National Innovation Education Act - College Pathway Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to states to establish preschool through postsecondary (P-16) education stewardship commissions or systems consisting of such commissions and P-16 education data systems.
Tasks each commission with reaching a consensus among statewide education stakeholders on the skills, knowledge, and patterns of coursework needed to successfully transition to and complete postsecondary education.
Requires that state-level longitudinal P-16 data systems track the academic performance of each student so that the factors which correlate with such success may be identified and publicized.
Authorizes the National Science Foundation (NSF) to award competitive grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) for the development or improvement of magnet school programs which focus on science, mathematics, and technology education. Directs the NSF to award grants to LEAs to enable implementation of innovation-based experiential learning.
Directs the Secretary to award competitive grants to institutions of higher education for integrated courses in mathematics, science, or engineering and teacher education, that lead to undergraduate degrees in such fields with concurrent teacher certification. Requires grantees to work with LEAs to support new teachers.
Teachers Professional Development Institutes Act - Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive grants to partnerships, or joint ventures between institutions of higher education and LEAs serving a significant low-income population, for the conduct of collaborative seminars designed to enhance the subject matter and pedagogical resources of seminar participants.
Requires the NSF to: (1) expand the Graduate Research Fellowship Program and the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship Program; (2) establish a clearinghouse for sharing program elements used in successful professional science master's degree programs; (3) award grants for pilot programs to four-year institutions of higher education to facilitate the creation or improvement of such programs; (4) submit a multiyear plan that describes how the funds authorized by this Act for doubling research funding shall be used; and (5) study how the federal government should support the new discipline of service science.
Authorizes appropriations for the NSF Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology Talent Expansion Program.
[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3483 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
109th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 3483
To improve national competitiveness through enhanced education
initiatives.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 8, 2006
Mr. Ensign (for himself and Mr. Lieberman) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To improve national competitiveness through enhanced education
initiatives.
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''.
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.--
(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 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--
(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 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
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.
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5662-5663)
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5663-5669)
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