Getting Involved in Researching, Learning, and Studying of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Act or the GIRLS STEM Act
This bill authorizes the Department of Education to provide grants to local educational agencies serving underrepresented or low-income students to enable elementary and secondary schools to implement a program to (1) encourage the interest of female students in careers requiring science, mathematics, engineering, or technology (STEM) skills; and (2) prepare female students to pursue credentials needed to pursue a career in a STEM field.
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7251 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7251
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide
grants to eligible local educational agencies to encourage female
students to pursue studies and careers in science, mathematics,
engineering, and technology.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 28, 2022
Mr. McNerney introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Education and Labor
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide
grants to eligible local educational agencies to encourage female
students to pursue studies and careers in science, mathematics,
engineering, and technology.
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 ``Getting Involved in Researching,
Learning, and Studying of Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics Act'' or the ``GIRLS STEM Act''.
SEC. 2. GRANTS TO PREPARE FEMALES FOR THE 21ST CENTURY.
(a) In General.--Title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``PART G--PREPARING FEMALE STUDENTS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
``SEC. 4701. PROGRAM AUTHORITY.
``(a) In General.--From funds provided under section 4702, the
Secretary may provide grants to eligible local educational agencies to
enable elementary schools and secondary schools served by the agencies
to establish and implement a program to--
``(1) encourage the ongoing interest of female students in
careers requiring skills in science, mathematics, engineering,
or technology at all levels of the career pathway, including at
the technician level; and
``(2) prepare female students to pursue industry-recognized
credentials, such as certificates, licenses, undergraduate, and
graduate degrees, needed to pursue a career in the science,
mathematics, engineering, or technology field.
``(b) Grant Awards.--A grant awarded under this part shall be
awarded in four school year increments.
``(c) Application.--
``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant, or
enter into a contract or cooperative agreement, under this part
an eligible local educational agency shall submit an
application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as
the Secretary may require.
``(2) Contents.--The application shall contain, at a
minimum, the following:
``(A) A program description, including the content
of the program and the research and models used to
design the program.
``(B) A description of the collaboration between
elementary schools and secondary schools to fulfill
goals of the program and how the eligible local
educational agency will ensure that there is a
comprehensive plan to improve science, mathematics,
engineering, and technology education for female
students in kindergarten through grade 12.
``(C) A description of the process for recruitment
and selection of participants.
``(D) A description of the planned instructional
and motivational activities.
``(E) A description of any collaboration among
local, regional, or national institutions and
organizations that will be necessary to fulfill the
goals of the program.
``(3) Consideration.--In selecting an eligible local
educational agency to receive a grant under this part, the
Secretary shall consider the application of each eligible local
educational agency that demonstrates that the agency will use
the grant funds to carry out the activities described in
subsection (d).
``(d) Use of Funds.--An eligible local educational agency shall use
a grant received under this section to carry out the following:
``(1) Acquainting female students with careers requiring
skills in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology,
and preparing such students for pursuing careers in such areas,
including careers in such areas at the technician level.
``(2) Educating the parents of female students about the
opportunities and advantages of science, mathematics,
engineering, and technology careers.
``(3) Providing tutoring and mentoring programs for female
students in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology.
``(4) Establishing partnerships and other opportunities
that expose female students to role models, events, academic
programs, or career and technical education programs in the
fields of science, mathematics, engineering, and technology.
``(5) Providing after-school activities designed to
encourage interest, and develop skills of female students, in
science, mathematics, engineering, and technology.
``(6) Carrying out summer programs designed to assist
female students in--
``(A) developing an interest and skills in; and
``(B) understanding the relevance and significance
of, science, mathematics, engineering, and technology.
``(7) Purchasing educational instructional materials,
equipment, and instrumentation or software designed to teach
and encourage interest of female students in science,
mathematics, engineering, and technology.
``(8) Providing academic and career counseling services and
assistance in secondary school course selection that encourages
female students to take courses that provide preparation for
postsecondary education, and experiential learning
opportunities (such as apprenticeships, mentorships,
internships), in the areas of science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics.
``(9) Facilitating internships in science, mathematics,
engineering, or technology for female students.
``(10) Providing professional development for teachers and
other school personnel that includes--
``(A) topics on how to eliminate gender bias in the
classroom;
``(B) topics on how to engage students in the face
of gender-based peer pressure and parental
expectations; and
``(C) increased instructional strategies and
content knowledge of science, mathematics, engineering,
and technology.
``(e) Supplement, Not Supplant.--The Secretary shall require each
eligible local educational agency receiving a grant under this part to
supplement, and not to supplant, any other assistance or funds made
available from non-Federal sources for the activities assisted under
this part.
``(f) Evaluations.--Each eligible local educational agency that
receives a grant under this part shall provide the Secretary, at the
conclusion of every school year during which the funds are received,
with an evaluation assessing the improvements made in the areas
described in subsection (a), in a form prescribed by the Secretary.
``(g) Eligible Local Educational Agency Defined.--For purposes of
this part, the term `eligible local educational agency' means a local
educational agency that serves underrepresented or low-income students.
``SEC. 4702. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part
$50,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 through 2027.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for such Act (20
U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end of the items
relating to title IV the following:
``Part G--Preparing Females for the 21st Century
``Sec. 4701. Program authority.
``Sec. 4702. Authorization of appropriations.''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
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