STEM Gateways Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to eligible entities for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) elementary and secondary school programs for women and girls, underrepresented minorities, and individuals from all economic backgrounds.
Requires those programs to be directed toward at least one of the following goals:
Defines an "eligible entity" as: (1) a local educational agency (LEA); (2) an educational service agency serving more than one LEA; (3) a consortium of LEAs; (4) nonprofit organizations that work with elementary schools, secondary schools, or institutions of higher education and have shown a commitment to achieving the goals listed above; or (5) community colleges working in partnership with secondary schools to create dual enrollment, credit transfer, or accelerated postsecondary credentialing opportunities.
[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3690 Introduced in House (IH)]
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3690
To increase the participation of women, girls, and underrepresented
minorities in STEM fields, to encourage and support students from all
economic backgrounds to pursue STEM career opportunities, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 10, 2013
Mr. Kennedy (for himself and Mr. Honda) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To increase the participation of women, girls, and underrepresented
minorities in STEM fields, to encourage and support students from all
economic backgrounds to pursue STEM career opportunities, 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 ``STEM Gateways Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) According to a 2013 Census Bureau study, women's
representation in STEM occupations has increased since the
1970s, but women remain significantly underrepresented in
engineering and computing occupations that make up more than 80
percent of all STEM employment. Women's representation in
computer occupations has declined since the 1990s. In 2011, 26
percent of STEM workers were women and 74 percent were men.
According to the National Action Council for Minorities in
Engineering, Inc. (NACME), the number of engineering degrees
awarded to African-American women has steadily declined since
the late 1990s.
(2) According to the Brookings Institution 2013 report,
``The Hidden STEM Economy'', half of all STEM jobs are
available to workers without a 4-year college degree, and these
jobs pay $53,000 per year on average. This sector of the STEM
economy offers job opportunities for many workers with
qualified certificates or associate's degrees, drawing from
high schools, workforce training programs, vocational schools,
and community colleges. Despite these opportunities, only one-
fifth of the $4.3 billion spent annually by the Federal
Government on STEM education and training goes towards
supporting sub-bachelor's level training.
(3) According to a 2011 report by the Department of
Commerce, underrepresented minorities account for only 3 out of
10 professionals in STEM fields.
(4) STEM workers in all demographic groups earn more than
their non-STEM counterparts.
(5) According to the America After 3pm report, children
from African-American, Hispanic, and Native American
populations participate in afterschool programs in greater
numbers than the average. Girls also participate in equal
numbers to boys in such programs. Afterschool learning thus
represents an intervention point to engage with populations
currently underrepresented in STEM fields and careers.
SEC. 3. GRANT PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.
(a) Program Authorized.--From the amounts appropriated to carry out
this section, the Secretary of Education shall award grants to eligible
entities, on a competitive basis, to enable such eligible entities to
carry out programs described in subsection (d) to achieve, with respect
to women and girls, underrepresented minorities, and individuals from
all economic backgrounds, (including economically disadvantaged
individuals and individuals living in economically distressed areas),
one or more of the following goals:
(1) Encourage interest in the STEM fields at the elementary
school or secondary school levels.
(2) Motivate engagement in STEM fields by providing
relevant hands-on learning opportunities at the elementary
school and secondary school levels.
(3) Support classroom success in STEM disciplines at the
elementary school or secondary school levels.
(4) Support workforce training and career preparation in
STEM fields at the secondary school level.
(5) Improve access to career and continuing education
opportunities in STEM fields at the secondary school level.
(b) Limitation.--The Secretary may award grants under this section
for not more than a 5-year period.
(c) Application.--
(1) In general.--Each eligible entity that desires to
receive a grant under this section shall submit an application
to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing
such information as the Secretary may reasonably require.
(2) Contents.--An application submitted under paragraph (1)
shall contain--
(A) in the case of an eligible entity that plans to
use the grant funds at the elementary school level--
(i) a description of the programs the
eligible entity will carry out to achieve one
or more of the goals described in paragraphs
(1) through (3) of subsection (a) at the
elementary school level, including the content
of the programs and research and models used to
design the programs; and
(ii) a description of how the programs
described in clause (i) will support the
success of women and girls, underrepresented
minorities, and individuals from all economic
backgrounds (including economically
disadvantaged individuals and individuals
living in economically distressed areas) in
STEM education, such as--
(I) recruiting such individuals to
participate in the programs;
(II) supporting educators who will
lead the programs, and participants in
the programs;
(III) encouraging partnerships
between in-school and out-of-school
educators, such as afterschool
providers, science centers, and
museums;
(IV) identifying public and private
partners that are able to support the
programs; and
(V) planning for sustaining the
programs financially beyond the grant
period; and
(B) in the case of an eligible entity that plans to
use the grant funds at the secondary school level--
(i) a description of the programs the
eligible entity will carry out to achieve one
or more of the goals described in paragraphs
(1) through (5) of subsection (a) at the
secondary school level, including the content
of the programs and research and models used to
design the programs;
(ii) a description of how the programs
described in clause (i) will support the
success of women and girls, underrepresented
minorities, and individuals from all economic
backgrounds (including economically
disadvantaged individuals and individuals
living in economically distressed areas) in
STEM education and workforce training that
prepares such individuals to take advantage of
employment opportunities in STEM fields, such
as--
(I) recruiting such individuals to
participate in the programs;
(II) supporting educators who will
lead such programs, and participants in
the programs;
(III) identifying public and
private partners that are able to
support the programs;
(IV) partnering with institutions
of higher education or institutions
providing informal science education,
such as afterschool programs and
science centers and museums;
(V) partnering with institutions of
higher education; and
(VI) planning for sustaining the
programs financially beyond the grant
period;
(iii) a review of the industry and business
workforce needs, including the demand for
workers with knowledge or training in a STEM
field; and
(iv) an analysis of job openings that
require knowledge or training in a STEM field.
(d) Use of Funds.--
(1) Required use of funds.--An eligible entity that
receives a grant under this section shall use such grant funds
to carry out programs to achieve one or more of the goals
described in subsection (a) at the elementary school or
secondary school levels, with respect to women and girls,
underrepresented minorities, and students from all economic
backgrounds (including economically disadvantaged individuals,
and students living in economically distressed areas).
(2) Authorized use of funds.--The programs described in
paragraph (1) may include any of the following activities, with
respect to the individuals described in paragraph (1):
(A) Carrying out the activities described in
subparagraph (A)(ii) or (B)(ii), as appropriate.
(B) Providing professional development for
teachers, afterschool providers, and other school
personnel in elementary schools or secondary schools,
including professional development to encourage,
through academic instruction and support, such
individuals to pursue advanced classes and careers in
STEM fields.
(C) Providing tutoring and mentoring programs in
STEM fields.
(D) Establishing partnerships with institutions of
higher education, potential employers, and other
industry stakeholders that expose such individuals to
professionals in STEM fields, or providing
opportunities for postsecondary academic credits or
credentials.
(E) Providing after-school activities and other
informal learning opportunities designed to encourage
interest and develop skills in STEM fields.
(F) Providing summer programs to extend learning
time and to deepen the skills and interest in STEM
fields of such individuals.
(G) Purchasing and utilizing--
(i) educational or instructional materials
that are designed to improve educational
outcomes in STEM fields, and will serve to
deepen the skills and interest in STEM fields
of such individuals; or
(ii) equipment, instrumentation, or
hardware used to teach and encourage interest
in STEM fields.
(H) Internships or opportunities for experiential
learning in STEM fields.
(e) Report.--
(1) Eligible entities.--Each eligible entity receiving a
grant under this Act shall, on an annual basis, submit a report
to the Secretary on the use of funds and the number of students
who participated in the programs carried out with the grant
funds.
(2) Secretary.--The Secretary shall, on an annual basis,
and using the reports received under paragraph (1), report to
Congress on the overall impact and effectiveness of the grant
program under this Act.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) ESEA definitions.--The terms ``educational service
agency'', ``local educational agency'', ``institution of higher
education'', ``Secretary'', 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) Community college.--The term ``community college'' has
the meaning given the term ``junior or community college'' in
section 312 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1058).
(3) Economically disadvantaged individual.--The term
``economically disadvantaged individual'' has the meaning given
the term in section 400.4 of title 34, Code of Federal
Regulations, as such section is in effect on the date of
enactment of this Act.
(4) Economically distressed area.--The term ``economically
distressed area'' means a county or equivalent division of
local government of a State in which, according to the most
recently available data from the Bureau of the Census, 40
percent or more of the residents have an annual income that is
at or below the poverty level.
(5) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) a local educational agency;
(B) an educational service agency serving more than
1 local educational agency;
(C) a consortium of local educational agencies;
(D) nonprofit organizations that--
(i) work with elementary schools, secondary
schools, or institutions of higher education;
and
(ii) have demonstrated a commitment to
achieving the goals described in paragraphs (1)
through (4) of section 3(a); or
(E) community colleges working in partnership with
secondary schools to create opportunities for dual
enrollment, credit transfer, or accelerated post-
secondary credentialing.
(6) Partners.--The term ``partners'' means organizations
who employ workers in STEM-related careers or organizations
with demonstrated expertise in identifying, scaling, and
implementing successful practices in STEM education and
workforce development.
(7) STEM.--The term ``STEM'' means science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics.
(8) Underrepresented minority.--The term ``underrepresented
minority'' has the meaning given the term ``minority'' in
section 637.4(b) of title 34, Code of Federal Regulations, as
such section is in effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
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