching skills of participating teachers.
``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section--
``(1) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
``(2) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
``(3) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
``(4) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.
``CHAPTER 5--NUCLEAR SCIENCE EDUCATION
``SEC. 3191. NUCLEAR SCIENCE TALENT EXPANSION PROGRAM FOR INSTITUTIONS
OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
``(a) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are--
``(1) to address the decline in the number of and resources
available to nuclear science programs of institutions of higher
education; and
``(2) to increase the number of graduates with degrees in
nuclear science, an area of strategic importance to the
economic competitiveness and energy security of the United
States.
``(b) Definition of Nuclear Science.--In this section, the term
`nuclear science' includes--
``(1) nuclear science;
``(2) nuclear engineering;
``(3) nuclear chemistry;
``(4) radio chemistry; and
``(5) health physics.
``(c) Establishment.--The Secretary, acting through the Director,
shall establish in accordance with this section a program to expand and
enhance institution of higher education nuclear science educational
capabilities.
``(d) Nuclear Science Program Expansion Grants for Institutions of
Higher Education.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the
Director, shall award up to 3 competitive grants for each
fiscal year to institutions of higher education that establish
new academic degree programs in nuclear science.
``(2) Eligibility.--To be eligible for a grant under this
subsection, an applicant shall partner with a National
Laboratory or other eligible nuclear-related entity, as
determined by the Secretary.
``(3) Criteria.--Criteria for a grant awarded under this
subsection shall be based on--
``(A) the potential to attract new students to the
program;
``(B) academic rigor; and
``(C) the ability to offer hands-on learning
opportunities.
``(4) Duration and amount.--
``(A) Duration.--A grant under this subsection
shall be 5 years in duration.
``(B) Amount.--An institution of higher education
that receives a grant under this subsection shall be
eligible for up to $1,000,000 for each year of the
grant period.
``(5) Use of funds.--An institution of higher education
that receives a grant under this subsection may use the grant
to--
``(A) recruit and retain new faculty;
``(B) develop core and specialized course content;
``(C) encourage collaboration between faculty and
researchers in the nuclear science field; or
``(D) support outreach efforts to recruit students.
``(e) Nuclear Science Competitiveness Grants for Institutions of
Higher Education.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the
Director shall award up to 10 competitive grants for each
fiscal year to institutions of higher education with existing
academic degree programs that produce graduates in nuclear
science.
``(2) Criteria.--Criteria for a grant awarded under this
subsection shall be based on the potential for increasing the
number and academic quality of graduates in the nuclear
sciences who enter into careers in nuclear-related fields.
``(3) Duration and amount.--
``(A) Duration.--A grant under this subsection
shall be 5 years in duration.
``(B) Amount.--An institution of higher education
that receives a grant under this subsection shall be
eligible for up to $500,000 for each year of the grant
period.
``(4) Use of funds.--An institution of higher education
that receives a grant under this subsection may use the grant
to--
``(A) increase the number of graduates in nuclear
science that enter into careers in the nuclear science
field;
``(B) enhance the teaching of advanced nuclear
technologies;
``(C) aggressively pursue collaboration
opportunities with industry and National Laboratories;
``(D) bolster or sustain nuclear infrastructure and
research facilities of the institution of higher
education, such as research and training reactors or
laboratories; and
``(E) provide tuition assistance and stipends to
undergraduate and graduate students.
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--
``(1) Nuclear science program expansion grants for
institutions of higher education.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out subsection (d)--
``(A) $9,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
``(B) $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
``(C) $18,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
``(D) $22,500,000 for fiscal year 2011.
``(2) Nuclear science competitiveness grants for
institutions of higher education.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out subsection (e)--
``(A) $11,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
``(B) $16,500,000 for fiscal year 2009;
``(C) $22,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
``(D) $27,500,000 for fiscal year 2011.
``CHAPTER 6--ADMINISTRATION
``SEC. 3195. MENTORING PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--As part of the programs established under
chapters 1, 3, and 4, the Director shall establish a program to recruit
and provide mentors for women and underrepresented minorities who are
interested in careers in mathematics, science, and engineering. The
program shall pair mentors with women and minorities who are in
programs of study at specialty schools for mathematics and science,
Centers of Excellence, and summer institutes established under chapters
1, 3, and 4, respectively.
``(b) Program Evaluation.--The Secretary shall annually--
``(1) use metrics to evaluate the success of the programs
established under subsection (a); and
``(2) submit to Congress a report that describes the
results of each evaluation.''.
``CHAPTER 7--NATIONAL ENERGY EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT
``SEC. 3196. NATIONAL ENERGY EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT.
``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to enable all
students to reach or exceed grade-level academic achievement standards
and to enhance the knowledge of the students of the science of energy,
the sources of energy, the uses of energy in society, and the
environmental consequences and benefits of all energy sources and uses
by--
``(1) improving instruction in science related to energy
for students in kindergarten through grade 9 through the
implementation of energy education programs and with the
support of comprehensive science education initiatives that are
based on the best available evidence of effectiveness; and
``(2) providing professional development and instructional
leadership activities for teachers and, if appropriate, for
administrators and other school staff, on the implementation of
comprehensive mathematics initiatives designed--
``(A) to improve the understanding of students of
the scientific, economic, and environmental impacts of
energy;
``(B) to improve the knowledge of teachers,
administrators, and other school staff related to the
scientific content of energy;
``(C) to increase the use of effective
instructional practices; and
``(D) to reflect science content that is consistent
with State academic achievement standards in
mathematics described in section 1111(b) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6311(b)).
``(b) Program.--The Secretary (acting through the Director)
(referred to in this section as the `Secretary') shall provide grants
to States to assist the States in establishing or expanding programs to
enhance the quality of science education in elementary schools with
respect to conventional and emerging energy sources and uses.
``(c) Coordination.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary
shall use and coordinate with existing State and national programs that
have a similar mission.
``(d) Grants.--The Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive
basis, under this section to States to pay the Federal share of the
costs of establishing or expanding high-quality energy education
curricula and programs.
``(e) Programs.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall
award grants to establish or expand programs that enhance--
``(1) the quality of science education in elementary
schools with respect to conventional and emerging energy
sources and uses; and
``(2) the understanding of students of the science,
economics, and environmental impacts of energy production and
consumption.
``(f) Federal and Non-Federal Shares.--
``(1) Federal share.--The Federal share of the costs of
carrying out a program under this section shall be 50 percent.
``(2) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal share of the
costs of carrying out a program under this section may be
provided in the form of cash or in-kind contributions, fairly
evaluated, including services.
``(g) Distribution.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Secretary shall--
``(1) ensure a wide, equitable distribution of grants among
States that propose to serve students from urban and rural
areas; and
``(2) provide equal consideration to States without
National Laboratories.
``(h) Uses of Funds.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), States, or
other entities through States, that receive grants under this
section shall use the grant funds to--
``(A) employ proven strategies and methods for
improving student learning and teaching regarding
energy;
``(B) integrate into the curriculum of schools
comprehensive, science-based, energy education,
including instruction and assessments that are aligned
with--
``(i) the academic content and student
academic achievement standards of the State
(within the meaning of section 1111 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 6311));
``(ii) classroom management;
``(iii) professional development;
``(iv) parental involvement; and
``(v) school management; and
``(C) provide high-quality and continuous teacher
and staff professional development.
``(2) Requirements.--Grant funds under this section may be
used for activities described in paragraph (1) only if the
activities are directly related to improving student academic
achievement related to--
``(A) the science of energy;
``(B) the sources of energy;
``(C) the uses of energy in society; and
``(D) the environmental consequences and benefits
of all energy sources and uses.
``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section--
``(1) $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009;
and
``(2) $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011.''.
SEC. 2004. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY EARLY-CAREER RESEARCH GRANTS.
(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to authorize
research grants in the Department for early-career scientists and
engineers for purposes of pursuing independent research.
(b) Definition of Eligible Early-Career Researcher.--In this
section, the term ``eligible early-career researcher'' means an
individual who--
(1) completed a doctorate or other terminal degree not more
than 10 years before the date of application for a grant
authorized under this section, except as provided in subsection
(c)(3); and
(2) has demonstrated promise in the field of science,
technology, engineering, mathematics, computer science, or
computational science.
(c) Grant Program Authorized.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall award not less than 65
grants per year to outstanding eligible early-career
researchers to support the work of such researchers in the
Department, particularly at the National Laboratories, or other
federally-funded research and development centers.
(2) Application.--An eligible early-career researcher who
desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit to
the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and
accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require.
(3) Waiver.--The Secretary may find eligible a candidate
who has completed a doctorate more than 10 years prior to the
date of application if the candidate was unable to conduct
research for a period of time because of extenuating
circumstances, including military service or family
responsibilities.
(4) Duration and amount.--
(A) Duration.--A grant under this section shall be
5 years in duration.
(B) Amount.--An eligible early career-researcher
who receives a grant under this section shall receive
up to $100,000 for each year of the grant period.
(5) Use of funds.--An eligible early career-researcher who
receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds
for basic research in natural sciences, engineering,
mathematics, or computer sciences at the Department,
particularly the National Laboratories, or other federally-
funded research and development center.
(6) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section--
(A) $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(B) $19,500,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(C) $26,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
(D) $32,500,000 for fiscal year 2011.
SEC. 2005. ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AUTHORITY-ENERGY.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Advisory board.--The term ``Advisory Board'' means the
Advisory Board established under subsection (d).
(2) Authority.--The term ``Authority'' means the Advanced
Research Projects Authority--Energy established under
subsection (b).
(3) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the Authority appointed under subsection (c)(1).
(4) Energy technology.--The term ``energy technology''
means technology, including carbon-neutral technology, used
for--
(A) fossil energy;
(B) carbon sequestration;
(C) nuclear energy;
(D) renewable energy;
(E) energy distribution; or
(F) energy efficiency technology.
(b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish an Advanced
Research Projects Authority-Energy to overcome the long-term and high-
risk technological barriers in the development of energy technologies.
(c) Director.--
(1) Appointment.--The Secretary shall appoint a Director of
the Authority.
(2) Qualifications.--The Director shall be an individual
who, by reason of professional background and experience, is
especially qualified to advise the Secretary on matters
pertaining to long-term, high-risk programs to overcome long-
term and high-risk technological barriers to the development of
energy technologies.
(3) Duties.--The Director shall--
(A) employ such qualified technical staff as are
necessary to carry out the duties of the Authority,
including providing staff for the Advisory Committee;
(B) serve as the selection official for proposals
relating to energy technologies that are solicited
within the Department;
(C) develop metrics to assist in developing funding
criteria and for assessing the success of existing
programs;
(D) terminate programs carried out under this
section that are not achieving the goals of the
programs; and
(E) perform such duties relating to long-term and
high-risk technological barriers in the development of
energy technologies as are determined to be appropriate
by the Secretary.
(d) Advisory Board.--
(1) Appointment.--The Secretary shall, consistent with the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), establish, and
appoint members to, an Advisory Board to make recommendations
to the Secretary and the Director on actions necessary to carry
out this section.
(2) Qualifications.--The Advisory Board shall consist of
individuals who, by reason of professional background and
experience, are especially qualified to advise the Secretary
and the Director on matters pertaining to long-term and high-
risk technological barriers in the development of energy
technologies.
(3) Term.--A member of the Advisory Board shall be
appointed for a term of 5 years.
(4) Information.--Each fiscal year, individuals who carry
out energy technology programs of the Department and staff of
the Authority shall provide to the Advisory Board written
proposals and oral briefings on long-term and high-risk
technological barriers that are critical to overcome for the
successful development of energy technologies.
(5) Duties.--Each fiscal year, the Advisory Board shall--
(A) recommend to the Secretary and the Director--
(i) in order of priority, proposals of
energy programs of the Department that are
critical to overcoming long-term and high-risk
technological barriers to enable the successful
development of energy technologies; and
(ii) additional programs not covered in the
proposals that are critical to overcoming the
barriers described in clause (i); and
(B) based on the metrics described in subsection
(c)(3)(C), make recommendations to the Secretary and
the Directory concerning whether programs funded under
this section are achieving the goals of the programs.
(e) Review.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the National
Academy of Sciences under which the Academy shall--
(1) conduct reviews during each of calendar years 2010 and
2012 to determine the success of the activities carried out
under this section; and
(2) submit to Congress, the Secretary, and the Director a
report describing the results of each review.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section for
each of fiscal years 2008 through 2011.
SEC. 2006. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
FOR BASIC RESEARCH.
Section 971(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C.
16311(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (3)--
(A) by striking ``$5,200,000,000'' and inserting
``$4,800,000,000''; and
(B) by striking the period at the end and inserting
a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) $4,945,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
``(5) $5,265,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.''.
SEC. 2007. DISCOVERY SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING INNOVATION INSTITUTES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish distributed,
multidisciplinary institutes (referred to in this section as
``Institutes'') centered at National Laboratories to apply fundamental
science and engineering discoveries to technological innovations
related to the missions of the Department and the global
competitiveness of the United States.
(b) Topical Areas.--The Institutes shall support scientific and
engineering research and education activities on critical emerging
technologies determined by the Secretary to be essential to global
competitiveness, including activities related to--
(1) sustainable energy technologies;
(2) multi-scale materials and processes;
(3) micro- and nano-engineering;
(4) computational and information engineering; and
(5) genomics and proteomics.
(c) Partnerships.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary
shall establish partnerships between the Institutes and--
(1) institutions of higher education to--
(A) train undergraduate and graduate engineering
and science students;
(B) develop innovative educational curricula; and
(C) conduct research within the topical areas
described in subsection (b);
(2) private industry to develop innovative technologies
within the topical areas described in subsection (b);
(3) State and local governments to promote regionally-based
commercialization and entrepreneurship; and
(4) financing entities to guide successful technology
commercialization.
(d) Merit-Based Selection.--The selection of Institutes under this
section shall be merit-based and made through an open, competitive
selection process.
(e) Restriction.--Not more than 3 Institutes shall receive grants
for a fiscal year.
(f) Review.--The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the
National Academy of Sciences under which the Academy shall, not later
than 3 and 6 years after the date of enactment of this Act--
(1) review the performance of the Institutes under this
section; and
(2) submit to Congress and the Secretary a report
describing the results of the review.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out the activities of each Institute selected
under this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through
2011.
SEC. 2008. PROTECTING AMERICA'S COMPETITIVE EDGE (PACE) GRADUATE
FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.
(a) Definition of Eligible Student.--In this section, the term
``eligible student'' means a student who attends an institution of
higher education that offers a doctoral degree in a field relevant to a
mission area of the Department.
(b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a graduate
fellowship program for eligible students pursuing a doctoral degree in
a mission area of the Department.
(c) Selection.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall award fellowships to
eligible students under this section through a competitive
merit review process (involving written and oral interviews)
that will result in a wide distribution of awards throughout
the United States.
(2) Criteria.--The Secretary shall establish selection
criteria for awarding fellowships under this section that
require an eligible student to--
(A) pursue a field of science or engineering of
importance to the mission area of the Department;
(B) rank in the upper 10 percent of the class of
the eligible student;
(C) demonstrate to the Secretary--
(i) the capacity to understand technical
topics related to the fellowship that can be
derived from the first principles of the
technical topics;
(ii) imagination and creativity;
(iii) leadership skills in organizations or
intellectual endeavors, demonstrated through
awards and past experience; and
(iv) excellent verbal and communication
skills to explain, defend, and demonstrate an
understanding of technical subjects related to
the fellowship; and
(D) be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the
United States.
(d) Awards.--
(1) Amount.--A fellowship awarded under this section
shall--
(A) provide an annual living stipend; and
(B) cover--
(i) graduate tuition at an institution of
higher education; and
(ii) incidental expenses associated with
curricula and research at the institution of
higher education (including books, computers
and software).
(2) Duration.--A fellowship awarded under this section
shall be for a period of not greater than 5 years.
(3) Portability.--A fellowship awarded under this section
shall be portable with the fellow.
(e) Administration.--The Secretary (acting through the Director of
Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education)--
(1) shall administer the program established under this
section; and,
(2) may enter into a contract with a nonprofit entity to
administer the program, including the selection and award of
fellowships.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) Fellowships.--There are authorized to be appropriated
to award fellowships under this section--
(A) $9,300,000 for 200 fellowships for fiscal year
2008;
(B) $14,500,000 for 300 fellowships for fiscal year
2009 (including non-expiring fellowships for prior
fiscal years);
(C) $25,000,000 for 500 fellowships for fiscal year
2010 (including non-expiring fellowships for prior
fiscal years); and
(D) $35,500,000 for 700 fellowships for fiscal year
2011 (including non-expiring fellowships for prior
fiscal years).
(2) Administration.--There are authorized to be
appropriated for administrative expenses incurred in carrying
out this section--
(A) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(B) $1,500,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(C) $2,500,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
(D) $3,500,000 for fiscal year 2011.
SEC. 2009. TITLE IX COMPLIANCE.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall submit to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report
that describes actions taken by the Department of Energy to implement
the recommendations in the report of the Government Accountability
Office numbered 04-639.
(b) Compliance.--To comply with title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.), the Secretary of Energy
shall annually conduct compliance reviews of at least 2 recipients of
Department of Energy grants.
SEC. 2010. HIGH-RISK, HIGH-REWARD RESEARCH.
(a) Definition of High-Risk, High-Reward Research.--In this
section, the term ``high-risk, high reward research'' means research
that--
(1) has the potential for yielding results with far-ranging
implications;
(2) is too novel or spans too diverse a range of
disciplines to fare well in the traditional peer review
process; and
(3) is supportive of the missions of the sponsoring agency.
(b) Establishment of Grant Programs.--
(1) Energy grant program.--The Secretary shall establish a
grant program to encourage the conduct of high-risk, high-
reward research at the Department.
(2) Geological grant program.--The Director of the United
States Geological Survey shall establish a grant program to
encourage the conduct of high-risk, high-reward research at the
United States Geological Survey.
SEC. 2011. DISTINGUISHED SCIENTIST PROGRAM.
(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to promote scientific
and academic excellence through collaborations between institutions of
higher education and the National Laboratories.
(b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a program to
support the joint appointment of distinguished scientists by
institutions of higher education and National Laboratories.
(c) Qualifications.--Successful candidates under this section shall
be persons who, by reason of professional background and experience,
are able to bring international recognition to the appointing
institution of higher education and National Laboratory in their field
of scientific endeavor.
(d) Selection.--A distinguished scientist appointed under this
section shall be selected through an open, competitive process.
(e) Appointment.--
(1) Institution of higher education.--An appointment by an
institution of higher education under this section shall be
filled within the tenure allotment of the institution of higher
education at a minimum rank of professor.
(2) National laboratory.--An appointment by a National
Laboratory under this section shall be at the rank of the
highest grade of distinguished scientist or technical staff of
the National Laboratory.
(f) Duration.--An appointment under this section shall be for 6
years, consisting of 2 3-year funding allotments.
(g) Use of Funds.--Funds made available under this section may be
used for--
(1) the salary of the distinguished scientist and support
staff;
(2) undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral
appointments;
(3) research-related equipment;
(4) professional travel; and
(5) such other requirements as the Director determines are
necessary to carry out the purpose of the program.
(h) Review.--
(1) In general.--The appointment of a distinguished
scientist under this section shall be reviewed at the end of
the first 3-year allotment for the distinguished scientist
through an open peer-review process to determine whether the
appointment is meeting the purpose of this section under
subsection (a).
(2) Funding.--Funding of the appointment of the
distinguished scientist for the second 3-year allotment shall
be determined based on the review conducted under paragraph
(1).
(i) Cost Sharing.--To be eligible for assistance under this
section, an appointing institution of higher education shall pay at
least 50 percent of the total costs of the appointment.
(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section--
(1) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 (to support up to 30
appointments under this section);
(2) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 (to support up to 60
such appointments); and
(3) $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (to
support up to 100 such appointments).
DIVISION C--EDUCATION
SEC. 3001. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) A well-educated population is essential to retaining
America's competitiveness in the global economy.
(2) The United States needs to build on and expand the
impact of existing programs by taking additional, well-
coordinated steps to ensure that all students are able to
obtain the knowledge the students need to obtain postsecondary
education and participate successfully in the workforce or the
Armed Forces.
(3) The next steps must be informed by independent
information on the effectiveness of current programs in
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education,
and by identification of best practices that can be replicated.
(4) Teacher preparation and elementary school and secondary
school programs and activities must be aligned with the
requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) and the requirements of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.).
(5) The ever increasing knowledge and skill demands of the
21st century require that secondary school preparation and
requirements be better aligned with the knowledge and skills
needed to succeed in postsecondary education and the workforce,
and States need better data systems to track educational
achievement from prekindergarten through baccalaureate degrees.
SEC. 3002. DEFINITIONS.
(a) ESEA Definitions.--Unless otherwise specified in this division,
the terms used in this division have the meanings given the terms in
section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 7801).
(b) Other Definitions.--In this division:
(1) Critical foreign language.--The term ``critical foreign
language'' means a foreign language that the Secretary
determines, in consultation with the heads of such Federal
departments and agencies as the Secretary determines
appropriate, is critical to the national security and economic
competitiveness of the United States.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Education.
TITLE I--TEACHER ASSISTANCE
Subtitle A--Teachers for a Competitive Tomorrow
SEC. 3111. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this subtitle is--
(1) to develop and implement programs to provide integrated
courses of study in mathematics, science, engineering, or
critical foreign languages, and teacher education, that lead to
a baccalaureate degree with concurrent teacher certification;
(2) to develop and implement 2- or 3-year part-time
master's degree programs in mathematics, science, technology,
or critical foreign language education for teachers in order to
enhance the teachers' content knowledge and pedagogical skills;
and
(3) to develop programs for professionals in mathematics,
science, or critical foreign language education that lead to a
master's degree in teaching that results in teacher
certification.
SEC. 3112. DEFINITIONS.
In this subtitle:
(1) Children from low-income families.--The term ``children
from low-income families'' means children described in section
1124(c)(1)(A) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6333(c)(1)(A)).
(2) Eligible recipient.--The term ``eligible recipient''
means an institution of higher education that receives grant
funds under this subtitle on behalf of a department of
mathematics, engineering, science, or a critical foreign
language, or on behalf of a department or school with a
competency-based degree program (in mathematics, engineering,
science, or a critical foreign language) that includes teacher
certification, for use in carrying out activities assisted
under this subtitle.
(3) High-need local educational agency.--The term ``high-
need local educational agency'' means a local educational
agency or educational service agency--
(A)(i) that serves not fewer than 10,000 children
from low-income families;
(ii) for which not less than 20 percent of the
children served by the agency are children from low-
income families; or
(iii) with a total of less than 600 students in
average daily attendance at the schools that are served
by the agency and all of whose schools are designated
with a school locale code of 6, 7, or 8, as determined
by the Secretary; and
(B)(i) for which there is a high percentage of
teachers providing instruction in academic subject
areas or grade levels for which the teachers are not
highly qualified; or
(ii) for which there is a high teacher turnover
rate or a high percentage of teachers with emergency,
provisional, or temporary certification or licensure.
(4) Highly qualified.--The term ``highly qualified'' has
the meaning given such term in section 9101 of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801) and, with
respect to special education teachers, in section 602 of the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1401).
(5) Partnership.--The term ``partnership'' means a
partnership that--
(A) shall include--
(i) an eligible recipient;
(ii)(I)(aa) a department within the
eligible recipient that provides a program of
study in mathematics, engineering, science, or
a critical foreign language; and
(bb) a school or department within the
eligible recipient that provides a teacher
preparation program, or a 2-year institution of
higher education that has a teacher preparation
offering or a dual enrollment program with the
eligible recipient; or
(II) a department or school within the
eligible recipient with a competency-based
degree program (in mathematics, engineering,
science, or a critical foreign language) that
includes teacher certification; and
(iii) not less than 1 high-need local
educational agency and a public school or a
consortium of public schools served by the
agency; and
(B) may include a nonprofit organization that has
the capacity to provide expertise or support to meet
the purposes of this subtitle.
(6) Teaching skills.--The term ``teaching skills'' means
the ability to--
(A) increase student achievement;
(B) effectively convey and explain academic subject
matter;
(C) employ strategies that--
(i) are based on scientifically based
research;
(ii) are specific to academic subject
matter; and
(iii) focus on the identification of, and
tailoring of academic instruction to, students'
specific learning needs, particularly children
with disabilities, students who are limited
English proficient, and students who are gifted
and talented;
(D) conduct ongoing assessment of student learning;
(E) effectively manage a classroom; and
(F) communicate and work with parents and
guardians, and involve parents and guardians in their
children's education.
SEC. 3113. PROGRAMS FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREES IN MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE,
ENGINEERING, OR CRITICAL FOREIGN LANGUAGES, WITH
CONCURRENT TEACHER CERTIFICATION.
(a) Program Authorized.--From the amounts made available to carry
out this section under section 3116(1) and not reserved under section
3115(d) for a fiscal year, the Secretary is authorized to award grants,
on a competitive basis, to eligible recipients to enable partnerships
served by the eligible recipients to develop and implement programs to
provide courses of study in mathematics, science, engineering, or
critical foreign languages that--
(1) are integrated with teacher education; and
(2) lead to a baccalaureate degree with concurrent teacher
certification.
(b) Application.--Each eligible recipient desiring a grant under
this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time
and in such manner as the Secretary may require. Each application
shall--
(1) describe the program for which assistance is sought;
(2) describe how a department of mathematics, science,
engineering, or a critical foreign language participating in
the partnership will ensure significant collaboration with a
teacher preparation program in the development of undergraduate
degrees in mathematics, science, engineering, or a critical
foreign language, with concurrent teacher certification,
including providing student teaching and other clinical
classroom experiences or how a department or school
participating in the partnership with a competency-based degree
program has ensured, in the development of a baccalaureate
degree program in mathematics, science, engineering, or a
critical foreign language, the provision of concurrent teacher
certification, including providing student teaching and other
clinical classroom experiences;
(3) describe the high-quality research, laboratory, or
internship experiences, integrated with coursework, that will
be provided under the program;
(4) describe how members of groups that are
underrepresented in the teaching of mathematics, science,
technology, engineering, or critical foreign languages will be
encouraged to participate in the program;
(5) describe how program participants will be encouraged to
teach in schools determined by the partnership to be most in
need, and what assistance in finding employment in such schools
will be provided;
(6) describe the ongoing activities and services that will
be provided to graduates of the program;
(7) describe how the activities of the partnership will be
coordinated with any activities funded through other Federal
grants, and how the partnership will continue the activities
assisted under the program when the grant period ends;
(8) describe how the partnership will assess the content
knowledge and teaching skills of the program participants; and
(9) provide any other information the Secretary may
reasonably require.
(c) Authorized Activities.--
(1) In general.--Each eligible recipient receiving a grant
under this section shall use the grant funds to enable a
partnership to develop and implement a program to provide
courses of study in mathematics, science, engineering, or a
critical foreign language that--
(A) are integrated with teacher education programs
that promote effective teaching skills; and
(B) lead to a baccalaureate degree in mathematics,
science, engineering, or a critical foreign language
with concurrent teacher certification.
(2) Program requirements.--The program shall--
(A) provide high-quality research, laboratory, or
internship experiences for program participants;
(B) provide student teaching or other clinical
classroom experiences that--
(i) are integrated with coursework; and
(ii) lead to the participants' ability to
demonstrate effective teaching skills;
(C) if implementing a program in which program
participants are prepared to teach mathematics,
science, technology, or engineering courses, include
strategies for improving student literacy;
(D) encourage the participation of individuals who
are members of groups that are underrepresented in the
teaching of mathematics, science, technology,
engineering, or critical foreign languages;
(E) encourage participants to teach in schools
determined by the partnership to be most in need, and
actively assist the participants in finding employment
in such schools;
(F) offer training in the use of and integration of
educational technology;
(G) collect data regarding and evaluate, using
measurable objectives and benchmarks, the extent to
which the program succeeded in--
(i) increasing the percentage of highly
qualified mathematics, science, or critical
foreign language teachers, including increasing
the percentage of such teachers teaching in
those schools determined by the partnership to
be most in need;
(ii) improving student academic achievement
in mathematics, science, and where applicable,
technology and engineering;
(iii) increasing the number of students in
secondary schools enrolled in upper level
mathematics, science, and, where available,
technology and engineering courses; and
(iv) increasing the numbers of elementary
school, middle school, and secondary school
students enrolled in and continuing in critical
foreign language courses;
(H) collect data on the employment placement of all
graduates of the program, including information on how
many graduates are teaching and in what kinds of
schools;
(I) provide ongoing activities and services to
graduates of the program who teach elementary school,
middle school, or secondary school, by--
(i) keeping the graduates informed of the
latest developments in their respective
academic fields; and
(ii) supporting the graduates of the
program who are employed in schools in the
local educational agency participating in the
partnership during the initial years of
teaching through--
(I) induction programs;
(II) promotion of effective
teaching skills; and
(III) providing opportunities for
regular professional development; and
(J) develop recommendations to improve the teacher
preparation program participating in the partnership.
(d) Annual Report.--Each eligible recipient receiving a grant under
this section shall collect and report to the Secretary annually such
information as the Secretary may reasonably require, including--
(1) the number of participants in the program;
(2) information on the academic majors of participating
students;
(3) the race, gender, income, and disability status of
program participants;
(4) the employment placement of program participants as
teachers in schools determined by the partnership to be most in
need;
(5) the extent to which the program succeeded in meeting
the objectives and benchmarks described in subsection
(c)(2)(G); and
(6) the data collected under subparagraphs (G) and (H) of
subsection (c)(2).
(e) Technical Assistance.--From the funds made available under
section 3116(1), the Secretary may provide technical assistance to an
eligible recipient developing a baccalaureate degree program with
concurrent teacher certification, including technical assistance
provided through a grant or contract awarded on a competitive basis to
an institution of higher education or a technical assistance center.
SEC. 3114. PROGRAMS FOR MASTER'S DEGREES IN MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE,
TECHNOLOGY, OR CRITICAL FOREIGN LANGUAGES EDUCATION.
(a) Program Authorized.--From the amounts made available to carry
out this section under section 3116(2) and not reserved under section
3115(d) for a fiscal year, the Secretary is authorized to award grants,
on a competitive basis, to eligible recipients to enable the
partnerships served by the eligible recipients to develop and
implement--
(1) 2- or 3-year part-time master's degree programs in
mathematics, science, technology, or critical foreign language
education for teachers in order to enhance the teacher's
content knowledge and teaching skills; or
(2) programs for professionals in mathematics, science,
engineering, or critical foreign language that lead to a 1 year
master's degree in teaching that results in teacher
certification.
(b) Application.--Each eligible recipient desiring a grant under
this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time
and in such manner as the Secretary may require. Each application shall
describe--
(1) how a department of mathematics, science, engineering,
technology, or a critical foreign language will ensure
significant collaboration with a teacher preparation program in
the development of the master's degree programs authorized
under subsection (a), or how a department or school with a
competency-based degree program has ensured, in the development
of a master's degree program, the provision of rigorous studies
in mathematics, science, or a critical foreign language that
enhance the teachers' content knowledge and teaching skills;
(2) the role of the local educational agency in the
partnership in developing and administering the program and how
feedback from the local educational agency, school, and
participants will be used to improve the program;
(3) how the program will help increase the percentage of
highly qualified mathematics, science, or critical foreign
language teachers, including increasing the percentage of such
teachers teaching in schools determined by the partnership to
be most in need;
(4) how the program will--
(A) improve student academic achievement in
mathematics, science, and, where applicable, technology
and engineering and increase the number of students
taking upper-level courses in such subjects; or
(B) increase the numbers of elementary school,
middle school, and secondary school students enrolled
and continuing in critical foreign language courses;
(5) how the program will prepare participants to become
more effective mathematics, science, or critical foreign
language teachers;
(6) how the program will prepare participants to assume
leadership roles in their schools;
(7) how teachers (or mathematics, science, or critical
language professionals) who are members of groups that are
underrepresented in the teaching of mathematics, science,
engineering, technology, or critical foreign languages and
teachers from schools determined by the partnership to be most
in need will be encouraged to apply for and participate in the
program;
(8) the ongoing activities and services that will be
provided to graduates of the program;
(9) how the partnership will continue the activities
assisted under the grant when the grant period ends;
(10) how the partnership will assess, during the program,
the content knowledge and teaching skills of the program
participants; and
(11) methods to ensure applicants to the master's degree
program for professionals in mathematics, science, or critical
foreign language demonstrate advanced knowledge in the relevant
subject.
(c) Authorized Activities.--Each eligible recipient receiving a
grant under this section shall use the grant funds to develop and
implement a 2- or 3-year part-time master's degree program in
mathematics, science, or critical foreign language education for
teachers in order to enhance the teachers' content knowledge and
teaching skills, or programs for professionals in mathematics, science,
or critical foreign language that lead to a 1-year master's degree in
teaching that results in teacher certification. The program shall--
(1) promote effective teaching skills so that program
participants become more effective mathematics, science, or
critical foreign language teachers;
(2) prepare teachers to assume leadership roles in their
schools by participating in activities such as teacher
mentoring, development of curricula that integrate state of the
art applications of mathematics, science, technology, and
engineering into the classroom, working with school
administrators in establishing in-service professional
development of teachers, and assisting in evaluating data and
assessments to improve student academic achievement;
(3) use high-quality research, laboratory, or internship
experiences for program participants that are integrated with
coursework;
(4) provide student teaching or clinical classroom
experience;
(5) if implementing a program in which participants are
prepared to teach mathematics or science courses, provide
strategies for improving student literacy;
(6) align the content knowledge in the master's degree
program with challenging student academic achievement standards
and challenging academic content standards established by the
State in which the program is conducted;
(7) encourage the participation of--
(A) individuals who are members of groups that are
underrepresented in the teaching of mathematics,
science, engineering, technology, or critical foreign
languages;
(B) members of the Armed Forces who are
transitioning to civilian life; and
(C) teachers teaching in schools determined by the
partnership to be most in need;
(8) offer tuition assistance, based on need, as
appropriate;
(9) create opportunities for enhanced and ongoing
professional development for teachers that improves the
mathematics and science content knowledge and teaching skills
of such teachers; and
(10) evaluate and report on the impact of the program, in
accordance with subsection (d).
(d) Evaluation and Report.--Each eligible recipient receiving a
grant under this section shall evaluate, using measurable objectives
and benchmarks, and provide an annual report to the Secretary
regarding, the extent to which the program assisted under this section
succeeded in the following:
(1) Increasing the number and percentage of mathematics,
science, engineering, technology, or critical foreign language
teachers who have a master's degree and meet 1 or more of the
following requirements:
(A) Are teaching in schools determined by the
partnership to be most in need, and taught in such
schools prior to participation in the program.
(B) Are teaching in schools determined by the
partnership to be most in need, and did not teach in
such schools prior to participation in the program.
(C) Are members of a group underrepresented in the
teaching of mathematics, science, or a critical foreign
language.
(2) Bringing professionals in mathematics, science,
engineering, or critical foreign language into the field of
teaching.
(3) Retaining teachers who participate in the program.
SEC. 3115. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(a) Duration of Grants.--The Secretary shall award each grant under
this subtitle for a period of not more than 5 years.
(b) Matching Requirement.--Each eligible recipient that receives a
grant under this subtitle shall provide, from non-Federal sources, an
amount equal to 50 percent of the amount of the grant (which may be
provided in cash or in kind) to carry out the activities supported by
the grant.
(c) Supplement, Not Supplant.--Grant funds provided under this
subtitle shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, other Federal
or State funds.
(d) Evaluation.--From amounts made available for any fiscal year
under section 3116, the Secretary shall reserve such sums as may be
necessary--
(1) to provide for the conduct of an annual independent
evaluation, by grant or by contract, of the activities assisted
under this subtitle, which shall include an assessment of the
impact of the activities on student academic achievement; and
(2) to prepare and submit an annual report on the results
of the evaluation described in paragraph (1) to the Committee
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, the
Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of
Representatives, and the Committees on Appropriations of the
Senate and House of Representatives.
SEC. 3116. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$210,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary
for each of the 3 succeeding fiscal years, of which--
(1) 57.1 percent shall be available to carry out section
3113 for fiscal year 2008 and each succeeding fiscal year; and
(2) 42.9 percent shall be available to carry out section
3114 for fiscal year 2008 and each succeeding fiscal year.
Subtitle B--Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Programs
SEC. 3121. PURPOSE.
It is the purpose of this subtitle--
(1) to raise academic achievement through Advanced
Placement and International Baccalaureate programs by
increasing, by 70,000, over a 4-year period beginning in 2008,
the number of teachers serving high-need schools who are
qualified to teach Advanced Placement or International
Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, and critical
foreign languages;
(2) to increase, to 700,000 per year, the number of
students attending high-need schools who--
(A) take and score a 3, 4, or 5 on an Advanced
Placement examination in mathematics, science, or a
critical foreign language administered by the College
Board; or
(B) achieve a passing score on an examination
administered by the International Baccalaureate
Organization in such a subject;
(3) to increase the availability of, and enrollment in,
Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in
mathematics, science, and critical foreign languages, and pre-
Advanced Placement or pre-International Baccalaureate courses
in such subjects, in high-need schools; and
(4) to support statewide efforts to increase the
availability of, and enrollment in, Advanced Placement or
International Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science,
and critical foreign languages, and pre-Advanced Placement or
pre-International Baccalaureate courses in such subjects, in
high-need schools.
SEC. 3122. DEFINITIONS.
In this subtitle:
(1) Advanced placement or international baccalaureate
course.--The term ``Advanced Placement or International
Baccalaureate course'' means a course of college-level
instruction provided to middle or secondary school students,
terminating in an examination administered by the College Board
or the International Baccalaureate Organization, or another
such examination approved by the Secretary, or another highly
rigorous, evidence-based, postsecondary preparatory program
terminating in an examination administered by a nationally
recognized educational association.
(2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) a State educational agency;
(B) a local educational agency; or
(C) a partnership consisting of--
(i) a national, regional, or statewide
nonprofit organization, with expertise and
experience in providing Advanced Placement or
International Baccalaureate services; and
(ii) a State educational agency or local
educational agency.
(3) Low-income student.--The term ``low-income student''
has the meaning given the term ``low-income individual'' in
section 1707(3) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6537(3)).
(4) High concentration of low-income students.--The term
``high concentration of low-income students'' has the meaning
given the term in section 1707(2) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6537(2)).
(5) High-need local educational agency.--The term ``high-
need local educational agency'' means a local educational
agency or educational service agency described in 3112(3)(A).
(6) High-need school.--The term ``high-need school'' means
a middle school or secondary school--
(A) with a pervasive need for Advanced Placement or
International Baccalaureate courses in mathematics,
science, or critical foreign languages, or for
additional Advanced Placement or International
Baccalaureate courses in such a subject; and
(B)(i) with a high concentration of low-income
students; or
(ii) designated with a school locale code of 6, 7
or 8, as determined by the Secretary.
SEC. 3123. ADVANCED PLACEMENT AND INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAMS.
(a) Program Authorized.--From the amounts appropriated under
subsection (l), the Secretary is authorized to award grants, on a
competitive basis, to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities
to carry out the authorized activities described in subsection (g).
(b) Duration of Grants.--The Secretary may award grants under this
section for a period of not more than 5 years.
(c) Coordination.--The Secretary shall coordinate the activities
carried out under this section with the activities carried out under
section 1705 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6535).
(d) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary
shall give priority to eligible entities that--
(1) are part of a statewide strategy for increasing the
availability of Advanced Placement or International
Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, and critical
foreign languages, and pre-Advanced Placement or pre-
International Baccalaureate courses in such subjects, in high-
need schools; and
(2) make Advanced Placement math, science, and critical
foreign language courses available to students who are prepared
for such work in earlier grades than traditionally made
available.
(e) Equitable Distribution.--The Secretary, to the extent
practicable, shall--
(1) ensure an equitable geographic distribution of grants
under this section among the States; and
(2) promote an increase in participation in Advanced
Placement or International Baccalaureate mathematics, science,
and critical foreign language courses and examinations in all
States.
(f) Application.--
(1) In general.--Each eligible entity desiring a grant
under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary
at such time, in such manner, and containing such information
as the Secretary may reasonably require.
(2) Contents.--The application shall, at a minimum, include
a description of--
(A) the goals and objectives for the project,
including--
(i) increasing the number of teachers
serving high-need schools who are qualified to
teach Advanced Placement or International
Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science,
or critical foreign languages;
(ii) increasing the number of qualified
teachers serving high-need schools who are
teaching Advanced Placement or International
Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science,
or critical foreign languages to students in
the high-need schools;
(iii) increasing the number of Advanced
Placement or International Baccalaureate
courses in mathematics, science, and critical
foreign languages that are available to
students attending high-need schools; and
(iv) increasing the number of students
attending a high-need school, particularly low-
income students, who enroll in and pass--
(I) Advanced Placement or
International Baccalaureate courses in
mathematics, science, or critical
foreign languages; and
(II) pre-Advanced Placement or pre-
International Baccalaureate courses in
such a subject (where provided in
accordance with subparagraph (B));
(B) how the eligible entity will ensure that
students have access to courses, including pre-Advanced
Placement and pre-International Baccalaureate courses,
that will prepare the students to enroll and succeed in
Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate
courses in mathematics, science, or critical foreign
languages;
(C) how the eligible entity will provide
professional development for teachers assisted under
this section;
(D) how the eligible entity will ensure that
teachers serving high-need schools are qualified to
teach Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate
courses in mathematics, science, or critical foreign
languages;
(E) how the eligible entity will provide for the
involvement of business and community organizations and
other entities, including institutions of higher
education, in the activities to be assisted; and
(F) how the eligible entity will use funds received
under this section, including how the eligible entity
will evaluate the success of its project.
(g) Authorized Activities.--
(1) In general.--Each eligible entity that receives a grant
under this section shall use the grant funds to carry out
activities designed to increase--
(A) the number of qualified teachers serving high-
need schools who are teaching Advanced Placement or
International Baccalaureate courses in mathematics,
science, or critical foreign languages; and
(B) the number of students attending high-need
schools who enroll in, and pass, the examinations for
such Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate
courses.
(2) Permissive activities.--The activities described in
paragraph (1) may include--
(A) teacher professional development, in order to
expand the pool of teachers in the participating State,
local educational agency, or high-need school who are
qualified to teach Advanced Placement or International
Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, or
critical foreign languages;
(B) pre-Advanced Placement or pre-International
Baccalaureate course development and professional
development;
(C) coordination and articulation between grade
levels to prepare students to enroll and succeed in
Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate
courses in mathematics, science, or critical foreign
languages;
(D) purchase of instructional materials;
(E) activities to increase the availability of, and
participation in, online Advanced Placement or
International Baccalaureate courses in mathematics,
science, and critical foreign languages;
(F) reimbursing low-income students attending high-
need schools for part or all of the cost of Advanced
Placement or International Baccalaureate examination
fees;
(G) carrying out subsection (j), relating to
collecting and reporting data;
(H) in the case of a State educational agency that
receives a grant under this section, awarding subgrants
to local educational agencies to enable the local
educational agencies to carry out authorized activities
described in subparagraphs (A) through (G); and
(I) providing salary increments or bonuses to
teachers serving high-need schools who--
(i) become qualified to teach, and teach,
Advanced Placement or International
Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science,
or a critical foreign language; or
(ii) increase the number of low-income
students, who take Advanced Placement or
International Baccalaureate examinations in
mathematics, science, or a critical foreign
language with the goal of successfully passing
such examinations.
(h) Matching Requirement.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), each eligible
entity that receives a grant under this section shall provide,
toward the cost of the activities assisted under the grant,
from non-Federal sources, an amount equal to 200 percent of the
amount of the grant, except that an eligible entity that is a
high-need local educational agency shall provide an amount
equal to not more than 100 percent of the amount of the grant.
(2) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive all or part of the
matching requirement described in paragraph (1) for any fiscal
year for an eligible entity described in subparagraph (A) or
(B) of section 3122(2), if the Secretary determines that
applying the matching requirement to such eligible entity would
result in serious hardship or an inability to carry out the
authorized activities described in subsection (g).
(i) Supplement Not Supplant.--Grant funds provided under this
section shall be used to supplement, not supplant, other Federal and
non-Federal funds available to carry out the activities described in
subsection (g).
(j) Collecting and Reporting Requirements.--
(1) Report.--Each eligible entity receiving a grant under
this section shall collect and report to the Secretary annually
such data on the results of the grant as the Secretary may
reasonably require, including data regarding--
(A) the number of students enrolling in Advanced
Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in
mathematics, science, or a critical foreign language,
and pre-Advanced Placement or pre-International
Baccalaureate courses in such a subject, by the grade
the student is enrolled in, and the distribution of
grades those students receive;
(B) the number of students taking Advanced
Placement or International Baccalaureate examinations
in mathematics, science, or a critical foreign
language, and the distribution of scores on those
examinations by the grade the student is enrolled in at
the time of the examination;
(C) the number of teachers receiving training in
teaching Advanced Placement or International
Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, or a
critical foreign language who will be teaching such
courses in the next school year;
(D) the number of teachers becoming qualified to
teach Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate
courses in mathematics, science, or a critical foreign
language; and
(E) the number of qualified teachers who are
teaching Advanced Placement or International
Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, or
critical foreign languages to students in a high-need
school.
(2) Reporting of data.--Each eligible entity receiving a
grant under this section shall report data required under
paragraph (1)--
(A) disaggregated by subject area;
(B) in the case of student data, disaggregated in
the same manner as information is disaggregated under
section 1111(h)(1)(C)(i) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
6311(h)(1)(C)(i)); and
(C) to the extent feasible, in a manner that allows
comparison of conditions before, during, and after the
project.
(k) Evaluation and Report.--From the amount made available for any
fiscal year under subsection (l), the Secretary shall reserve such sums
as may be necessary--
(1) to conduct an annual independent evaluation, by grant
or by contract, of the program carried out under this section,
which shall include an assessment of the impact of the program
on student academic achievement; and
(2) to prepare and submit an annual report on the results
of the evaluation described in paragraph (1) to the Committee
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, the
Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of
Representatives, and the Committees on Appropriations of the
Senate and House of Representatives.
(l) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $58,000,000 for fiscal year
2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 3 succeeding
fiscal years.
Subtitle C--Promising Practices in Mathematics, Science, Technology,
and Engineering Teaching
SEC. 3131. PROMISING PRACTICES.
(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to strengthen the
skills of mathematics, science, technology, and engineering teachers by
identifying promising practices in the teaching of mathematics,
science, technology, and engineering in elementary and secondary
education.
(b) National Panel on Promising Practices in Teaching Mathematics,
Science, Technology, and Engineering.--The Secretary is authorized to
contract with the National Academy of Sciences to convene, not later
than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, a national panel
to identify existing promising practices in the teaching of
mathematics, science, technology, and engineering in kindergarten
through grade 12.
(c) Composition of National Panel.--
(1) Consultation.--The Secretary shall enter into a
contract with the National Academy of Sciences to establish a
panel to identify existing promising practices in the teaching
of mathematics, science, technology, and engineering in
elementary and secondary education with demonstrated evidence
of increasing student academic achievement.
(2) Selection.--The National Academy of Sciences shall
ensure that the panel established under paragraph (1) broadly
represents scientists, practitioners, teachers, principals, and
representatives from entities with expertise in education,
mathematics, and science. The National Academy of Sciences
shall ensure that the panel includes the following:
(A) A majority representation of teachers and
principals directly involved in teaching mathematics,
science, technology, or engineering in kindergarten
through grade 12.
(B) Representation of teachers and principals from
all demographic areas, including urban, suburban, and
rural schools.
(C) Representation of teachers from public and
private schools.
(3) Qualifications of members.--The members of the panel
established under paragraph (1) shall be individuals who have
substantial knowledge or experience relating to--
(A) mathematics, science, technology, or
engineering education programs; or
(B) mathematics, science, technology, or
engineering curricula content development.
(d) Authorized Activities of National Panel.--The panel shall--
(1) identify promising practices in the teaching of
mathematics, science, technology, and engineering in elementary
and secondary education;
(2) identify techniques proven to help teachers increase
their skills and expertise in improving student achievement in
mathematics, science, technology, and engineering; and
(3) identify areas of need for promising practices in
mathematics, science, technology, and engineering.
(e) Dissemination.--The Secretary shall disseminate information
collected pursuant to this section to the public, State educational
agencies, and local educational agencies, and shall publish appropriate
and relevant information on the promising practices on the website of
the Department in an easy to understand format.
(f) Mathematics, Science, Technology, and Engineering ``Promising
Practices''.--
(1) Reliability and measurement.--The promising practices
in the teaching of mathematics, science, technology, and
engineering in elementary and secondary education collected
under this section shall be--
(A) reliable, valid, and grounded in scientific
theory and research;
(B) reviewed regularly to assess effectiveness; and
(C) reviewed in the context of State academic
assessments and student academic achievement standards.
(2) Students with diverse learning needs.--In identifying
promising practices under this section, the panel established
under subsection (c) shall take into account the needs of
students with diverse learning needs, particularly for students
with disabilities and students who are limited English
proficient.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary
for fiscal year 2008.
TITLE II--MATHEMATICS
SEC. 3201. MATH NOW FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS
PROGRAM.
(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to enable all students
to reach or exceed grade-level academic achievement standards and to
prepare the students to enroll in and pass algebra courses by--
(1) improving instruction in mathematics for students in
kindergarten through grade 9 through the implementation of
mathematics programs and the support of comprehensive
mathematics initiatives that are research-based and reflect a
demonstrated record of effectiveness; and
(2) providing targeted help to low-income students who are
struggling with mathematics and whose achievement is
significantly below grade level.
(b) Definition of Eligible Local Educational Agency.--In this
section, the term ``eligible local educational agency'' means a high-
need local educational agency (as defined in section 3112(3)) serving 1
or more schools--
(1) with significant numbers or percentages of students
whose mathematics skills are below grade level;
(2) that are not making adequate yearly progress in
mathematics under section 1111(b)(2) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)); or
(3) in which students are receiving instruction in
mathematics from teachers who do not have mathematical content
knowledge or expertise in the teaching of mathematics.
(c) Program Authorized.--
(1) In general.--From the amounts appropriated under
subsection (k) for any fiscal year, the Secretary is authorized
to award grants, on a competitive basis, for not more than 5
years, to State educational agencies to enable the State
educational agencies to award grants to eligible local
educational agencies to carry out the activities described in
subsection (e).
(2) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Secretary shall give priority to applications for projects that
will implement statewide strategies for improving mathematics
instruction and raising the mathematics achievement of
students, particularly students in grades 4 through 8.
(d) State Uses of Funds.--
(1) In general.--Each State educational agency that
receives a grant under this section for a fiscal year--
(A) shall expend not more than a total of 10
percent of the grant funds to carry out the activities
described in paragraphs (2) or (3) for the fiscal year;
and
(B) shall use not less than 90 percent of the grant
funds to award grants, on a competitive basis, to
eligible local educational agencies to enable the
eligible local educational agencies to carry out the
activities described in subsection (e) for the fiscal
year.
(2) Mandatory uses of funds.--A State educational agency
shall use the grant funds made available under paragraph (1)(A)
to carry out each of the following activities:
(A) Planning and administration.--Planning and
administration, including--
(i) evaluating applications from eligible
local educational agencies using peer review
teams described in subsection (f)(1)(D);
(ii) administering the distribution of
grants to eligible local educational agencies;
and
(iii) assessing and evaluating, on a
regular basis, eligible local educational
agency activities assisted under this section,
with respect to whether the activities have
been effective in increasing the number of
children--
(I) making progress toward meeting
grade-level mathematics achievement;
and
(II) meeting or exceeding grade-
level mathematics achievement.
(B) Reporting.--Annually providing the Secretary
with a report on the implementation of this section as
described in subsection (i).
(3) Permissive use of funds; technical assistance.--
(A) In general.--A State educational agency may use
the grant funds made available under paragraph (1)(A)
for 1 or more of the following technical assistance
activities that assist an eligible local educational
agency, upon request by the eligible local educational
agency, in accomplishing the tasks required to design
and implement a project under this section, including
assistance in--
(i) implementing mathematics programs or
comprehensive mathematics initiatives that are
research-based and reflect a demonstrated
record of effectiveness;
(ii) evaluating and selecting diagnostic
and classroom based instructional mathematics
assessments; and
(iii) identifying eligible professional
development providers to conduct the
professional development activities described
in subsection (e)(1)(B).
(B) Guidance.--The technical assistance described
in subparagraph (A) shall be guided by researchers with
expertise in the pedagogy of mathematics,
mathematicians, and mathematics educators from high-
risk, high-achievement schools and eligible local
educational agencies.
(e) Local Uses of Funds.--
(1) Mandatory uses of funds.--Each eligible local
educational agency receiving a grant under this section shall
use the grant funds to carry out each of the following
activities:
(A) To implement mathematics programs or
comprehensive mathematics initiatives--
(i) for students in the grades of a
participating school as identified in the
application submitted under subsection
(f)(2)(A); and
(ii) that are research-based and reflect a
demonstrated record of effectiveness.
(B) To provide professional development and
instructional leadership activities for teachers and,
if appropriate, for administrators and other school
staff, on the implementation of comprehensive
mathematics initiatives designed--
(i) to improve the achievement of students
performing significantly below grade level;
(ii) to improve the mathematical content
knowledge of the teachers, administrators, and
other school staff;
(iii) to increase the use of effective
instructional practices; and
(iv) to monitor student progress.
(C) To conduct continuous progress monitoring,
which may include the adoption and use of assessments
that--
(i) measure student progress and identify
areas in which students need help in learning
mathematics; and
(ii) reflect mathematics content that is
consistent with State academic achievement
standards in mathematics described in section
1111(b) of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)).
(2) Permissive uses of funds.--An eligible local
educational agency may use grant funds under this section to--
(A) adopt and use mathematics instructional
materials and assessments;
(B) implement classroom-based assessments,
including diagnostic or formative assessments;
(C) provide remedial coursework and interventions
for students, which may be provided before or after
school;
(D) provide small groups with individualized
instruction in mathematics;
(E) conduct activities designed to improve the
content knowledge and expertise of teachers, such as
the use of a mathematics coach, enrichment activities,
and interdisciplinary methods of mathematics
instruction; and
(F) collect and report performance data.
(f) Applications.--
(1) State educational agency.--Each State educational
agency desiring a grant under this section shall submit an
application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as
the Secretary may require. Each application shall include--
(A) an assurance that the core mathematics
instructional program, supplemental instructional
materials, and intervention programs used by the
eligible local educational agencies for the project,
are research-based and reflect a demonstrated record of
effectiveness and are aligned with State academic
achievement standards;
(B) an assurance that eligible local educational
agencies will meet the requirements described in
paragraph (2);
(C) an assurance that local applications will be
evaluated using a peer review process;
(D) a description of the qualifications of the peer
review teams, which shall consist of--
(i) researchers with expertise in the
pedagogy of mathematics;
(ii) mathematicians; and
(iii) mathematics educators serving high-
risk, high-achievement schools and eligible
local educational agencies; and
(E) an assurance that the State will establish a
process to safeguard against conflicts of interest,
consistent with subsection (g)(2), for individuals
providing technical assistance on behalf of the State
educational agency or participating in the State peer
review process under this title.
(2) Eligible local educational agency.--Each eligible local
educational agency desiring a grant under this section shall
submit an application to the State educational agency at such
time and in such manner as the State educational agency may
require. Each application shall include--
(A) an assurance that the eligible local
educational agency will provide assistance to 1 or more
schools that are--
(i) served by the eligible local
educational agency; and
(ii) described in section 3201(b);
(B) a description of the grades kindergarten
through grade 9, and of the schools, that will be
served;
(C) information, on an aggregate basis, on each
school to be served by the project, including such
demographic, socioeconomic, and mathematics achievement
data as the State educational agency may request;
(D) a description of the core mathematics
instructional program, supplemental instructional
materials, and intervention programs or strategies that
will be used for the project, including an assurance
that the programs or strategies are research-based and
reflect a demonstrated record of effectiveness and are
aligned with State academic achievement standards;
(E) a description of the activities that will be
carried out under the grant, including a description of
the professional development that will be provided to
teachers, and, if appropriate, administrators and other
school staff, and a description of how the activities
will support achievement of the purpose of this
section;
(F) an assurance that the eligible local
educational agency will report to the State educational
agency all data on student academic achievement that is
necessary for the State educational agency's report
under subsection (i);
(G) a description of the eligible entity's plans
for evaluating the impact of professional development
and leadership activities in mathematics on the content
knowledge and expertise of teachers, administrators, or
other school staff; and
(H) any other information the State educational
agency may reasonably require.
(g) Prohibitions.--
(1) In general.--In implementing this section, the
Secretary shall not--
(A) endorse, approve, or sanction any mathematics
curriculum designed for use in any school; or
(B) engage in oversight, technical assistance, or
activities that will require the adoption of a specific
mathematics program or instructional materials by a
State, local educational agency, or school.
(2) Conflict of interest.--Any Federal employee,
contractor, or subcontractor involved in the administration,
implementation, or provision of oversight or technical
assistance duties or activities under this section shall--
(A) disclose to the Secretary any financial ties to
publishers, entities, private individuals, or
organizations that will benefit from funds provided
under this section; and
(B) be prohibited from maintaining significant
financial interests in areas directly related to duties
or activities under this section, unless granted a
waiver by the Secretary.
(3) Reporting.--The Secretary shall report annually to the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the
Senate and to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House
of Representatives on any of the special allowances or waivers
granted under paragraph (2)(B).
(4) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this title shall be
construed to authorize or permit the Department of Education,
or a Department of Education contractor, to mandate, direct,
control, or suggest the selection of a mathematics curriculum,
supplemental instructional materials, or program of instruction
by a State, local educational agency, or school.
(h) Matching Requirements.--
(1) State educational agency.--A State educational agency
that receives a grant under this section shall provide, from
non-Federal sources, an amount equal to 50 percent of the
amount of the grant, in cash or in kind, to carry out the
activities supported by the grant, of which not more than 20
percent of such 50 percent may be provided by local educational
agencies within the State.
(2) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive all of or a portion of
the matching requirement described in paragraph (1) for any
fiscal year, if the Secretary determines that--
(A) the application of the matching requirement
will result in serious hardship for the State
educational agency; or
(B) providing a waiver best serves the purpose of
the program assisted under this section.
(i) Program Performance and Accountability.--
(1) Information.--Each State educational agency receiving a
grant under this section shall collect and report to the
Secretary annually such information on the results of the grant
as the Secretary may reasonably require, including information
on--
(A) mathematics achievement data that show the
progress of students participating in projects under
this section (including, to the extent practicable,
comparable data from students not participating in such
projects), based primarily on the results of State,
school district wide, or classroom-based, assessments,
including--
(i) specific identification of those
schools and eligible local educational agencies
that report the largest gains in mathematics
achievement; and
(ii) evidence on whether the State
educational agency and eligible local
educational agencies within the State have--
(I) significantly increased the
number of students achieving at grade
level or above in mathematics;
(II) significantly increased the
percentages of students described in
section 1111(b)(2)(C)(v)(II) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
6311(b)(2)(C)(v)(II)) who are achieving
at grade level or above in mathematics;
(III) significantly increased the
number of students making significant
progress toward meeting grade-level
mathematics achievement standards; and
(IV) successfully implemented this
section;
(B) the percentage of students in the schools
served by the eligible local educational agency who
enroll in algebra courses and the percentage of such
students who pass algebra courses; and
(C) the progress made in increasing the quality and
accessibility of professional development and
leadership activities in mathematics, especially
activities resulting in greater content knowledge and
expertise of teachers, administrators, and other school
staff, except that the Secretary shall not require such
information until after the third year of a grant
awarded under this section.
(2) Reporting and disaggregation.--The information required
under paragraph (1) shall be--
(A) reported in a manner that allows for a
comparison of aggregated score differentials of student
academic achievement before (to the extent feasible)
and after implementation of the project assisted under
this section; and
(B) disaggregated in the same manner as information
is disaggregated under section 1111(h)(1)(C)(i) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6311(h)(1)(C)(i)).
(3) Privacy protection.--The data in the report shall be
reported in a manner that--
(A) protects the privacy of individuals; and
(B) complies with the requirements of the Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C.
1232g).
(j) Evaluation and Technical Assistance.--
(1) Evaluation.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct an
annual independent evaluation, by grant or by contract,
of the program assisted under this section, which shall
include an assessment of the impact of the program on
student academic achievement and teacher performance,
and may use funds available to carry out this section
to conduct the evaluation.
(B) Report.--The Secretary shall annually submit,
to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions of the Senate, the Committee on Education and
the Workforce of the House of Representatives, and the
Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and House of
Representatives, a report on the results of the
evaluation.
(2) Technical assistance.--The Secretary may use funds made
available under paragraph (3) to provide technical assistance
to prospective applicants and to eligible local educational
agencies receiving a grant under this section.
(3) Reservation of funds.--The Secretary may reserve not
more than 2.5 percent of funds appropriated under subsection
(k) for a fiscal year to carry out this subsection.
(k) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $146,700,000 for fiscal year
2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 3 succeeding
fiscal years.
SEC. 3202. SUMMER TERM EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to create
opportunities for summer learning by providing students with access to
summer learning in mathematics, technology, and problem-solving to
ensure that students do not experience learning losses over the summer
and to remedy, reinforce, and accelerate the learning of mathematics
and problem-solving.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Educational service agency.--The term ``educational
service agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 9101
of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 7801).
(2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means an
entity that--
(A) desires to participate in a summer learning
grant program under this section by providing summer
learning opportunities described in subsection
(d)(4)(A)(ii) to eligible students; and
(B) is--
(i) a high-need local educational agency;
or
(ii) a consortium consisting of a high-need
local educational agency and 1 or more of the
following entities:
(I) Another local educational
agency;
(II) A community-based youth
development organization with a
demonstrated record of effectiveness in
helping students learn;
(III) An institution of higher
education;
(IV) An educational service agency;
or
(V) A for-profit educational
provider, nonprofit organization,
science center, museum, or summer
enrichment camp, that has been approved
by the State educational agency to
provide the summer learning opportunity
described in subsection (d)(4)(A)(ii).
(3) Eligible student.--The term ``eligible student'' means
a student who--
(A) is eligible for a free lunch under the Richard
B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et
seq.); and
(B) is served by a local educational agency
identified by the State educational agency in the
application described in subsection (c)(2).
(4) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001(a)).
(5) Local educational agency.--The term ``local educational
agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 9101 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
7801).
(6) High-Need Local Educational Agency.--The term high-need
local educational agency means a local educational agency (as
defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965)--
(A) that serves not less than 10,000 children from
low-income families;
(B) for which not less than 20 percent of the
children served by the agency are children from low-
income families; or
(C) with a total of not less than 600 students in
average daily attendance at the schools that are served
by the agency, and all of whose schools are designated
with a school locale code of 6, 7, or 8 as determined
by the Secretary of Education.
(7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Education.
(8) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several
States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United
States Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated
States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.
(9) State educational agency.--The term ``State educational
agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 9101 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
7801).
(c) Demonstration Grant Program.--
(1) Program authorized.--
(A) In general.--From the funds appropriated under
subsection (f) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall
carry out a demonstration grant program in which the
Secretary awards grants, on a competitive basis, to
State educational agencies to enable the State
educational agencies to pay the Federal share of summer
learning grants for eligible students.
(B) Number of grants.--For each fiscal year, the
Secretary shall award not more than 5 grants under this
section.
(2) Application.--A State educational agency that desires
to receive a grant under this section shall submit an
application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and
accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require.
Such application shall identify the areas in the State where
the summer learning grant program will be offered and the local
educational agencies that serve such areas.
(3) Award basis.--
(A) Special consideration.--In awarding grants
under this section, the Secretary shall give special
consideration to a State educational agency that
agrees, to the extent possible, to enter into
agreements with eligible entities that are consortia
described in subsection (b)(2)(B)(iii) and that
proposes to target services to children in grades K-8.
(B) Geographic distribution.--In awarding grants
under this section, the Secretary shall take into
consideration an equitable geographic distribution of
the grants.
(d) Summer Learning Grants.--
(1) Use of grants for summer learning grants.--
(A) In general.--Each State educational agency that
receives a grant under subsection (c) for a fiscal year
shall use the grant funds to provide summer learning
grants for the fiscal year to eligible students in the
State who desire to attend a summer learning
opportunity offered by an eligible entity that enters
into an agreement with the State educational agency
under paragraph (4)(A).
(B) Amount; federal and non-federal shares.--
(i) Amount.--The amount of a summer
learning grant provided under this section
shall be--
(I) for each of the fiscal years
2008 through 2011, $1,600; and
(II) for fiscal year 2012, $1,800.
(ii) Federal share.--The Federal share of
each summer learning grant shall be not more
than 50 percent of the amount of the summer
learning grant determined under clause (i).
(iii) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal
share of each summer learning grant shall be
not less than 50 percent of the amount of the
summer learning grant determined under clause
(i), and shall be provided from non-Federal
sources.
(2) Designation of summer scholars.--Eligible students who
receive summer learning grants under this section shall be
known as ``summer scholars''.
(3) Selection of summer learning opportunity.--
(A) Dissemination of information.--A State
educational agency that receives a grant under
subsection (c) shall disseminate information about
summer learning opportunities and summer learning
grants to the families of eligible students in the
State.
(B) Application.--The parents of an eligible
student who are interested in having their child
participate in a summer learning opportunity and
receive a summer learning grant shall submit an
application to the State educational agency that
includes a ranked list of preferred summer learning
opportunities.
(C) Process.--A State educational agency that
receives an application under subparagraph (B) shall--
(i) process such application;
(ii) determine whether the eligible student
shall receive a summer learning grant;
(iii) coordinate the assignment of eligible
students receiving summer learning grants with
summer learning opportunities; and
(iv) if demand for a summer learning
opportunity exceeds capacity, the State
educational agency shall prioritize
applications to low-achieving eligible
students.
(D) Flexibility.--A State educational agency may
assign a summer scholar to a summer learning
opportunity program that is offered in an area served
by a local educational agency that is not the local
educational agency serving the area where such scholar
resides.
(E) Requirement of acceptance.--An eligible entity
shall accept, enroll, and provide the summer learning
opportunity of such entity to, any summer scholar
assigned to such summer learning opportunity by a State
educational agency pursuant to this subsection.
(4) Agreement with eligible entity.--
(A) In general.--A State educational agency shall
enter into an agreement with one or more eligible
entities offering a summer learning opportunity, under
which--
(i) the State educational agency shall
agree to make payments to the eligible entity,
in accordance with subparagraph (B), for a
summer scholar; and
(ii) the eligible entity shall agree to
provide the summer scholar with a summer
learning opportunity that--
(I) provides a total of not less
than the equivalent of 30 full days of
instruction (or not less than the
equivalent of 25 full days of
instruction, if the equivalent of an
additional 5 days is devoted to field
trips or other enrichment
opportunities) to the summer scholar;
(II) employs small-group, research-
based educational programs, materials,
curricula, and practices;
(III) provides a curriculum that--
(aa) emphasizes
mathematics, technology,
engineering, and problem-
solving through experiential
learning opportunities;
(bb) is primarily designed
to increase the numeracy and
problem-solving skills of the
summer scholar; and
(cc) is aligned with State
academic content standards and
goals of the local educational
agency serving the summer
scholar;
(IV) measures student progress to
determine the gains made by summer
scholars in the summer learning
opportunity, and disaggregates the
results of such progress for summer
scholars by race and ethnicity,
economic status, limited English
proficiency status, and disability
status, in order to determine the
opportunity's impact on each subgroup
of summer scholars;
(V) collects daily attendance data
on each summer scholar;
(VI) provides professional
development opportunities for teachers
to improve their practice in teaching
numeracy, and in integrating problem-
solving techniques into the curriculum;
and
(VII) meets all applicable Federal,
State, and local civil rights laws.
(B) Amount of payment.--
(i) In general.--Except as provided in
clause (ii), a State educational agency shall
make a payment to an eligible entity for a
summer scholar in the amount determined under
paragraph (1)(B)(i).
(ii) Adjustment.--In the case in which a
summer scholar does not attend the full summer
learning opportunity, the State educational
agency shall reduce the amount provided to the
eligible entity pursuant to clause (i) by a
percentage that is equal to the percentage of
the summer learning opportunity not attended by
such scholar.
(5) Administrative costs.--A State educational agency or
eligible entity receiving funding under this section may use
not more than 5 percent of such funding for administrative
costs associated with carrying out this section.
(e) Evaluations; Report; Website.--
(1) Evaluation and assessment.--For each year that an
eligible entity enters into an agreement under subsection
(d)(4), the eligible entity shall prepare and submit to the
Secretary a report on the activities and outcomes of each
summer learning opportunity that enrolled a summer scholar,
including--
(A) information on the design of the summer
learning opportunity;
(B) the alignment of the summer learning
opportunity with State standards; and
(C) data from assessments of student mathematics
and problem-solving skills for the summer scholars and
on the attendance of the scholars, disaggregated by the
subgroups described in subsection (d)(4)(A)(ii)(IV).
(2) Report.--For each year funds are appropriated under
subsection (f) for this section, the Secretary shall prepare
and submit a report to the HELP Committee of the Senate and the
Education and Labor Committee of the House on the summer
learning grant programs, including the effectiveness of the
summer learning opportunities in improving student achievement
and learning.
(3) Summer learning grants website.--The Secretary shall
make accessible, on the Department of Education website,
information for parents and school personnel on successful
programs and curricula, and best practices, for summer learning
opportunities.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary
for fiscal year 2008 through fiscal year 2012.
SEC. 3203. MATH SKILLS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.
(a) The purposes of this section are--
(1) to provide assistance to State educational agencies and
local educational agencies in implementing effective research-
based mathematics programs for students in secondary schools,
including students with disabilities and students with limited
English proficiency;
(2) to improve instruction in mathematics for students in
secondary school through the implementation of mathematics
programs and the support of comprehensive mathematics
initiatives that are based on the best available evidence of
effectiveness;
(3) to provide targeted help to low-income students who are
struggling with mathematics and whose achievement is
significantly below grade level; and
(4) to provide in-service training for mathematics coaches
who can assist secondary school teachers to utilize research-
based mathematics instruction to develop and improve students'
mathematical abilities and knowledge, and assist teachers in
assessing and improving student academic achievement.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Eligible local educational agency.--The term ``eligible
local educational agency'' means a local educational agency
that is eligible to receive funds, and that is receiving funds,
under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.).
(2) Mathematics coach.--The term ``mathematics coach''
means a certified or licensed teacher, with a demonstrated
effectiveness in teaching mathematics to students with
specialized needs in mathematics and improving student academic
achievement in mathematics, a command of mathematical content
knowledge, and the ability to work with classroom teachers to
improve the teachers' instructional techniques to support
mathematics improvement, who works on site at a school--
(A) to train teachers to better assess student
learning in mathematics;
(B) to train teachers to assess students'
mathematics skills and identify students who need
remediation; and
(C) to provide or assess remedial mathematics
instruction, including for--
(i) students in after-school and summer
school programs;
(ii) students requiring additional
instruction;
(iii) students with disabilities; and
(iv) students with limited English
proficiency.
(3) Secondary school.--The term ``secondary school'' means
a school that provides secondary education, as determined under
State law.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Education.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section such sums as be necessary for
fiscal year 2008 and each of the 3 succeeding fiscal years.
(d) Grants Authorized.--
(1) In general.--From funds appropriated under subsection
(c) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall establish a program,
in accordance with the requirements of this section, that will
provide grants on a competitive basis to State educational
agencies to award grants and subgrants to eligible local
educational agencies for the purpose of establishing
mathematics programs to improve the overall mathematics
performance of secondary school students in the State.
(2) Length of grant.--A grant to a State educational agency
under this section shall be awarded for a period of 4 years.
(e) Reservation of Funds by the Secretary.--From amounts
appropriated under subsection (c) for a fiscal year, the Secretary may
reserve--
(1) not more than 3 percent of such amounts to fund
national activities in support of the programs assisted under
this section, such as research and dissemination of best
practices, except that the Secretary may not use the reserved
funds to award grants directly to local educational agencies;
and
(2) not more than \1/2\ of 1 percent of such amounts for
the Bureau of Indian Education of the Department of the
Interior to carry out the services and activities described in
subsection (l)(3) for Indian children.
(f) Grant Formulas.--
(1) Competitive grants to state educational agencies.--From
amounts appropriated under subsection (c) and not reserved
under subsection (e), the Secretary shall award grants, on a
competitive basis, to State educational agencies to enable the
State educational agencies to provide subgrants to eligible
local educational agencies to establish mathematics programs
for the purpose of improving overall mathematics performance
among students in secondary school in the State.
(2) Minimum grant.--The Secretary shall ensure that the
minimum grant made to any state educational agency under this
section shall be not less than $500,000.
(g) Applications.--
(1) In general.--In order to receive a grant under this
section, a State educational agency shall submit an application
to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied
by such information as the Secretary may require. Each such
application shall meet the following conditions:
(A) A State educational agency shall not include
the application for assistance under this section in a
consolidated application submitted under section 9302
of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 7842).
(B) The State educational agency's application
shall include assurances that such application and any
technical assistance provided by the State will be
guided by a peer review team, which shall consist of--
(i) researchers with expertise in the
pedagogy of mathematics;
(ii) mathematicians; and
(iii) mathematics educators serving high-
risk, high-achievement schools and eligible
local educational agencies.
(C) The State educational agency will participate,
if requested, in any evaluation of the State
educational agency's program under this section.
(D) The State educational agency's application
shall include a program plan that contains a
description of the following:
(i) How the State educational agency will
assist eligible local educational agencies in
implementing subgrants, including providing
ongoing professional development for
mathematics coaches, teachers,
paraprofessionals, and administrators.
(ii) How the State educational agency will
help eligible local educational agencies
identify high-quality screening, diagnostic,
and classroom-based instructional mathematics
assessments.
(iii) How the State educational agency will
help eligible local educational agencies
identify high-quality research-based
mathematics materials and programs.
(iv) How the State educational agency will
help eligible local educational agencies
identify appropriate and effective materials,
programs, and assessments for students with
disabilities and students with limited English
proficiency.
(v) How the State educational agency will
ensure that professional development funded
under this section--
(I) is based on mathematics
research;
(II) will effectively improve
instructional practices for mathematics
for secondary school students;
(III) will improve student academic
achievement in mathematics; and
(IV) is coordinated with
professional development activities
funded through other programs,
including section 2113 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6613).
(vi) How funded activities will help
teachers and other instructional staff to
implement research-based components of
mathematics instruction and improve student
academic achievement.
(vii) The subgrant process the State
educational agency will use to ensure that
eligible local educational agencies receiving
subgrants implement programs and practices
based on mathematics research.
(viii) How the State educational agency
will build on and promote coordination among
mathematics programs in the State to increase
overall effectiveness in improving mathematics
instruction and student academic achievement,
including for students with disabilities and
students with limited English proficiency.
(ix) How the State educational agency will
regularly assess and evaluate the effectiveness
of the eligible local educational agency
activities funded under this section.
(h) State Use of Funds.--Each State educational agency receiving a
grant under this section shall--
(1) establish a peer review team comprised of researchers
with expertise in the pedagogy of mathematics, mathematicians,
and mathematics educators from high-risk, high-achievement
schools, to provide guidance to eligible local educational
agencies in selecting or developing and implementing
appropriate, research-based mathematics programs for secondary
school students;
(2) use 80 percent of the grant funds received under this
section for a fiscal year to fund high-quality applications for
subgrants to eligible local educational agencies having
applications approved under subsection (l); and
(3) use 20 percent of the grant funds received under this
section--
(A) to carry out State-level activities described
in the application submitted under subsection (g);
(B) to provide--
(i) technical assistance to eligible local
educational agencies; and
(ii) high-quality professional development
to teachers and mathematics coaches in the
State;
(C) to oversee and evaluate subgrant services and
activities undertaken by the eligible local educational
agencies as described in subsection (l)(3); and
(D) for administrative costs, of which not more
than 5 percent of the grant funds may be used for
planning, administration, and reporting.
(i) Notice to Eligible Local Educational Agencies.--Each State
educational agency receiving a grant under this section shall provide
notice to all eligible local educational agencies in the State about
the availability of subgrants under this section.
(j) Prohibitions.--
(1) In general.--In implementing this section, the
Secretary shall not--
(A) endorse, approve, or sanction any mathematics
curriculum designed for use in any school; or
(B) engage in oversight, technical assistance, or
activities that will require the adoption of a specific
mathematics program or instructional materials by a
State, local educational agency, or school.
(2) Conflict of interest.--Any federal employee,
contractor, or subcontractor involved in the administration,
implementation, or provision of oversight or technical
assistance duties or activities under this section shall--
(A) disclose to the Secretary any financial ties to
publishers, entities, private individuals, or
organizations that will benefit from funds provided
under this section; and
(B) be prohibited from maintaining significant
financial interests in areas directly related to duties
or activities under this section, unless granted a
waiver by the Secretary.
(3) Reporting.--The Secretary shall report annually to the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the
Senate, and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House
of Representatives, on each of the waivers granted under
paragraph (2)(B).
(4) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to authorize or permit the Secretary, Department of
Education, or a Department of Education contractor, to mandate,
direct, control, or suggest the selection of a mathematics
curriculum, supplemental instructional materials, or program of
instruction by a State, local educational agency, or school.
(k) Supplement Not Supplant.--Each State educational agency
receiving a grant under this section shall use the grant funds to
supplement, not supplant, State funding for activities authorized under
this section or for other educational activities.
(l) Subgrants to Eligible Local Educational Agencies.--
(1) Application.--
(A) In general.--Each eligible local educational
agency desiring a subgrant under this subsection shall
submit an application to the State educational agency
in the form and according to the schedule established
by the State educational agency.
(B) Contents.--In addition to any information
required by the State educational agency, each
application under paragraph (1) shall demonstrate how
the eligible local educational agency will carry out
the following required activities:
(i) Development or selection and
implementation of research-based mathematics
assessments.
(ii) Development or selection and
implementation of research-based mathematics
programs, including programs for students with
disabilities and students with limited English
proficiency.
(iii) Selection of instructional materials
based on mathematics research.
(iv) High-quality professional development
for mathematics coaches and teachers based on
mathematics research.
(v) Evaluation and assessment strategies.
(vi) Reporting.
(vii) Providing access to research-based
mathematics materials.
(C) Consortia.--Consistent with State law, an
eligible local educational agency may apply to the
State educational agency for a subgrant as a member of
a consortium of local educational agencies if each
member of the consortium is an eligible local
educational agency.
(2) Award basis.--
(A) Priority.--A State educational agency awarding
subgrants under this subsection shall give priority to
eligible local educational agencies that--
(i) are among the local educational
agencies in the State with the lowest
graduation rates, as described in section
1111(b)(2)(C)(vi) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
6311(b)(2)(C)(vi)); and
(ii) have the highest number or percentage
of students who are counted under section
1124(c) of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6333(c)).
(B) Amount of grants.--Subgrants under this
subsection shall be of sufficient size and scope to
enable eligible local educational agencies to fully
implement activities assisted under this subsection.
(3) Local use of funds.--Each eligible local educational
agency receiving a subgrant under this subsection shall use the
subgrant funds to carry out, at the secondary school level, the
following services and activities:
(A) Hiring mathematics coaches and providing
professional development for mathematics coaches--
(i) at a level to provide effective
coaching to classroom teachers;
(ii) to work with classroom teachers to
better assess student academic achievement in
mathematics;
(iii) to work with classroom teachers to
identify students with mathematics problems
and, where appropriate, refer students to
available programs for remediation and
additional services;
(iv) to work with classroom teachers to
diagnose and remediate mathematics difficulties
of the lowest-performing students, so that
those teachers can provide intensive, research-
based instruction, including during after-
school and summer sessions, geared toward
ensuring that those students can access and be
successful in rigorous academic coursework; and
(v) to assess and organize student data on
mathematics and communicate that data to school
administrators to inform school reform efforts.
(B) Reviewing, analyzing, developing, and, where
possible, adapting curricula to make sure mathematics
skills are taught within other core academic subjects.
(C) Providing mathematics professional development
for all relevant teachers in secondary school, as
necessary, that addresses both remedial and higher
level mathematics skills for students in the applicable
curriculum.
(D) Providing professional development for
teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals serving
secondary schools to help the teachers, administrators,
and paraprofessionals improve student academic
achievement in mathematics.
(E) Procuring and implementing programs and
instructional materials based on mathematics research,
including software and other education technology
related to mathematics instruction with demonstrated
effectiveness in improving mathematics instruction and
student academic achievement.
(F) Building on and promoting coordination among
mathematics programs in the eligible local educational
agency to increase overall effectiveness in--
(i) improving mathematics instruction; and
(ii) increasing student academic
achievement, including for students with
disabilities and students with limited English
proficiency.
(G) Evaluating the effectiveness of the
instructional strategies, teacher professional
development programs, and other interventions that are
implemented under the subgrant; and
(H) Measuring improvement in student academic
achievement, including through progress monitoring or
other assessments.
(4) Supplement not supplant.--Each eligible local
educational agency receiving a subgrant under this subsection
shall use the subgrant funds to supplement, not supplant, the
eligible local educational agency's funding for activities
authorized under this section or for other educational
activities.
(5) New services and activities.--Subgrant funds provided
under this subsection may be used only to provide services and
activities authorized under this section that were not provided
on the day before the date of enactment of this Act.
(6) Evaluations.--Each eligible local educational agency
receiving a grant under this subsection shall participate, as
requested by the State educational agency or the Secretary, in
reviews and evaluations of the programs of the eligible local
educational agency and the effectiveness of such programs, and
shall provide such reports as are requested by the State
educational agency and the Secretary.
(m) Matching Requirements.--
(1) State educational agency requirements.--A State
educational agency that receives a grant under this section
shall provide, from non-Federal sources, an amount equal to 50
percent of the amount of the grant, in cash or in-kind, to
carry out the activities supported by the grant, of which not
more than 20 percent of such 50 percent may be provided by
local educational agencies within the State.
(2) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive all or a portion of
the matching requirements described in paragraph (1) for any
fiscal year, if the Secretary determines that--
(A) the application of the matching requirement
will result in serious hardship for the State
educational agency; or
(B) providing a waiver best serves the purpose of
the program assisted under this section.
(n) Program Performance and Accountability.--
(1) Information.--Each State educational agency receiving a
grant under this section shall collect and report to the
Secretary annually such information on the results of the grant
as the Secretary may reasonably require, including information
on--
(A) mathematics achievement data that show the
progress of students participating in projects under
this section (including, to the extent practicable,
comparable data from students not participating in such
projects), based primarily on the results of State,
school districtwide, or classroom-based monitoring
reports or assessments, including--
(i) specific identification of those
schools and eligible local educational agencies
that report the largest gains in mathematics
achievement; and
(ii) evidence on whether the State
educational agency and eligible local
educational agencies within the State have--
(I) significantly increased the
number of students achieving at the
proficient or advanced level on the
State student academic achievement
standards in mathematics under section
1111(b)(1)(D)(ii) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6311(b)(1)(D)(ii));
(II) significantly increased the
percentages of students described in
section 1111(b)(2)(C)(v)(II) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
6311(b)(2)(C)(v)(II)) who are achieving
proficiency or advanced levels on such
State academic content standards in
mathematics;
(III) significantly increased the
number of students making significant
progress toward meeting such State
academic content and achievement
standards in mathematics; and
(IV) successfully implemented this
section;
(B) the percentage of students in the schools
served by the eligible local educational agency who
enroll in advanced mathematics courses in grades 9
through 12, including the percentage of such students
who pass such courses; and
(C) the progress made in increasing the quality and
accessibility of professional development and
leadership activities in mathematics, especially
activities resulting in greater content knowledge and
expertise of teachers, administrators, and other school
staff, except that the Secretary shall not require such
information until after the third year of a grant
awarded under this section.
(2) Reporting and disaggregation.--The information required
under paragraph (1) shall be--
(A) reported in a manner that allows for a
comparison of aggregated score differentials of student
academic achievement before (to the extent feasible)
and after implementation of the project assisted under
this section; and
(B) disaggregated in the same manner as information
is disaggregated under section 1111(h)(1)(C)(i) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6311(h)(1)(C)(i)).
TITLE III--FOREIGN LANGUAGE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
SEC. 3301. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The United States faces a shortage of skilled
professionals with higher levels of proficiency in foreign
languages and area knowledge critical to the Nation's security.
(2) Given the Nation's economic competitiveness interests,
it is crucial that our Nation expand the number of Americans
who are able to function effectively in the environments in
which critical foreign languages are spoken.
(3) Students' ability to become proficient in foreign
languages can be addressed by starting language learning at a
younger age and expanding opportunities for continuous foreign
language education from elementary school through postsecondary
education.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this title is to significantly
increase--
(1) the opportunities to study critical foreign languages
and the context in which the critical foreign languages are
spoken; and
(2) the number of American students who achieve the highest
level of proficiency in critical foreign languages.
SEC. 3302. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Eligible recipient.--The term ``eligible recipient''
means an institution of higher education that receives grant
funds under this title on behalf of a partnership for use in
carrying out the activities assisted under this title.
(2) Partnership.--The term ``partnership'' means a
partnership that--
(A) shall include--
(i) an institution of higher education; and
(ii) 1 or more local educational agencies;
and
(B) may include 1 or more entities that support the
purposes of this title.
(3) Superior level of proficiency.--The term ``superior
level of proficiency'' means level 3, the professional working
level, as measured by the Federal Interagency Language
Roundtable (ILR) or by other generally recognized measures of
superior standards.
SEC. 3303. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.
(a) Program Authorized.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to award
grants to eligible recipients to enable partnerships served by
the eligible recipients to establish articulated programs of
study in critical foreign languages that will enable students
to advance successfully from elementary school through
postsecondary education and achieve higher levels of
proficiency in a critical foreign language.
(2) Duration.--A grant awarded under paragraph (1) shall be
for a period of not more than 5 years. A grant may be renewed
for not more than 2 additional 5-year periods, if the Secretary
determines that the partnership's program is effective and the
renewal will best serve the purposes of this title.
(b) Applications.--
(1) In general.--Each eligible recipient desiring a grant
under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary
at such time, in such manner, and containing such information
as the Secretary may require.
(2) Contents.--Each application shall--
(A) identify each local educational agency partner,
including contact information and letters of
commitment, and describe the responsibilities of each
member of the partnership, including--
(i) how each of the partners will be
involved in planning, developing, and
implementing--
(I) program curriculum and
materials; and
(II) teacher professional
development;
(ii) what resources each of the partners
will provide; and
(iii) how the partners will contribute to
ensuring the continuity of student progress
from elementary school through the
postsecondary level;
(B) describe how an articulated curriculum for
students will be developed and implemented, which may
include the use and integration of technology into such
curriculum;
(C) identify target proficiency levels for students
at critical benchmarks (such as grades 4, 8, and 12),
and describe how progress toward those proficiency
levels will be assessed at the benchmarks, and how the
program will use the results of the assessments to
ensure continuous progress toward achieving a superior
level of proficiency at the postsecondary level;
(D) describe how the partnership will--
(i) ensure that students from a program
assisted under this title who are beginning
postsecondary education will be assessed and
enabled to progress to a superior level of
proficiency;
(ii) address the needs of students already
at, or near, the superior level of proficiency,
which may include diagnostic assessments for
placement purposes, customized and
individualized language learning opportunities,
and experimental and interdisciplinary language
learning; and
(iii) identify and describe how the
partnership will work with institutions of
higher education outside the partnership to
provide participating students with multiple
options for postsecondary education consistent
with the purposes of this title;
(E) describe how the partnership will support and
continue the program after the grant has expired,
including how the partnership will seek support from
other sources, such as State and local governments,
foundations, and the private sector; and
(F) describe what assessments will be used or, if
assessments not available, how assessments will be
developed.
(c) Uses of Funds.--Grant funds awarded under this title--
(1) shall be used to develop and implement programs at the
elementary school level through postsecondary education,
consistent with the purpose of this title, including--
(A) the development of curriculum and instructional
materials; and
(B) recruitment of students; and
(2) may be used for--
(A) teacher recruitment (including recruitment from
other professions and recruitment of native-language
speakers in the community) and professional development
directly related to the purposes of this title at the
elementary school through secondary school levels;
(B) development of appropriate assessments;
(C) opportunities for maximum language exposure for
students in the program, such as the creation of
immersion environments (such as language houses,
language tables, immersion classrooms, and weekend and
summer experiences) and special tutoring and academic
support;
(D) dual language immersion programs;
(E) scholarships and study-abroad opportunities,
related to the program, for postsecondary students and
newly recruited teachers who have advanced levels of
proficiency in a critical foreign language, except that
not more than 20 percent of the grant funds provided to
an eligible recipient under this section for a fiscal
year may be used to carry out this subparagraph;
(F) activities to encourage community involvement
to assist in meeting the purposes of this title;
(G) summer institutes for students and teachers;
(H) bridge programs that allow dual enrollment for
secondary school students in institutions of higher
education;
(I) programs that expand the understanding and
knowledge of historic, geographic, and contextual
factors within countries with populations who speak
critical foreign languages, if such programs are
carried out in conjunction with language instruction;
(J) research on, and evaluation of, the teaching of
critical foreign languages;
(K) data collection and analysis regarding the
results of--
(i) various student recruitment strategies;
(ii) program design; and
(iii) curricular approaches;
(L) the impact of the strategies, program design,
and curricular approaches described in subparagraph (K)
on increasing--
(i) the number of students studying
critical foreign languages; and
(ii) the proficiency of the students in the
critical foreign languages; and
(M) distance learning projects for critical foreign
language learning.
(d) Matching Requirement.--
(1) In general.--An eligible recipient that receives a
grant under this title shall provide, toward the cost of
carrying out the activities supported by the grant, from non-
Federal sources, an amount equal to--
(A) 20 percent of the amount of the grant payment
for the first fiscal year for which a grant payment is
made;
(B) 30 percent of the amount of the grant payment
for the second such fiscal year;
(C) 40 percent of the amount of the grant payment
for the third such fiscal year; and
(D) 50 percent of the amount of the grant payment
for each of the fourth and fifth such fiscal years.
(2) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal share required
under paragraph (1) may be provided in cash or in-kind.
(3) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive all or part of the
matching requirement of paragraph (1), for any fiscal year, if
the Secretary determines that--
(A) the application of the matching requirement
will result in serious hardship for the partnership; or
(B) the waiver will best serve the purposes of this
title.
(e) Supplement Not Supplant.--Grant funds provided under this title
shall be used to supplement, not supplant, other Federal and non-
Federal funds available to carry out the activities described in
subsection (c).
(f) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall enter into a
contract to establish a technical assistance center to provide
technical assistance to partnerships developing critical foreign
language programs assisted under this section. The center shall--
(1) assist the partnerships in the development of critical
foreign language instructional materials and assessments; and
(2) disseminate promising foreign language instructional
practices.
(g) Program Evaluation.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may reserve not more than 5
percent of the total amount appropriated for this title for any
fiscal year to annually evaluate the programs under this title.
(2) Report.--The Secretary shall prepare and annually
submit, to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions of the Senate, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce of the House of Representatives, and the Committees
on Appropriations of the Senate and House of Representatives, a
report on the results of any program evaluation conducted under
this subsection.
SEC. 3304. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
For the purpose of carrying out this title, there are authorized to
be appropriated $22,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may
be necessary for each of the 3 succeeding fiscal years.
TITLE IV--ALIGNMENT OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS
SEC. 3401. ALIGNMENT OF SECONDARY SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS WITH
THE DEMANDS OF 21ST CENTURY POSTSECONDARY ENDEAVORS AND
SUPPORT FOR P-16 EDUCATION DATA SYSTEMS.
(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section--
(1) to promote more accountability with respect to
preparation for higher education, the 21st century workforce,
and the Armed Forces, by aligning--
(A) student knowledge, student skills, State
academic content standards and assessments, and
curricula, in elementary and secondary education,
especially with respect to mathematics, science,
reading, and, where applicable, engineering and
technology; with
(B) the demands of higher education, the 21st
century workforce, and the Armed Forces;
(2) to support the establishment or improvement of
statewide P-16 education data systems that--
(A) assist States in improving the rigor and
quality of State academic content standards and
assessments;
(B) ensure students are prepared to succeed in--
(i) academic credit-bearing coursework in
higher education without the need for
remediation;
(ii) the 21st century workforce; or
(iii) the Armed Forces; and
(3) enable States to have valid and reliable information to
inform education policy and practice.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001(a)).
(2) P-16 education.--The term ``P-16 education'' means the
educational system from preschool through the conferring of a
baccalaureate degree.
(3) Statewide partnership.--The term ``statewide
partnership'' means a partnership that--
(A) shall include--
(i) the Governor of the State or the
designee of the Governor;
(ii) the heads of the State systems for
public higher education, or, if such a position
does not exist, not less than 1 representative
of a public degree-granting institution of
higher education;
(iii) a representative of the agencies in
the State that administer Federal or State-
funded early childhood education programs;
(iv) not less than 1 representative of a
public community college;
(v) not less than 1 representative of a
technical school;
(vi) not less than 1 representative of a
public secondary school;
(vii) the chief State school officer;
(viii) the chief executive officer of the
State higher education coordinating board;
(ix) not less than 1 public elementary
school teacher employed in the State;
(x) not less than 1 early childhood
educator in the State;
(xi) not less than 1 public secondary
school teacher employed in the State;
(xii) not less than 1 representative of the
business community in the State; and
(xiii) not less than 1 member of the Armed
Forces; and
(B) may include other individuals or
representatives of other organizations, such as a
school administrator, a faculty member at an
institution of higher education, a member of a civic or
community organization, a representative from a private
institution of higher education, a dean or similar
representative of a school of education at an
institution of higher education or a similar teacher
certification or licensure program, or the State
official responsible for economic development.
(c) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary is authorized to award
grants, on a competitive basis, to States to enable each such State to
work with a statewide partnership--
(1) to promote better alignment of content knowledge
requirements for secondary school graduation with the knowledge
and skills needed to succeed in postsecondary education, the
21st century workforce, or the Armed Forces; or
(2) to establish or improve a statewide P-16 education data
system.
(d) Period of Grants; Non-Renewability.--
(1) Grant period.--The Secretary shall award a grant under
this section for a period of not more than 3 years.
(2) Non-renewability.--The Secretary shall not award a
State more than 1 grant under this section.
(e) Authorized Activities.--
(1) Grants for p-16 alignment.--Each State receiving a
grant under subsection (c)(1)--
(A) shall use the grant funds for--
(i) identifying and describing the content
knowledge and skills students who enter
institutions of higher education, the
workforce, and the Armed Forces need to have in
order to succeed without any remediation based
on detailed requirements obtained from
institutions of higher education, employers,
and the Armed Forces;
(ii) identifying and making changes that
need to be made to a State's secondary school
graduation requirements, academic content
standards, academic achievement standards, and
assessments preceding graduation from secondary
school in order to align the requirements,
standards, and assessments with the knowledge
and skills necessary for success in academic
credit-bearing coursework in postsecondary
education, in the 21st century workforce, and
in the Armed Forces without the need for
remediation;
(iii) convening stakeholders within the
State and creating a forum for identifying and
deliberating on education issues that--
(I) involve preschool through grade
12 education, postsecondary education,
the 21st century workforce, and the
Armed Forces; and
(II) transcend any single system of
education's ability to address; and
(iv) implementing activities designed to
ensure the enrollment of all elementary school
and secondary school students in rigorous
coursework, which may include--
(I) specifying the courses and
performance levels necessary for
acceptance into institutions of higher
education; and
(II) developing or providing
guidance to local educational agencies
within the State on the adoption of
curricula and assessments aligned with
State academic content standards, which
assessments may be used as measures of
student academic achievement in
secondary school as well as for
entrance or placement at institutions
of higher education, including through
collaboration with institutions of
higher education in, or State
educational agencies serving, other
States; and
(B) may use the grant funds for--
(i) developing and making available
specific opportunities for extensive
professional development for teachers,
paraprofessionals, principals, and school
administrators, including collection and
dissemination of effective teaching practices
to improve instruction and instructional
support mechanisms;
(ii) identifying changes in State academic
content standards, academic achievement
standards, and assessments for students in
grades preceding secondary school in order to
ensure such standards and assessments are
appropriately aligned and adequately reflect
the content needed to prepare students to enter
secondary school;
(iii) developing a plan to provide
remediation and additional learning
opportunities for students who are performing
below grade level to ensure that all students
will have the opportunity to meet secondary
school graduation requirements;
(iv) identifying and addressing teacher
certification needs; or
(v) incorporating 21st century learning
skills into the State plan, which skills shall
include critical thinking, problem solving,
communication, collaboration, global awareness,
and business and financial literacy.
(2) Grants for statewide p-16 education data systems.--
(A) Establishment of system.--Each State that
receives a grant under subsection (c)(2) shall
establish a statewide P-16 education longitudinal data
system that--
(i) provides each student, upon enrollment
in a public elementary school or secondary
school in the State, with a unique identifier,
such as a bar code, that--
(I) does not permit a student to be
individually identified by users of the
system; and
(II) is retained throughout the
student's enrollment in P-16 education
in the State; and
(ii) meets the requirements of
subparagraphs (B) through (E).
(B) Improvement of existing system.--Each State
that receives a grant under subsection (c)(2) for the
improvement of a statewide P-16 education data system
may employ, coordinate, or revise an existing statewide
data system to establish a statewide longitudinal P-16
education data system that meets the requirements of
subparagraph (A), if the statewide longitudinal P-16
education data system produces valid and reliable data.
(C) Privacy and access to data.--
(i) In general.--Each State that receives a
grant under subsection (c)(2) shall implement
measures to--
(I) limit the State's use of
information in the statewide P-16
education data system to the purposes
and functions for use of such
information set forth in Federal or
State law regarding education and allow
access to the information in the
statewide data system only to those
State employees, and only on such
terms, as may be necessary to fulfill
those purposes and functions;
(II) prohibit the disclosure of
information in the statewide P-16
education data system to any other
person, agency, institution, or entity,
except to the extent necessary to
assist the State in fulfilling the
purposes and functions for use of such
information set forth in Federal or
State law regarding education, and only
if such party has signed a data use
agreement that--
(aa) prohibits the party
from further disclosing the
information;
(bb) prohibits the party
from using the information for
any purpose other than the
purpose specified in the
agreement, which purpose must
relate to assisting the State
in carrying out the purposes
and functions for use of such
information set forth in
Federal or State law regarding
education; and
(cc) requires the party to
destroy the information when
the purpose for which the
disclosure was made is
accomplished;
(III) keep an accurate accounting
of the date, nature, and purpose of
each disclosure of information in the
statewide P-16 education data system,
and the name and address of the person,
agency, institution, or entity to whom
the disclosure is made, which
accounting shall be made available on
request to parents of any student whose
information has been disclosed;
(IV) maintain adequate security
measures to ensure the confidentiality
and integrity of the data system;
(V) ensure that the statewide P-16
education data system meets any further
requirements of the Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20
U.S.C. 1232g);
(VI) where rights are provided to
parents under this clause, provide
those rights to the student instead of
the parent if the student has reached
the age of 18 or is enrolled in a
postsecondary educational institution;
and
(VII) ensure adequate enforcement
of the requirements of this clause.
(ii) Use of unique identifiers.--
(I) Governmental use of unique
identifiers.--It shall be unlawful for
any Federal, State, or local
governmental agency to use the unique
identifiers employed in the statewide
P-16 education data systems for any
purpose other than as authorized by
Federal or State law regarding
education, or to deny any individual
any right, benefit, or privilege
provided by law because of such
individual's refusal to disclose the
individual's unique identifier.
(II) Regulations.--Not later than
180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of Education
shall promulgate regulations governing
the use by governmental and non-
governmental entities of the unique
identifiers employed in statewide P-16
education data systems, including,
where necessary, regulations requiring
States desiring grants for statewide P-
16 education data systems under this
section to implement specified
measures, with the goal of safeguarding
individual privacy to the maximum
extent practicable consistent with the
uses of the information authorized in
this Act or other Federal or State law
regarding education.
(D) Required elements of a statewide p-16 education
data system.--The State shall ensure that the statewide
P-16 education data system includes the following
elements:
(i) Preschool through grade 12 education
and postsecondary education.--With respect to
preschool through grade 12 education and
postsecondary education--
(I) a unique statewide student
identifier that does not permit a
student to be individually identified
by users of the system;
(II) student-level enrollment,
demographic, and program participation
information;
(III) student-level information
about the points at which students
exit, transfer in, transfer out, drop
out, or complete P-16 education
programs;
(IV) the capacity to communicate
with higher education data systems; and
(V) a State data audit system
assessing data quality, validity, and
reliability.
(ii) Preschool through grade 12
education.--With respect to preschool through
grade 12 education--
(I) yearly test records of
individual students with respect to
assessments under section 1111(b) of
the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b));
(II) information on students not
tested by grade and subject;
(III) a teacher identifier system
with the ability to match teachers to
students;
(IV) student-level transcript
information, including information on
courses completed and grades earned;
and
(V) student-level college readiness
test scores.
(iii) Postsecondary education.--With
respect to postsecondary education, data that
provide--
(I) information regarding the
extent to which students transition
successfully from secondary school to
postsecondary education, including
whether students enroll in remedial
coursework; and
(II) other information determined
necessary to address alignment and
adequate preparation for success in
postsecondary education.
(E) Functions of the statewide p-16 education data
system.--In implementing the statewide P-16 education
data system, the State shall--
(i) identify factors that correlate to
students' ability to successfully engage in and
complete postsecondary-level general education
coursework without the need for prior
developmental coursework;
(ii) identify factors to increase the
percentage of low-income and minority students
who are academically prepared to enter and
successfully complete postsecondary-level
general education coursework; and
(iii) use the data in the system to
otherwise inform education policy and practice
in order to better align State academic content
standards, and curricula, with the demands of
postsecondary education, the 21st century
workforce, and the Armed Forces.
(f) Application.--
(1) In general.--Each State desiring a grant under this
section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the
Secretary may reasonably require.
(2) Application contents.--Each application submitted under
this section shall specify whether the State application is for
the conduct P-16 education alignment activities, or the
establishment or improvement of a statewide P-16 education data
system. The application shall include, at a minimum, the
following:
(A) A description of the activities and programs to
be carried out with the grant funds and a comprehensive
plan for carrying out the activities.
(B) A description of how the concerns and interests
of the larger education community, including parents,
students, teachers, teacher educators, principals, and
preschool administrators will be represented in
carrying out the authorized activities described in
subsection (e).
(C) In the case of a State applying for funding for
P-16 education alignment, a description of how the
State will provide assistance to local educational
agencies in implementing rigorous State academic
content standards, substantive curricula, remediation,
and acceleration opportunities for students, as well as
other changes determined necessary by the State.
(D) In the case of a State applying for funding to
establish or improve a statewide P-16 education data
system--
(i) a description of the privacy protection
and enforcement measures that the State has
implemented or will implement pursuant to
subparagraph (C), and assurances that these
measures will be in place prior to the
establishment or improvement of the statewide
P-16 education data system; and
(ii) an assurance that the State will
continue to fund the statewide P-16 education
data system after the end of the grant period.
(g) Supplement Not Supplant.--Grant funds provided under this
section shall be used to supplement, not supplant, other Federal,
State, and local funds available to carry out the authorized activities
described in subsection (e).
(h) Matching Requirement.--Each State that receives a grant under
this section shall provide, from non-Federal sources, an amount equal
to 100 percent of the amount of the grant, in cash or in kind, to carry
out the activities supported by the grant.
(i) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to require States to provide raw data to the Secretary.
(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for fiscal year
2008 and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2009.
TITLE V--MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE PARTNERSHIP BONUS GRANTS.
SEC. 3501. MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE PARTNERSHIP BONUS GRANTS.
(a) In General.--From amounts appropriated under subsection (d),
the Secretary of Education shall award a grant--
(1) for each of the school years 2007-2008 through 2010-
2011, to each of the 3 elementary schools and each of the 3
secondary schools each of which has a high concentration of low
income students as defined in section 1707(2) of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6537(3)), in
each State whose students demonstrate the most improvement in
mathematics, as measured by the improvement in the students'
average score on the State's assessments in mathematics for the
school year for which the grant is awarded, as compared to the
school year preceding the school year for which the grant is
awarded; and
(2) for each of the school years 2008-2009 through 2010-
2011, to each of the 3 elementary schools and each of the 3
secondary schools each of which has a high concentration of low
income students as defined in section 1707(2) of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6537(3)), in
each State whose students demonstrate the most improvement in
science, as measured by the improvement in the students'
average score on the State's assessments in science for the
school year for which the grant is awarded, as compared to the
school year preceding the school year for which the grant is
awarded.
(b) Grant Amount.--The amount of each grant awarded under this
section shall be $50,000.
SEC. 3502. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
such sums for fiscal years 2008 through 2011.
DIVISION D--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
SEC. 4001. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the
National Science Foundation--
(1) $6,729,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(2) $7,738,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(3) $8,899,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
(4) $10,234,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.
(b) Plan for Increased Research.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Science
Foundation, in consultation with the National Science Board,
shall submit a comprehensive, multiyear plan that describes how
the funds authorized in subsection (a) would be used, if
appropriated, to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and the Committee
on Science of the House of Representatives.
(2) Plan requirements.--The Director shall--
(A) develop the plan with a focus on strengthening
the Nation's lead in physical science and technology,
increasing overall workforce skills in physical
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at
all levels, and strengthening innovation by expanding
the focus of competitiveness and innovation policy at
the regional and local level; and
(B) emphasize spending increased research funds
appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) in areas of
investment for Federal research and technology programs
identified under section 1101(c) of this Act.
SEC. 4002. STRENGTHENING OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTORATE
THROUGH EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF NEW FUNDS.
(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to ensure the
continued involvement of experts at the National Science Foundation in
improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education
at the elementary, secondary, and postsecondary school levels by
providing annual funding increases for the education and human
resources programs of the National Science Foundation that are
proportional to the funding increases provided to the Foundation
overall.
(b) Equitable Distribution of New Funds.--Within the amounts
authorized to be appropriated by section 4001, there are authorized to
be appropriated for the education and human resources programs of the
National Science Foundation, for fiscal year 2008, $1,050,000,000, and,
for each of the fiscal years 2009 through 2011, an amount equal to
$1,050,000,000 increased for each such fiscal year by an amount equal
to the percentage increase in the appropriation for the National
Science Foundation for such fiscal year above the amount appropriated
to the National Science Foundation for fiscal year 2008.
SEC. 4003. GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS AND GRADUATE TRAINEESHIPS.
(a) Graduate Research Fellowship Program.--
(1) In general.--During the 4-year period beginning on the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the National
Science Foundation shall expand the Graduate Research
Fellowship Program of the National Science Foundation so that
an additional 1,250 fellowships are awarded to citizens or
nationals of the United States or eligible lawful permanent
residents under the Program during that period.
(2) Extension of fellowship period.--The Director is
authorized to award fellowships under the Graduate Research
Fellowship Program for a period of up to 5 years.
(3) Authorization of appropriations.--Within the amounts
authorized to be appropriated by section 4001, there are
authorized to be appropriated, to provide additional
fellowships under the Graduate Research Fellowship Program
during each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011, the
following:
(A) $24,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
(B) $36,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.
(C) $48,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.
(D) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.
(b) Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship
Program.--
(1) In general.--During the 4-year period beginning on the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall expand
the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship
program of the National Science Foundation so that an
additional 1,250 individuals who are citizens or nationals of
the United States or eligible lawful permanent residents are
awarded grants under the program during that period.
(2) Authorization of appropriations.--Within the amounts
authorized to be appropriated by section 4001, there are
authorized to be appropriated, to provide grants to additional
individuals under the Integrative Graduate Education and
Research Traineeship program during each of the fiscal years
2008 through 2011, the following:
(A) $22,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
(B) $33,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.
(C) $44,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.
(D) $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.
(c) Definition of Eligible Lawful Permanent Resident.--In this
section, the term ``eligible lawful permanent resident'' means a lawful
permanent resident of the United States who declares an intent--
(1) to apply for United States citizenship; or
(2) to reside in the United States for not less than 5
years after the completion of a graduate fellowship or
traineeship awarded under this section.
SEC. 4004. PROFESSIONAL SCIENCE MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAMS.
(a) Clearinghouse.--
(1) Development.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation shall establish a clearinghouse, in collaboration
with 4-year institutions of higher education (including
applicable graduate schools and academic departments), and
industries and Federal agencies that employ science-trained
personnel, to share program elements used in successful
professional science master's degree programs and other
advanced degree programs related to science, mathematics,
technology, and engineering.
(2) Availability.--The Director shall make the
clearinghouse of program elements developed under paragraph (1)
available to institutions of higher education that are
developing professional science master's degree programs.
(b) Programs.--
(1) Programs authorized.--The Director shall award grants
to 4-year institutions of higher education to facilitate the
institutions' creation or improvement of professional science
master's degree programs.
(2) Application.--A 4-year institution of higher education
desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application
at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such
information as the Director may require. The application shall
include--
(A) a description of the professional science
master's degree program that the institution of higher
education will implement;
(B) the amount of funding from non-Federal sources,
including from private industries, that the institution
of higher education shall use to support the
professional science master's degree program; and
(C) an assurance that the institution of higher
education shall encourage students in the professional
science master's degree program to apply for all forms
of Federal assistance available to such students,
including applicable graduate fellowships and student
financial assistance under titles IV and VII of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.,
1133 et seq.).
(3) Preferences.--The Director shall give preference in
making awards to 4-year institutions of higher education
seeking Federal funding to create or improve professional
science master's degree programs, to those applicants--
(A) located in States with low percentages of
citizens with graduate or professional degrees, as
determined by the Bureau of the Census, that
demonstrate success in meeting the unique needs of the
corporate, non-profit, and government communities in
the State, as evidenced by providing internships for
professional science master's degree students or
similar partnership arrangements; or
(B) that secure more than \2/3\ of the funding for
such professional science master's degree programs from
sources other than the Federal Government.
(4) Number of grants; time period of grants.--
(A) Number of grants.--Subject to the availability
of appropriated funds, the Director shall award grants
under paragraph (1) to a maximum of 200 4-year
institutions of higher education.
(B) Time period of grants.--Grants awarded under
this section shall be for one 3-year term. Grants may
be renewed only once for a maximum of 2 additional
years.
(5) Evaluation and reports.--
(A) Development of performance benchmarks.--Prior
to the start of the grant program, the Director of the
National Science Foundation, in collaboration with 4-
year institutions of higher education (including
applicable graduate schools and academic departments),
and industries and Federal agencies that employ
science-trained personnel, shall develop performance
benchmarks to evaluate the pilot programs assisted by
grants under this section.
(B) Evaluation.--For each year of the grant period,
the Director, in consultation with 4-year institutions
of higher education (including applicable graduate
schools and academic departments), and industries and
Federal agencies that employ science-trained personnel,
shall complete an evaluation of each program assisted
by grants under this section. Any program that fails to
satisfy the performance benchmarks developed under
subparagraph (A) shall not be eligible for further
funding.
(C) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the
completion of an evaluation described in subparagraph
(B), the Director shall submit a report to Congress
that includes--
(i) the results of the evaluation described
in subparagraph (B); and
(ii) recommendations for administrative and
legislative action that could optimize the
effectiveness of the pilot programs, as the
Director determines to be appropriate.
(c) Institution of Higher Education Defined.--In this section, the
term ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given that
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001(a)).
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--Within the amounts authorized
to be appropriated by section 4001, there are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section--
(1) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(2) $18,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and
(3) $20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2010 and 2011.
SEC. 4005. INCREASED SUPPORT FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION THROUGH THE NATIONAL
SCIENCE FOUNDATION.
(a) In General.--Within the amounts authorized to be appropriated
by section 4001, there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out
the science, mathematics, engineering, and technology talent expansion
program under section 8(7) of the National Science Foundation
Authorization Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-368, 116 Stat. 3042)--
(1) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(2) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(3) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
(4) $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.
(b) Promoting Outreach and High Quality.--Section 8(7)(C) of the
National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-
368, 116 Stat. 3042) is amended--
(1) by redesignating clauses (i) through (vi) as subclauses
(I) through (VI), respectively, and indenting appropriately;
(2) by striking ``include those that promote high quality--
'' and inserting ``include programs that--
``(i) promote high-quality--'';
(3) in clause (i) (as inserted by paragraph (2))--
(A) in subclause (III) (as redesignated by
paragraph (1)), by striking ``for students;'' and
inserting ``for students, especially underrepresented
minority and female mathematics, science, engineering,
and technology students;'';
(B) in subclause (V) (as redesignated by paragraph
(1)), by striking ``and'' after the semicolon;
(C) in subclause (VI) (as redesignated by paragraph
(1)), by striking ``students.'' and inserting
``students; and''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(VII) outreach programs that provide
middle and secondary school students and their
science, technology, and math teachers
opportunities to increase the students' and
teachers' exposure to engineering and
technology;''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(ii) finance summer internships for mathematics,
science, engineering, and technology undergraduate
students;
``(iii) facilitate the hiring of additional
mathematics, science, engineering, and technology
faculty; and
``(iv) serve as bridges to enable underrepresented
minority and female secondary school students to obtain
extra mathematics, science, engineering, and technology
training prior to entering an institution of higher
education.''.
SEC. 4006. MEETING CRITICAL NATIONAL SCIENCE NEEDS.
(a) In General.--In addition to any other criteria, the Director of
the National Science Foundation shall include consideration of the
degree to which awards and research activities that otherwise qualify
for support by the National Science Foundation may assist in meeting
critical national needs in innovation, competitiveness, the physical
and natural sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
(b) Priority Treatment.--The Director shall give priority in the
selection of awards and the allocation of National Science Foundation
resources to proposed research activities, and grants funded under the
National Science Foundation's Research and Related Activities Account,
that can be expected to make contributions in physical or natural
science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, or that enhance
competitiveness or innovation in the United States.
(c) Limitation.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to
inhibit the grant selection process for funding other areas of research
deemed by the National Science Foundation to be consistent with its
mandate nor to change the core mission of the National Science
Foundation.
SEC. 4007. REAFFIRMATION OF THE MERIT-REVIEW PROCESS OF THE NATIONAL
SCIENCE FOUNDATION.
Nothing in this division or division A, or the amendments made by
this division or division A, shall be interpreted to require or
recommend that the National Science Foundation--
(1) alter or modify its merit-review system or peer-review
process; or
(2) exclude the awarding of any proposal by means of the
merit-review or peer-review process.
SEC. 4008. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE RESEARCH.
Within the amounts authorized to be appropriated by section 4001,
there are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science
Foundation for the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive
Research authorized under section 113 of the National Science
Foundation Authorization Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 1862g), for fiscal year
2008, $125,000,000, and, for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2011, an
amount equal to $125,000,000 increased for each such year by an amount
equal to the percentage increase in the appropriation for the National
Science Foundation for such fiscal year above the total amount
appropriated to the National Science Foundation for fiscal year 2008.
SEC. 4009. ENCOURAGING PARTICIPATION.
(a) Mentoring Program.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation shall establish a program to recruit and provide mentors for
women who are interested in careers in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics by pairing such women who are in science,
technology, engineering, or mathematics programs of study in secondary
school, community college, undergraduate or graduate school with
mentors who are working in industry.
(b) Additional Learning Program.--The Director shall also establish
a program to provide grants to community colleges to provide additional
learning and other appropriate training to allow women to enter higher-
paying technical jobs in fields related to science, technology,
engineering, or mathematics.
(c) Applications.--An institution of higher education, including a
community college, desiring a grant under this section shall submit an
application at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such
information as the Director may require.
(d) Program Evaluation.--The Director shall establish metrics to
evaluate the success of the programs established under subsections (a)
and (b) annually and report the findings and conclusions of the
evaluations annually to Congress.
SEC. 4010. CYBERINFRASTRUCTURE.
In order to continue and expand efforts to ensure that research
institutions throughout the Nation can fully participate in research
programs of the National Science Foundation and collaborate with
colleagues throughout the nation, the Director of the National Science
Foundation, within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
shall develop and publish a plan that describes the current status of
broadband access for scientific research purposes in States located in
EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions and outlines actions which can be taken
to ensure that such connections are available to enable participation
in those National Science Foundation programs which rely heavily on
high-speed networking and collaborations across institutions and
regions.
SEC. 4011. FEDERAL INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH.
(a) Advanced Information and Communications Technology Research.--
(1) National science foundation information and
communications technology research.--The Director of the
National Science Foundation shall establish a program of basic
research in advanced information and communications
technologies focused on enhancing or facilitating the
availability and affordability of advanced communications
services to all people of the United States. In developing and
carrying out the program, the Director shall consult with the
Board established under paragraph (2).
(2) Federal advanced information and communications
technology research board.--There is established within the
National Science Foundation a Federal Advanced Information and
Communications Technology Research Board (referred to in this
subsection as ``the Board'') which shall advise the Director of
the National Science Foundation in carrying out the program
authorized under paragraph (1). The Board shall be composed of
individuals with expertise in information and communications
technologies, including representatives from the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration, the Federal
Communications Commission, the National Institute of Standards
and Technology, and the Department of Defense, and
representatives from industry and educational institutions.
(3) Grant program.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation, in consultation with the Board, shall award grants
for basic research into advanced information and communications
technologies that will contribute to enhancing or facilitating
the availability and affordability of advanced communications
services to all people of the United States. Areas of research
to be supported through the grants include--
(A) affordable broadband access, including wireless
technologies;
(B) network security and reliability;
(C) communications interoperability;
(D) networking protocols and architectures,
including resilience to outages or attacks;
(E) trusted software;
(F) privacy;
(G) nanoelectronics for communications
applications;
(H) low-power communications electronics;
(I) implementation of equitable access to national
advanced fiber optic research and educational networks
in noncontiguous States; and
(J) such other related areas as the Director, in
consultation with the Board, finds appropriate.
(4) Centers.--The Director shall award multiyear grants,
subject to the availability of appropriations, to institutions
of higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)), nonprofit research
institutions affiliated with institutions of higher education,
or consortia thereof to establish multidisciplinary Centers for
Communications Research. The purpose of the Centers shall be to
generate innovative approaches to problems in communications
and information technology research, including the research
areas described in paragraph (3). Institutions of higher
education, nonprofit research institutions affiliated with
institutions of higher education, or consortia receiving such
grants may partner with 1 or more government laboratories or
for-profit entities, or other institutions of higher education
or nonprofit research institutions.
(5) Applications.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation, in consultation with the Board, shall establish
criteria for the award of grants under paragraphs (3) and (4).
Such grants shall be awarded under the programs on a merit-
reviewed competitive basis. The Director shall give priority to
grants that offer the potential for revolutionary rather than
evolutionary breakthroughs.
(6) Authorization of appropriations.--Within the amounts
authorized to be appropriated by section 4001, there are
authorized to be appropriated to the National Science
Foundation to carry out this subsection--
(A) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(B) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(C) $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
(D) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.
(b) National Institute of Standards and Technology
Responsibilities.--The Director of the National Institute of Standards
and Technology shall continue to support research and support standards
development in advanced information and communications technologies
focused on enhancing or facilitating the availability and affordability
of advanced communications services to all people of the United States,
in order to implement the Institute's responsibilities under section
2(c)(12) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15
U.S.C. 272(c)(12)). The Director shall support intramural research and
cooperative research with institutions of higher education (as defined
in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001(a)) and industry.
SEC. 4012. ROBERT NOYCE TEACHER PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 10 of the National Science Foundation
Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-1) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``scholarship'' and
inserting ``teacher'';
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``(or consortia of such
institutions)'' and inserting ``, consortia of
such institutions, or partnerships'';
(ii) by striking ``to provide scholarships,
stipends, and programming designed'';
(iii) by inserting ``and to provide
scholarships, stipends, or fellowships to
individuals participating in the program''
after ``science teachers''; and
(iv) by striking ``Scholarship'' and
inserting ``Teacher'';
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``or consortia'' and inserting
``consortia, or partnerships'';
(ii) in subparagraph (A)--
(I) in the matter preceding clause
(i)--
(aa) by striking
``encourage top college juniors
and seniors majoring in'' and
inserting ``recruit and prepare
undergraduate students to
pursue degrees in''; and
(bb) by striking ``to
become'' and inserting ``and
become qualified as'';
(II) in clause (ii)--
(aa) by striking ``programs
to help scholarship
recipients'' and inserting
``academic courses and clinical
teaching experiences designed
to prepare students
participating in the program'';
(bb) by striking ``programs
that will result in'' and
inserting ``such preparation as
is necessary to meet
requirements for''; and
(cc) by striking
``licensing; and'' and
inserting ``licensing;'';
(III) in clause (iii)--
(aa) by striking
``scholarship recipients'' and
inserting ``students
participating in the program'';
(bb) by striking ``enable
the recipients'' and inserting
``enable the students''; and
(cc) by striking ``; or''
and inserting ``; and''; and
(IV) by adding at the end the
following:
``(iv) providing summer internships for
freshman and sophomore students participating
in the program;'';
(iii) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) in the matter preceding clause
(i)--
(aa) by striking
``encourage'' and inserting
``recruit and prepare''; and
(bb) by inserting
``qualified as'' after ``to
become'';
(II) by striking clause (ii) and
inserting the following:
``(ii) offering academic courses and
clinical teaching experiences designed to
prepare stipend recipients to teach in
elementary schools and secondary schools,
including such preparation as is necessary to
meet requirements for teacher certification or
licensing; and''; and
(III) in clause (iii), by striking
the period at the end and inserting ``;
or''; and
(iv) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) to develop and implement a program to recruit
and prepare mathematics, science, or engineering
professionals to become NSF Teaching Fellows, and to
recruit existing teachers to become NSF Master Teaching
Fellows, through--
``(i) administering fellowships in
accordance with subsection (e);
``(ii) offering academic courses and
clinical teaching experiences that are designed
to prepare students participating in the
program to teach in secondary schools and that,
in the case of NSF Teaching Fellows, result in
a master's degree in teaching and teacher
certification or licensing; and
``(iii) offering programs to participants
to assist in the fulfillment of the
participants' responsibilities under this
section, including mentoring, training,
mentoring training, and induction and
professional development programs.''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Eligibility requirement.--To be eligible for an award
under this section, an institution of higher education, a
consortium of such institutions, or a partnership shall ensure
that specific faculty members and staff from the mathematics,
science, or engineering department of the institution (or a
participating institution of the consortium or partnership) and
specific education faculty members of the institution (or such
participating institution) are designated to carry out the
development and implementation of the program. An institution
of higher education and consortium may also include teachers to
participate in developing the pedagogical content of the
program and to supervise students participating in the program
in the students' field teaching experiences. No institution of
higher education, consortium, or partnership shall be eligible
for an award unless faculty from the mathematics, science, or
engineering department of the institution (or such
participating institution) are active participants in the
program.
``(5) Matching requirement.--An institution of higher
education, consortium of institutions of higher education, or
partnership receiving a grant under this section shall provide,
from non-Federal sources, an amount equal to 50 percent of the
amount of the grant (which may be provided in cash or in-kind)
to carry out the activities supported by the grant.
``(6) Supplement, not supplant.--Grant funds provided under
this section shall be used to supplement, and not supplant,
other Federal or State funds available for the type of
activities supported by the grant.'';
(3) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``or consortium'' and
inserting ``consortium, or partnership'';
(ii) by striking subparagraph (A) and
inserting the following:
``(A) a description of the program that the
applicant intends to operate, including--
``(i) the number of scholarships and summer
internships or the size and number of stipends
or fellowships the applicant intends to award;
``(ii) the type of activities proposed for
the recruitment of students to the program; and
``(iii) the selection process that will be
used in awarding the scholarships, stipends, or
fellowships;'';
(iii) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) by striking ``scholarship or
stipend''; and
(II) by striking ``; and'' and
inserting ``, which may include a
description of any existing programs at
the applicant's institution that are
targeted to the education of
mathematics and science teachers and
the number of teachers graduated
annually from such programs;''; and
(iv) by striking subparagraph (C) and
inserting the following:
``(C) a description of the academic courses and
clinical teaching experiences required under
subparagraph (A)(ii), (B)(ii), or (C)(ii) of subsection
(a)(3), as applicable, including--
``(i)(I) a description of the undergraduate
program under subsection (a)(3)(A)(ii) that
will enable a student to graduate in 4 years
with a major in mathematics, science, or
engineering and to obtain teacher certification
or licensing; or
``(II) a description of the master's degree
programs offered under subsection
(a)(3)(C)(ii);
``(ii) a description of clinical teaching
experiences proposed; and
``(iii) evidence of agreements between the
applicant and the schools or school districts
that are identified as the locations at which
clinical teaching experiences will occur;
``(D) a description of the programs required under
subparagraph (A)(iii), (B)(iii), or (C)(iii) of
subsection (a)(3), as applicable, including activities
to assist new teachers in fulfilling their service
requirements under this section; and
``(E) an identification of the applicant's
mathematics, science, or engineering faculty and its
education faculty who will carry out the development
and implementation of the program as required under
subsection (a)(4).''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by redesignating subparagraphs (B)
through (E) as subparagraphs (C) through (F),
respectively;
(ii) by inserting after subparagraph (A)
the following:
``(B) the extent to which the applicant's
mathematics, science, or engineering faculty and its
education faculty have worked or will work
collaboratively to design new or revised curricula that
recognize the specialized pedagogy required to teach
mathematics and science effectively in elementary
schools and secondary schools;''; and
(iii) in subparagraph (D) (as redesignated
by clause (i)), by striking ``or stipend'' and
inserting ``, stipend, or fellowship'';
(4) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (3)--
(i) by striking ``$7,500'' and inserting
``$10,000''; and
(ii) by striking ``of scholarship support''
and inserting ``of scholarship support, unless
the Director establishes a policy by which
part-time students may receive additional years
of support''; and
(B) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``with a maximum
service requirement of 4 years'' after ``scholarship
was received'';
(5) in subsection (d)--
(A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the
following:
``(1) In general.--Stipends under this section shall be
available only to--
``(A) teachers enrolled in a master's degree
program in science, technology, engineering, or
mathematics; and
``(B) mathematics, science, or engineering
professionals who, while receiving the stipend, are
enrolled in a program to receive certification or
licensing to teach.'';
(B) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``, except that
if an individual is enrolled in a part-time program,
such stipend shall be prorated according to the length
of the program'' after ``stipend support''; and
(C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``for each year a
stipend was received'';
(6) by redesignating subsections (e) through (h) and
subsection (i) as subsections (f) through (i) and subsection
(l), respectively;
(7) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
``(e) National Science Foundation Teaching Fellowships.--
``(1) Purpose.--The purpose of the fellowships under this
subsection is to promote and recognize high-level achievement
in advanced mathematics and science teaching.
``(2) Partnership requirements.--In order to receive a
grant under this section to carry out this subsection, the
recipient of such grant shall be a partnership and the only
local educational agencies that shall be members of the
partnership shall be local educational agencies that agree not
to reduce the base salary normally paid to an individual solely
because such individual receives a salary supplement under this
subsection.
``(3) General criteria.--A partnership receiving a grant to
carry out a fellowship program under this subsection shall
award such fellowships only to--
``(A) mathematics, science, or engineering
professionals who enroll in 1-year master's degree
programs in teaching that result in teacher
certification or licensing and who shall be referred to
as `NSF Teaching Fellows'; and
``(B) mathematics and science teachers who possess
a master's degree in their field and who shall be
referred to as `NSF Master Teaching Fellows'.
``(4) Selection.--Individuals shall be selected to receive
fellowships under this section primarily on the basis of--
``(A) professional achievement;
``(B) academic merit;
``(C) demonstrated advanced content knowledge; and
``(D) in the case of NSF Master Teaching Fellows,
demonstrated success in improving student academic
achievement in mathematics, science, technology, or
engineering.
``(5) Use of funds.--Each partnership receiving a grant
under this section to award fellowships under this subsection
shall--
``(A) provide a stipend to each NSF Teaching Fellow
for the duration of the Fellow's enrollment in the
master's degree program, to be used to offset the cost
of tuition, fees, and living expenses; and
``(B) provide salary supplements to each NSF
Teaching Fellow and NSF Master Teaching Fellow during
the period of the Fellow's service obligation under
paragraph (4).
``(6) Service obligation.--If an individual is awarded a
fellowship under this subsection, that individual shall be
required to serve in a high-need local educational agency for--
``(A) in the case of a NSF Teaching Fellow, 4
years; and
``(B) in the case of a NSF Master Teaching Fellow,
5 years.
``(7) Duties.--A recipient of a fellowship under this
section, during the service obligation required under paragraph
(6) and in addition to regular classroom activities, shall take
on a leadership role within the school or local educational
agency in which the recipient is employed, as defined by the
partnership according to the recipient's expertise, including
serving as a mentor or master teacher, developing curricula,
and assisting in the development and implementation of
professional development activities.'';
(8) in subsection (f) (as redesignated by paragraph (6))--
(A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the
following:
``(1) accepting--
``(A) the terms of the scholarship pursuant to
subsection (c), the stipend pursuant to subsection (d),
or the fellowship pursuant to subsection (e); and
``(B) the terms regarding the failure to complete a
service obligation required for the scholarship,
stipend, or fellowship pursuant to subsection (h);'';
and
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) by striking ``scholarship'' and
inserting ``scholarship, stipend, or
fellowship''; and
(ii) by striking ``subsection (g)'' and
inserting ``subsection (h)'';
(9) in subsection (g)(1) (as redesignated by paragraph
(6))--
(A) by striking ``(or consortium thereof)'' and
inserting ``, consortium, or partnership''; and
(B) by striking ``scholarship and stipend'' and
inserting ``scholarship, stipend, and fellowship'';
(10) in subsection (h) (as redesignated by paragraph (6))--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by inserting ``, stipend, or fellowship''
after ``scholarship''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking
``baccalaureate degree''; and
(B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the
following:
``(2) Repayment for failure to complete service.--
``(A) Less than 1 year of service.--If a
circumstance described in paragraph (1) occurs before
the completion of 1 year of a service obligation under
this section, the sum of the total amount of awards
received by the individual under this section shall be
treated as a loan payable to the Federal Government,
consistent with the provisions of part B or D of title
IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, and shall be
subject to repayment in accordance with terms and
conditions specified by the Secretary of Education in
regulations promulgated to carry out this paragraph.
``(B) 1 year or more of service.--If a circumstance
described in subparagraph (D) or (E) of paragraph (1)
occurs after the completion of 1 year of a service
obligation under this section, an amount equal to \1/2\
of the sum of the total amount of awards received by
the individual under this section shall be treated as a
loan payable to the Federal Government, consistent with
the provisions of part B or D of title IV of the Higher
Education Act of 1965, and shall be subject to
repayment in accordance with terms and conditions
specified by the Secretary of Education in regulations
promulgated to carry out this paragraph.'';
(11) in subsection (i) (as redesignated by paragraph (6))--
(A) by striking ``or consortia'' and inserting ``,
consortia, or partnerships'';
(B) by striking ``scholarship recipients and
stipend recipients'' and inserting ``scholarship,
stipend, and fellowship recipients''; and
(C) by striking ``subsection (e)'' and inserting
``subsection (f)'';
(12) by inserting after subsection (i) (as redesignated by
paragraph (6)) the following:
``(j) Science and Mathematics Scholarship Gift Fund.--In accordance
with section 11(f) of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, the
Director is authorized to accept donations from the private sector to
supplement, but not supplant, scholarships, stipends, internships, or
fellowships associated with the programs under this section.
``(k) Assessment of Teacher Retention.--Not later than 4 years
after the date of enactment of the America COMPETES Act, the Director
shall transmit to Congress a report on the effectiveness of the program
carried out under this section regarding the retention of participants
in the teaching profession beyond the service obligation required under
this section.'';
(13) in subsection (l) (as redesignated by paragraph (6))--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4),
and (5) as paragraphs (2), (5), (7), (9), and (10),
respectively;
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as
redesignated by subparagraph (A)) the following:
``(1) the term `advanced content knowledge' means
demonstrated mathematics or science content knowledge as
measured by a rigorous, valid assessment tool that has been
approved by the Director;'';
(C) by inserting after paragraph (2) (as
redesignated by subparagraph (A)) the following:
``(3) the term `fellowship' means an award under subsection
(e);
``(4) the term `high-need local educational agency' means a
local educational agency or educational service agency (as
defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965)--
``(A)(i) that serves not less than 10,000 children
from low-income families;
``(ii) for which not less than 20 percent of the
children served by the agency are children from low-
income families; or
``(iii) with a total of less than 600 students in
average daily attendance at the schools that are served
by the agency, and all of whose schools are designated
with a school locale code of 6, 7, or 8, as determined
by the Secretary of Education; and
``(B)(i) for which there is a higher percentage of
teachers providing instruction in academic subject
areas or grade levels for which the teachers are not
highly qualified; or
``(ii) for which there is a high teacher turnover
rate or a high percentage of teachers with emergency,
provisional, or temporary certification or
licensure;'';
(D) in paragraph (5) (as redesignated by
subparagraph (A)), by inserting ``engineering,'' after
``mathematics, science,'';
(E) by inserting after paragraph (5) (as
redesignated by subparagraph (A)) the following:
``(6) the term `mathematics and science teaching' means
mathematics, science, engineering, or technology teaching at
the elementary or secondary school level;'';
(F) in paragraph (7) (as redesignated by
subparagraph (A)) by inserting ``or had a career''
after ``is working''; and
(G) by inserting after paragraph (7) (as
redesignated by subparagraph (A)) the following:
``(8) the term `partnership' means a partnership that shall
include--
``(A) an institution of higher education or a
consortium of such institutions;
``(B) a department within an institution of higher
education participating in the partnership that
provides an advanced program of study in mathematics
and science;
``(C)(i) a school or department within an
institution of higher education participating in the
partnership that provides a master teacher's
preparation program; or
``(ii) a 2-year institution of higher education
that has a teacher preparation offering or a dual
enrollment program with an institution of higher
education participating in the partnership;
``(D) not less than 1 high-need local educational
agency and a public school or a consortium of public
schools served by the agency; and
``(E) 1 or more nonprofit organizations that have
the capacity to provide expertise or support to meet
the purposes of this section;''; and
(14) by adding at the end the following:
``(m) Authorization of Appropriations.--
``(1) In general.--Within the amounts authorized to be
appropriated by section 4001 of the America COMPETES Act and
except as provided in paragraph (2), there are authorized to be
appropriated to the Director for the Robert Noyce Teacher
Program under this section--
``(A) $117,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, of which
at least $18,000,000 shall be used for capacity
building activities described in clauses (ii) and (iii)
of subsection (a)(3)(A), clauses (ii) and (iii) of
subsection (a)(3)(B), and clauses (ii) and (iii) of
subsection (a)(3)(C);
``(B) $130,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, of which
at least $21,000,000 shall be used for such capacity
building activities;
``(C) $148,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, of which
at least $24,000,000 shall be used for such capacity
building activities; and
``(D) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, of which
at least $27,000,000 shall be used for such capacity
building activities.
``(2) Exception.--For any fiscal year for which the funding
allocated for activities under this section is less than
$105,000,000, the amount of funding available for capacity
building activities described in subparagraphs (A) through (D)
of paragraph (1) shall not exceed 15 percent of the allocated
funds.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 4.--Section 4 of the National Science
Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n note) is
amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking ``In
this Act:'' and inserting ``Except as otherwise provided, in
this Act:''.
(2) Section 8.--Section 8(6) of the National Science
Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-368) is
amended--
(A) in the paragraph heading, by striking
``Scholarship'' and inserting ``Teacher''; and
(B) by striking ``Scholarship'' and inserting
``Teacher''.
SEC. 4013. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING THE MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE
PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND
THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION.
It is the sense of the Senate that--
(1) although the mathematics and science education
partnership program at the National Science Foundation and the
mathematics and science partnership program at the Department
of Education practically share the same name, the 2 programs
are intended to be complementary, not duplicative;
(2) the National Science Foundation partnership programs
are innovative, model reform initiatives that move promising
ideas in education from research into practice to improve
teacher quality, develop challenging curricula, and increase
student achievement in mathematics and science, and Congress
intends that the National Science Foundation peer-reviewed
partnership programs found to be effective should be put into
wider practice by dissemination through the Department of
Education partnership programs; and
(3) the Director of the National Science Foundation and the
Secretary of Education should have ongoing collaboration to
ensure that the 2 components of this priority effort for
mathematics and science education continue to work in concert
for the benefit of States and local practitioners nationwide.
SEC. 4014. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION TEACHER INSTITUTES FOR THE 21ST
CENTURY.
(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Within the amounts authorized
to be appropriated by section 4001, there are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out the teacher institutes for the 21st century
under paragraphs (3) and (7) of section 9(a) of the National Science
Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (as amended by subsection (b)) (42
U.S.C. 1862n(a))--
(1) $84,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(2) $94,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(3) $106,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
(4) $140,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.
(b) Teacher Institutes for the 21st Century.--Section 9(a) of the
National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C.
1862n(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking ``summer or'' and
inserting ``teacher institutes for the 21st century, as
described in paragraph (7),'';
(2) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
``(7) Teacher institutes for the 21st century.--
``(A) In general.--Teacher institutes for the 21st
century carried out in accordance with paragraph (3)(B)
shall--
``(i) be carried out in conjunction with a
school served by the local educational agency
in the partnership;
``(ii) be science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics focused institutes that provide
professional development to elementary school
and secondary school teachers;
``(iii) serve teachers who are considered
highly qualified (as defined in section 9101 of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965), teach high-need subjects, and teach in
high-need schools (as described in section
1114(a)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965);
``(iv) focus on the theme and structure
developed by the Director under subparagraph
(C);
``(v) be content-based and build on school
year curricula that are experiment-oriented,
content-based, and grounded in current
research;
``(vi) ensure that the pedagogy component
is designed around specific strategies that are
relevant to teaching the subject and content on
which teachers are being trained, which may
include training teachers in the essential
components of reading instruction for
adolescents in order to improve student reading
skills within the subject areas of science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics;
``(vii) be a multiyear program that is
conducted for a period of not less than 2 weeks
per year;
``(viii) provide for direct interaction
between participants in and faculty of the
teacher institute;
``(ix) have a component that includes the
use of the Internet;
``(x) provide for followup training in the
classroom during the academic year for a period
of not less than 3 days, which may or may not
be consecutive, for participants in the teacher
institute, except that for teachers in rural
local educational agencies, the followup
training may be provided through the Internet;
``(xi) provide teachers participating in
the teacher institute with travel expense
reimbursement and classroom materials related
to the teacher institute, and may include
providing stipends as necessary; and
``(xii) establish a mechanism to provide
supplemental support during the academic year
for teacher institute participants to apply the
knowledge and skills gained at the teacher
institute.
``(B) Optional members of the partnership.--In
addition to the partnership requirement under paragraph
(2), an institution of higher education or eligible
nonprofit organization (or consortium) desiring a grant
for a teacher institute for the 21st century may also
partner with a teacher organization, museum, or
educational partnership organization.
``(C) Theme and structure.--Each year, not later
than 180 days before the application deadline for a
grant under this section, the Director shall, in
consultation with a broad group of relevant education
organizations, develop a theme and structure for the
teacher institutes of the 21st century supported under
paragraph (3)(B).''.
SEC. 4015. PARTNERSHIPS FOR ACCESS TO LABORATORY SCIENCE.
(a) Grant Program.--Section 8(8) of the National Science Foundation
Authorization Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-368) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (F) as
clauses (i) through (vi), respectively, and indenting
appropriately;
(2) by moving the flush language at the end 2 ems to the
right;
(3) in the flush language at the end, by striking
``paragraph'' and inserting ``subparagraph'';
(4) by striking ``Initiative.--A program of'' and inserting
``initiative.--
``(A) In general.--A program of''; and
(5) by inserting at the end the following:
``(B) Pilot program.--
``(i) In general.--In accordance with
subparagraph (A)(v), the Director shall
establish a pilot program designated as
`Partnerships for Access to Laboratory Science'
to award grants to partnerships to pay the
Federal share of the costs of improving
laboratories and providing instrumentation as
part of a comprehensive program to enhance the
quality of mathematics, science, engineering,
and technology instruction at the secondary
school level. Grants under this subparagraph
may be used for--
``(I) purchase, rental, or leasing
of equipment, instrumentation, and
other scientific educational materials;
``(II) acquire appropriate
nanotechnology equipment and software
designed for teaching students about
nanotechnology in the classroom;
``(III) professional development
and training for teachers aligned with
activities supported under section 2123
of the ESEA of 1965;
``(IV) development of instructional
programs designed to integrate the
laboratory experience with classroom
instruction and to be consistent with
State mathematics and science, and to
the extent applicable, technology and
engineering, academic achievement
standards;
``(V) training in laboratory safety
for relevant school personnel;
``(VI) design and implementation of
hands-on laboratory experiences to
encourage the interest of individuals
identified in section 33 or 34 of the
Science and Engineering Equal
Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or
1885b) in mathematics, science,
engineering, and technology and help
prepare such individuals to pursue
postsecondary studies in these fields;
and
``(VII) assessment of the
activities funded under this
subparagraph.
``(ii) Partnership.--Grants awarded under
clause (i) shall be to a partnership that--
``(I) includes an institution of
higher education or a community
college;
``(II) includes a high-need local
educational agency;
``(III) includes a business or
eligible nonprofit organization; and
``(IV) may include a State
educational agency, other public
agency, National Laboratory, or
community-based organization.
``(iii) Federal share.--The Federal share
of the cost of activities carried out using
amounts from a grant under clause (i) shall not
exceed 30 percent.''.
(b) Report.--The Director of the National Science Foundation shall
evaluate the effectiveness of activities carried out under the pilot
projects funded by the grant program established pursuant to the
amendment made by subsection (b) in improving student performance in
mathematics, science, engineering, and technology and recommend whether
such activities should continue. A report documenting the results of
that evaluation shall be submitted to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Science and
Technology of the House of Representatives not later than 3 years after
the date of enactment of this Act. The report shall identify best
practices and materials for the classroom developed and demonstrated by
grant awardees.
(c) Sunset.--The provisions of this section shall cease to have
force or effect at the beginning of fiscal year 2012.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the National Science Foundation to carry out this
section and the amendments made by this section such sums for fiscal
year 2008 and each of the 3 succeeding fiscal years.
DIVISION E--GENERAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 5001. COLLECTION OF DATA RELATING TO TRADE IN SERVICES.
(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall establish a
program within the Bureau of Economic Analysis to collect and study
data relating to export and import of services. As part of the program,
the Secretary shall annually--
(1) provide data collection and analysis relating to export
and import of services;
(2) collect and analyze data for service imports and
exports in not less than 40 service industry categories, on a
state-by-state basis;
(3) include data collection and analysis of the employment
effects of exports and imports on the service industry; and
(4) integrate ongoing and planned data collection and
analysis initiatives in research and development and
innovation.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Department of Commerce such sums for each of the
fiscal years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, to carry out the provisions
of this section.
SEC. 5002. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH AND
CAPITAL MARKETS.
(a) Findings.--The Congress finds that--
(1) the United States has the most fair, most transparent,
and most efficient capital markets in the world, in part due to
its strong securities statutory and regulatory scheme;
(2) it is of paramount importance for the continued growth
of our Nation's economy, that our capital markets retain their
leading position in the world;
(3) small businesses are vital participants in United
States capital markets, and play a critical role in future
economic growth and high-wage job creation;
(4) section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, has
greatly enhanced the quality of corporate governance and
financial reporting for public companies and increased investor
confidence;
(5) the Securities and Exchange Commission (in this section
referred to as the ``Commission'') and the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (in this section referred to as the
``PCAOB'') have both determined that the current auditing
standard implementing section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002 has imposed unnecessary and unintended cost burdens on
small and mid-sized public companies;
(6) the Commission and PCAOB are now near completion of a
2-year process intended to revise the standard in order to
provide more efficient and effective regulation; and
(7) the chairman of the Commission recently has said, with
respect to section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that,
``We don't need to change the law, we need to change the way
the law is implemented. It is the implementation of the law
that has caused the excessive burden, not the law itself.
That's an important distinction. I don't believe these
important investor protections, which are even now only a few
years old, should be opened up for amendment, or that they need
to be.''.
(b) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate that the
Commission and the PCAOB should complete promulgation of the final
rules implementing section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (15
U.S.C. 7262).
SEC. 5003. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES,
GRANTS, AND PROGRAMS.
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to
Congress that--
(1) examines each annual and interim report required to be
submitted to Congress under this Act (including any amendment
made by this Act);
(2) assesses or evaluates assessments of the effectiveness
of the new or expended activities, grants, and programs carried
out under this Act (including any amendment made by this Act);
and
(3) includes any recommendations as the Comptroller General
determines are appropriate to improve the effectiveness of such
activities, grants, and programs.
SEC. 5004. PROHIBITION AGAINST FUNDING ANTI-COMPETITIVENESS.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Law; no federal funds
shall be provided to any organization or entity that advocates against
tax competition or United States tax competitiveness.
Provided, however, that advocating for effective tax information
exchange, advocating for effective transfer pricing, and advocating for
income tax treaties is not considered to be advocating against tax
competition of United States tax competitiveness.
SEC. 5005. FEASIBILITY STUDY ON FREE ONLINE COLLEGE DEGREE PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall enter into a contract with
the National Academy of Sciences to conduct and complete a feasibility
study on creating a national, free online college degree program that
would be available to all individuals described under section 484(a)(5)
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1091(a)(5)) who wish to
pursue a degree in a field of strategic importance to the United States
and where expertise is in demand, such as mathematics, sciences, and
foreign languages. The study shall look at the need for a free college
degree program as well as the feasibility of--
(1) developing online course content;
(2) developing sufficiently rigorous tests to determine
mastery of a field of study; and
(3) sustaining the program through private funding.
(b) Study.--The study described in subsection (a) shall also
include a review of existing online education programs to determine the
extent to which these programs offer a rigorous curriculum in areas
like mathematics and science and the National Academy of Sciences shall
make recommendations for how online degree programs can be assessed and
accredited.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $500,000 for fiscal year 2008.
SEC. 5006. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING DEEMED EXPORTS.
It is the sense of Senate that--
(1) United States government policies related to deemed
exports should safeguard United States national security and
protect fundamental research.
(2) The Department of Commerce has established the Deemed
Export Advisory Committee to develop recommendations for
improving current controls on deemed exports.
(3) The Administration and Congress should consider the
recommendations of the Deemed Export Advisory Committee in its
development and implementation of export control policies.
SEC. 5007. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING CAPITAL MARKETS.
(a) Findings.--The Senate finds that--
(1) United States capital markets are losing their
competitive edge in the face of intensifying global
competition, posing a risk to economic growth, a problem that
is well-documented in initial public offerings (IPO), over-the-
counter (OTC) derivatives, securitization, and traditional
lending;
(2) according to the Senator Charles E. Schumer and Mayor
Michael R. Bloomberg report, entitled ``Sustaining New York's
and the US's Global Financial Services Leadership'', ``In
looking at several of the critical contested investment banking
and sales and trading markets--initial public offerings (IPOs),
over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, and debt--it is clear that
the declining position of the US goes beyond this natural
market evolution to more controllable, intrinsic issues of US
competitiveness. As market effectiveness, liquidity and safety
become more prevalent in the world's financial markets, the
competitive arena for financial services is shifting toward a
new set of factors--like availability of skilled people and a
balanced and effective legal and regulatory environment--where
the US is moving in the wrong direction.'';
(3) further, the report referred to in paragraph (2) stated
that--
(A) ``The IPO market also offers the most dramatic
illustration of the change in capital-raising needs
around the world, and US exchanges are rapidly losing
ground to foreign rivals. When looking at all IPOs that
took place globally in 2006, the share of IPO volume
attracted by US exchanges is barely one-third of that
captured in 2001. By contrast, the global share of IPO
volume captured by European exchanges has expanded by
more than 30 percent over the same period, while non-
Japan Asian markets have doubled their equivalent
market share since 2001. When one considers mega-IPOs -
those over $1 billion - US exchanges attracted 57
percent of such transactions in 2001, compared with
just 16 percent during the first ten months of 2006.'';
and
(B) ``London already enjoys clear leadership in the
fast-growing and innovative over-the-counter (OTC)
derivatives market. This is significant because of the
trading flow that surrounds derivatives markets and
because of the innovation these markets drive, both of
which are key competitive factors for financial
centers. Dealers and investors increasingly see
derivatives and cash markets as interchangeable and are
therefore combining trading operations for both
products. Indeed, the derivatives markets can be more
liquid than the underlying cash markets. Therefore, as
London takes the global lead in derivatives, America's
competitiveness in both cash and derivatives flow
trading is at risk, as is its position as a center for
financial innovation.'';
(4) on March 13, 2007, the Department of the Treasury
convened a conference on United States capital markets
competitiveness, where--
(A) key policymakers, consumer advocates, members
of the international community, business
representatives, and academic experts, each with
different perspectives, discussed ways to keep United
States capital markets the strongest and most
innovative in the world; and
(B) conference delegates examined the impact of the
United States regulatory structure and philosophy, the
legal and corporate governance environment, and the
auditing profession and financial reporting on United
States capital markets competitiveness;
(5) the foundation of any competitive capital market is
investor confidence, and since 1930, the United States has
required some of the most extensive financial disclosures,
supported by one of the most robust enforcement regimes in the
world;
(6) a balanced regulatory system is essential to protecting
investors and the efficient functioning of capital markets; and
(7) too much regulation stifles entrepreneurship,
competition, and innovation, and too little regulation creates
excessive risk to industry, investors, and the overall system.
(b) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate that--
(1) Congress, the President, regulators, industry leaders,
and other stakeholders should take the necessary steps to
reclaim the preeminent position of the United States in the
global financial services marketplace;
(2) the Federal and State financial regulatory agencies
should, to the maximum extent possible, coordinate activities
on significant policy matters, so as not to impose regulations
that may have adverse unintended consequences on innovativeness
with respect to financial products, instruments, and services,
or that impose regulatory costs that are disproportionate to
their benefits, and, at the same time, ensure that the
regulatory framework overseeing the United States capital
markets continues to promote and protect the interests of
investors in those markets; and
(3) given the complexity of the financial services
marketplace today, Congress should exercise vigorous oversight
over Federal regulatory and statutory requirements affecting
the financial services industry and consumers, with the goal of
eliminating excessive regulation and problematic implementation
of existing laws and regulations, while ensuring that necessary
investor protections are not compromised.
Attest:
Secretary.
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2272
_______________________________________________________________________
AMENDMENT