[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3242 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 3242

  To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and the 
   Higher Education Act of 1965 to improve the ability of the United 
 States to be competitive in a global economy, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 31, 2007

   Mrs. McMorris Rodgers (for herself and Mr. McKeon) introduced the 
 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and 
                                 Labor

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and the 
   Higher Education Act of 1965 to improve the ability of the United 
 States to be competitive in a global economy, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Strengthening America's Innovation 
and Competitiveness Act''.

SEC. 2. ADJUNCT TEACHER CORPS.

    Subpart 1 of part C of title II of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6671 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating chapter C as chapter D; and
            (2) by inserting after chapter B the following:

             ``CHAPTER C--GRANTS FOR ADJUNCT TEACHER CORPS

``SEC. 2315. PURPOSE.

    ``The purpose of this chapter is to create opportunities for 
professionals and other individuals with subject-matter expertise to 
teach secondary school courses in the core academic subjects, 
particularly mathematics, science, and critical foreign languages, on 
an adjunct basis.

``SEC. 2316. GRANTS AUTHORIZED.

    ``The Secretary is authorized to award grants on a competitive 
basis to eligible entities to recruit, train, and place well-qualified 
individuals to serve as adjunct teachers in secondary school courses in 
core academic subjects, particularly mathematics, science, and critical 
foreign languages.

``SEC. 2317. DURATION OF GRANTS.

    ``The Secretary may award grants under this chapter for a period of 
not more than 5 years.

``SEC. 2318. PRIORITIES.

    ``In awarding grants under this chapter, the Secretary shall give 
priority to eligible entities that propose to--
            ``(1) serve high-need local educational agencies that have 
        a large number or percentage of students performing below grade 
        level, including local educational agencies that are not making 
        adequate yearly progress under section 1111(b)(2);
            ``(2) serve local educational agencies or educational 
        service agencies all of whose schools are designated with a 
        school locale code of 41, 42, or 43, as determined by the 
        Secretary;
            ``(3) recruit, train, and provide schools adjunct teachers 
        of mathematics, science or critical foreign languages; and
            ``(4) recruit adjunct faculty to serve in schools that have 
        an insufficient number of teachers with demonstrated expertise 
        in the subjects the adjunct faculty will teach.

``SEC. 2319. APPLICATION.

    ``(a) In General.--To be considered for a grant under this chapter, 
an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such 
a time, in such manner, and containing such information as the 
Secretary may reasonably require.
    ``(b) Contents.--The application shall, at a minimum, include a 
description of--
            ``(1) the need for, and expected benefits of using, adjunct 
        teachers in the participating schools, which may include 
        information on the difficulty participating schools face in 
        recruiting qualified faculty and the achievement levels of 
        students in those schools;
            ``(2) the goals and objectives for the project, including 
        the number of adjunct teachers the eligible entity intends to 
        place in classrooms and the specific gains in academic 
        achievement intended to be achieved;
            ``(3) how the eligible entity will recruit qualified 
        individuals and appropriate public and private institutions to 
        participate in the program;
            ``(4) how the eligible entity will generate support among 
        appropriate constituencies, such as businesses, state and local 
        government, and teachers;
            ``(5) the participating schools and grade levels at which, 
        and the subjects in which the eligible entity proposes to have 
        the adjunct faculty teach;
            ``(6) how the eligible entity will use funds received under 
        this section, including how the eligible entity will evaluate 
        the success of the program;
            ``(7) how the eligible entity will ensure that low-income 
        students in participating schools and local educational 
        agencies will, during the period of the grant, receive 
        instruction in the core academic subjects, particularly 
        mathematics, science and critical foreign languages, from a 
        teacher with demonstrated subject-matter expertise in the 
        subject taught;
            ``(8) the eligible entity's commitment, after the project 
        period ends, to continue to hire and employ adjunct teachers, 
        as needed, to teach secondary school courses in the core 
        academic subjects, particularly in mathematics, science and 
        critical foreign languages; and
            ``(9) how the eligible entity will overcome legal, 
        contractual, or administrative barriers to employment of 
        adjunct faculty in the participating State or local educational 
        agency or agencies.

``SEC. 2320. USES OF FUNDS.

    ``(a) Required Uses.--Each eligible entity that receives a grant 
under this chapter shall use the grant funds--
            ``(1) to develop the capacity of the local educational 
        agency or the State educational agency, or both, to identify, 
        recruit, and train qualified individuals outside of the 
        elementary and secondary education system (including 
        individuals in business and government, and individuals who 
        would participate through distance-learning arrangements) to 
        become adjunct teachers in secondary schools in the core 
        academic subject areas, particularly mathematics, science, and 
        critical foreign language courses; and
            ``(2) to collect and report such performance information as 
        the Secretary may require, including information needed for the 
        national evaluation conducted under section 2320B.
    ``(b) Optional Uses.--Each eligible entity that receives a grant 
under this chapter may use the grant funds for one or more of the 
following:
            ``(1) To provide signing bonuses and other financial 
        incentives to encourage individuals to become adjunct teachers 
        in mathematics, science and critical foreign language courses.
            ``(2) To reimburse outside entities for the costs 
        associated with allowing an employee to serve as an adjunct 
        teacher, except that these costs shall not exceed the total 
        cost of salary and benefits for teachers with comparable 
        experience or expertise in the local educational agency.
            ``(3) To provide pre-service training to adjunct teachers, 
        including the on-going mentoring of such teachers by highly 
        qualified teachers.

``SEC. 2320A. MATCHING REQUIREMENT.

    ``Each eligible entity that receives a grant under this chapter 
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.

``SEC. 2320B. NATIONAL EVALUATION.

    ``From the amount reserved for this chapter for any fiscal year, 
the Secretary may reserve not more than 5 percent to conduct an 
independent evaluation, by grant or by contract, of the adjunct teacher 
corps program carried out under this chapter, which shall include an 
assessment of the impact of the program on student academic 
achievement. The Secretary shall report the results of this evaluation 
to the appropriate committees of Congress.

``SEC. 2320C. PROGRAM PERFORMANCE.

    ``(a) Report.--Each eligible entity receiving a grant under this 
chapter shall prepare and submit to the Secretary a final report on the 
results of the project that contains such information as the Secretary 
may require. At a minimum, the report shall include information on the 
academic achievement of students receiving instruction from an adjunct 
teacher.
    ``(b) Methods.--The information required under this section shall 
be--
            ``(1) reported in a manner that provides for a comparison 
        of student achievement data prior to, during, and after 
        implementation of the adjunct teacher corps program; and
            ``(2) disaggregated by race, ethnicity, disability status, 
        English proficiency, and status as economically disadvantaged, 
        except that such disaggregation shall not be required in a case 
        in which the number of students in a category is insufficient 
        to yield statistically reliable information or the result would 
        reveal personally identifiable information about an individual 
        student.

``SEC. 2320D. DEFINITIONS.

    ``For purposes of this chapter:
            ``(1) Adjunct teacher.--The term `adjunct teacher' means a 
        teacher who--
                    ``(A) possesses, at a minimum, a bachelor's degree; 
                and
                    ``(B) has demonstrated expertise in the subject 
                matter the teacher teaches by--
                            ``(i) having met the requirements of 
                        section 9101(23)(B)(ii); or
                            ``(ii) having met an alternative measure of 
                        subject-matter expertise, as determined by the 
                        Secretary.
            ``(2) Critical foreign language.--The term `critical 
        foreign language' means a foreign language considered most 
        critical to ensure future United States national security and 
        economic prosperity, as determined by the Secretary.
            ``(3) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
                    ``(A) a local educational agency;
                    ``(B) a public or private entity (which may be a 
                State educational agency); or
                    ``(C) a partnership consisting of a local 
                educational agency and a public or private entity.
            ``(4) High need local educational agency.--The term `high-
        need local educational agency' has the meaning given to the 
        term in section 2102(3).''.

SEC. 3. ADVANCED PLACEMENT AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Purposes.--Section 1702 of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6532) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (8), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting a semicolon; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(10) to increase the number of students who complete 
        advanced placement courses and pass advanced placement tests in 
        mathematics, science, and critical foreign languages, and to 
        increase the number of teachers who are prepared to teach those 
        courses;
            ``(11) to encourage States and the private sector to 
        increase their support for advanced placement and pre-advanced 
        placement programs, in order to leverage the Federal investment 
        in this important area;
            ``(12) to encourage State and local educational agencies to 
        provide additional compensation for teachers who become 
        qualified to teach advanced placement courses in mathematics, 
        science, and critical foreign languages and whose students pass 
        advanced placement tests in those subjects; and
            ``(13) to support State-wide efforts to increase the 
        availability of, and enrollment in, advanced placement and pre-
        advanced placement programs, particularly for low-income 
        students.''.
    (b) Advanced Placement Test Fee Program.--Section 1704 of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6534) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph 
        (1)--
                    (A) by striking ``reimburse low-income individuals 
                to cover'' and inserting ``pay''; and
                    (B) by striking ``fees, if the low-income 
                individuals,'' and inserting ``fees for low-income 
                individuals, if those individuals'';
            (2) in subsection (d)(3), by striking ``required under 
        chapter 1 of subpart 2 of part A of title IV of the Higher 
        Education Act of 1965.'' and inserting ``that the student is 
        low-income (as defined in section 1707(3)).''; and
            (3) in subsection (f)(1)(D), by striking ``socioeconomic 
        status.'' and inserting ``whether the student is low-income (as 
        defined in section 1707(3)).''.
    (c) Advanced Placement Incentive Program Grants.--Section 1705 of 
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6535) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(3), by striking `` local educational 
        agency, or national nonprofit educational entity'' through the 
        period at the end and inserting ``a local educational agency, 
        or a nonprofit educational entity that applies in partnership 
        with a State or local educational agency.'';
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) by amending paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) to 
                read as follows:
            ``(3) develops or expands advanced placement or pre-
        advanced placement programs in mathematics, science, or 
        critical foreign languages;
            ``(4) demonstrates an intent to carry out activities that 
        target schools with a high concentration of low-income 
        students;
            ``(5) are part of a State-wide strategy for increasing the 
        availability of advanced placement courses in mathematics, 
        science, and critical foreign languages, particularly for low-
        income students; or
            ``(6) demonstrates an intent to carry out activities that 
        target local educational agencies whose schools are designated 
        with a school locale code of 41, 42, or 43, as determined by 
        the Secretary.''; and
                    (B) by striking paragraphs (6) and (7);
            (3) by amending subsection (d)(1)(B) to read as follows:
                    ``(B) activities to increase the number of students 
                who have the rigorous academic preparation and skills 
                needed to succeed in advanced placement courses;'';
            (4) in subsection (f)(1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at 
                the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(E) the number of teachers served through the 
                grant who become qualified to teach advanced placement 
                courses.'';
            (5) by redesignating subsections (d), (e), and (f) as (e), 
        (g), and (h), respectively;
            (6) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
    ``(d) Equitable Distribution.--The Secretary shall, to the extent 
practicable--
            ``(1) ensure an equitable geographic distribution of grants 
        under this program among the States; and
            ``(2) promote an increase in participation in advanced 
        placement courses and tests in all States.''; and
            (7) by inserting after subsection (e) (as so redesignated) 
        the following:
    ``(f) Program Requirements.--Each eligible entity that receives a 
grant under this section shall--
            ``(1) shall provide, from State, local, or other sources, 
        funds sufficient to cover at least two-thirds of the cost of 
        activities to be carried out under the grant; and
            ``(2) shall, with respect to the State or local educational 
        agency or agencies participating in the project, not later than 
        the first year of the period for which the grant is awarded, 
        establish and implement a policy of providing salary increases 
        or bonuses--
                    ``(A) to teachers who become qualified to teach 
                advanced placement courses in mathematics, science, or 
                a critical foreign language; and
                    ``(B) to teachers whose students successfully pass 
                advanced placement examinations in mathematics, 
                science, or a critical foreign language.''.
    (d) Definitions.--Section 1707 of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6537) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``data on children in 
        families receiving assistance under part A of title IV of the 
        Social Security Act'' through the period at the end, and 
        inserting ``or through an alternate method that extrapolates 
        from that data.''; and
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs 
        (3) and (4), respectively; and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
            ``(2) Critical foreign languages.--The term `critical 
        foreign languages' refers to languages designated by the 
        Secretary as those most critical to help ensure the future 
        national security and economic prosperity of the United 
        States.''.
    (e) Advanced Placement Programs.--Part G of title I of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6531 et seq.) 
is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 1708. NATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

    ``The Secretary may reserve up to 5 percent of the amount 
appropriated for a fiscal year under section 1002(g) for this part, to 
be used for peer review of applications for grants under this part, as 
well as for research, evaluation, and technical assistance.''.

SEC. 4. MATH NOW.

    Part F of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (20 
U.S.C. 6511 et seq.) is amended to read as follows:

                           ``Part F--Math Now

          ``Subpart 1--Math Now for Elementary School Students

``SEC. 1601. MATH NOW FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Purpose; Definition.--
            ``(1) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to improve 
        instruction in mathematics for students in kindergarten through 
        sixth grade by implementing mathematics programs that reflect 
        the best available evidence on mathematics instruction, in 
        order to enable all students to reach grade-level achievement 
        standards and prepare them to enroll in and pass algebra 
        courses.
            ``(2) Definition.--As used in this section, the term 
        `eligible entity' means
                    ``(A) A local educational agency with one or more 
                elementary or middle schools--
                            ``(i) with significant numbers or 
                        percentages of students whose mathematics 
                        skills are below grade level;
                            ``(ii) that are not making adequate yearly 
                        progress in mathematics under section 
                        1111(b)(2); or
                            ``(iii) in which students are receiving 
                        instruction in mathematics from teachers who do 
                        not have expertise in mathematics;
                    ``(B) a State educational agency;
                    ``(C) educational service agencies that serve areas 
                whose schools are designated with a school locale code 
                of 41, 42, or 43, as determined by the Secretary; or
                    ``(D) a partnership of one more agencies described 
                in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C), which may also 
                include one or more institutions of higher education, 
                nonprofit organizations, and for-profit organizations.
    ``(b) Program Authorized.--
            ``(1) General.--From the amounts appropriated to carry out 
        this section for any fiscal year, the Secretary is authorized 
        to award competitive grants of up to five years to eligible 
        entities to carry out activities consistent with the purpose of 
        this program in local educational agencies that meet the 
        criteria described in subsection (a)(2)(A).
            ``(2) Priority.--In making grants under this section, the 
        Secretary may give priority to applications for projects that--
                    ``(A) will implement Statewide strategies for 
                improving elementary school mathematics instruction and 
                raising mathematics achievement in kindergarten through 
                sixth grade; or
                    ``(B) schools designated with a school local code 
                of 41, 42, or 43, as determined by the Secretary.
    ``(c) Uses of Funds.--
            ``(1) Mandatory uses.--A grantee shall use grant funds 
        under this section for each of the following:
                    ``(A) To implement mathematics instructional 
                materials, for students in kindergarten through the 
                final grade of a participating elementary school, which 
                involve intensive and systematic instruction and are 
                based on the best available evidence on mathematics 
                instruction.
                    ``(B) To provide professional development for 
                teachers and, if appropriate, administrators and other 
                personnel, on the implementation of the new materials 
                (and on the content of those materials).
                    ``(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 learning 
                        mathematics; and
                            ``(ii) reflect mathematics content that is 
                        consistent with state academic achievement 
                        standards in mathematics described in section 
                        1111(b).
                    ``(D) To carry out activities, if requested by the 
                Secretary, to assist the Secretary in completing the 
                evaluation required under subsection (f).
            ``(2) Optional uses.--A grantee may use grant funds under 
        this section to collect and report the performance data 
        required under subsection (g).
    ``(d) Applications.--To be considered for a grant under this 
section, an eligible entity shall submit an application at such time 
and in such manner as the secretary may require. Each application shall 
include--
            ``(1) information, on an aggregate basis, on the school or 
        schools to be served by the project, including such 
        demographic, socioeconomic, and mathematics achievement data as 
        the Secretary may request;
            ``(2) a description of the mathematics instructional 
        materials that will be used for the proposed project, including 
        information on how those materials reflect the best available 
        evidence on mathematics instruction;
            ``(3) 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 personnel, and of 
        how those activities will support achievement of the purposes 
        of the grant; and
            ``(4) any other information the Secretary may reasonably 
        require.
    ``(e) Equitable Participation.--Title IX, part E, subpart 1 shall 
apply to this program. For the purpose of determining equitable 
participation, the term `eligible children' (as used in section 
9501(a)) means children from low-income families (using the measures 
described in section 1113(a)(5)) in the area served by the 
participating local educational agency or school.
    ``(f) Evaluation.--
            ``(1) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall conduct an 
        independent evaluation of the program under this section, which 
        shall include an assessment of the impact of the program on 
        student achievement, and may use funds available under this 
        section to conduct the evaluation.
            ``(2) Limitation.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that 
                the organization selected to carry out the independent 
                evaluation under paragraph (1) does not hold a contract 
                or subcontract to implement any aspect of the program 
                under this section.
                    ``(B) Subcontractors.--Any contract entered into 
                under paragraph (1) shall prohibit the independent 
                organization conducting the evaluation from 
                subcontracting with any entity that holds a contract or 
                subcontract for any aspect of the implementation of 
                this section.
    ``(g) Technical Assistance.--
            ``(1) Technical assistance.--The Secretary may use funds 
        available under this section to provide technical assistance to 
        prospective applicants and grantees.
            ``(2) Conflicts of interest.--If the Secretary carries out 
        paragraph (1) through any contracts, the Secretary shall ensure 
        that each contract requires the contractor to--
                    ``(A) screen for conflicts of interest when hiring 
                individuals to carry out the responsibilities under the 
                contract;
                    ``(B) include the requirement in subparagraph (A) 
                in any subcontracts the contractor enters into under 
                the contract; and
                    ``(C) establish and follow a schedule for carrying 
                out subparagraph (A) and paragraph (3) and reporting to 
                the Secretary on its actions under those provisions.
            ``(3) Screening process.--The screening process described 
        in paragraph (2)(A) shall--
                    ``(A) include, at a minimum, a review of--
                            ``(i) each individual performing duties 
                        under the contract or subcontract for 
                        connections to any State's program under this 
                        section;
                            ``(ii) potential financial interests in, or 
                        other connection to, products that might be 
                        purchased by a State educational agency or 
                        local educational agency in the course of the 
                        agency's implementation of the program under 
                        this section; and
                            ``(iii) connections to teaching 
                        methodologies that might require the use of 
                        specific products; and
                    ``(B) be designed to prevent, to the extent 
                possible, bias or the appearance of bias in the 
                performance of the responsibilities outlined in the 
                contract or subcontract.
            ``(4) Information dissemination.--
                    ``(A) In general.--If the Secretary enters into 
                contracts to provide technical assistance under 
                paragraph (1), and if a contractor enters into 
                subcontracts for that purpose, each such contract and 
                subcontract shall require the provider of technical 
                assistance to clearly separate technical assistance 
                provided under the contract or subcontract from 
                information provided, or activities engaged in, as part 
                of the normal operations of the contractor or 
                subcontractor.
                    ``(B) Separate internet web pages.--Efforts to 
                comply with subparagraph (A) may include, but are not 
                limited to, the creation of separate Internet web pages 
                for the purpose of fulfilling a contract or subcontract 
                entered into under paragraph (1).
    ``(h) Program Performance and Accountability.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each grantee shall collect and report to 
        the Secretary such information on the results of the grant as 
        the Secretary may reasonably require, including information 
        on--
                    ``(A) the mathematics test scores on State or 
                district-wide assessments for all elementary schools in 
                the local educational agency or agencies, including 
                both those in schools participating in the program 
                under this section and those in schools not 
                participating in the program under this section; and
                    ``(B) the percentage of students in the schools of 
                the local educational agency who enroll in algebra 
                courses and the percentage of those enrollees who pass 
                algebra courses.
            ``(2) Method.--The information required under paragraph (1) 
        shall be--
                    ``(A) reported in a manner that allows for a 
                comparison of student achievement before (to the extent 
                feasible), during, and after implementation of this 
                section; and
                    ``(B) disaggregated by race, ethnicity, disability 
                status, English proficiency, and status as economically 
                disadvantaged, except that such disaggregation shall 
                not be required in a case in which the number of 
                students in a category is insufficient to yield 
                statistically reliable information or the result would 
                reveal personally identifiable information about an 
                individual student.
    ``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $125,000,000 for fiscal year 
2008 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 5 succeeding 
fiscal years.

            ``Subpart 2--Math Now for Middle School Students

``SEC. 1611. MATH NOW FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Purpose; Definitions.--
            ``(1) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to improve 
        the mathematics achievement of middle-school students whose 
        achievement is significantly below grade level and to enable 
        them to reach challenging State achievement standards, by 
        supporting comprehensive mathematics initiatives that are based 
        on the best available evidence on mathematics instruction for 
        middle-school students, and that improve the quality of 
        mathematics instruction, provide intensive interventions to 
        middle-school students whose achievement is significantly below 
        grade level, and help build a strong, scientific research base 
        for identifying and replicating strategies that improve 
        adolescent mathematics skills.
            ``(2) Definitions.--As used in this section--
                    ``(A) the term `eligible entity' means--
                            ``(i) a local educational agency that has 
                        one or more schools;
                                    ``(I) with significant numbers or 
                                percentages of middle-school students 
                                whose mathematics skills are below 
                                grade level;
                                    ``(II) that are not making adequate 
                                yearly progress in mathematics for 
                                middle-school students under section 
                                1111(b)(2); or
                                    ``(III) that have mathematics 
                                classes that are not taught by teachers 
                                with expertise in mathematics;
                            ``(ii) a State educational agency;
                            ``(iii) educational service agencies that 
                        serve areas whose schools are designated with a 
                        school locale code of 41, 42, or 43, as 
                        determined by the Secretary; or
                            ``(iv) a partnership of one or more 
                        agencies described in clause (i), (ii), or 
                        (iii), which may also include one or more 
                        institutions of higher education, non-profit 
                        organizations, and for-profit organizations; 
                        and
                    ``(B) the term `middle-school students' means 
                students in any of the grades six through nine.
    ``(b) Program Authorized.--
            ``(1) In general.--From the amounts appropriated to carry 
        out this section for any fiscal year, the Secretary is 
        authorized to award competitive grants of up to five years to 
        eligible entities to carry out activities, consistent with the 
        purpose of this section, in local educational agencies that 
        meet the criteria described in subsection (a)(2)(A)(i).
            ``(2) Priority.--In making awards under this section, the 
        Secretary shall give priority to applications for projects 
        that--
                    ``(A) will implement Statewide strategies for 
                improving mathematics instruction for middle-school 
                students and raising the mathematics achievement of 
                middle-school students who are below grade level in 
                mathematics; or
                    ``(B) schools designated with a school locale code 
                of 41, 42, or 43, as determined by the Secretary.
    ``(c) Uses of Funds.--
            ``(1) Mandatory uses.--A grantee shall use grant funds 
        under this section for each of the following:
                    ``(A) To implement interventions that reflect the 
                best available evidence on teaching middle school 
                mathematics and that involve intensive and systematic 
                instruction either specifically for middle-school 
                students who are not achieving grade-level proficiency 
                in mathematics or to increase the mathematics 
                achievement of all of the middle-school students in a 
                school, or both.
                    ``(B) To conduct continuous progress monitoring, 
                including by adopting and using assessments in order to 
                measure middle-school students' progress and identify 
                areas in which they need help in learning mathematics.
                    ``(C) To provide professional development for 
                teachers of middle-school students and, as appropriate, 
                administrators and other personnel that targets 
                important mathematics content knowledge and effective 
                practices and reflects the best available evidence on 
                mathematics education for middle-school students.
                    ``(D) To carry out activities, if requested by the 
                Secretary, to assist the Secretary in completing the 
                evaluation required under subsection (f).
            ``(2) Optional uses.--A grantee may use grant funds under 
        this section to collect and report the performance data 
        required under subsection (g).
    ``(d) Applications.--To be considered for a grant under this 
section, an eligible entity shall submit an application at such time 
and in such manner as the Secretary may require. Each application shall 
include--
            ``(1) information, on an aggregate basis, on the school or 
        schools to be served by the project, including such 
        demographic, socioeconomic, and mathematics achievement data 
        for middle-school students as the Secretary may request;
            ``(2) a description of the activities to be carried out 
        under the grant, including a description of--
                    ``(A) how, and the extent to which, the proposed 
                activities reflect the best available evidence on 
                mathematics instruction for middle-school students; and
                    ``(B) the professional development to be provided 
                to teachers and, if appropriate, administrators and 
                other personnel and how that professional development 
                will support achievement of the purposes of the 
                project; and
            ``(3) any other information the Secretary may reasonably 
        require.
    ``(e) Equitable Participation.--Title IX, part E, subpart 1 shall 
apply to this program. For the purpose of determining equitable 
participation, the term `eligible children' (as used in section 
9501(a)) means children from low-income families (using the measures 
described in section 1113(a)(5)) in the area served by the 
participating local educational agency or school.
    ``(f) Evaluation.--
            ``(1) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall conduct an 
        independent evaluation of the program, which shall include an 
        assessment of the impact of the program on student achievement, 
        and may use funds available under this section to conduct the 
        evaluation.
            ``(2) Limitation.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that 
                the organization selected to carry out the independent 
                evaluation under paragraph (1) does not hold a contract 
                or subcontract to implement any aspect of the program 
                under this section.
                    ``(B) Subcontractors.--Any contract entered into 
                under paragraph (1) shall prohibit the independent 
                organization conducting the evaluation from 
                subcontracting with any entity that holds a contract or 
                subcontract for any aspect of the implementation of 
                this section.
    ``(g) Technical Assistance.--
            ``(1) Technical assistance.--The Secretary may use funds 
        available under this section to provide technical assistance to 
        prospective applicants and grantees.
            ``(2) Conflicts of interest.--If the Secretary carries out 
        paragraph (1) through any contracts, the Secretary shall ensure 
        that each contract requires the contractor to--
                    ``(A) screen for conflicts of interest when hiring 
                individuals to carry out the responsibilities under the 
                contract;
                    ``(B) include the requirement in subparagraph (A) 
                in any subcontracts the contractor enters into under 
                the contract; and
                    ``(C) establish and follow a schedule for carrying 
                out subparagraph (A) and paragraph (3) and reporting to 
                the Secretary on its actions under those provisions.
            ``(3) Screening process.--The screening process described 
        in paragraph (2)(A) shall--
                    ``(A) include, at a minimum, a review of--
                            ``(i) each individual performing duties 
                        under the contract or subcontract for 
                        connections to any State's program under this 
                        section;
                            ``(ii) potential financial interests in, or 
                        other connection to, products that might be 
                        purchased by a State educational agency or 
                        local educational agency in the course of the 
                        agency's implementation of the program under 
                        this section; and
                            ``(iii) connections to teaching 
                        methodologies that might require the use of 
                        specific products; and
                    ``(B) be designed to prevent, to the extent 
                possible, bias or the appearance of bias in the 
                performance of the responsibilities outlined in the 
                contract or subcontract.
            ``(4) Information dissemination.--
                    ``(A) In general.--If the Secretary enters into 
                contracts to provide technical assistance under 
                paragraph (1), and if a contractor enters into 
                subcontracts for that purpose, each such contract and 
                subcontract shall require the provider of technical 
                assistance to clearly separate technical assistance 
                provided under the contract or subcontract from 
                information provided, or activities engaged in, as part 
                of the normal operations of the contractor or 
                subcontractor.
                    ``(B) Separate internet web pages.--Efforts to 
                comply with subparagraph (A) may include, but are not 
                limited to, the creation of separate Internet web pages 
                for the purpose of fulfilling a contract or subcontract 
                entered into under paragraph (1).
    ``(h) Program Performance and Accountability.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each grantee shall collect and report to 
        the Secretary such information on the results of the grant as 
        the Secretary may reasonably require, including information 
        on--
                    ``(A) the mathematics test scores on State or 
                district-wide assessments for all middle-school 
                students in the local educational agency, including 
                both those in schools participating in the program 
                under this section and those in schools not 
                participating in the program under this section; and
                    ``(B) the percentage of students in the schools of 
                the local educational agency who enroll in algebra 
                courses and the percentage of those enrollees who pass 
                algebra courses.
            ``(2) Method.--The information required under paragraph (1) 
        shall be--
                    ``(A) reported in a manner that allows for a 
                comparison of student achievement before (to the extent 
                feasible), during, and after implementation of this 
                section; and
                    ``(B) disaggregated by race, ethnicity, disability 
                status, English proficiency, and status as economically 
                disadvantaged, except that such disaggregation shall 
                not be required in a case in which the number of 
                students in a category is insufficient to yield 
                statistically reliable information or the result would 
                reveal personally identifiable information about an 
                individual student.
    ``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $125,000,000 for fiscal year 
2008 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 5 succeeding 
fiscal years.

             ``Subpart 3--Peer Review of State Applications

``SEC. 1622. REVIEW OF STATE APPLICATIONS.

    ``(a) Conflicts of Interest.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a process 
        through which individuals who review State applications under 
        section 1601 and 1611 (hereafter in this section referred to as 
        `reviewers') are screened for potential conflicts of interest.
            ``(2) Screening.--The screening process shall--
                    ``(A) be reviewed and approved by the Office of the 
                General Counsel of the department;
                    ``(B) include, at a minimum, a review of each 
                reviewer's--
                            ``(i) connection to any State's program 
                        under those sections;
                            ``(ii) potential financial interest in 
                        products that might be purchased by a State 
                        educational agency or local educational agency 
                        in the course of the agency's implementation of 
                        the program under those sections; and
                            ``(iii) professional connections to 
                        teaching methodologies that might require the 
                        use of specific products; and
                    ``(C) be designed to prevent, to the extent 
                possible, bias or the appearance of bias in the review 
                of those applications.
    ``(b) Guidance.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop guidance for 
        how reviewers will review applications submitted under sections 
        1601 and 1611 and provide feedback to State educational 
        agencies and recommendations to the Secretary. The Secretary 
        shall also develop guidance for how the Secretary will review 
        those recommendations and make final determinations of approval 
        or disapproval of those applications.
            ``(2) Requirements.--Such guidance shall, at a minimum--
                    ``(A) create a transparent process through which 
                review panels provide clear, consistent, and publicly 
                available documentation in support of all 
                recommendations;
                    ``(B) ensure that State educational agencies have 
                the opportunity for direct interaction with any panel 
                that reviewed its application under those sections when 
                revising an application as a result of feedback from 
                the panel;
                    ``(C) require that any review panel and the 
                Secretary clearly and consistenly document that all 
                required elements of an application under those 
                sections are included before the application is 
                approved; and
                    ``(D) create a transparent process through which 
                the Secretary clearly, consistently, and publicly 
                documents decisions to approve or disapprove those 
                applications and the reasons for those decisions.

``SEC. 1623. PROHIBITION ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

    ``(a) In General.--Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to 
alter or lessen the prohibition contained in section 9527(b) of this 
Act or section 3403(b) of the Department of Education Organization Act.
    ``(b) Guidance.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop guidance for 
        Department of Education employees responsible for the 
        implementation of this chapter that will assist those employees 
        in complying with the prohibitions included in subsection (a).
            ``(2) Consultation.--Such guidance shall emphasize the 
        importance of consultation with the Department's Office of 
        General Counsel on issues related to such prohibitions.
            ``(3) Technical assistance.--Such guidance shall stress 
        that any information disseminated, or technical assistance 
        provided, related to this subpart, shall be balanced in 
        presenting eligible products and not in any way endorse or 
        appear to endorse any particular product that might be 
        purchased by a State educational agency or local educational 
        agency in the course of such agency's implementation of the 
        program under this chapter''.

SEC. 5. ROBERT C. BYRD HONORS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

    Subpart 6 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1070d-31) is amended to read as follows:

      ``Subpart 6--Robert C. Byrd American Competitiveness Program

``SEC. 419A. ROBERT C. BYRD MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE HONORS SCHOLARSHIP 
              PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to award 
scholarships to students who are enrolled in studies leading to 
baccalaureate and advanced degrees in physical, life, or computer 
sciences, mathematics, and engineering.
    ``(b) Definitions.--As used in this section--
            ``(1) the term `computer science' means the branch of 
        knowledge or study of computers, including such fields of 
        knowledge or study as computer hardware, computer software, 
        computer engineering, information systems, and robotics;
            ``(2) the term `eligible student' means a student who--
                    ``(A) is a citizen of the United States;
                    ``(B) is selected by the managing agent to receive 
                a scholarship;
                    ``(C) is enrolled full-time in an institution of 
                higher education, other than a United States service 
                academy; and
                    ``(D) has shown a commitment to and is pursuing a 
                major in studies leading to a baccalaureate, masters, 
                or doctoral degree (or a combination thereof) in 
                physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, or 
                engineering;
            ``(3) the term `engineering' means the science by which the 
        properties of matter and the sources of energy in nature are 
        made useful to humanity in structures, machines, and products, 
        as in the construction of engines, bridges, buildings, mines, 
        and chemical plants, including such fields of knowledge or 
        study as aeronautical engineering, chemical engineering, civil 
        engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, 
        materials engineering, manufacturing engineering, and 
        mechanical engineering;
            ``(4) the term `life sciences' means the branch of 
        knowledge or study of living things, including such fields of 
        knowledge or study as biology, biochemistry, biophysics, 
        microbiology, genetics, physiology, botany, zoology, ecology, 
        and behavioral biology, except that the term does not encompass 
        social psychology or the health professions;
            ``(5) the term `managing agent' means an entity to which an 
        award is made under subsection (c) to manage a program of 
        Mathematics and Science Honors Scholarships;
            ``(6) the term `mathematics' means the branch of knowledge 
        or study of numbers and the systematic treatment of magnitude, 
        relationships between figures and forms, and relations between 
        quantities expressed symbolically, including such fields of 
        knowledge or study as statistics, applied mathematics, and 
        operations research; and
            ``(7) the term `physical sciences' means the branch of 
        knowledge or study of the material universe, including such 
        fields of knowledge or study as astronomy, atmospheric 
        sciences, chemistry, earth sciences, ocean sciences, physics, 
        and planetary sciences.
    ``(c) Award.--
            ``(1)(A) From funds authorized under section 419F to carry 
        out this section, the Secretary is authorized, through a grant 
        or cooperative agreement, to make an award to a private, non-
        profit organization, other than an institution of higher 
        education or system of institutions of higher education, to 
        manage, through a public and private partnership, a program of 
        Mathematics and Science Honors Scholarships under this section.
            ``(B) The award under subparagraph (A) shall be for a five-
        year period.
            ``(2)(A) One hundred percent of the funds awarded under 
        paragraph (1)(A) for any fiscal year shall be obligated and 
        expended solely on scholarships to eligible students.
            ``(B) No Federal funds shall be used to provide more than 
        50 percent of the cost of any scholarship to an eligible 
        student.
            ``(C) The maximum scholarship award shall be the difference 
        between an eligible student's cost of attendance minus any non-
        loan based aid such student receives.
            ``(3)(A) The secretary may establish--
                    ``(i) eligibility criteria for applicants for 
                managing agent, including criteria regarding financial 
                and administrative capability; and
                    ``(ii) operational standards for the managing 
                agent, including management and performance 
                requirements, such as audit, record keeping, record 
                retention, and reporting procedures and requirements.
            ``(B) The Secretary, as necessary, may review and revise 
        any criteria, standards, and rules established under this 
        paragraph and, through the agreement with the managing agent, 
        see that any revisions are implemented.
            ``(4) If the managing agent fails to meet the requirements 
        of this section the Secretary may terminate the award to the 
        managing agent.
            ``(5) The Secretary shall conduct outreach efforts to help 
        raise awareness of the Mathematics and Science Honors 
        Scholarships.
    ``(d) Duties of the Managing Agent.--The managing agent shall--
            ``(1) develop criteria to award Mathematics and Science 
        Honors Scholarships based on established measurements available 
        to secondary students who wish to pursue degrees in physical, 
        life, or computer sciences, mathematics, and engineering;
            ``(2) establish a Mathematics and Science Honors 
        Scholarship Fund in a separate, named account that clearly 
        discloses the amount of Federal and non-Federal funds deposited 
        in the account and used for scholarships under this section;
            ``(3) solicit funds for scholarships and for the 
        administration of the program from non-Federal sources;
            ``(4) solicit applicants for scholarships;
            ``(5) from the amounts in the Fund, award scholarships to 
        eligible students and transfer such funds to the institutions 
        of higher education that they attend;
            ``(6) annually submit to the Secretary a financial audit 
        and a report on the progress of the program, and such other 
        documents as the Secretary may require to determine the 
        effective management of the program; and
            ``(7) shall not develop a criteria that discriminates 
        against a student based on the type of program in which the 
        student completed his or her secondary education.
    ``(e) Applications.--
            ``(1) Any eligible entity that desires to be the managing 
        agent under this section shall submit an application to the 
        Secretary, in such form and containing such information, as the 
        Secretary may require.
            ``(2) Each application shall include a description of--
                    ``(A) how the applicant meets or will meet 
                requirements established under subsections (c)(3)(A) 
                and (d);
                    ``(B) how the applicant will solicit funds for 
                scholarships and for the administration of the program 
                from non-Federal sources;
                    ``(C) how the applicant will provide nationwide 
                outreach to inform students about the program and to 
                encourage students to pursue degrees in physical, life, 
                or computer sciences, mathematics, and engineering;
                    ``(D) how the applicant will solicit applications 
                for scholarships, including how the applicant will 
                balance efforts in urban and rural areas;
                    ``(E) the selection criteria based on established 
                measurements available to secondary students the 
                applicant will use to award scholarships and to renew 
                those awards;
                    ``(F) how the applicant will inform the institution 
                of higher education chosen by the recipient of the name 
                and scholarship amount of the recipient;
                    ``(G) what procedures and assurances the applicant 
                and the institution of higher education that the 
                recipient attends will use to verify student 
                eligibility, attendance, degree progress, and academic 
                performance and to deliver and account for payments to 
                such institution;
                    ``(H) the management (including audit and 
                accounting) procedures the applicant will use for the 
                program;
                    ``(I) the human, financial, and other resources 
                that the applicant will need and use to manage the 
                program;
                    ``(J) how the applicant will evaluate the program 
                and report to the Secretary annually; and
                    ``(K) a description of how the entity will 
                coordinate with, complement, and build
        on similar public and private mathematics and science programs.
    ``(f) Scholarship Recipients.--
            ``(1) A student receiving a scholarship under this section 
        shall be known as a `Byrd mathematics and Science Honors 
        Scholar'.
            ``(2) Any student desiring to receive a scholarship under 
        this section shall submit an application to the managing agent 
        in such form, and containing such information, as the managing 
        agent may require.
            ``(3) Any student that receives a scholarship under this 
        section shall enter into an agreement with the managing agent 
        to complete 5 consecutive years of service to begin no later 
        than 12 months following completion of the final degree in a 
        position related to the field in which the student obtained the 
        degree.
            ``(4) If any student that receives a scholarship under this 
        section fails to earn at least a baccalaureate degree in 
        physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, or 
        engineering as defined under this section, the student shall 
        repay to the managing agent the amount of any financial 
        assistance paid to such student.
            ``(5) If any student that receives a scholarship under this 
        section fails to meet the requirements of paragraph (3), the 
        student shall repay to the managing agent the amount of any 
        financial assistance paid to such student.
            ``(6)(A) Scholarships shall be awarded for only one 
        academic year of study at a time.
            ``(B)(i) A scholarship shall be renewable on an annual 
        basis for the established length of the academic program if the 
        student awarded the scholarship remains eligible.
            ``(ii) The managing agent may condition renewal of a 
        scholarship on measures of academic progress and achievement, 
        with the approval of the Secretary.
            ``(C)(i) If a student fails to either remain eligible or 
        meet established measures of academic progress and achievement, 
        the managing agent shall instruct the student's institution of 
        higher education to suspend payment of the student's 
        scholarship.
            ``(ii) A suspension of payment shall remain in effect until 
        the student is able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the 
        managing agent that he or she is again eligible and meets the 
        established measures of academic progress and achievement.
            ``(iii) A student's eligibility for a scholarship shall be 
        terminated if a suspension period exceeds 12 months.
            ``(D)(i)(I) A student awarded a scholarship may, in a 
        manner and under the terms established by, and with the 
        approval of, the managing agent, postpone or interrupt his or 
        her enrollment at an institution of higher education for up to 
        12 months.
            ``(II) Such a postponement or interruption shall not be 
        considered a suspension for purposes of subparagraph (C).
            ``(ii) Neither a student nor the student's institution of 
        higher education shall receive the student's scholarship 
        payments during the period of postponement or interruption, but 
        such payments shall resume upon enrollment or reenrollment.
            ``(iii) In exceptional circumstances, such as serious 
        injury or illness or the necessity to care for family members, 
        the student's postponement or interruption may, upon 
        notification and approval of the managing agent, be extended 
        beyond the 12 month period described in clause (i)(I).
    ``(g) Responsibilities of Institution of Higher Education.--
            ``(1) The managing agent shall require any institution of 
        higher education that enrolls a student who receives a 
        scholarship under this section to annually provide an 
        assurance, prior to making any payment, that the student--
                    ``(A) is eligible in accordance with subsection 
                (b)(2); and
                    ``(B) has provided the institution with a written 
                commitment to attend, or is attending, classes and is 
                satisfactorily meeting the institution's academic 
                criteria for enrollment in its program of study.
            ``(2)(A) The managing agent shall provide the institution 
        of higher education with payments from the Fund for selected 
        recipients in at least two installments.
            ``(B) An institution of higher education shall return 
        prorated amounts of any scholarship payment to the managing 
        agent, who shall deposit it in to the Fund, if a recipient 
        declines a scholarship, does not attend courses, transfers to 
        another institution of higher education, or becomes ineligible 
        for a scholarship.

``SEC. 419B. MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to carry out 
        a program of assuming the obligation to pay, pursuant to the 
        provisions of this section, the interest on a loan made, 
        insured, or guaranteed under part B or D of this title.
            ``(2) Eligibility.--The Secretary may assume interest 
        payments under paragraph (1) only for a borrower who--
                    ``(A) has submitted an application in compliance 
                with subsection (d);
                    ``(B) obtained one or more loans described in 
                paragraph (1) as an undergraduate student;
                    ``(C) is a new borrower (within the meaning of 
                section 103(7) of this Act) on or after the date of 
                enactment of the Strengthening America's Innovation and 
                Competitiveness Act;
                    ``(D) is a highly qualified teacher (as defined in 
                section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
                Act of 1965) of science, technology, engineering or 
                mathematics at an elementary or secondary school in a 
                high need local educational agency, or is a 
                mathematics, science, or engineering professional; and
                    ``(E) enters into an agreement with the Secretary 
                to complete 5 consecutive years of service in a 
                position described in subparagraph (D), starting on the 
                date of the agreement.
            ``(3) Prior interest limitations.--The Secretary shall not 
        make any payments for interest that--
                    ``(A) accrues prior to the beginning of the 
                repayment period on a loan in the case of a loan made 
                under section 428H or a Federal Direct Unsubsidized 
                Stafford Loan; or
                    ``(B) has accrued prior to the signing of an 
                agreement under paragraph (2)(E).
            ``(4) Initial selection.--In selecting participants for the 
        program under this section, the Secretary--
                    ``(A) shall choose among eligible applicants on the 
                basis of--
                            ``(i) the national security, homeland 
                        security, and economic security needs of the 
                        United States, as determined by the Secretary, 
                        in consultation with other Federal agencies, 
                        including the Departments of Labor, Defense, 
                        Homeland Security, Commerce, and Energy, the 
                        Central Intelligence Agency, and the National 
                        Science Foundation; and
                            ``(ii) the academic record or job 
                        performance of the applicant; and
                    ``(B) may choose among eligible applicants on the 
                basis of--
                            ``(i) the likelihood of the applicant to 
                        complete the 5-year service obligation;
                            ``(ii) the likelihood of the applicant to 
                        remain in science, mathematics, or engineering 
                        after the completion of the service 
                        requirement; or
                            ``(iii) other relevant criteria determined 
                        by the Secretary.
            ``(5) Availability subject to appropriations.--Loan 
        interest payments under this section shall be subject to the 
        availability of appropriations. If the amount appropriated for 
        any fiscal year is not sufficient to provide interest payments 
        on behalf of all qualified applicants, the Secretary shall give 
        priority to those individuals on whose behalf interest payments 
        were made during the preceding fiscal year.
            ``(6) Regulations.--The Secretary is authorized to 
        prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the 
        provisions of this section.
    ``(b) Duration and Amount of Interest Payments.--The period during 
which the Secretary shall pay interest on behalf of a student borrower 
who is selected under subsection (a) is the period that begins on the 
effective date of the agreement under subsection (a)(2)(E), continues 
after successful completion of the service obligation, and ends on the 
earlier of--
            ``(1) the completion of the repayment period of the loan;
            ``(2) payment by the Secretary of a total of $5,000 on 
        behalf of the borrower;
            ``(3) if the borrower ceases to fulfill the service 
        obligation under such agreement prior to the end of the 5-year 
        period, as soon as the borrower is determined to have ceased to 
        fulfill such obligation in accordance with regulations of the 
        Secretary; or
            ``(4) 6 months after the end of any calendar year in which 
        the borrower's gross income equals or exceeds 4 times the 
        national per capita disposable personal income (current 
        dollars) for such calendar year, as determined on the basis of 
        the National Income and Product Accounts Tables of the Bureau 
        of Economic Analysis of the Department of Commerce, as 
        determined in accordance with regulations prescribed by the 
        Secretary.
    ``(c) Repayment to Eligible Lenders.--Subject to the regulations 
prescribed by the Secretary by regulation under subsection (a)(6), the 
Secretary shall pay to each eligible lender or holder for each payment 
period the amount of the interest that accrues on a loan of a student 
borrower who is selected under subsection (a).
    ``(d) Application for Repayment.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each eligible individual desiring loan 
        interest payment under this section shall submit a complete and 
        accurate application to the Secretary at such time, in such 
        manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may 
        require.
            ``(2) Failure to complete service agreement.--Such 
        application shall contain an agreement by the individual that, 
        if the individual fails to complete the 5 consecutive years of 
        service required by subsection (a)(2)(E), the individual agrees 
        to repay the Secretary the amount of any interest paid by the 
        Secretary on behalf of the individual.
    ``(e) Treatment of Consolidation Loans.--A consolidation loan made 
under section 428C of this Act, or a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan 
made under part D of title IV of this Act, may be a qualified loan for 
the purpose of this section only to the extent that such loan amount 
was used by a borrower who otherwise meets the requirements of this 
section to repay--
            ``(1) a loan made under section 428 or 428H of this Act; or
            ``(2) a Federal Direct Stafford Loan, or a Federal Direct 
        Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, made under part D of title IV of 
        this Act.
    ``(f) Prevention of Double Benefits.--No borrower may, for the same 
service, receive a benefit under both this section and--
            ``(1) any loan forgiveness program under title IV of this 
        Act; or
            ``(2) subtitle D of title I of the National and Community 
        Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12601 et seq.).
    ``(g) Definitions.--As used in this section--
            ``(1) the term `high need local educational agency' has the 
        same meaning given such term in section 201(b)(4); and
            ``(2) the term `mathematics, science, or engineering 
        professional' means a person who--
                    ``(A) holds a baccalaureate, masters, or doctoral 
                degree (or a combination thereof) in science, 
                mathematics, or engineering; and
                    ``(B) works in a field the Secretary determines is 
                closely related to that degree,
        which shall include working as a professor at a two- or four-
        year institution of higher education.

``SEC. 419F. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated $41,000,000 for fiscal 
year 2008 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 5 
succeeding fiscal years to carry out this subpart.''.

SEC. 6. CRITICAL FOREIGN LANGUAGES.

    (a) Findings.--Section 601(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1121(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) It is crucial that we expand the number of 
        individuals in the United States mastering languages such as 
        Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Hindi and Farsi, and the number of 
        advanced-level speakers of those languages.
            ``(7) The weaknesses in teaching and learning foreign 
        languages can be addressed by starting language learning at a 
        younger age and expanding opportunities for foreign language 
        education throughout formal schooling, including the 
        postsecondary level.''.
    (b) Purposes.--Section 601(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1121(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) to significantly increase the opportunities to study, 
        and the number of students in the United States who achieve the 
        highest level of proficiency in, foreign languages critical to 
        the security and competitiveness of the Nation.''.
    (c) International and Foreign Language Studies.--Part A of title VI 
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1121 et seq.) is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating sections 607 through 610 as sections 
        608 through 611, respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after section 606 the following:

``SEC. 607. ADVANCING AMERICA THROUGH FOREIGN LANGUAGE PARTNERSHIPS.

    ``(a) Program Authorized.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to award 
        grants to institutions of higher education, in partnership with 
        one or more local educational agencies, to establish 
        articulated programs of study in critical-need foreign 
        languages that will enable successful students to advance from 
        elementary school through college to achieve a superior level 
        of proficiency in those languages.
            ``(2) Grant period.--A grant awarded under paragraph (1) 
        shall be for a period of not more than five years. A grant may 
        be renewed for not more than two additional five-year periods, 
        if the Secretary determines that the grantee's program is 
        effective and the renewal will best serve the purpose of this 
        program.
    ``(b) Definitions.--As used in this section:
            ``(1) The term `critical-need foreign languages' means 
        foreign languages, such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Hindi, and 
        Farsi, determined by the Secretary to be most critical for the 
        national security of the United States.
            ``(2) The term `superior level of proficiency' means level 
        (3), the professional working level, as measured by the Federal 
        Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) or the American Council 
        on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).
    ``(c) Applications.--
            ``(1) In general.--Any institution of higher education that 
        desires to receive 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 each such partner's 
                responsibilities (including how they will be involved 
                in planning and implementing program curriculum, what 
                resources they will provide, and how they will ensure 
                continuity of student progress from elementary school 
                to the postsecondary level);
                    ``(B) describe how an articulated curriculum for 
                students will be developed and implemented, including 
                how pedagogical philosophy, goals, and approaches will 
                be consistent throughout all educational levels of the 
                program;
                    ``(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 project 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 applicant will--
                            ``(i) ensure that students entering college 
                        from a program supported under this part 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 it will 
                        partner with other institutions of higher 
                        education to provide participating students 
                        with multiple options for postsecondary 
                        education consistent with the purpose of this 
                        part; and
                    ``(E) describe how the applicant will support and 
                continue the program after the grant has expired, 
                including how it will seek support from other sources, 
                such as State and local government, foundations, and 
                the private sector.
    ``(d) Uses of Funds.--Funds awarded under this part shall be used 
to develop and implement programs at the elementary through 
postsecondary school levels consistent with the purpose of this part by 
carrying out one or more of the following activities:
            ``(1) To recruit and develop teachers directly related to 
        the purpose of this part at the elementary through high school 
        levels.
            ``(2) To provide innovative opportunities for maximum 
        language exposure for students in the program, such as the 
        creation of immersion environments (like language houses, 
        language tables, and immersion classrooms, and weekend and 
        summer experiences).
    ``(e) Matching.--
            ``(1) In general.--
                    ``(A) Contribution.--In each fiscal year, a grantee 
                shall provide a non-Federal contribution in an amount 
                equal to 10 percent of the total amount of the grant 
                award for that fiscal year.
                    ``(B) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the 
                requirement of subparagraph (A), in any fiscal year, if 
                the Secretary determines that--
                            ``(i) the application of the matching 
                        requirement will result in serious hardship for 
                        the grantee; or
                            ``(ii) it will best serve the purpose of 
                        this program.
            ``(2) Composition.--A grantee's non-Federal contribution 
        required under paragraph (1) may be provided in cash or in 
        kind, fairly evaluated, and shall include only non-Federal 
        funds that are used in a manner consistent with the purpose of 
        this section.
    ``(f) Program Evaluation.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may reserve not more than 
        five percent of the total amount appropriated for this part for 
        any fiscal year to evaluate the program under this part.
            ``(2) Reports.--The Secretary shall promptly report to 
        Congress on the results of any program evaluation conducted 
        under this subsection.''.

SEC. 7. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    (a) Findings.--The Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Just 21 percent of mathematics doctorates and 39 
        percent of master's degrees went to women in 1992.
            (2) Fewer girls than boys take advanced math and science 
        courses in high school, and girls as a group are outperformed 
        by boys on standardized math and science tests. Those gaps 
        persist throughout college and beyond.
            (3) According to the author Tom Peters in his book titled 
        ``Re-Imagine'', women control 51 percent of the New York Stock 
        Exchange, women manage 83 percent of the household income, and 
        women are responsible for 85 percent of all purchasing of goods 
        and services in the United States, which represents 
        $6,000,000,000.
            (4) Women will inherit 85 to 90 percent of the Nation's 
        wealth in the next 10 years, women are starting businesses at 
        twice the rate of men, making women-owned businesses the 
        fastest growing segment in the United States economy, and 
        women-owned businesses generate some $2.46 trillion dollars in 
        revenue each year.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress that female 
students should be encouraged to participate in programs that are 
served by the grants authorized under this Act.
                                 <all>