Home > 106th Congressional Bills > H.R. 5505 (ih) To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude from gross income the value of diplomas, medals, and amounts received as part of international awards recognizing individual achievement for physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, eco...H.R. 5505 (ih) To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude from gross income the value of diplomas, medals, and amounts received as part of international awards recognizing individual achievement for physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, eco...
106th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5504
To improve the quality and scope of science and mathematics education.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 19, 2000
Mr. Holt (for himself and Mrs. Morella) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and
in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To improve the quality and scope of science and mathematics education.
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 Improvement in Mathematics
and Science Teaching Act of 2000''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The impact of mathematics, science, and technology on
our lives is greater than ever before. We have seen an
explosion in the use of computer technologies; scientists are
manipulating basic biological processes, and our economy is
swelling with the birth of thousands of new dot-com companies.
(2) In the next 5 years, high-tech employment will grow
more than twice as fast as employment as a whole. Yet, many
companies are unable to find skilled American workers. It is
estimated that the shortage of high-tech professionals
currently costs the United States economy $105,000,000,000 a
year.
(3) As a nation, the students of the United States are not
performing as well as we would like. According to tests by the
National Assessment of Educational Progress, nearly 36 percent
of 4th graders, 38 percent of 8th graders, and 31 percent of
12th graders perform below the basic level in mathematics.
Moreover, approximately 30 percent of 4th graders and nearly 40
percent of 8th and 12th graders failed to reach the basic level
in science.
(4) Students in many other countries significantly
outperform United States students in science and mathematics.
In fact, our high school students performed among the lowest of
the 21 countries participating in the Third International
Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). In mathematics, our
students were outperformed by 14 of the countries in the study
and outperformed only 2 countries. In science, our students
tested lower than 11 of the countries and once again
outperformed only 2 of the countries in the study.
(5) The Federal Coordinating Council for Science,
Engineering, and Technology estimated that the Federal
Government spent $2,200,000,000 in 1993 on education programs
specifically targeted for science, mathematics, engineering,
and technology while total Federal education spending was
$24,000,000,000--only 9 percent of the total Federal spending
on education.
(6) According to statistics by the National Center for
Education Statistics, 11 percent of teachers have no license to
teach, 16 percent have emergency licenses, and 10 percent have
probationary licenses. Nearly 21 percent of high school
teachers teach out of field (have neither a major nor minor in
their main teaching subject). For mathematics, nearly 28
percent of high school mathematics teachers do not have a major
or minor in mathematics. For science, 18 percent of the
teachers do not have a major or minor in science.
(7) A significant achievement gap exists with minorities.
Indeed, the gap that separates minority students from white
students is larger today than it was in 1990. By the conclusion
of 8th grade nearly half of African American and Latino
students score below the basic level in mathematics.
(8) Science and mathematics education can provide humanity
with the knowledge to develop effective solutions to its global
and local problems.
SEC. 3. IMPROVEMENT OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION.
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``TITLE XV--IMPROVEMENT OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION
``PART A--RECRUITMENT OF QUALITY TEACHERS IN SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS
EDUCATION
``SEC. 15101. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.
``The purpose of this part is to assist States in recruiting
quality mathematics and science public education teachers.
``SEC. 15102. STATE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall award grants, subject to the
availability of appropriations, to States to improve the quality of our
science and mathematics teachers in public schools and to recruit new,
qualified public school teachers into those fields.
``(b) Eligibility.--In order to receive funding, under this part, a
State shall submit an application in accordance with section 15103.
``SEC. 15103. APPLICATION.
``The State shall submit the application to the Secretary at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary
may reasonably require. Each application under this section shall
include, at a minimum, the following:
``(1) A description of how the State will comply with the
requirements of this part.
``(2) A description of the plan to be used by the State to
improve the quality of science, technology, and mathematics
teachers and to recruit new, qualified teachers in science,
technology, and mathematics education.
``(3) A description of how the State will partner with
industry or with institutions of higher education to achieve
the goals of its plan to improve the quality of science,
technology, and mathematics teachers and to recruit new,
qualified teachers in mathematics, science, and technology, education.
``SEC. 15104. APPLICATION SUBMISSION.
``A State application submitted to the Secretary under this section
shall be approved by the Secretary unless the Secretary makes a written
determination, within 90 days after receiving the application, that the
application violates provisions of this part.
``SEC. 15105. ALLOCATION.
From the funds made available under section 15108, the Secretary
shall allot to each State an amount which bears the same ratio to the
amount of such made available as the school-age population of the State
bears to the school-age population of all States.
``SEC. 15106. MATCHING FUND BY STATE.
``In order to receive funding under this part, a State shall
provide assurances that it will provide non-Federal funds of not less
than 50 percent of the cost of providing a program under this part.
``SEC. 15107. AUTHORIZED USES OF FUNDS.
``Grant funds made available under this part may be used by the
State for--
``(1) establishing a loan forgiveness program for teachers
who major in mathematics or science and commit to teach the
subject for at least 5 consecutive years in a public school
within the State;
``(2) establishing a program to provide a salary increase
for mathematics and science teachers who pass an advanced
competency test as determined by the State;
``(3) providing signing bonuses or other financial
incentives, for mathematics and science teachers who are fully
qualified to teach in these academic subject areas in locations
in which there is a shortage of such fully qualified teachers
within a school or the local educational agency;
``(4) establishing a high standards program to recruit
professionals from mathematics, science, or technology fields
and provide such professionals with alternative routes to
teacher certification;
``(5) establishing a program to provide increased
opportunities for minorities, individuals with disabilities,
and other individuals underrepresented in the mathematics and
science teaching profession; and
``(6) programs and activities that are designed to improve
the quality of teaching in mathematics and science, such as--
``(A) testing of elementary and secondary school
mathematics and science teachers in the subject areas
taught by such teachers;
``(B) creating a career ladder, with appropriate
financial incentives, and intellectual advancement for
mathematics and science teachers; and
``(C) strengthening the clinical experience for
students preparing to be mathematics and science
teachers.
``SEC. 15108. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``There are authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000,000 for fiscal
year 2001 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 4
succeeding fiscal years to carry out the provisions of this part.
``PART B--PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE TEACHERS
``SEC. 15201. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.
``The purpose of this part is to assist the States in improving the
professional development opportunities for mathematics and science
teachers in public schools.
``SEC. 15202. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall award grants, subject to the
availability of appropriations, to States to improve the quality of our
mathematics and science teachers in public schools by expanding and
developing professional development opportunities in mathematics and
science.
``(b) Eligibility.--In order to receive funding under this part, a
State shall submit an application in accordance with section 15203.
``SEC. 15203. APPLICATION.
``The State shall submit the application to the Secretary at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary
may reasonably require. Each application under this section shall
include, at a minimum, the following:
``(1) A description of how the State will comply with the
requirements of this part.
``(2) A description of the plan to be used by the State to
improve the quality of mathematics and science teaching.
``(3) A description of how the State will partner with
industry or with institutions of higher education to achieve
the goals of its plan to improve the quality of science,
technology, and mathematics teaching and to recruit new,
qualified teachers in mathematics, science, and technology
education.
``SEC. 15204. APPLICATION SUBMISSION.
``A State application submitted to the Secretary under this section
shall be approved by the Secretary unless the Secretary makes a written
determination, within 90 days after receiving the application, that the
application violates provisions of this part.
``SEC. 15205. ALLOCATION.
From the funds made available under section 15208, the Secretary
shall allot to each State an amount which bears the same ratio to the
amount of such made available as the school-age population of the State
bears to the school-age population of all States.
``SEC. 15206. MATCHING FUND BY STATE.
``In order to receive funding under this part, a State shall
provide assurances that it will provide non-Federal funds of not less
than 50 percent of the cost of providing a program under this part.
``SEC. 15207. AUTHORIZED USES OF FUNDS.
``Grant funds made available under this part may be used by the
State for--
``(1) establishing innovative professional development
programs (which may be through partnerships, including
partnerships with institutions of higher education), including
programs that train mathematics and science teachers to use
technology to improve teaching and learning;
``(2) developing and using proven, cost-effective
strategies for the implementation of professional development
activities for mathematics and science teachers, such as
through the use of technology and distance learning;
``(3) professional development programs that provide
instruction for mathematics and science teachers in teaching
children with different learning styles, particularly children
with disabilities and children with special learning needs
(including those who are gifted and talented);
``(4) establishing partnerships with industry to create
summer fellowships for mathematics and science teachers to work
in these fields during the summer months;
``(5) establishing partnerships with institutions of higher
learning to develop summer programs for mathematics and science
teachers to expand and improve upon their knowledge of these
subjects; and
``(6) establishing master teacher initiatives in
mathematics and science education.
``SEC. 15208. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``There are authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000,000 for fiscal
year 2001 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 4
succeeding fiscal years to carry out the provisions of this part.
``PART C--JOHN GLENN ACADEMIES
``SEC. 15301. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.
``The purpose of this part is to establish 15 John Glenn Academies,
1 in each of the 10 Federal regions designated by the Department of
Education, with 5 more strategically located, as determined by the
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