[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 24 (Tuesday, March 10, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 3411, THE COMMISSION FOR AMERICAN MATHEMATICS 
                             LEADERSHIP ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CONSTANCE A. MORELLA

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 10, 1998

  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to announce the introduction of 
H.R. 3411, the Commission for American Mathematics Leadership (CAML) 
Act to create a commission on mathematics education. I am very pleased 
to join with my distinguished colleague from the other body, Senator 
Frist of Tennessee, who is introducing the bill today in the Senate.
  The need for the bill is clear. Just two weeks ago, the most 
comprehensive and rigorous international comparison of mathematics 
education ever undertaken revealed American high school seniors--even 
our nation's best students in advanced classes--to be among the world's 
least prepared. The results of this study, the Third International 
Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), cry out for a comprehensive 
reexamination of our current approach to mathematics education in the 
United States. This bill will provide the commission necessary to 
achieve that goal.

                               H.R. 3411

       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 ``Commission for American 
     Mathematics Leadership Act''.

     SEC. 2 FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds the following:
       (1) Students in the United States should be the world 
     leaders in mathematics achievement within the next decade.
       (2) The Third International Mathematics and Science Study 
     (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the ``TIMSS''), the 
     largest international study ever undertaken of how students 
     perform in mathematics and science, demonstrated that the 
     mathematics skills of students in the United States 
     (including the top 10 percent of students in the United 
     States) lag far behind the skills of students in many other 
     nations, even though students in the United States spend more 
     class time on mathematics and science and usually are 
     assigned more homework.
       (3) Research indicates that the problems of mathematics and 
     science education in the United States stem largely from the 
     lack of a coherent and focused curriculum designed for high-
     level learning goals, the lack of assessment instruments 
     aligned with such curricula, and the lack of a sufficient 
     commitment by colleges and universities in the United States 
     to high-quality teacher preparation and professional 
     development programs.
       (4) Core problems exist with the courses of study and the 
     teaching style on which many schools in the United States 
     rely to instruct students in mathematics and science, as 
     reflected in the conclusion of the National Science 
     Foundation that schools in the United States teach math 
     concepts in superficial, and ultimately ineffective, ways.
       (5) A developed framework for mathematics and science 
     should be coherent, focused, and give balanced attention to 
     basic skills, conceptual understanding, problem solving, 
     reasoning, and communication skills, and appropriate uses of 
     technology.
       (6) The failure of mathematics and science teaching methods 
     in the United States requires a systemic retraining of, and 
     an increased emphasis on the professional development of, 
     teachers in the United States.
       (7) Teachers of mathematics and science should be well-
     trained professionals who combine sound knowledge of subject 
     matter with the necessary skills and a good understanding of 
     student learning and assessment.

     SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.

       (a) Establishment.--There is hereby established a 
     commission to be known as the ``Commission for American 
     Mathematics Leadership'' (in this Act referred to as the 
     ``Commission'').
       (b) Composition.--The Commission shall be composed of 12 
     members as follows:
       (1) Four members appointed by the President.
       (2) Four members appointed by the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, in consultation with the minority leader of 
     the House of Representatives.
       (3) Four members appointed by the President pro tempore of 
     the Senate, in consultation with the minority leader of the 
     Senate.

     SEC. 4. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.

       The Commission shall, in coordination with the National 
     Academy of Sciences--
       (1) review the existing research base on mathematics 
     education leadership, including the status of mathematics 
     education in the United States relative to international 
     competitors;
       (2) propose professional development priorities to assure 
     that the teaching of mathematics at all educational levels in 
     the United States is strengthened; and
       (3) formulate an implementation proposal, including 
     specific recommendations which can be implemented by 
     appropriate public and private agencies, for assuring world 
     class achievement of the United States in mathematics 
     education within a decade.

     SEC. 5. REPORT.

       Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Commission shall submit to the Speaker of the 
     House of Representatives and to the President pro tempore of 
     the Senate a report including the findings and 
     recommendations of the Commission under section 4.

     SEC. 6. POWERS.

       The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out its 
     duties, hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and 
     places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence, as 
     the Commission considers appropriate.

     SEC. 7. COMMISSION PROCEDURES.

       (a) Chairman.--A chairman of the Commission shall be 
     elected by the members of the Commission.
       (b) Quorum.--Seven members of the Commission shall 
     constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting meetings.

     SEC. 8. PERSONNEL MATTERS.

       (a) Pay of Members.--Members of the Commission shall not be 
     paid by reason of their service as members.
       (b) Travel Expenses.--The members of the Commission shall 
     be allowed, while away from their homes or regular places of 
     business in the performance of services for the Commission, 
     travel expenses (including per diem in lieu of subsistence) 
     in the same manner as persons employed intermittently in 
     Government service are allowed expenses under section 5703 of 
     title 5, United States Code.

     SEC. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT.

       The National Academy of Sciences shall provide the 
     administrative support services necessary for the Commission 
     to carry out its duties under this Act.

     SEC. 10. FUNDING.

       Out of any amounts appropriated for the National Science 
     Foundation, $750,000 shall be available for activities of the 
     Commission.

     SEC. 11. TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.

       The Commission shall terminate 30 days after submitting the 
     report required under section 5.

     

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