Home > 106th Congressional Bills > H.R. 4272 (ih) To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish and expand programs relating to science, mathematics, engineering, and technology education, and for other purposes. [Introduced in House] ...H.R. 4272 (ih) To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish and expand programs relating to science, mathematics, engineering, and technology education, and for other purposes. [Introduced in House] ...
Union Calendar No. 526
106th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4271
[Report No. 106-821, Part I]
To establish and expand programs relating to science, mathematics,
engineering, and technology education, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 13, 2000
Mr. Ehlers (for himself, Mrs. Biggert, Mr. Boehlert, Mr. Brady of
Texas, Mr. Cook, Mr. Gilchrest, Mr. Gilman, Mr. Holt, Mr. Jenkins, Ms.
Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, Mr. Kuykendall, Mr. Porter, Mrs.
Roukema, Mr. Smith of Michigan, Mr. Sweeney, Mr. Upton, and Mrs.
Wilson) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committee on Education and
the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
September 6, 2000
Reported from the Committee on Science with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
September 6, 2000
Referral to the Commitee on Education and the Workforce extended for a
period ending not later than September 21, 2000
September 21, 2000
Additional sponsors: Mr. Spence, Mr. Davis of Virginia, Mr. English,
Mr. Ballenger, Mrs. Kelly, Mr. Frost, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Cooksey, Mr.
Petri, Ms. Lee, Mrs. Johnson of Connecticut, Mr. Calvert, Mrs. Morella,
Mr. Baca, Mr. Ewing, Mr. Wolf, Mr. Deal of Georgia, Mr. Green of
Wisconsin, Mr. Walsh, Mr. Larson, Mr. Gutknecht, Mr. Barton of Texas,
Mr. Salmon, Ms. Pryce of Ohio, Mr. Kucinich, Mr. Boehner, Mr. Weiner,
Mr. Norwood, Ms. Rivers, Mr. McCrery, Mr. Capuano, Mr. Bentsen, Mr.
Bartlett of Maryland, Mr. Weldon of Pennsylvania, Mr. Frank of
Massachusetts, Mr. Bereuter, Mr. Shays, Mr. Camp, Mr. Engel, Mr. Ose,
Mr. Lampson, Mrs. Bono, Ms. Carson, Ms. Slaughter, Ms. Dunn, Mr.
Fletcher, Ms. Hooley of Oregon, Mr. Price of North Carolina, Mr. Olver,
Mr. Gordon, Mr. Stenholm, Mr. Holden, Mr. Allen, Mr. Hobson, Mr.
Coburn, Mr. Hall of Texas, Mr. Martinez, Mr. Filner, Mrs. Mink of
Hawaii, Mr. Etheridge, Mr. Lantos, Mr. Ramstad, Mr. Pastor, Ms. Norton,
Mr. Costello, Mr. Gibbons, Mr. Barcia, Mr. Wu, Mr. Blagojevich, Ms.
Millender-McDonald, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Rahall, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Mica,
Ms. Woolsey, Mr. Hoeffel, Mr. Lucas of Oklahoma, Mr. Sensenbrenner, Mr.
Udall of Colorado, Mr. Weldon of Florida, Mr. Sandlin, Mr. Dooley of
California, Mr. Klink, Mr. Kolbe, Mr. Faleomavaega, Mr. LaTourette, Mr.
Moore, Mr. Whitfield, Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. Horn, Mr. Bass, Mr. Evans,
Mr. Greenwood and Mr. DeFazio
September 21, 2000
The Committee on Education and the Workforce discharged; committed to
the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered
to be printed
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on April
13, 2000]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish and expand programs relating to science, mathematics,
engineering, and technology education, 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 ``National Science Education Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) As concluded in the report of the Committee on Science
of the House of Representatives, ``Unlocking Our Future Toward
a New National Science Policy'', which was adopted by the House
of Representatives, the United States must maintain and improve
its preeminent position in science and technology in order to
advance human understanding of the universe and all it
contains, and to improve the lives, health, and freedoms of all
people.
(2) It is estimated that more than half of the economic
growth of the United States today results directly from
research and development in science and technology. The most
fundamental research is responsible for investigating our
perceived universe, to extend our observations to the outer
limits of what our minds and methods can achieve, and to seek
answers to questions that have never been asked before. Applied
research continues the process by applying the answers from
basic science to the problems faced by individuals,
organizations, and governments in the everyday activities that
make our lives more livable. The scientific-technological
sector of our economy, which has driven our recent economic boom and
led the United States to the longest period of prosperity in history,
is fueled by the work and discoveries of the scientific community.
(3) The effectiveness of the United States in maintaining
this economic growth will be largely determined by the
intellectual capital of the United States. Education is
critical to developing this resource.
(4) The education program of the United States needs to
provide for 3 different kinds of intellectual capital. First,
it needs scientists, mathematicians, and engineers to continue
the research and development that are central to the economic
growth of the United States. Second, it needs technologically
proficient workers who are comfortable and capable dealing with
the demands of a science-based, high-technology workplace.
Last, it needs scientifically literate voters and consumers to
make intelligent decisions about public policy.
(5) Student performance on the recent Third International
Mathematics and Science Study highlights the shortcomings of
current K-12 science and mathematics education in the United
States, particularly when compared to other countries. We must
expect more from our Nation's educators and students if we are
to build on the accomplishments of previous generations. New
methods of teaching science, mathematics, engineering, and
technology are required, as well as better curricula and
improved training of teachers.
(6) Science is more than a collection of facts, theories,
and results. It is a process of inquiry built upon observations
and data that leads to a way of knowing and explaining in
logically derived concepts and theories. Mathematics is more
than procedures to be memorized. It is a field that requires
reasoning, understanding, and making connections in order to
solve problems. Engineering is more than just designing and
building. It is the process of making compromises to optimize
design and assessing risks so that designs and products best
solve a given problem. Technology is more than using computer
applications, the Internet, and programming. Technology is the
innovation, change, or modification of the natural environment,
based on scientific, mathematical, and engineering principles.
(7) Students should learn science primarily by doing
science. Science education ought to reflect the scientific
process and be object-oriented, experiment-centered, and
concept-based. Students should learn mathematics with
understanding that numeric systems have intrinsic properties
that can represent objects and systems in real life, and can be
applied in solving problems. Engineering education should
reflect the realities of real world design, and should involve
hands-on projects and require students to make trade-offs based
upon evidence. Students should learn technology as both a tool
to solve other problems and as a process by which people adapt
the natural world to suit their own purposes. Computers
represent a particularly useful form of technology, enabling
students and teachers to acquire data, model systems, visualize
phenomena, communicate and organize information, and
collaborate with others in powerful new ways. A background in
the basics of information technology is essential for success
in the modern workplace and the modern world.
(8) Children are naturally curious and inquisitive. To
successfully tap into these innate qualities, education in
science, mathematics, engineering, and technology must begin at
an early age and continue throughout the entire school
experience.
(9) Teachers provide the essential connection between
students and the content they are learning. Prospective
teachers need to be identified and recruited by presenting to
them a career that is respected by their peers, is financially
and intellectually rewarding, contains sufficient opportunities
for advancement, and has continuing access to professional
development.
(10) Teachers need to have incentives to remain in the
classroom and improve their practice, and training of teachers
is essential if the results are to be good. Teachers need to be
knowledgeable of their content area, of their curriculum, of
up-to-date research in teaching and learning, and of techniques
that can be used to connect that information to their students
in their classroom.
SEC. 3. ASSURANCE OF CONTINUED LOCAL CONTROL.
Nothing in this Act may be construed to authorize any department,
agency, officer, or employee of the United States to exercise any
direction, supervision, or control over the curriculum, program of
instruction, administration, or personnel of any educational
institution or school system.
SEC. 4. MASTER TEACHER GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Program Authorized.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation shall conduct a grant program to make grants to a State or
local educational agency, a private elementary or middle school, or a
consortium of any combination of those entities, for the purpose of
hiring a master teacher described in subsection (b).
(b) Eligibility.--In order to be eligible to receive a grant under
this subsection, a State or local educational agency, private
elementary or middle school, or consortium described in subsection (a)
shall submit to the Director a description of the relationship the
master teacher will have vis-a-vis other administrative and managerial
staff and the State and local educational agency, the ratio of master
teachers to other teachers, and the requirements for a master teacher
of the State or local educational agency or school, including
certification requirements and job responsibilities of the master
teacher. Job responsibilities must include a discussion of any
responsibility the master teacher will have for--
(1) development or implementation of science, mathematics,
engineering, or technology curricula;
(2) in-classroom assistance;
(3) authority over hands-on inquiry materials, equipment,
and supplies;
(4) mentoring other teachers or fulfilling any leadership
role; and
(5) professional development, including training other
master teachers or other teachers, or developing or
implementing professional development programs.
(c) Assessment of Effectiveness.--The Director shall assess the
effectiveness of activities carried out under this section.
(d) Funds.--
(1) Source.--Grants shall be made under this section out of
funds available for the National Science Foundation for
Education and Human Resources Activities.
(2) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated
to the National Science Foundation to carry out this section
$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 through 2003.
SEC. 5. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.
(a) General Authority.--
(1) In general.--
(A) Grant program.--The Director of the National
Science Foundation shall, subject to appropriations,
carry out a demonstration project under which the
Director awards grants in accordance with this section
to eligible local educational agencies.
(B) Uses of funds.--A local educational agency that
receives a grant under this section may use such grant
funds to develop a program that builds or expands
mathematics, science, and information technology
curricula, to purchase equipment necessary to establish
such program, and to provide professional development
in such fields.
(2) Program requirements.--The program described in
paragraph (1) shall--
(A) provide professional development specifically
in information technology, mathematics, and science;
and
(B) provide students with specialized training in
mathematics, science, and information technology.
(b) Eligible Local Educational Agencies.--For purposes of this
section, a local educational agency or consortium of local educational
agencies is eligible to receive a grant under this section if the
agency or consortium--
(1) provides assurances that it has executed conditional
agreements with representatives of the private sector to
provide services and funds described in subsection (c); and
(2) agrees to enter into an agreement with the Director to
comply with the requirements of this section.
(c) Private Sector Participation.--The conditional agreements
referred to in subsection (b)(1) shall describe participation by the
private sector, including--
(1) the donation of computer hardware and software;
(2) the establishment of internship and mentoring
opportunities for students who participate in the information
technology program; and
(3) the donation of higher education scholarship funds for
eligible students who have participated in the information
technology program.
(d) Application.--
(1) In general.--To apply for a grant under this section,
each eligible local educational agency or consortium of local
educational agencies shall submit an application to the
Director in accordance with guidelines established by the
Director pursuant to paragraph (2).
(2) Guidelines.--
(A) Requirements.--The guidelines referred to in
paragraph (1) shall require, at a minimum, that the
application include--
(i) a description of proposed activities
consistent with the uses of funds and program
requirements under subsection (a)(1)(B) and
(a)(2);
(ii) a description of the higher education
scholarship program, including criteria for
selection, duration of scholarship, number of
scholarships to be awarded each year, and
funding levels for scholarships; and
(iii) evidence of private sector
participation and financial support to
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