H.R. 1858 — National Mathematics and Science Partnerships Act

[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1858 Introduced in House (IH)]







107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 1858

  To make improvements in mathematics and science education, and for 
                            other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 16, 2001

 Mr. Boehlert 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

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To make improvements in mathematics and science 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 Mathematics and Science 
Partnerships Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) 12 years ago the President of the United States 
        convened the Nation's Governors to establish common goals for 
        the improvement of elementary and secondary education.
            (2) Among the National Education Goals established was the 
        goal that by the year 2000 United States students would be 
        first in the world in mathematics and science achievement.
            (3) Despite these goals, 8th graders in the United States 
        showed just average performance in mathematics and science in 
        the Third International Mathematics and Science Study-Repeat 
        and demonstrated lower relative performance than the cohort of 
        4th graders 4 years earlier.
            (4) The United States must redouble its efforts to provide 
        all of its students with a world-class education in 
        mathematics, science, engineering, and technology.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act--
            (1) the term ``Director'' means the Director of the 
        National Science Foundation;
            (2) the term ``institution of higher education'' has the 
        meaning given such term in section 101 of the Higher Education 
        Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001);
            (3) the term ``eligible nonprofit organization'' means a 
        nonprofit research institute or a nonprofit professional 
        association with demonstrated experience delivering mathematics 
        or science education as determined by the Director;
            (4) the term ``local educational agency'' has the meaning 
        given such term in section 1401 of the Elementary and Secondary 
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 8801); and
            (5) the term ``State educational agency'' has the meaning 
        given such term in section 1401 of the Elementary and Secondary 
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 8801).

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATIONS OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Any authorization of appropriations in this Act shall be considered 
to be in addition to amounts otherwise authorized or appropriated for 
the National Science Foundation.

        TITLE I--MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS

       Subtitle A--Mathematics and Science Education Partnerships

SEC. 101. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.

    (a) In General.--(1) The Director shall establish a program to 
award grants to institutions of higher education or eligible nonprofit 
organizations (or consortia thereof) to establish mathematics and 
science education partnership programs to improve the instruction of 
elementary and secondary science education.
    (2) Grants shall be awarded under this section on a merit-reviewed 
competitive basis.
    (b) Partnerships.--(1) In order to be eligible to receive a grant 
under this section, an institution of higher education or eligible 
nonprofit organization (or consortium thereof) shall enter into a 
partnership with a local educational agency that may also include a 
State educational agency or one or more businesses, or both.
    (2) A participating institution of higher education shall include 
mathematics, science, or engineering departments in the programs 
carried out through a partnership under this subsection.
    (c) Uses of Funds.--Grants awarded under this section shall be used 
for activities that draw upon the expertise of the partners to improve 
elementary or secondary education, or both, in mathematics or science, 
or both. Such activities may include--
            (1) recruiting and preparing students for careers in 
        elementary or secondary mathematics or science education;
            (2) offering professional development programs, including 
        summer or academic year institutes or workshops, designed to 
        strengthen the capabilities of existing mathematics and science 
        teachers;
            (3) offering innovative programs that instruct teachers on 
        using technology more effectively in teaching mathematics and 
        science;
            (4) developing distance learning programs for teachers or 
        students;
            (5) offering teacher preparation and certification programs 
        for professional mathematicians, scientists, and engineers who 
        wish to begin a career in teaching;
            (6) developing assessment tools to measure student mastery 
        of content and cognitive skills;
            (7) developing or adapting elementary and secondary school 
        curricular materials, aligned to State  standards, that 
incorporate contemporary research on the science of learning;
            (8) developing undergraduate mathematics and science 
        courses for education majors;
            (9) using mathematicians, scientists, and engineers 
        employed by private businesses to help recruit and train 
        mathematics and science teachers;
            (10) developing a cadre of master teachers who will promote 
        reform and improvement in schools;
            (11) developing and offering mathematics or science 
        enrichment programs for students;
            (12) providing research opportunities in business or 
        academia for students and teachers;
            (13) bringing mathematicians, scientists and engineers from 
        business and academia into elementary and secondary school 
        classrooms; and
            (14) any other activities the Director determines will 
        accomplish the goals of this section.
    (d) Matching Funds Required.--The Director shall establish a 
minimum level of matching funds that partnerships must provide to 
receive grants under this section. The requirement shall specify the 
extent to which any match may be provided in kind.

SEC. 102. SELECTION PROCESS.

    (a) Application.--An institution of higher education or an eligible 
nonprofit organization (or a consortium thereof) seeking funding under 
section 101 shall submit an application to the Director at such time, 
in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may 
require. The application shall include, at a minimum--
            (1) a description of the partnership and the role that each 
        member will play in implementing the proposal;
            (2) a description of each of the activities to be carried 
        out, including--
                    (A) how such activities will be aligned with State 
                and local standards and with other activities that 
                promote student achievement in mathematics and science; 
                and
                    (B) how such activities will be based on a review 
                of relevant research, and why such activities are 
                expected to improve student performance and strengthen 
                the quality of mathematics and science instruction;
            (3) how the partnership will serve as a catalyst for reform 
        of mathematics and science education programs;
            (4) how the partnership will assess its success;
            (5) how the partnership will provide non-Federal matching 
        funds; and
            (6) policies and procedures to ensure that Federal funds 
        will be used to supplement and not supplant funds being spent 
        on improving science and mathematics education.
    (b) Review of Applications.--In evaluating the applications 
submitted under subsection (a), the Director shall consider--
            (1) the ability of the partnership to effectively carry out 
        the proposed programs;
            (2) the extent to which the members of the partnership are 
        committed to making the partnership a central organizational 
        focus;
            (3) the degree to which activities carried out by the 
        partnership are based on relevant research and likely to result 
        in increased student achievement;
            (4) the degree to which such activities are aligned with 
        State or local standards;
            (5) the likelihood that the partnership will demonstrate 
        activities that can be widely implemented as part of larger 
        scale reform efforts; and
            (6) the amount of non-Federal matching funds.
    (c) Awards.--(1) The Director shall ensure, to the extent 
practicable, that partnership grants be awarded under section 101 in a 
wide range of geographic areas and that the partnership program include 
rural, suburban, and urban local educational agencies.
    (2) Not less than 50 percent of the partnerships funded under 
section 101 shall include businesses.
    (3) The Director shall award grants under this subtitle for a 
period not to exceed 5 years.

SEC. 103. ACCOUNTABILITY AND DISSEMINATION.

    (a) Assessment Required.--The Director shall evaluate the 
partnerships program established under section 101. At a minimum, such 
evaluations shall--
            (1) use a common set of benchmarks and assessment tools to 
        identify best practices and materials developed and 
        demonstrated by the partnerships; and
            (2) to the extent practicable, compare the effectiveness of 
        practices and materials developed and demonstrated by the 
        partnerships authorized under this subtitle with those of 
        partnerships funded by other State or Federal agencies.
    (b) Dissemination of Results.--(1) The results of the evaluations 
required under subsection (a) shall be made available to the public, 
including through the National Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and 
Technology Education Digital Library, and shall be provided to the  
Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
    (2) Materials developed under the program established under section 
101 that are demonstrated to be effective shall be made available 
through the National Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology 
Education Digital Library.
    (c) Annual Meeting.--The Director shall convene an annual meeting 
of the partnerships participating under this subtitle to foster greater 
national collaboration.

SEC. 104. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science 
Foundation to carry out this subtitle $200,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2002 through 2006.

            Subtitle B--Teacher Research Scholarship Program

SEC. 111. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.

    (a) In General.--(1) The Director shall establish a program to 
award grants to institutions of higher education or eligible nonprofit 
organizations (or consortia thereof) to provide research opportunities 
in mathematics, science, and engineering for elementary or secondary 
school teachers of mathematics or science. Such institutions of higher 
education or eligible nonprofit organizations may include one or more 
businesses or Federal or State laboratories as partners under the 
program.
    (2) Grants shall be awarded under this section on a merit-reviewed 
competitive basis.
    (b) Program Components.--Grant recipients under this section--
            (1) shall recruit and select teachers and provide such 
        teachers with opportunities to conduct research in academic, 
        business, or government laboratories;
            (2) shall ensure that the teachers have mentors and other 
        programming support to ensure that their research experience 
        will contribute to their understanding of mathematics, science, 
        and engineering and improve their performance in the classroom;
            (3) shall provide teachers with a scholarship stipend; and
            (4) may provide room and board for residential programs.
    (c) Use of Funds.--(1) Not more than 25 percent of the funds 
provided under a grant under this section may be used for programming 
support for teachers.
    (2) The Director shall issue guidelines specifying the minimum or 
maximum amounts of stipends recipients may provide to teachers under 
this section.
    (d) Duration.--A teacher may participate in research under the 
program under this section for up to 1 calendar year or 2 sequential 
summers.
    (e) Matching Funds Required.--The Director shall establish a 
minimum level of matching funds that grantees must provide to receive 
grants under this section. The requirement shall specify the extent to 
which any match may be provided in kind.

SEC. 112. SELECTION PROCESS.

    (a) Application.--An institution of higher education or an eligible 
nonprofit organization (or a consortium thereof) seeking funding under 
section 111 shall submit an application to the Director at such time, 
in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may 
require. The application shall include, at a minimum--
            (1) a description of the research opportunities that will 
        be made available to elementary or secondary school teachers, 
        or both, by the applicant;
            (2) a description of how the applicant will recruit 
        teachers to participate in the program and the criteria that 
        will be used to select the participants;
            (3) a description of the number, types, and amounts of the 
        scholarships that the applicant intends to offer to 
        participating teachers;
            (4) a description of the programming support that will be 
        provided to participating teachers;
            (5) a description of how the applicant will provide non-
        Federal matching funds; and
            (6) policies and procedures to ensure that Federal funds 
        will be used to supplement and not supplant funds for improving 
        science and mathematics education.
    (b) Review of Applications.--In evaluating the applications 
submitted under subsection (a), the Director shall consider--
            (1) the ability of the applicant to effectively carry out 
        the proposed program;
            (2) the extent to which the applicant is committed to 
        making the program a central organizational focus;
            (3) the likelihood that the research experiences and 
        programming to be offered by the applicant will improve 
        elementary and secondary education; and
            (4) the amount of non-Federal matching funds.
    (c) Awards.--(1) The Director shall ensure, to the extent 
practicable, that grants be awarded under this subtitle in a wide range 
of geographic areas and to assist teachers from rural, suburban, and 
urban local educational agencies.
    (2) The Director shall award grants under this subtitle for a 
period not to exceed 5 years.

SEC. 113. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated for the National Science 
Foundation to carry out this subtitle $15,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2002 through 2006.

 TITLE II--NATIONAL SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNOLOGY 
                       EDUCATION DIGITAL LIBRARY

SEC. 201. IN GENERAL.

    The Director shall establish a program to expand the National 
Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology Education Digital 
Library (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the ``Digital 
Library'') program to enable timely and continuous dissemination of 
elementary and secondary science, math, engineering, and technology 
educational resources, materials, practices, and policies through the 
Internet and other digital technologies. The expanded Digital Library 
shall--
            (1) contain an Internet-based repository of curricular 
        materials, practices, and teaching modules;
            (2) provide users of the Digital Library with access to all 
        materials in the Digital Library through a single entry point;
            (3) contain only materials that have been peer-reviewed and 
        tested to ensure factual accuracy and effectiveness and that 
        are aligned with recognized State and national mathematics and 
        science standards;
            (4) present materials in a format that is consistent, 
        facilitates ease of comparison and use by classroom teachers, 
        and contains appropriate links to other Federal educational 
        clearinghouses; and
            (5) provide materials related to mathematics and science 
        partnership programs, including--
                    (A) links to all of the programs developed through 
                the mathematics and science partnerships established 
                under subtitle A of title I;
                    (B) data related to assessment and evaluation and 
                final program reports developed under subtitle A of 
                title I, including both positive and negative outcomes 
                of the program;
                    (C) materials developed by the partnerships under 
                subtitle A of title I that have been demonstrated to be 
                effective; and
                    (D) a mechanism for users to make comments or 
                suggestions regarding the use and effectiveness of 
                posted materials.

SEC. 202. GRANTS AND CONTRACT.

    (a) Design of Library.--(1) The Director may award grants to 
institutions of higher education or other qualified entities to design 
all or parts of the Digital Library. The grants may cover the costs of 
acquiring and reviewing educational materials for dissemination through 
the Digital Library.
    (2) Grants shall be awarded under this subsection on a merit-
reviewed competitive basis.
    (b) Operation.--The Director may contract out the operation and 
management of the Digital Library.

SEC. 203. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated for the National Science 
Foundation to carry out this title $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2002 through 2006.

            TITLE III--STRATEGIC EDUCATION RESEARCH PROGRAM

SEC. 301. ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTERS FOR RESEARCH ON LEARNING AND 
              EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT.

    (a) In General.--(1) The Director shall award grants to 
institutions of higher education (or consortia thereof) to establish 4 
multidisciplinary Centers for Research on Learning and Education 
Improvement.
    (2) Grants shall be awarded under this subsection on a merit-
reviewed competitive basis.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Centers shall be to conduct and 
evaluate research in cognitive science, education and related fields 
and to develop ways in which the results of such research can be 
applied in elementary and secondary classrooms to improve the teaching 
of mathematics and science.
    (c) Focus.--(1) Each Center shall be focused on a different 
challenge faced by elementary or secondary school teachers of 
mathematics and science. In determining the research focus of the 
Centers, the Director shall consult with the National Academy of 
Sciences and take into account the extent to which other Federal 
programs support research on similar questions.
    (2) The proposal solicitation issued by the Director shall state 
the focus of each Center and applicants shall apply for designation as 
a specific Center.
    (d) Matching Funds Required.--The Director shall establish a 
minimum level of matching funds that grantees must provide to receive 
grants under this section. The requirement shall specify the extent to 
which any match may be provided in kind.

SEC. 302. SELECTION PROCESS.

    (a) Application.--An institution of higher education (or a 
consortium thereof) seeking funding under this title shall submit an 
application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and 
containing such information as the Director may require. The 
application shall include, at a minimum a description of--
            (1) the initial research projects that will be undertaken 
        by the Center and the process by which new projects will be 
        identified;
            (2) how the Center will work with other research 
        institutions and schools to broaden the national research 
        agenda on learning and teaching;
            (3) how the Center will promote active collaboration among 
        physical, biological, and social science researchers;
            (4) how the Center will promote active participation by 
        elementary and secondary mathematics and science teachers and 
        administrators;
            (5) how the Center will reduce the results of its research 
        to educational practice and assess the success of new 
        practices;
            (6) how non-Federal matching funds will be provided; and
            (7) policies and procedures to ensure that Federal funds 
        will be used to supplement and not supplant funds that would 
        otherwise be made available for purposes of this title.
    (b) Review of Applications.--In evaluating the applications 
submitted under subsection (a), the Director shall consider--
            (1) the ability of the applicant to effectively carry out 
        the research program and reduce its results to effective 
        educational practice;
            (2) the experience of the applicant in conducting research 
        on the science of teaching and learning and the capacity of the 
        applicant to foster new multidisciplinary collaborations;
            (3) the capacity of the applicant to attract precollege 
        educators from a diverse array of schools and professional 
        experiences for participation in Center activities; and
            (4) the amount of non-Federal matching funds.

SEC. 303. ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

    The Director shall convene an annual meeting of the Centers to 
foster collaboration among the Centers and to further disseminate the 
results of the Centers' activities.

SEC. 304. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated for the National Science 
Foundation to carry out this title $12,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2002 through 2006.

               TITLE IV--ROBERT NOYCE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

SEC. 401. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title--
            (1) the term ``mathematics and science teacher'' means a 
        mathematics, science, or technology teacher at the elementary 
        or secondary school level;
            (2) the term ``mathematics, science, or engineering 
        professional'' means a person who holds a baccalaureate, 
        masters, or doctoral degree in science, mathematics, or 
        engineering and is working in that field or a related area;
            (3) the term ``scholarship'' means an award under section 
        405; and
            (4) the term ``scholarship recipient'' means a student 
        receiving a scholarship;
            (5) the term ``stipend'' means an award under section 406;
            (6) the term ``stipend recipient'' means a science, 
        mathematics or engineering professional receiving a stipend; 
        and
            (7) the term ``cost of attendance'' has the meaning given 
        such term in section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
        (20 U.S.C. 1087ll).

SEC. 402. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--(1) The Director shall establish a program to 
award grants to institutions of higher education (or consortia thereof) 
to provide scholarships and programming designed to recruit and train 
mathematics and science teachers. Such program shall be known as the 
``Robert Noyce Scholarship Program''.
    (2) Grants shall be provided under this section on a merit-reviewed 
competitive basis.
    (b) Use of Grants.--Grants provided under this title shall be used 
by institutions of higher education--
            (1) to develop and implement a program to encourage top 
        college juniors and seniors majoring in mathematics, science, 
        and engineering at the grantee's institution to become 
        mathematics and science teachers, through--
                    (A) administering scholarships in accordance with 
                section 405;
                    (B) offering programs to help scholarship 
                recipients to teach in elementary and secondary 
                schools, including programs that will result in teacher 
                certification; and
                    (C) offering programs to scholarship recipients, 
                both before and after they receive their baccalaureate 
                degree, to enable the recipients to become better 
                mathematics and science teachers, and to exchange ideas 
                with others in their fields; or
            (2) to develop and implement a program to encourage 
        science, mathematics, or engineering professionals to become 
        mathematics and science teachers, through--
                    (A) administering stipends in accordance with 
                section 406;
                    (B) offering programs to help stipend recipients 
                obtain teacher certification; and
                    (C) offering programs to stipend recipients, both 
                during and after matriculation, to enable recipients to 
                become better mathematics and science teachers and 
                exchange ideas with others in their fields; or
            (3) for both of the purposes described in paragraphs (1) 
        and (2).
    (c) Matching Funds Required.--The Director shall establish a 
minimum level of matching funds that grantees must provide to receive 
grants under this section. The requirement shall specify the extent to 
which any match may be provided in kind. Grant recipients shall not be 
required to contribute toward the cost of scholarships.

SEC. 403. SELECTION PROCESS.

    (a) Application.--An institution of higher education (or a 
consortium thereof) seeking funding under this title shall submit an 
application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and 
containing such information as the Director may require. The 
application shall include, at a minimum--
            (1) a description of the scholarship or stipend program, or 
        both, that the applicant intends to operate, including the 
        number of scholarships or the size and number of stipends the 
        applicant intends to award, and the selection process that will 
        be used in awarding the scholarships or stipends;
            (2) evidence that the applicant has the capability to 
        administer the scholarship or stipend program in accordance 
        with the provisions of this title;
            (3) a description of the programming that will be offered 
        to scholarship or stipend recipients during and after their 
        matriculation;
            (4) a description of how the non-Federal matching funds 
        will be provided; and
            (5) a description of policies and procedures to ensure that 
        Federal funds will be used to supplement and not supplant funds 
        that would otherwise be made available for purposes of this 
        title.
    (b) Review of Applications.--In evaluating the applications 
submitted under subsection (a), the Director shall consider--
            (1) the ability of the applicant to effectively carry out 
        the program;
            (2) the extent to which the applicant is committed to 
        making the program a central organizational focus;
            (3) the ability of the proposed programming to enable 
        scholarship or stipend recipients to become successful 
        mathematics and science teachers;
            (4) the number and quality of the students that will be 
        served by the program;
            (5) the ability of the applicant to recruit students who 
        would otherwise not pursue a career in teaching; and
            (6) the amount of non-Federal matching funds.

SEC. 404. AWARDS.

    (a) Designation.--The Director shall designate institutions awarded 
grants under this title as ``National Teacher Scholarship Centers''.
    (b) Distribution.--The Director shall ensure, to the extent 
practicable, that grants be awarded under this title in a wide range of 
geographic areas and to prepare  students for jobs in rural, suburban, 
and urban local educational agencies.
    (c) Duration.--Grants awarded under this title shall be for a 
period of 10 years.

SEC. 405. SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Scholarships under this title shall be available 
only to students who are--
            (1) majoring in science, mathematics, or engineering; and
            (2) in the last 2 years of a baccalaureate degree program.
    (b) Selection.--Individuals shall be selected to receive 
scholarships primarily on the basis of academic merit, with 
consideration given to financial need and to the goal of promoting the 
participation of minorities, women, and people with disabilities.
    (c) Amount.--Scholarships under this title shall be in the amount 
of $7,500 per year, or the cost of attendance, whichever is less. 
Individuals may receive a maximum of 2 years of scholarship support.
    (d) Service Obligation.--If an individual receives a scholarship, 
that individual shall be required to complete, within 6 years after 
graduation from the baccalaureate degree program for which the award 
was made, 2 years of service as a mathematics or science teacher for 
each year an award was received. Service required under this subsection 
shall be performed at a school receiving assistance under chapter 1 of 
title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (Public 
Law 89-10).

SEC. 406. STIPENDS.

    (a) In General.--Stipends under this title shall be available only 
to mathematics, science, and engineering professionals who, while 
receiving the stipend, are enrolled in a program to receive 
certification to teach.
    (b) Selection.--Individuals shall be selected to receive stipends 
under this title primarily on the basis of academic merit, with 
consideration given to financial need and to the goal of promoting the 
participation of minorities, women, and people with disabilities.
    (c) Amount.--Stipends under this title shall be for an amount of up 
to $7,500 per year, but in no event more than the cost of tuition. 
Individuals may receive a maximum of 1 year of stipend support.
    (d) Service Obligation.--If an individual receives a stipend under 
this title, that individual shall be required to complete, within 6 
years after graduation from the program for which the award was made, 2 
years of service as a mathematics or science teacher for each award 
received. Service required under this subsection shall be performed at 
a school receiving assistance under chapter 1 of title I of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (Public Law 89-10).

SEC. 407. CONDITIONS OF SUPPORT.

    As a condition of acceptance of a scholarship or stipend under this 
title, a recipient shall enter into an agreement with the institution 
of higher education--
            (1) accepting the terms of the scholarship or stipend 
        pursuant to section 405 or 406 and section 409;
            (2) agreeing to provide the awarding institution of higher 
        education with annual certification of employment and current 
        contact information and to participate in surveys provided by 
        the institution of higher education as part of an ongoing 
        assessment program; and
            (3) establishing that the scholarship or stipend recipient 
        shall be liable to the United States for any amount that is 
        required to be repaid in accordance with the provisions of 
        section 409.

SEC. 408. COLLECTION FOR NONCOMPLIANCE.

    (a) Monitoring Compliance.--An institution of higher education (or 
consortium thereof) receiving a grant under this title shall, as a 
condition of participating in the program, enter into an agreement with 
the Director to monitor the compliance of scholarship and stipend 
recipients with their respective service requirements.
    (b) Collection of Repayment.--(1) In the event that a scholarship 
or stipend recipient is required to repay the scholarship or stipend 
under section 409, the institution shall be responsible for collecting 
the repayment amounts.
    (2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), any repayment shall be 
returned to the Treasury of the United States.
    (3) A grantee may retain a percentage of any repayment it collects 
to defray administrative costs associated with the collection. The 
Director shall establish a single, fixed percentage that will apply to 
all grantees.

SEC. 409. FAILURE TO COMPLETE SERVICE OBLIGATION.

    (a) General Rule.--If an individual who has received an award under 
this title--
            (1) fails to maintain an acceptable level of academic 
        standing in the educational institution in which the individual 
        is enrolled, as determined by the National Science Foundation;
            (2) is dismissed from such educational institution for 
        disciplinary reasons;
            (3) withdraws from the baccalaureate degree program for 
        which the award was made before the completion of such program;
            (4) declares that the individual does not intend to fulfill 
        his service obligation under this title; or
            (5) fails to fulfill the service obligation of the 
        individual under this title,
such individual shall be liable to the United States as provided in 
subsection (b).
    (b) Amount of Repayment.--(1) If a circumstance described in 
subsection (a)(1), (2), (3), or (4) occurs before the completion of one 
year of a service obligation under this title, the United States shall 
be entitled to recover from the individual, within one year after the 
date of the occurrence of such circumstance, an amount equal to--
            (A) the total amount of awards received by such individual 
        under this title; plus
            (B) the interest on such amounts which would be payable if 
        at the time the amounts were received they were loans bearing 
        interest at the maximum legal prevailing rate, as determined by 
        the Treasurer of the United States,
multiplied by 3.
    (2) If a circumstance described in subsection (a)(1), (2), (3), or 
(4) occurs after the completion of one year of a service obligation 
under this title, but before the completion of the second year of such 
service obligation, the United States shall be entitled to recover from 
the individual, within one year after the date of the occurrence of 
such circumstance, an amount equal to--
            (A) the total amount of awards received by such individual 
        under this title minus $3,750; plus
            (B) the interest on such amounts which would be payable if 
        at the time the amounts were received they were loans bearing 
        interest at the maximum legal prevailing rate, as determined by 
        the Treasurer of the United States,
multiplied by 3.
    (3) If a circumstance described in subsection (a)(1), (2), (3), or 
(4) occurs after the completion of two years of a service obligation 
under this title, but before the completion of the third year of such 
service obligation, the United States shall be entitled to recover from 
the individual, within one year after the date of the occurrence of 
such circumstance, an amount equal to--
            (A) the total amount of awards received by such individual 
        under this title minus $7,500; plus
            (B) the interest on such amounts which would be payable if 
        at the time the amounts were received they were loans bearing 
        interest at the maximum legal prevailing rate, as determined by 
        the Treasurer of the United States,
multiplied by 3.
    (4) If a circumstance described in subsection (a)(1), (2), (3), or 
(4) occurs after the completion of three years of a service obligation 
under this title, but before the completion of the fourth year of such 
service obligation, the United States shall be entitled to recover from 
the individual, within one year after the date of the occurrence of 
such circumstance, an amount equal to--
            (A) the total amount of awards received by such individual 
        under this title minus $11,250; plus
            (B) the interest on such amounts which would be payable if 
        at the time the amounts were received they were loans bearing 
        interest at the maximum legal prevailing rate, as determined by 
        the Treasurer of the United States,
multiplied by 3.
    (c) Exceptions.--(1) The National Science Foundation may provide 
for the partial or total waiver or suspension of any service obligation 
or payment by an individual under this title whenever compliance by the 
individual is impossible or would involve extreme hardship to the 
individual, or if enforcement of such obligation with respect to the 
individual would be unconscionable.
    (2) Any obligation of an individual under this title for payment 
under subsection (b) may be released by a discharge in bankruptcy under 
title 11, United States Code, only if such discharge is granted after 
the expiration of the 5-year period beginning on the first date that 
such payment is required.

SEC. 410. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
National Science Foundation to carry out this title $20,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2002 through 2005.
    (b) Specific Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Science Foundation to support the 
activities described in subsections (b)(1)(A) and (C) and (b)(2)(A) and 
(C) of section 402, such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal 
years 2006 through 2011.

  TITLE V--SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS 
                          EDUCATION CONFERENCE

SEC. 501. REQUIREMENT TO CONVENE CONFERENCE.

    (a) In General.--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 convene a conference on improving kindergarten 
through 12th grade science, mathematics, and technology education.
    (b) Participants.--The Director of the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy shall ensure that participants in the conference 
include, at a minimum--
            (1) representatives of private industry;
            (2) representatives from Federal, State, and local 
        governments;
            (3) elementary and secondary mathematics, science, and 
        technology teachers;
            (4) administrators from local educational agencies;
            (5) publishers of science, mathematics, engineering, and 
        technology textbooks and software;
            (6) professional scientists, mathematicians, and engineers;
            (7) students; and
            (8) any other stakeholders the Director of the Office of 
        Science and Technology Policy determines would provide useful 
        participation in the conference.
    (c) Purposes.--The purposes of the conference shall be to--
            (1) share information on successful science, mathematics, 
        engineering, and technology education programs; and
            (2) identify strategies for expanding the participation of 
        the private sector in elementary and secondary mathematics and 
        science education reform.
    (d) Report and Publication.--At the conclusion of the conference 
the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall--
            (1) transmit to the Committee on Science of the House of 
        Representatives and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate a report on the outcome and 
        conclusions of the conference, including recommendations for 
        any legislation that could promote improvement in elementary 
        and secondary science, mathematics, and technology education; 
        and
            (2) ensure that a similar report is published and 
        distributed as widely as possible to people interested in 
        science, mathematics, engineering, and technology education.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated for the Office of Science and Technology Policy to carry 
out this title $300,000 for fiscal year 2002.

              TITLE VI--REQUIREMENTS FOR RESEARCH CENTERS

SEC. 601. REQUIREMENTS FOR RESEARCH CENTERS.

    The Director shall ensure that any National Science Foundation 
program that awards grants for the establishment of research centers at 
institutions of higher education after the date of the enactment of 
this Act--
            (1) requires that every center offer programs for 
        elementary and secondary mathematics and science teachers and 
        students to increase their understanding of the field in which 
        the center specializes; and
            (2) uses the quality of a center's proposed precollege 
        education programs as a criterion in determining grant awards.
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National Mathematics and Science Partnerships Act

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