[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 72 (Thursday, June 8, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5662-S5669]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ENSIGN (for himself and Mr. Lieberman):
  S. 3483. A bill to improve national competitiveness through enhanced 
education initiatives; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
and Pensions.
  Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce, along with 
my colleague from Nevada, Senator Ensign, the ``National Innovation 
Education Act''. The intent of this bill is to enhance our science and 
technology talent base and improve national competitiveness through 
strengthened education initiatives. Enhancing academic success, 
particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering and 
math--often called the STEM disciplines--through innovative educational 
programs will stimulate change and growth within elementary, secondary 
and postsecondary institutions, improve current educational 
opportunities for all students, allow graduates greater opportunity for 
economic success and greater ability to successfully compete in the 
global market.
  This bill proposes initiatives spanning the education spectrum that 
seek to improve quality instruction and access to STEM learning for all 
students. Recent recommendations from the Council on Competitiveness 
and The Augustine Commission at the National Academy of Sciences, among 
others, target national concerns around the content and quality of K-16 
in STEM disciplines, particularly with regard to minority and low-
income students, the need to stimulate innovation, and the need to 
enhance teacher preparation and professional development in the STEM 
fields.
  An increasing number of researchers express alarm at the nearly one 
out of three public high school students who won't graduate and the 
failure of our systems to adequately prepare high school graduates, and 
particularly minorities, for success in college and the work place. 
Addressing the challenge of successfully thriving in a world of change, 
the Council on Competitiveness examined the pressing issue of 
attracting more young Americans to science and engineering fields. 
Currently, less than 15 percent of U.S. students have the prerequisite 
skills to pursue scientific or technical degrees in college. Only 5.5 
percent of the 1.1 million high school seniors who took the college 
entrance exam in 2002 planned to pursue an engineering degree. And 
there continues to be poor representation of women and minorities in 
these fields. The National Academies report, ``Rising Above the 
Gathering Storm,'' notes that amongst the U.S. science and technology 
workforce 38 percent of PhDs were foreign born. Changes need to be 
enacted to not only increase the number of students pursuing math and 
science degrees but to prepare them to pursue these degrees.
  Indeed, numerous national reports in recent years have called for 
efforts to improve K-12 education, teacher preparation and professional 
development in the STEM areas. Recommendations include increasing the 
numbers of postsecondary students pursuing careers in the areas of 
mathematics, science, engineering, and technology and increasing the 
numbers of postsecondary students in the STEM fields who will then 
pursue concurrent degrees in education. Increasing funding for not only 
STEM education but STEM research has received strong recommendations as 
an important and timely approach to addressing improvements in 
education and innovation. Finally, a critical factor to ensuring 
program success is the ability to engage and then hold students' 
interests in the various STEM fields enough to encourage them to pursue 
STEM careers.

[[Page S5663]]

  Our bill seeks to craft a comprehensive response to many of these 
issues, and includes the following provisions.
  Title I--Improving Pre-kindergarten Through Grade 16, supplies a 
remedy to the critical issue of the disconnect existing between high 
school outcomes and college expectations. Through the formation of 
partnerships between P-12 and higher education systems in the states--
P-16 Commissions--academic success in postsecondary education becomes 
the priority agenda item for reform. We anticipate that P-16 
Commissions will bring about an increase in the percentage of 
academically prepared students, particularly low-income and minority 
students, and a decrease in the percentage of college students 
requiring remedial coursework, particularly with respect to math, 
science, and engineering.
  Many States across our country have already seen the wisdom of a P-16 
Commission and have been working on goals and implementation. The 
results, although preliminary for many States, are vastly encouraging. 
Title I will provide support both to States with existing P-16 bodies, 
or States seeking to establish such commissions. It will give priority 
to the States also seeking to establish or enhance data systems. We 
hope that States will have an opportunity to craft a vision that will 
reach all students over time so that their educational pathway of 
access to and success in college will be ensured.

  Magnet schools have the capacity to create learning environments 
tailored to the interests and needs of its community and can offer a 
focused curriculum capable of attracting substantial numbers of 
students of different racial backgrounds. Title II of our bill 
authorizes the National Science Foundation to award grants to assist in 
the promotion of innovation and competitiveness through the development 
and implementation of magnet school programs. These programs would 
encourage students to meet state academic content standards through the 
development and design of innovative educational methods, practices and 
curricula that promote student achievement in STEM courses and 
encourage student enrollment in postsecondary institutions.
  In addition, Title II authorizes NSF grants to elementary and middle 
schools creating pilot programs implementing innovation-based 
experiential learning environments. Innovation-based experiential 
learning is a teaching model that seeks to seed traditional technical 
studies with new exposure to methods for creative thinking and 
translating ideas into practical applications. Such programs would 
likely involve immersing students in hands-on experimentation that 
helps students discover new concepts and use those concepts to solve 
real-world problems.
  The interrelated demands that mathematics and science education 
places upon schools to prepare both teachers and students must be 
addressed consecutively. Teachers need to be better prepared to teach 
STEM topics across the board and students need to have access to 
teachers who are well versed in their content subjects.
  Title III of our bill authorizes funding to increase the number of 
graduates from postsecondary institutions with concurrent degrees in 
education and STEM fields. This program is based on the successful 
UTeach model at the University of Texas at Austin. Encouraging science 
and math majors to concurrently pursue certification in the field of 
education will help increase the number and quality of teachers in 
these fields. The model program at the University of Texas has 
experienced impressive success in attracting and keeping promising 
young STEM teachers. Our bill also calls for the establishment of 
Teacher Professional Development Institutes to promote innovative and 
effective approaches to improving teacher quality by providing 
professional development support for educators already in the 
classroom. The Teacher Institute Model encourages collaboration between 
urban teachers and university faculty to improve student learning by 
enhancing teacher mastery of subject matter. It is based upon the model 
which has been in operation at Yale University in New Haven, CT for 
over 25 years.
  Our Nation recognizes the pressing need to increase funding for STEM 
research and boost the number of students in undergraduate and graduate 
programs pursuing mathematics and science degrees for our country's 
continued development, prosperity and security.
  Within the final title of our bill, Title IV, NSF basic research 
funding is doubled. NSF is authorized to expand funding for STEM 
education through increased fellowships and trainee programs at the 
undergraduate and graduate level. A clearinghouse at the National 
Science Foundation of successful professional science master's degree 
program elements will be made available to postsecondary institutions 
as well as grants for developing pilot programs or improving current 
programs. In addition the NSF Tech Talent program is reauthorized with 
increased funding. This program provides competitive grants to 
undergraduate universities to develop new methods of increasing the 
number of students receiving degrees in science, math, and engineering. 
Finally, it is in our interest to examine and understand the emerging 
field of services sciences, a multidisciplinary curriculum partnering 
science, technology, engineering, and math with management and business 
disciplines. To this end, the National Science Foundation will conduct 
a collaborative study with leaders from institutions of higher 
education to come to an understanding of how best to support this new 
field.
  Our National Innovation Education Act takes a broad and comprehensive 
approach to addressing national prosperity, security and our ability to 
compete internationally with recommendations for enhanced education 
initiatives in order to improve our national competitiveness. Improving 
current education for all students will allow graduates greater 
opportunity for economic success and greater ability to successfully 
compete in the global market. Our very Nation's future prosperity and 
security depends upon our willingness as leaders to infuse education 
with the requisite innovative vision that will inspire our youth to 
reach for goals that are achievable only beyond the ordinary bounds.
  I urge my colleagues to act favorably on this measure. I ask 
unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 3483

       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 ``National Innovation 
     Education Act''.

     SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
       Sec. 1. Short title.
       Sec. 2. Table of contents.

     TITLE I--IMPROVING PREKINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE 16 EDUCATION

       Sec. 101. Short title.
       Sec. 102. Purposes.
       Sec. 103. Definitions.
       Sec. 104. P-16 education stewardship system grants.
       Sec. 105. State application and plan.
       Sec. 106. P-16 education stewardship commission.
       Sec. 107. P-16 education data system.
       Sec. 108. Reports; technical assistance.
       Sec. 109. Authorization of appropriations.

  TITLE II--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION MAGNET SCHOOLS AND INNOVATION-
                             BASED LEARNING

       Sec. 201. General definitions.
       Sec. 202. Magnet schools.
       Sec. 203. Innovation-based experiential learning.

        TITLE III--TEACHER TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

       Sec. 301 Baccalaureate degrees in mathematics and science 
           with teacher certification.
       Sec. 302. Teachers professional development institutes.

                 TITLE IV--STEM EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

       Sec. 401. Definitions.
       Sec. 402. Graduate fellowships and graduate traineeships.
       Sec. 403. Professional science master's degree programs.
       Sec. 404. Increased support for science education through 
           the National Science Foundation.
       Sec. 405. A national commitment to basic research.
       Sec. 406. Study on service science.

     TITLE I--IMPROVING PREKINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE 16 EDUCATION

     SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``College Pathway Act of 
     2006''.

[[Page S5664]]

     SEC. 102. PURPOSES.

       The purposes of this title are the following:
       (1) To broaden the focus of Federal, State, and local 
     higher education programs to promote academic success in 
     postsecondary education, particularly with respect to 
     mathematics, science, engineering, and technology.
       (2) To increase the percentage of low-income and minority 
     students who are academically prepared to enter and 
     successfully complete postsecondary-level general education 
     coursework.
       (3) To decrease the percentage of students requiring 
     developmental coursework through grants that enable States to 
     coordinate the public prekindergarten through grade 12 
     education system and the postsecondary education system--
       (A) to ensure that covered institutions articulate and 
     publicize the prerequisite skills and knowledge expected of 
     incoming postsecondary students attending covered 
     institutions, in order to provide students and other 
     interested parties with accurate information pertaining to 
     the students' necessary preparations for postsecondary 
     education;
       (B) to establish and implement middle school and secondary 
     school course enrollment guidelines while ensuring rigorous 
     content standards--
       (i) to ensure that public secondary school students, in all 
     major racial and ethnic groups, and income levels, complete 
     academic courses linked with academic success in mathematics, 
     science, engineering, and technology at the postsecondary 
     level; and
       (ii) to increase the percentage of students in each major 
     racial group, ethnic group, and income level who graduate 
     from secondary school and enter postsecondary education with 
     the academic preparation necessary to successfully complete 
     postsecondary-level general education coursework, 
     particularly with respect to mathematics, science, 
     engineering, and technology;
       (C) to implement programs and policies that increase 
     secondary school graduation rates while ensuring rigorous 
     content standards; and
       (D) to collect and analyze disaggregated longitudinal 
     student data throughout P-16 education in order to--
       (i) understand and improve students' progress throughout P-
     16 education;
       (ii) understand problems and needs throughout P-16 
     education; and
       (iii) align prekindergarten through grade 12 academic 
     standards and higher education standards so that more 
     students are prepared to successfully complete postsecondary-
     level general education coursework.

     SEC. 103. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) In general.--The terms ``local educational agency'', 
     ``parent'', ``secondary school'', and ``State'' have the 
     meanings given the terms in section 9101 of the Elementary 
     and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
       (2) Academic assessments.--The term ``academic 
     assessments'' means the academic assessments implemented by a 
     State educational agency pursuant to section 1111(b)(3) of 
     the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     6311(b)(3)).
       (3) Academic standards.--The term ``academic standards'' 
     means the challenging academic content standards and 
     challenging student academic achievement standards adopted by 
     a State pursuant to section 1111(b)(1) of the Elementary and 
     Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(1)).
       (4) Covered institution.--The term ``covered institution'' 
     means an institution of higher education that participates in 
     a program under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.).
       (5) Developmental coursework.--The term ``developmental 
     coursework'' means coursework that a student is required to 
     complete in order to attain prerequisite knowledge or skills 
     necessary for entrance into a postsecondary degree or 
     certification program.
       (6) Institution of higher education.--The term 
     ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the 
     term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
     U.S.C. 1002).
       (7) P-16 education.--The term ``P-16 education'' means the 
     educational system from prekindergarten through the 
     conferring of a baccalaureate degree.
       (8) P-16 educator.--The term ``P-16 educator'' means an 
     individual teaching in P-16 education.
       (9) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Education.
       (10) Student.--The term ``student'' means any student 
     enrolled in a public school.

     SEC. 104. P-16 EDUCATION STEWARDSHIP SYSTEM GRANTS.

       (a) Program Authorized.--From amounts appropriated under 
     section 109 for a fiscal year, and subject to subsection (b), 
     the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to 
     States to enable the States--
       (1) to establish--
       (A) P-16 education stewardship commissions in accordance 
     with section 106; or
       (B) P-16 education stewardship systems consisting of--
       (i) a P-16 education stewardship commission in accordance 
     with section 106; and
       (ii) a P-16 education data system in accordance with 
     section 107; and
       (2) to carry out the activities and programs described in 
     the State application and plan submitted under section 105.
       (b) Award Basis.--In determining the approval and amount of 
     a grant under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give 
     priority to an application from a State that desires the 
     grant to establish a P-16 education stewardship system 
     described in subsection (a)(1)(B).
       (c) Period of Grants.--
       (1) States establishing p-16 education stewardship 
     systems.--Each grant made under this section to a State to 
     establish a P-16 education stewardship system described in 
     subsection (a)(1)(B) shall be awarded for a period of 5 
     years.
       (2) States establishing p-16 education stewardship 
     commissions.--Each grant made under this section to a State 
     to establish a P-16 education stewardship commission 
     described in subsection (a)(1)(A) shall be awarded for a 
     period of 3 years.

     SEC. 105. STATE APPLICATION AND PLAN.

       (a) In General.--A State desiring a grant under section 104 
     shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in 
     such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary 
     may reasonably require.
       (b) Contents.--Each application submitted under this 
     section shall include, at a minimum, the following:
       (1) A demonstration that the State, not later than 5 months 
     after receiving grant funds under this title, will establish 
     a P-16 education stewardship commission described in section 
     106.
       (2) For a state applying for a grant under section 
     104(a)(1)(B), a demonstration that the State, not later than 
     2 years after receiving grant funds under this title, will 
     implement, expand, or improve a P-16 education data system 
     described in section 107.
       (3) A demonstration that the State will work with the State 
     P-16 education stewardship commission and others as necessary 
     to examine the relationship among the content of 
     postsecondary education admission and placement exams, the 
     prerequisite skills and knowledge required to successfully 
     take postsecondary-level general education coursework, the 
     prekindergarten through grade 12 courses and academic factors 
     associated with academic success at the postsecondary level, 
     particularly with respect to mathematics, science, 
     engineering, and technology, and existing academic standards 
     and aligned academic assessments.
       (4) A description of how the State will, using the 
     information from the State P-16 education stewardship 
     commission, increase the percentage of students taking 
     courses that have the highest correlation of academic success 
     at the postsecondary level, for each of the following groups 
     of students:
       (A) Economically disadvantaged students.
       (B) Students from each major racial and ethnic group.
       (C) Students with disabilities.
       (D) Students with limited English proficiency.
       (5) A description of how the State will distribute the 
     information in the P-16 education stewardship commission's 
     report under section 106(c)(4) to the public in the State, 
     including public secondary schools, local educational 
     agencies, school counselors, P-16 educators, institutions of 
     higher education, students, and parents.
       (6) An assurance that the State will continue to pursue 
     effective P-16 education alignment strategies after the end 
     of the grant period.

     SEC. 106. P-16 EDUCATION STEWARDSHIP COMMISSION.

       (a) P-16 Education Stewardship Commission.--
       (1) In general.--Each State receiving a grant under section 
     104 shall establish a P-16 education stewardship commission 
     that has the policymaking ability to meet the requirements of 
     this section.
       (2) Existing commission.--The State may designate an 
     existing coordinating body or commission as the State P-16 
     education stewardship commission for purposes of this title, 
     if the body or commission meets, or is amended to meet, the 
     basic requirements of this section.
       (b) Membership.--
       (1) Composition.--Each P-16 education stewardship 
     commission shall be composed of the Governor of the State, or 
     the designee of the Governor, and the stakeholders of the 
     statewide education community, as determined by the Governor 
     or the designee of the Governor, such as--
       (A) the chief State official responsible for administering 
     prekindergarten through grade 12 education in the State;
       (B) the chief State official of the entity primarily 
     responsible for the supervision of institutions of higher 
     education in the State;
       (C) bipartisan representation from the State legislative 
     committee with jurisdiction over prekindergarten through 
     grade 12 education and higher education;
       (D) representatives of 2- and 4-year institutions of higher 
     education in the State;
       (E) representatives of the business community; and
       (F) at the discretion of the Governor, or the designee of 
     the Governor, representatives from prekindergarten through 
     grade 12 and higher education governing boards and other 
     organizations.
       (2) Chairperson; meetings.--The Governor of the State, or 
     the designee of the Governor, shall serve as chairperson of 
     the P-16 education stewardship commission and shall convene 
     regular meetings of the commission.
       (c) Duties of the Commission.--
       (1) Meetings of covered institutions.--

[[Page S5665]]

       (A) In general.--Each State P-16 education stewardship 
     commission shall convene regular meetings of the covered 
     institutions in the State for the purpose of assessing and 
     reaching consensus regarding--
       (i) the prerequisite skills and knowledge expected of 
     incoming freshmen to successfully engage in and complete 
     postsecondary-level general education coursework without the 
     prior need to enroll in developmental coursework; and
       (ii) patterns of coursework and other academic factors that 
     demonstrate the highest correlation with success in 
     completing postsecondary-level general education coursework 
     and degree or certification programs, particularly with 
     respect to mathematics, science, engineering, and technology.
       (B) Findings of covered institutions.--The covered 
     institutions shall communicate to the P-16 education 
     stewardship commission the findings of the covered 
     institutions, which--
       (i) shall include the consensus on the prerequisite skills 
     and knowledge, patterns of coursework, and other academic 
     factors described in subparagraph (A);
       (ii) shall address, at minimum, the subjects of reading or 
     language arts, history, mathematics, science, technology, and 
     engineering, and may cover additional academic content areas;
       (iii) shall be descriptive of content and purpose, and 
     shall not be limited to a simple listing of secondary course 
     names; and
       (iv) may be different for 2- and 4-year institutions of 
     higher education.
       (2) Commission recommendations.--Not later than 18 months 
     after a State receives a grant under section 104, and 
     annually thereafter for each year in the grant period, the 
     State P-16 education stewardship commission shall--
       (A) develop recommendations regarding the prerequisite 
     skills and knowledge, patterns of coursework, and other 
     academic factors described in paragraph (1)(A); and
       (B) develop recommendations and enact policies to increase 
     the success rate of students in the students' transition from 
     secondary school to postsecondary education, including 
     policies to increase success rates for--
       (i) students of economic disadvantage;
       (ii) students of racial and ethnic minorities;
       (iii) students with disabilities; and
       (iv) students with limited English proficiency.
       (3) Commission findings.--Not later than 3 years after a 
     State receives a grant under section 104(a)(1)(B), the State 
     P-16 education stewardship commission shall--
       (A) compile and interpret the findings from the P-16 
     education data system; and
       (B) include the compilation and interpretation of the 
     findings in the report described in paragraph (4)(A).
       (4) Reports.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 18 months after a State 
     receives a grant under section 104, and annually thereafter 
     for each year in the grant period, the State P-16 education 
     stewardship commission shall prepare and submit to the 
     Secretary a clear and concise report that shall include the 
     recommendations described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of 
     paragraph (2).
       (B) Distribution to the public.--Not later than 60 days 
     after the submission of a report under subparagraph (A), each 
     State P-16 education stewardship commission shall publish and 
     widely distribute the information in the report to the public 
     in the State, including--
       (i) all public secondary schools and local educational 
     agencies;
       (ii) school counselors;
       (iii) P-16 educators;
       (iv) institutions of higher education; and
       (v) students and parents, especially students and parents 
     of students listed in clauses (i) through (iv) of paragraph 
     (2)(B) and those entering grade 9 in the next academic year, 
     to assist students and parents in making informed and 
     strategic course enrollment decisions.

     SEC. 107. P-16 EDUCATION DATA SYSTEM.

       (a) Establishment.--Not later than 2 years after a State 
     receives a grant under section 104(a)(1)(B), the State shall 
     establish a Statewide longitudinal data system that provides 
     each student, upon enrollment in a public school or in a 
     covered institution in the State, with a unique identifier 
     that is retained throughout the student's enrollment in P-16 
     education in the State.
       (b) Valid Data and Compliance With Ferpa.--The State, 
     through the implementation of the data system described in 
     subsection (a), shall--
       (1) ensure the implementation and use of valid and reliable 
     secondary school dropout data; and
       (2) ensure that the data system is compliant with the 
     Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. 
     1232g).
       (c) Required Elements of a Statewide Data System.--The 
     State shall ensure that the data system described in 
     subsection (a) includes the following elements:
       (1) A unique statewide student identifier.
       (2) Student-level enrollment, demographic, and program 
     participation information.
       (3) Individual students' yearly test records.
       (4) Information on students not tested by grade and 
     subject.
       (5) A teacher identifier system with the ability to match 
     teachers to students.
       (6) Student-level transcript information, including 
     information on courses completed and grades earned.
       (7) Student-level college readiness test scores.
       (8) Student-level information about the points at which 
     students exit, transfer in, transfer out, drop out, or 
     graduate P-16 education.
       (9) The capacity to communicate with higher education data 
     systems.
       (10) A State data audit system assessing data quality, 
     validity, and reliability.
       (d) Functions of the Statewide Data System.--In 
     implementing the data system described in subsection (a), the 
     State shall--
       (1) 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;
       (2) 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
       (3) use data to otherwise inform education policy and 
     practice.
       (e) Existing Data Systems.--A State may employ, coordinate, 
     or revise an existing data system for purposes of this 
     section if such data system produces valid and reliable 
     information that satisfies the requirements of subsections 
     (b) through (d).

     SEC. 108. REPORTS; TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

       (a) State Reports.--
       (1) Annual report.--Each State that receives a grant under 
     section 104 shall submit an annual report to the Secretary 
     for each year of the grant period that shall include a 
     description of the activities undertaken under the grant to 
     improve academic readiness for postsecondary-level general 
     education coursework and course completion.
       (2) Dissemination.--Each State shall prepare and widely 
     disseminate the report described in paragraph (1) to the 
     public in the State, including secondary schools, local 
     educational agencies, school counselors, P-16 educators, 
     institutions of higher education, students, and parents.
       (b) Secretary Reports.--
       (1) Annual report.--The Secretary shall submit an annual 
     report to Congress that includes--
       (A) findings from the State reports submitted under 
     subsection (a)(1);
       (B) a description of the actions taken by the Department of 
     Education to assist States with creating P-16 education 
     stewardship commissions and P-16 education data systems;
       (C) a description of the actions and incentives planned by 
     the States' P-16 education stewardship commissions--
       (i) to help States align academic standards, courses, and 
     academic assessments with postsecondary academic 
     expectations, courses, and assessments;
       (ii) to help States increase the percentage of minority and 
     low-income students prepared to enter and succeed at the 
     postsecondary level; and
       (iii) to decrease postsecondary developmental coursework 
     enrollment rates of minority and low-income students;
       (D) a description of the actions and incentives planned to 
     help States reduce postsecondary developmental coursework 
     enrollment rates;
       (E) an assessment of the effectiveness of P-16 education 
     stewardship commissions in improving college readiness and 
     eliminating the need for developmental coursework; and
       (F) recommendations regarding how to make the P-16 
     education stewardship commissions more effective, and whether 
     the establishment of such commissions should be encouraged 
     throughout the United States.
       (2) Availability.--The Secretary shall make the annual 
     report described in paragraph (1) available to the public and 
     to each State and institution of higher education.
       (c) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall provide, to 
     the extent practicable, technical assistance to States and 
     institutions of higher education seeking technical assistance 
     under this title.

     SEC. 109. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
     title $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2007 and such sums as may 
     be necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2011.

  TITLE II--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION MAGNET SCHOOLS AND INNOVATION-
                             BASED LEARNING

     SEC. 201. GENERAL DEFINITIONS.

       Except as otherwise provided, the terms used in this title 
     have the meanings given the terms in section 9101 of the 
     Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     7801).

     SEC. 202. MAGNET SCHOOLS.

       (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to assist in 
     the promotion of innovation and competitiveness by providing 
     financial assistance to eligible local educational agencies 
     for--
       (1) the development and implementation of magnet school 
     programs that will assist eligible local educational agencies 
     in achieving systemic reforms and providing all students the 
     opportunity to meet challenging State academic content 
     standards and student academic achievement standards;
       (2) the development and design of innovative educational 
     methods, practices, and curriculum that promote student 
     achievement in science, mathematics, and technology courses;
       (3) improving the capacity of eligible local educational 
     agencies, including through professional development, to 
     continue operating

[[Page S5666]]

     magnet schools after Federal funding for the magnet schools 
     is terminated; and
       (4) ensuring that students enrolled in such schools have 
     access to a high quality education that will enable such 
     students to succeed academically and enroll in postsecondary 
     education at a high level.
       (b) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
     the National Science Foundation.
       (2) Eligible local educational agency.--The term ``eligible 
     local educational agency'' means a local educational agency 
     described in section 5304 of the Elementary and Secondary 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7231c).
       (3) Magnet school.--The term ``magnet school'' means a 
     public elementary school or public secondary school that--
       (A) offers a curriculum focused on science, mathematics, 
     and technology; and
       (B) attracts a substantial number of students from 
     different racial backgrounds.
       (c) Program Authorized.--The Director, in accordance with 
     this section, is authorized to award grants to eligible local 
     educational agencies, and consortia of such agencies where 
     appropriate, to carry out the purpose of this section for 
     magnet schools.
       (d) Applications and Requirements.--
       (1) Applications.--An eligible local educational agency, or 
     consortium of such agencies, desiring to receive a grant 
     under this section shall submit an application to the 
     Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
     information and assurances as the Director may reasonably 
     require.
       (2) Information and assurances.--Each application submitted 
     under paragraph (1) shall include--
       (A) a description of--
       (i) how a grant awarded under this section will be used to 
     promote instruction in science, mathematics, and technology;
       (ii) the manner and extent to which the magnet school 
     program will increase student academic achievement in the 
     instructional areas offered by the school;
       (iii) how the applicant will continue the magnet school 
     program after assistance under this section is no longer 
     available;
       (iv) how grant funds under this section will be used--

       (I) to improve student academic achievement for all 
     students attending the magnet school programs; and
       (II) to implement services and activities that are 
     consistent with programs under part A of title I of the 
     Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     6311 et seq.); and

       (v) the criteria to be used in selecting students to attend 
     the proposed magnet school program; and
       (B) assurances that the applicant will--
       (i) use grant funds under this section for the purpose 
     specified in subsection (a);
       (ii) employ highly qualified teachers in the courses of 
     instruction assisted under this section; and
       (iii) carry out a high-quality education program that will 
     encourage greater parental involvement in decision making.
       (e) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the 
     Director shall give priority to applicants that propose to 
     carry out new magnet school programs or significantly revise 
     existing magnet school programs.
       (f) Use of Funds.--
       (1) In general.--Grant funds made available under this 
     section may be used by an eligible local educational agency 
     or consortium of such agencies--
       (A) for planning and promotional activities directly 
     related to the development, expansion, continuation, or 
     enhancement of academic programs and services offered at 
     magnet schools;
       (B) for the acquisition of books, materials, and equipment 
     (including computers), and the maintenance and operation of 
     materials, equipment, and computers, necessary to conduct 
     programs in magnet schools;
       (C) for the compensation, or subsidization of the 
     compensation, of elementary school and secondary school 
     teachers who are highly qualified, and instructional staff 
     where applicable, who are necessary to conduct programs in 
     magnet schools;
       (D) for activities, which may include professional 
     development, that will build the capacity of the eligible 
     local educational agency, or consortium of such agencies, to 
     operate magnet school programs once the grant period has 
     ended;
       (E) to enable the eligible local educational agency, or 
     consortium of such agencies, to have more flexibility in the 
     administration of a magnet school program in order to serve 
     students attending a school who are not enrolled in a magnet 
     school program; and
       (F) to enable the eligible local educational agency, or 
     consortium of such agencies, to have flexibility in designing 
     magnet schools for students in all elementary school and 
     secondary school grades.
       (2) Special rule.--Grant funds under this section may be 
     used for activities described in paragraphs (2) and (3) of 
     subsection (a) only if the activities are directly related to 
     improving--
       (A) student academic achievement based on the State's 
     challenging academic content standards and student academic 
     achievement standards; or
       (B) student skills in or knowledge of mathematics, science, 
     and technology as well as other core academic subjects.
       (g) Prohibition.--Grants under this section may not be used 
     for transportation or any activity that does not augment 
     academic improvement.
       (h) Limitation.--
       (1) Duration of awards.--A grant under this section shall 
     be awarded for a period that shall not exceed 3 fiscal years.
       (2) Limitation on planning funds.--An eligible local 
     educational agency, or consortium of agencies, may expend for 
     planning (professional development shall not be considered to 
     be planning for the purposes of this subsection) not more 
     than 50 percent of the grant funds received under this 
     section for the first year of the program and not more than 
     15 percent of such funds for each of the second and third 
     such years.
       (3) Amount.--No eligible local educational agency, or 
     consortium of such agencies, awarded a grant under this 
     section shall receive more than $4,000,000 under this section 
     for any one fiscal year.
       (4) Timing.--To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall 
     award grants for any fiscal year under this section not later 
     than July 1 of the applicable fiscal year.
       (i) Evaluations.--
       (1) Reservation.--The Director may reserve not more than 2 
     percent of the funds appropriated to carry out this section 
     for any fiscal year to carry out evaluations, provide 
     technical assistance, and carry out dissemination projects 
     with respect to magnet school programs assisted under this 
     section.
       (2) Contents.--Each evaluation described in paragraph (1) 
     at a minimum shall address--
       (A) how and the extent to which magnet school programs lead 
     to educational quality and improvement;
       (B) the extent to which magnet school programs enhance 
     student access to high quality education; and
       (C) the extent to which magnet school programs differ from 
     other school programs in terms of the organizational 
     characteristics and resource allocation of such magnet school 
     programs.

     SEC. 203. INNOVATION-BASED EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING.

       (a) Pilot Program.--
       (1) Program authorized.--The Director of the National 
     Science Foundation shall award grants to local educational 
     agencies to enable the local educational agencies to 
     implement innovation-based experiential learning in a total 
     of 500 elementary schools or middle schools in the United 
     States.
       (2) Application.--A local educational agency desiring a 
     grant under this section shall submit an application at such 
     time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as 
     the Director of the National Science Foundation may require.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2007 and $20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 
     2008 and 2009.

        TITLE III--TEACHER TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

     SEC. 301. BACCALAUREATE DEGREES IN MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE 
                   WITH TEACHER CERTIFICATION.

       (a) Definitions.--Unless otherwise specified in this 
     section, the terms used in this section have the meanings 
     given the terms in section 9101 of the Elementary and 
     Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
       (b) Grants Authorized.--From the amounts authorized under 
     subsection (h), the Secretary shall award grants to eligible 
     recipients to enable the eligible recipients to provide 
     integrated courses of study in mathematics, science, or 
     engineering and teacher education, that lead to a 
     baccalaureate degree in mathematics, science, or engineering 
     with concurrent teacher certification.
       (c) Definition of Eligible Recipient.--In this section, the 
     term ``eligible recipient'' means any department of 
     mathematics, science, or engineering of an institution of 
     higher education.
       (d) Award and Duration.--
       (1) Award.--The Secretary shall award a grant under this 
     section to each eligible recipient that collaborates with a 
     teacher preparation program at an institution of higher 
     education to develop undergraduate degrees in mathematics, 
     science, or engineering with pedagogy education and teacher 
     certification.
       (2) Duration.--The Secretary shall award a grant under this 
     section to each eligible recipient in an amount that is not 
     more than $1,000,000 per year for a period of 5 years.
       (e) Matching Requirement.--Each eligible recipient 
     receiving a grant under this section shall provide, from non-
     Federal sources (provided in cash or in kind), to carry out 
     the activities supported by the grant, an amount that is not 
     less than 25 percent of the amount of the grant for the first 
     year of the grant, not less than 35 percent of the amount of 
     the grant for the second year of the grant, and not less than 
     50 percent of the amount of the grant for each succeeding 
     fiscal year of the grant.
       (f) Application.--
       (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 accompanied by 
     such information as the Secretary may require.
       (2) Contents.--Each application submitted pursuant to 
     paragraph (1) shall include--

[[Page S5667]]

       (A) a description of how the eligible recipient will use 
     grant funds to develop and administer undergraduate degrees 
     in mathematics, science, or engineering with pedagogy 
     education and teacher certification, including a description 
     of proposed high-quality research and laboratory experiences 
     that will be available to students;
       (B) a description of how the mathematics, science, or 
     engineering departments will coordinate with a teacher 
     preparation program to carry out the activities authorized 
     under this section;
       (C) a resource assessment that describes the resources 
     available to the eligible recipient, the intended use of the 
     grant funds, and the commitment of the resources of the 
     eligible recipient to the activities assisted under this 
     section, including financial support, faculty participation, 
     time commitments, and continuation of the activities assisted 
     under the grant when the grant period ends;
       (D) an evaluation plan, including measurable objectives and 
     benchmarks for--
       (i) improving student retention;
       (ii) increasing the percentage of highly qualified 
     mathematics and science teachers; and
       (iii) improving kindergarten through grade 12 student 
     academic performance in mathematics and science;
       (E) a description of the activities the eligible recipient 
     will conduct to ensure graduates of the program keep informed 
     of the latest developments in the respective fields;
       (F) a description of how the eligible recipient will work 
     with local educational agencies in the area in which the 
     eligible recipient is located and, to the extent practicable, 
     with local educational agencies where graduates of the 
     program authorized under this section are employed, to ensure 
     that the activities required under subsection (g)(3) are 
     carried out; and
       (G) a description of efforts to encourage applications to 
     the program from underrepresented groups, including women and 
     minority groups.
       (g) Authorized Activities.--An eligible recipient shall use 
     the funds received under this section--
       (1) to develop and administer teacher education and 
     certification programs with in-depth content education and 
     subject-specific education in pedagogy, leading to 
     baccalaureate degrees in mathematics, science, or engineering 
     with concurrent teacher certification;
       (2) to offer high-quality research experiences and training 
     in the use of educational technology; and
       (3) to work with local educational agencies in the area in 
     which the eligible recipient is located and, to the extent 
     practicable, with local educational agencies where graduates 
     of the program authorized under this section are employed, to 
     support the new teachers during the initial years of 
     teaching, which may include--
       (A) promoting effective teaching skills;
       (B) development of skills in educational interventions 
     based on scientifically-based research;
       (C) providing opportunities for high-quality teacher 
     mentoring;
       (D) providing opportunities for regular professional 
     development;
       (E) interdisciplinary collaboration among exemplary 
     teachers, faculty, researchers, and other staff who prepare 
     new teachers; and
       (F) allowing time for joint lesson planning and other 
     constructive collaborative activities.
       (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $30,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2007 and such sums as may be necessary for each 
     of the fiscal years 2008 through 2013.

     SEC. 302. TEACHERS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTES.

       Title II of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1021 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

         ``PART C--TEACHERS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTES

     ``SEC. 241. SHORT TITLE.

       ``This part may be cited as the `Teachers Professional 
     Development Institutes Act'.

     ``SEC. 242. PURPOSE.

       ``The purpose of this part is to provide Federal assistance 
     to support the establishment and operation of Teachers 
     Professional Development Institutes for local educational 
     agencies that serve significant low-income populations in 
     States throughout the Nation--
       ``(1) to promote innovative and effective approaches to 
     improving teacher quality through the use of the Teacher 
     Institute Model that encourages collaboration between urban 
     school teachers and university faculty;
       ``(2) to improve student learning; and
       ``(3) to enhance the quality of teaching by strengthening 
     the subject matter mastery and pedagogical skills of current 
     teachers through continuing teacher preparation, particularly 
     with respect to mathematics, science, technology, and 
     engineering.

     ``SEC. 243. DEFINITIONS.

       ``In this part:
       ``(1) Poverty line.--The term `poverty line' means the 
     poverty line (as defined by the Office of Management and 
     Budget, and revised annually in accordance with section 
     673(2) of the Community Services Block Grant Act) applicable 
     to a family of the size involved.
       ``(2) Significant low-income population.--The term 
     `significant low-income population' means a student 
     population of which not less than 25 percent are from 
     families with incomes below the poverty line.
       ``(3) State.--The term `State' means each of the several 
     States of the United States, the District of Columbia, and 
     the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
       ``(4) Teachers professional development institute.--The 
     term `Teachers Professional Development Institute' means a 
     partnership or joint venture between or among 1 or more 
     institutions of higher education, and 1 or more local 
     educational agencies serving a significant low-income 
     population, which partnership or joint venture--
       ``(A) is entered into for the purpose of improving the 
     quality of teaching and learning through collaborative 
     seminars designed to enhance both the subject matter and the 
     pedagogical resources of the seminar participants, 
     particularly with respect to mathematics, science, 
     technology, and engineering; and
       ``(B) works in collaboration to determine the direction and 
     content of the collaborative seminars.

     ``SEC. 244. GRANT AUTHORITY.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized--
       ``(1) to award grants to Teachers Professional Development 
     Institutes to encourage the establishment and operation of 
     Teachers Professional Development Institutes where not less 
     than 50 percent of collaborative seminars are targeted to the 
     fields of mathematics, science, technology, and engineering; 
     and
       ``(2) to provide technical assistance, either directly or 
     through existing Teachers Professional Development 
     Institutes, to assist local educational agencies and 
     institutions of higher education in preparing to establish 
     and in operating Teachers Professional Development 
     Institutes.
       ``(b) Selection Criteria.--In selecting a Teachers 
     Professional Development Institute for a grant under this 
     part, the Secretary shall consider--
       ``(1) the extent to which the proposed Teachers 
     Professional Development Institute will serve a community 
     with a significant low-income population;
       ``(2) the extent to which the proposed Teachers 
     Professional Development Institute will follow the 
     Understandings and Necessary Procedures that have been 
     developed following the National Demonstration Project;
       ``(3) the extent to which the local educational agency 
     participating in the proposed Teachers Professional 
     Development Institute has a high percentage of teachers who 
     are unprepared or under prepared to teach the core academic 
     subjects the teachers are assigned to teach, particularly in 
     the areas of mathematics, science, technology, and 
     engineering; and
       ``(4) the extent to which the proposed Teachers 
     Professional Development Institute will receive a level of 
     support from the community and other sources that will ensure 
     the requisite long-term commitment for the success of a 
     Teachers Professional Development Institute.
       ``(c) Consultation.--
       ``(1) In general.--In evaluating applications under 
     subsection (b), the Secretary may request the advice and 
     assistance of existing Teachers Professional Development 
     Institutes.
       ``(2) State agencies.--If the Secretary receives 2 or more 
     applications for new Teachers Professional Development 
     Institutes that propose serving the same State, the Secretary 
     shall consult with the State educational agency regarding the 
     applications.
       ``(d) Fiscal Agent.--For the purpose of this part, an 
     institution of higher education participating in a Teachers 
     Professional Development Institute shall serve as the fiscal 
     agent for the receipt of grant funds under this part.
       ``(e) Limitations.--A grant under this part--
       ``(1) shall be awarded for a period not to exceed 5 years; 
     and
       ``(2) shall not exceed 50 percent of the total costs of the 
     eligible activities, as determined by the Secretary.

     ``SEC. 245. ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES.

       ``(a) In General.--A Teachers Professional Development 
     Institute that receives a grant under this part may use the 
     grant funds--
       ``(1) for the planning and development of applications for 
     the establishment of Teachers Professional Development 
     Institutes;
       ``(2) to provide assistance to existing Teachers 
     Professional Development Institutes established during the 
     National Demonstration Project to enable the Teachers 
     Professional Development Institutes--
       ``(A) to further develop existing Teachers Professional 
     Development Institutes; or
       ``(B) to support the planning and development of 
     applications for new Teachers Professional Development 
     Institutes;
       ``(3) for the salary and necessary expenses of a full-time 
     director to plan and manage such Teachers Professional 
     Development Institute and to act as liaison between the 
     participating local educational agency and institution of 
     higher education;
       ``(4) to provide staff, equipment, and supplies, and to pay 
     other operating expenses for the development and maintenance 
     of Teachers Professional Development Institutes;
       ``(5) to provide stipends for teachers participating in 
     collaborative seminars in the

[[Page S5668]]

     sciences and humanities, and to provide remuneration for 
     those members of the higher education faculty who lead the 
     seminars; and
       ``(6) to provide for the dissemination through print and 
     electronic means of curriculum units prepared in conjunction 
     with Teachers Professional Development Institutes seminars.
       ``(b) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary may use not more 
     than 25 percent of the funds appropriated to carry out this 
     part to provide technical assistance to facilitate the 
     establishment and operation of Teachers Professional 
     Development Institutes. For the purpose of this subsection, 
     the Secretary may contract with existing Teachers 
     Professional Development Institutes to provide all or a part 
     of the technical assistance under this subsection.

     ``SEC. 246. APPLICATION, APPROVAL, AND AGREEMENT.

       ``(a) In General.--To receive a grant under this part, a 
     Teachers Professional Development Institute shall submit an 
     application to the Secretary that--
       ``(1) meets the requirement of this part and any 
     regulations under this part;
       ``(2) includes a description of how the Teachers 
     Professional Development Institute intends to use funds 
     provided under the grant;
       ``(3) includes such information as the Secretary may 
     require to apply the criteria described in section 244(b);
       ``(4) includes measurable objectives for the use of the 
     funds provided under the grant; and
       ``(5) contains such other information and assurances as the 
     Secretary may require.
       ``(b) Approval.--The Secretary shall--
       ``(1) promptly evaluate an application received for a grant 
     under this part; and
       ``(2) notify the applicant within 90 days of the receipt of 
     a completed application of the Secretary's approval or 
     disapproval of the application.
       ``(c) Agreement.--Upon approval of an application, the 
     Secretary and the Teachers Professional Development Institute 
     shall enter into a comprehensive agreement covering the 
     entire period of the grant.

     ``SEC. 247. REPORTS AND EVALUATIONS.

       ``(a) Report.--Each Teachers Professional Development 
     Institute receiving a grant under this part shall report 
     annually on the progress of the Teachers Professional 
     Development Institute in achieving the purpose of this part 
     and the purposes of the grant.
       ``(b) Evaluation and Dissemination.--
       ``(1) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall evaluate the 
     activities funded under this part and submit an annual report 
     regarding the activities to the Committee on Health, 
     Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of 
     Representatives.
       ``(2) Dissemination.--The Secretary shall broadly 
     disseminate successful practices developed by Teachers 
     Professional Development Institutes.
       ``(c) Revocation.--If the Secretary determines that a 
     Teachers Professional Development Institute is not making 
     substantial progress in achieving the purpose of this part 
     and the purposes of the grant by the end of the second year 
     of the grant under this part, the Secretary may take 
     appropriate action, including revocation of further payments 
     under the grant, to ensure that the funds available under 
     this part are used in the most effective manner.

     ``SEC. 248. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
     part--
       ``(1) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;
       ``(2) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
       ``(3) $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
       ``(4) $7,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
       ``(5) $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.''.

                 TITLE IV--STEM EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

     SEC. 401. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (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) Professional science master's degree program.--The term 
     ``professional science master's degree program'' means a 
     graduate degree program in science and mathematics that 
     extends science training to strategic planning and business 
     management and focuses on multidisciplinary specialties such 
     as business and information technology (IT), biology and IT 
     (bioinformatics), and computational chemistry.
       (3) Service science.--The term ``service science'' means 
     curriculums, research programs, and training regimens, 
     including service sciences, management, and engineering 
     (SSME) programs, that exist or that are being developed to 
     teach individuals to apply technology, organizational process 
     management, and industry-specific knowledge to solve complex 
     problems.
       (4) SSME.--The term ``SSME'' means the discipline known as 
     service sciences, management, and engineering that--
       (A) applies scientific, engineering, and management 
     disciplines to tasks that one organization performs 
     beneficially for others, generally as part of the services 
     sector of the economy; and
       (B) integrates 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.

     SEC. 402. GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS AND GRADUATE TRAINEESHIPS.

       (a) Graduate Research Fellowship Program.--
       (1) In general.--During the 5-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 Foundation so that an 
     additional 1250 fellowships are awarded to United States 
     citizens under such Program during such period.
       (2) Extension of fellowship period.--The Director of the 
     National Science Foundation is authorized to award 
     fellowships under the Graduate Research Fellowship Program 
     for a period of 5 years, subject to funds being made 
     available for such purpose.
       (3) Authorization of appropriations.--In addition to any 
     other amounts authorized to be appropriated, there are 
     authorized to be appropriated $51,000,000 for each of the 
     fiscal years 2007 through 2011 to provide an additional 250 
     fellowships under the Graduate Research Fellowship Program 
     during each such fiscal year.
       (b) Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship 
     Program.--
       (1) In general.--During the 5-year period beginning on the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the 
     National Science Foundation shall expand the Integrative 
     Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program of the 
     Foundation so that an additional 1,250 United States citizens 
     are awarded grants under such program during such period.
       (2) Authorization of appropriations.--In addition to any 
     other amounts authorized to be appropriated, there are 
     authorized to be appropriated $51,000,000 for each of the 
     fiscal years 2007 through 2011 to provide grants to an 
     additional 250 individuals under the Integrative Graduate 
     Education and Research Traineeship program during each such 
     fiscal year.

     SEC. 403. PROFESSIONAL SCIENCE MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAMS.

       (a) Clearinghouse.--
       (1) Development.--From amounts appropriated under 
     subsection (c), the Director of the National Science 
     Foundation shall establish a clearinghouse, in collaboration 
     with 4-year institutions of higher education, industries, and 
     Federal agencies that employ science-trained personnel, to 
     share program elements used in successful professional 
     science master's degree programs.
       (2) Availability.--The Director of the National Science 
     Foundation 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) Pilot Programs.--
       (1) Program authorized.--From amounts appropriated under 
     subsection (c), the Director of the National Science 
     Foundation shall award grants for pilot programs 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 of the National Science 
     Foundation 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 title IV 
     of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.).
       (3) Preference for alternative funding sources.--The 
     Director of the National Science Foundation shall give 
     preference in making awards to 4-year institutions of higher 
     education seeking Federal funding to support pilot 
     professional science master's degree programs, to those 
     applicants 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 of the National Science 
     Foundation 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 National Science Foundation, 
     in collaboration with 4-year institutions of higher 
     education, shall develop performance

[[Page S5669]]

     benchmarks to evaluate the pilot programs assisted by grants 
     under this section.
       (B) Evaluation.--For each year of the grant period, the 
     Director of the National Science Foundation, in consultation 
     with 4-year institutions of higher education, industry, and 
     Federal agencies that employ science-trained personnel, shall 
     complete an evaluation of each pilot program assisted by 
     grants under this section. Any pilot 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 
     of the National Science Foundation, in consultation with 
     industries and Federal agencies that employ science-trained 
     personnel, 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) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2007 and such sums as may be necessary for each 
     succeeding fiscal year.

     SEC. 404. INCREASED SUPPORT FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION THROUGH THE 
                   NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION.

       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) the following amounts:
       (1) For fiscal year 2007, $35,000,000.
       (2) For fiscal year 2008, $50,000,000.
       (3) For fiscal year 2009, $100,000,000.
       (4) For fiscal year 2010, $150,000,000.

     SEC. 405. A NATIONAL COMMITMENT TO BASIC RESEARCH.

       (a) Plan for Increased Research.--Not later than 180 days 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of 
     the National Science Foundation shall submit to Congress a 
     comprehensive, multiyear plan that describes how the funds 
     authorized in subsection (b) shall be used. Such plan shall 
     be developed with a focus on utilizing basic research in 
     physical science and engineering to optimize the United 
     States economy as a global competitor and leader in 
     productive innovation.
       (b) Increased Funding for National Science Foundation.--
     There are authorized to be appropriated to the National 
     Science Foundation for the purpose of doubling research 
     funding the following amounts:
       (1) $6,440,000,000 for fiscal year 2007.
       (2) $7,280,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
       (3) $8,120,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.
       (4) $8,960,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.
       (5) $9,800,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.
       (c) Recommendations for Research and Development Funding.--
     Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
     Policy shall evaluate and, as appropriate, submit to Congress 
     recommendations for an increase in funding for research and 
     development in physical sciences and engineering in 
     consultation with agencies and departments of the United 
     States with significant research and development budgets.

     SEC. 406. STUDY ON 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 vocation and learning 
     discipline known as service science.
       (b) Study.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Science 
     Foundation shall conduct a study and report to Congress 
     regarding how the Federal Government should support, through 
     research, education, and training, the new discipline of 
     service science.
       (c) Outside Resources.--In conducting the study under 
     subsection (b), the Director of the National Science 
     Foundation shall consult with leaders from 2- and 4-year 
     institutions of higher education, leaders from corporations, 
     and other relevant parties.
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