Version	Word Count	Changes From Previous Version	Percent Change
Introduced in House	23,577	n/a	n/a
Engrossed in House	23,668	6	0%
Placed on Calendar Senate	23,607	8	0%
Engrossed Amendment Senate	47,704	915	98%
Enrolled Bill	62,322	1,913 Show Changes Hide Changes	67%

Display Version Introduced in House Engrossed in House Placed on Calendar Senate Engrossed Amendment Senate Enrolled Bill

HR 2272 EAS

In the Senate of the United States,July 19, 2007.Resolved,That the bill from the House of Representatives (H.R.2272CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

) entitled `An Act t One Hundred Tenth Congress CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To invest in innovation through research and development, and to improve the competitiveness of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

', do pass with the followingAMENDMENT:Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled , CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `America COMPETES Act' or the `America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science Act'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. ORGANIZATION OF ACT INTO DIVISIONS; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) DIVISIONS- This Act is organized into 5 divisions as follows:(1) DIVISION A- Commerce and Science.(2) DIVISION B- Department of Energy.(3) DIVISION C- Education.(4) DIVISION D- National Science Foundation.(5) DIVISION E- General Provisions.(b) Table of Contents- The table of contents for this Act is as of this Act is as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1. Short title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 2. Organization of Act into divisions; tTable of contents.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY; GOVERNMENT-WIDE SCIENCE

Sec. 11001. National Science and Technology Summit.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 11002. Study on barriers to innovation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1103. National003. National Technology and Innovation Medal.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1104. Release of scientific research results.Sec. 1105004. Semiannual Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Days.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1106. Study of service science.TITLE II--INNOVATION PROMOTIONSec. 1201005. Study of service science.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1006. President's Council on Innovation and Competitiveness.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1202. I007. National coordination of research infrastructure.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1008. Sense of Congress on innovation acceleration research.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1009. Release of scientific research results.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE III--NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Sec. 132001. NASA's contribution to innovation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1302. Aeronautics Institute for Research.Sec. 132002. Aeronautics.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 2003. Basic research enhancement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 132004. Aging workforce issues program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1305. Conforming amendments2005. Sense of Congress regarding NASA's undergraduate student research program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1306. Fiscal year 2008 basic science and research funding2006. Use of International Space Station National Laboratory to support math and science education and competitiveness.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IVII--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY

Sec. 143001. Authorization of appropriations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 143002. Amendments to the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1403. Innovation acceleration3003. Manufacturing Extension Partnership.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 14043004. Institute-wide planning report.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 3005. Report by Visiting Committee.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 3006. Meetings of Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 3007. Collaborative manufacturing research pilot grants.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 3008. Manufacturing extensionFellowship Program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1405. Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology3009. Procurement of temporary and intermittent services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 14063010. Malcolm Baldrige awards.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 3011. Report on National Institute of Standards and Technology efforts to recruit and retain early career science and engineering researchers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 3012. Technology Innovation Program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 3013. Technical amendments to the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act and other technical amendments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1407. Clarification of eligible contributions in connection with regional Centers responsible for implementing the objectives of the hollings manufacturing partnership program3014. Retention of depreciation surcharge.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 3015. Post-doctoral fellows.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IV--OCEAN AND ATMOSPHERIC PROGRAMS

Sec. 154001. Ocean and atmospheric research and development pResearch and development Program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 154002. NOAA ocean and atmospheric science education pScience education Programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 154003. NOAA's contribution to innovation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE V--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Sec. 25001. Short title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 25002. Definitions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 2003. Mathematics, science, and engineering education at the Department of Energy5003. Science, engineering, and mathematics education at the Department of Energy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 5004. Nuclear science talent expansion program for institutions of higher education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 2004. Department of Energy early-career research grants5005. Hydrocarbon systems science talent expansion program for institutions of higher education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 2005. Advanced Research Projects Authority-Energy5006. Department of Energy early career awards for science. engineering, and mathematics researchers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 2006. Authorization of appropriations for the5007. Authorization of appropriations for Department of Energy for basic research.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 2007. Discovery science and engineering5008. Discovery science and engineering innovation institutes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 20085009. Protecting America's Competitive Edge (PACE) graduate fellowship program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 2009. Title IX compliance.Sec. 2010. High-risk, high-reward research5010. Sense of Congress regarding certain recommendations and reviews.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 25011. Distinguished scientist program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





DIVISION C Sec. 5012. Advanced Research Projects Agency--Energy. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE VI--EDUCATION

Sec. 36001. Findings.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 36002. Definitions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE Subtitle A--Teacher Assistance

Part I--TEACHER ASSISTANCESubtitle A--Teachers for a Competitive Tomorrow

Sec. 36111. Purpose.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 36112. Definitions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 36113. Programs for baccalaureate degrees in mathematics, science, engineeringscience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or critical foreign languages, with concurrent teacher certification.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 36114. Programs for master's degrees in mathematics, science, technology, or critical foreign languagesscience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or critical foreign language education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 36115. General provisions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 36116. Authorization of appropriations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle BPart II--Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Programs

Sec. 36121. Purpose.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 36122. Definitions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 36123. Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs.Subtitle CPrograms.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Part III--Promising Practices in Mathematics, Science, Technology, and EngineeringScience, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Teaching

Sec. 36131. Promising practices.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--MATHEMATICSSec. 3 Subtitle B--Mathematics

Sec. 6201. Math Now for elementary school and middle school students program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 36202. Summer term education programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 36203. Math skills for secondary school students.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





TITLE III--FOREIGN LANGUAGE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMSec. 3 Sec. 6204. Peer review of State applications. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Sec. 6301. Findings and purpose.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 36302. Definitions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 36303. Program authorized.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 36304. Authorization of appropriations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IV--ALIGNMENT OF EDUCATION PROGRAMSSec. 3 Subtitle D--Alignment of Education Programs

Sec. 6401. Alignment of secondary school graduation requirements with the demands of 21st century postsecondary endeavors and support for P-16 education data systems.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE V--MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE PARTNERSHIP BONUS GRANTSSec. 3 Subtitle E--Mathematics and Science Partnership Bonus Grants

Sec. 6501. Mathematics and science partnership bonus grants.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 36502. Authorization of appropriations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

DIVISION DTITLE VII--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Sec. 40017001. Definitions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 7002. Authorization of appropriations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4002. Strengthening of education and human resources directorate through equitable distribution of new funds7003. Reaffirmation of the merit-review process of the National Science Foundation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4003. Graduate fellowships and graduate traineeships7004. Sense of the Congress regarding the mathematics and science partnership programs of the Department of Education and the National Science Foundation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4004. Professional science master's degree programs7005. Curricula.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4005. Increased support for science education through the National Science Foundation7006. Centers for research on learning and education improvement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 40067007. Interdisciplinary research.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 7008. Postdoctoral research fellows.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 7009. Responsible conduct of research.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 7010. Reporting of research results.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 7011. Sharing research results.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 7012. Funding for successful science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 7013. Cost sharing.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 7014. Additional reports.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 7015. Administrative amendments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 7016. National Science Board reports.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 7017. Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act of 1986 amendment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 7018. Meeting critical national science needs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4007. Reaffirmation of the merit-review process of the National Science Foundation7019. Research on innovation and inventiveness.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4008. Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research7020. Cyberinfrastructure.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4009. Encouraging participation7021. Pilot program of grants for new investigators.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4010. Cyberinfrastructure7022. Broader impacts merit review criterion.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4011. Federal information and communications technology research7023. Donations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4012. Robert Noyce Teacher Program7024. High-performance computing and networking.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4013. Sense of the Senate regarding the mathematics and science partnership programs of the Department of Education and the National Science Foundation7025. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics talent expansion program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 40147026. Laboratory science pilot program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 7027. Study on laboratory equipment donations for schools.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 7028. Mathematics and Science Education Partnerships amendments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 7029. National Science Foundation teacher institutes for the 21st century.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4015. Partnerships for access to laboratory science.DIVISION E7030. Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 7031. Encouraging participation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 7032. National Academy of Sciences report on diversity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 7033. Hispanic-serving institutions undergraduate program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 7034. Professional science master's degree programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 7035. Sense of Congress on communications training for scientists.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 7036. Major research instrumentation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 7037. Limit on proposals.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE VIII--GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 58001. Collection of data relating to trade in services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 58002. Sense of the Senate regarding small business growth and capital markets.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 58003. Government Accountability Office Review of Activities, Grants, and Preview of activities, grants, and programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 5004. Prohibition against fun8004. Sense of the Senate regarding anti-competitiveness tax policy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 5005. Feasibility study on free online college degree program8005. Study of the provision of online degree programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 58006. Sense of the Senate regarding deemed exports.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 58007. Sense of the Senate regarding capital markets.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




DIVISION A--COMMERCE AND SCIENCESEC. 1001. SHORT TITLE.This division may be cited as the `American Innovation and Competitiveness Act'Sec. 8008. Accountability and transparency of activities authorized by this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY; GOVERNMENT-WIDE SCIENCE

SEC. 11001. NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT.

(a) In General- Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the the enactment of this Act, the President shall convene a National Science and Technology Summit to examine the health and direction of the United States' science, technology, engineering, and mathematics enterprises. The Summit shall include representatives of industry, small business, labor, academia, State government, Federal research and development agencies, non-profit environmental and energy policy groups concerned with science and technology issues, and other nongovernmental organizations, including representatives of science, technology, and engineering organizations and associations that represent individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Report- Not later than 90 days after the date of the conclusion of the Summit, the President shall issuesubmit to Congress a report on the results of the Summit. The report shall identify key research and technology challenges and recommendations, including recommendations to increase the representation of individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b) in science, engineering, and technology enterprises, for areas of investment for Federal research and technology programs to be carried out during the 5-year period beginning on the date the report is issued.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Annual Evaluation- Beginning in 2008, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall publish and submit to Congress an annual report that contains recommendations for areas of investment for Federal research and technology programs, including a justification for each area identified in the report. Each report submitted during the 5-year period beginning on the date of the conclusion of the Summit shall take into account any recommendations made by the Summit.SEC. 11with the President's budget submission for the fiscal year following the conclusion of the National Science and Technology Summit and for each of the following 4 budget submissions, the Analytical Perspectives component of the budget document that describes the Research and Development budget priorities shall include a description of how those priorities relate to the conclusions and recommendations of the Summit contained in the report required under subsection (b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 1002. STUDY ON BARRIERS TO INNOVATION.

(a) In General- Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Science and Technologythe enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall enter into a contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct and complete a study to identify, and to review methods to mitigate, new forms of risk for businesses beyond conventional operational and financial risk that affect the ability to innovate, including studying and reviewing--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) incentive and compensation structures that could effectively encourage long-term value creation and innovation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) methods of voluntary and supplemental disclosure by industry of intellectual capital, innovation performance, and indicators of future valuation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) means by which government could work with industry to enhance the legal and regulatory framework to encourage the disclosures described in paragraph (2);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) practices that may be significant deterrents to United States businesses engaging in innovation risk-taking compared to foreign competitors;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) costs faced by United States businesses engaging in innovation compared to foreign competitors, including the burden placed on businesses by high and rising health care costs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) means by which industry, trade associations, and universities could collaborate to support research on management practices and methodologies for assessing the value and risks of longer term innovation strategies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) means to encourage new, open, and collaborative dialogue between industry associations, regulatory authorities, management, shareholders, labor, and other concerned interests to encourage appropriate approaches to innovation risk-taking;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) incentives to encourage participation among institutions of higher education, especially those in rural and underserved areas, to engage in innovation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) relevant Federal regulations that may discourage or encourage innovation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) all provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, including tax provisions, compliance costs, and reporting requirements, that discourage innovation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(11) the extent to which Federal funding promotes or hinders innovation;(12) the extent to which andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(12) the extent to which individuals are being equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in the 21st century workforce, as measured by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) elementary school and secondary school student academic achievement on the State academic assessments required under section 1111(b)(3) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 (b)(3)), especially in mathematics, science, and reading, identified by ethnicity, race, and gender;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the rate of student entrance into institutions of higher education, identified by ethnicity, race, and gender, by type of institution, and barriers to access to institutions of higher education;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the rates of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) students successfully completing postsecondary education programs, identified by ethnicity, race, and gender; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) certificates, associate degrees, and baccalaureate degrees awarded in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, identified by ethnicity, race, and gender; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) access to, and availability of, high quality job training programs;(13) the projected outcomes of increasing the number of individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b) in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields; and(14) the identification of strategies to increase the participation of individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b) in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Report Required- Not later than 1 year after entering into the contract required by subsection (a) and 4 years after entering into such contract, the National Academy of Sciences shall submit to Congress a report on the study conducted under such subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Academy of SciencesOffice of Science and Technology Policy $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 for the purpose of carrying out the study required under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 11003. NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION MEDAL.

Section 16 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3711) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking the section heading and inserting `sec. 16. national technology and innovation medal.in the section heading, by striking `national medal' and inserting `national technology and innovation medal'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in subsection (a), by striking `Technology Medal' and inserting `Technology and Innovation Medal'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 1104. RELEASE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH RESULTS.(a) Principles- Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the heads of all Federal civilian agencies that conduct scientific research, shall develop and issue an overarching set of principles to ensure the communication and open exchange of data and results to other agencies, policymakers, and the public of research conducted by a scientist employed by a Federal civilian agency and to prevent the intentional or unintentional suppression or distortion of such research findings. The principles shall encourage the open exchange of data and results of research undertaken by a scientist employed by such an agency and shall be consistent with existing Federal laws, including chapter 18 of title 35, United States Code (commonly known as the `Bayh-Dole Act').(b) Implementation- Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall ensure that all civilian Federal agencies that conduct scientific research develop specific policies and procedures regarding the public release of data and results of research conducted by a scientist employed by such an agency consistent with the principles established under subsection (a). Such polices and procedures shall--(1) specifically address what is and what is not permitted or recommended under such policies and procedures;(2) be specifically designed for each such agency;(3) be applied uniformly throughout each such agency; and(4) be widely communicated and readily accessible to all employees of each such agency and the public.SEC. 1105004. SEMIANNUAL SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS DAYS.

It is the sense of Congress that the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy should--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) encourage all elementary and middle schools to observe a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Day twice in every school year for the purpose of bringing in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics mentors to provide hands-on lessons to excite and inspire students to pursue the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields (including continuing education and career paths);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) initiate a program, in consultation with Federal agencies and departments, to provide support systems, tools (from existing outreach offices), and mechanisms to allow and encourage Federal employees with scientific, technological, engineering, or mathematical responsibilities to reach out to local classrooms on such Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Days to instruct and inspire school children, focusing on real life science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-related applicable experiences along with hands-on demonstrations in order to demonstrate the advantages and direct applications of studying the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Days involvement by private sector and institutions of higher education employees, including partnerships with scientific, engineering, and mathematical professional organizations representing individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b), in a manner similar to the Federal employee involvement described in paragraph (2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 1106005. STUDY OF 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 management and learning discipline known as service science.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Study- Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall, through the National Academy of Sciences, shall conduct a study and report to Congress regarding how the Federalon how the Federal Government should support, through research, education, and training, the emerging management and learning discipline known as service science.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Outside Resources- In conducting the study under subsection (b), the National Academy of Sciences shall consult with leaders from 2- and 4-year institutions of higher education, as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)), leaders from corporations, and other relevant parties.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Service Science Defined- In this section, the term `service science' means curricula, training, and research programs that are designed to teach individuals to apply scientific, engineering, and management disciplines that integrate elements of 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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--INNOVATION PROMOTIONSEC. 1201SEC. 1006. PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL ON INNOVATION AND COMPETITIVENESS.

(a) In General- The President shall establish a President's Council on Innovation and Competitiveness.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Duties- The Council's dutiesduties of the Council shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) monitoring implementation of public laws and initiatives for promoting innovation, including policies related to research funding, taxation, immigration, trade, and education that are proposed in this Act or in any other Act;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) providing advice to the President with respect to global trends in competitiveness and innovation and allocation of Federal resources in education, job training, and technology research and development considering such global trends in competitiveness and innovation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, developing a process for using metrics to assess the impact of existing and proposed policies and rules that affect innovation capabilities in the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) identifying opportunities and making recommendations for the heads of executive agencies to improve innovation, monitoring, and reporting on the implementation of such recommendations;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) developing metrics for measuring the progress of the Federal Government with respect to improving conditions for innovation, including through talent development, investment, and infrastructure improvements; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) submitting to the President and Congress an annual report on such progress.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Membership and Coordination-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) MEMBERSHIP- The Council shall be composed of the Secretary or head of each of the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) The Department of Commerce.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) The Department of Defense.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) The Department of Education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) The Department of Energy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) The Department of Energy.(E) The Department of Health and Human Services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) The Department of Homeland Security.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) The Department of Labor.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) The Department of the Treasury.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(J) The Securities and Exchange Commission.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(K) The National Science Foundation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(L) The Office of the United States Trade Representative.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(M) The Office of Management and Budget.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(N) The Office of Science and Technology Policy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(O) The Environmental Protection Agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(P) The Small Business Administration.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(Q) Any other department or agency designated by the President.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CHAIRPERSON- The Secretary of Commerce shall serve as Chairperson of the Council.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) COORDINATION- The Chairperson of the Council shall ensure appropriate coordination between the Council and the National Economic Council, the National Security Council, and the National Science and Technology Council.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) MEETINGS- The Council shall meet on a semi-annual basis at the call of the Chairperson and the initial meeting of the Council shall occur not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act.(d) the enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Development of Innovation Agenda-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Council shall develop a comprehensive agenda for strengthening the innovation and competitiveness capabilities of the Federal Government, State governments, academia, and the private sector in the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONTENTS- The comprehensive agenda required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) An assessment of current strengths and weaknesses of the United States investment in research and development.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) Recommendations for addressing weaknesses and maintaining the United States as a world leader in research and development and technological innovation, including strategies for increasing the participation of individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b) in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) Recommendations for strengthening the innovation and competitiveness capabilities of the Federal gGovernment, State governments, academia, and the private sector in the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) ADVISORS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) RECOMMENDATION- Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the National Academy of Sciences, in consultation with the National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine, and the National Research Council, shall develop and submit to the President a list of 50 individuals that are recommended to serve as advisors to the Council during the development of the comprehensive agenda required by paragraph (1). The list of advisors shall include appropriate representatives from the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) The private sector of the economy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) Labor.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) Various fields including information technology, energy, engineering, high-technology manufacturing, health care, and education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) Scientific organizations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) Academic organizations and other nongovernmental organizations working in the area of science or technology.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vi) Nongovernmental organizations, such as professional organizations, that represent individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b) in the areas of science, engineering, technology, and mathematics.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) DESIGNATION- Not later than 30 days after the date that the National Academy of Sciences submits the list of recommended individuals to serve as advisors, the President shall designate 50 individuals to serve as advisors to the Council.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) REQUIREMENT TO CONSULT- The Council shall develop the comprehensive agenda required by paragraph (1) in consultation with the advisors.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) INITIAL SUBMISSION AND UPDATES-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) INITIAL SUBMISSION- Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Council shall submit to Congress and the President the comprehensive agenda required by paragraph (1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) UPDATES- At least once every 2 years, the Council shall update the comprehensive agenda required by paragraph (1) and submit each such update to Congress and the President.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Technical Amendment- Section 101(b) of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5511(b)) is amended by striking `an' in the first sentence and inserting `a distinct'.(f) Optional Assignment- Notwithstanding subsection (a) and paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (c), the President may designate an existing council to carry out the requirements of this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 1202.007. NATIONAL COORDINATION OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE.

SEC. 1008. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON INNOVATION ACCELERATION RESEARCH.

(a) Program Established- The President, through the head of each Federal research agency, shall establish a program, to be known as the Innovation Acceleration Research Program, to support and promote innovation in the United States through research projects that can yield results with far-ranging or wide-ranging implications but are considered too novel or span too diverse a range of disciplines to fare well in the traditional peer review process. Priority in the awarding of grants under this program shall be given toSense of Congress on Support and Promotion of Innovation in the United States- It is the sense of Congress that each Federal research agency should strive to support and promote innovation in the United States through high-risk, high-reward basic research projects that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) meet fundamental technology or scientific ical or scientific challenges;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) involve multidisciplinary work; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) involve a high degree of novelty.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Departments and Agencies-(1) FUNDING GOALS- The President shall ensure that it is the goal of each Executive agency (as defined insection 105 of title 5, United States Code) that finances research in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology to allocate approximately 8 percent of the agency's total annual research and development budget to funding research, including grants, under the Innovation Acceleration Research Program.(2) ADMINISTRATION-(A) IN GENERAL- Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the head of each Executive agency participating in the Innovation Acceleration Research Program under paragraph (1) shall submit to the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget a plan for implementing the research program within such Executive agency. An implementation plan may incorporate existing initiatives of the Executive agencies that promote research in innovation aSense of Congress on Setting Annual Funding Goals for Basic Research- It is the sense of Congress that each Executive agency that funds research in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics should set a goal of allocating an appropriate percentage of the annual basic research budget of such agency to funding high-risk, high-reward basic research projects described in subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) REQUIRED METRICS-(i) IN GENERAL- The head of each Executive agency submitting an implementation plan pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall include metrics upon which grant funding decisions will be made and metrics for assessing the success of the grants awarded.(ii) METRICS FOR BASIC RESEARCH- The metrics developed under clause (i) to assess basic research programs shall assess management of the programs and shall not assess specific scientific outcomes of the research conducted by the programs.(C) GRANT DURATION AND RENEWALS-(i) IN GENERAL- Any grants issued by an Executive agency under this section shall be for a period not to exceed 3 years.(ii) EVALUATION- Not later than 90 days prior to the expiration of a grant issued under this section, the Executive agency that approved the grant shall complete an evaluation of the effectiveness of the grant based on the metrics established pursuant to subparagraph (B). In its evaluation, the Executive agency shall consider the extent to which the program funded by the grant met the goals of quality improvement and job creation.(iii) PUBLICATION OF REVIEW- The Executive agency shall publish and make available to the public the review of each grant approved pursuant to this section.(iv) FAILURE TO MEET METRICS- Any grant that the Executive agency awarding the grant determines has failed to satisfy any of the metrics developed pursuant to subparagraph (B), shall not be eligible for a renewal.(v) RENEWAL- A grant issued under this section that satisfies all of the metrics developed pursuant to subparagraph (B), may be renewed once for a period of not more than 3 years. Additional renewals may be considered only if the head of the Executive agency makes a specific finding that the programc) Report- Each Executive agency described in subsection (b) shall submit to Congress each year, together with documents submitted to Congress in support of the budget of the President for the fiscal year beginning in such year (as submitted pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, United States Code), a report describing whether a funding goal as described in subsection (b) has been established, and if such a goal has been established, the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) A description of such funding goal.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Whether such funding goal is being funded involves a significant technology or scientific advance that requires a longer time frame to complete critical research, and the research satisfies all the metrics developed pursuant to subparagraph (B).(vi) WAIVER- The head of the Executive agency may authorize a waiver of the requirement of clauses (iv) and (v) related to satisfying metric requirements if he or she determines that the grant failed to meet a small number of metrics and the failure was not significant for the overall performance of the grant.(cmet by the agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) A description of activities supported by amounts allocated in accordance with such funding goal.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Definitions- In this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) FEDERAL RESEARCH AGENCY- The term `Federal research agency' means a major organizational component of a department or agency of the Federal Government, or other establishment of the Federal Government operating with appropriated funds, that has as its primary purpose the performance of scientific researchBASIC RESEARCH- The term `basic research' has the meaning given such term in the Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A-11.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) MAJOR ORGANIZATIONAL COMPONENT- The term `major organizational component', with respect to a department, agency, or other establishment of the Federal Government, means a component of the department, agency, or other establishment that is administered by an individual whose rate of basic pay is not less than the rate of basic pay payable under level V of the Executive Schedule undersection 5316EXECUTIVE AGENCY- The term `Executive agency' has the meaning given such term in section 105 of title 5, United States Code.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE III--NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

SEC. 132001. NASA'S CONTRIBUTION TO INNOVATION.

(a) Participation in Interagency Activities- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall be a full participant in any interagency effort to promote innovation and economic competitiveness through near-term and long-term basic scientific research and development and the promotion of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, consistent with the agencyNational Aeronautics and Space Administration's mission, including authorized activities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Historic Foundation- In order to carry out the participation described in subsection (a), the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall build on the historic role of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in stimulating excellence in the advancement of physical science and engineering disciplines and in providing opportunities and incentives for the pursuit of academic studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Balanced Science Program and Robust Authorization Levels- The balanced science program authorized by section 101(d) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16611) shall be an element of the contribution by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to such interagency programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Sense of Congress on Contribution of Appropriately Funded National Aeronautics and Space Administration- It is the sense of Congress that a robust National Aeronautics and Space Administration, funded at the levels authorized for fiscal years 2007 and 2008 under sections 202 and 203 of such Actthe National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16631 and 16632) and at appropriate levels in subsequent fiscal years--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) can contribute significantly to innovation in, and the competitiveness of, the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) would enable a fair balance among science, aeronautics, education, exploration, and human space flight programs an; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) would allow full participation in any interagency efforts to promote innovation and economic competitiveness.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(de) Annual Report-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) REQUIREMENT- The Administrator shall submit to Congress and the President an annual report describing the activities conducted pursuant to this section, including a description of the goals and the objective metrics upon which funding decisions were made.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONTENT- Each report submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include, with regard to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education programs, at a minimum, the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) A description of each program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) The amount spent on each program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) The number of students or teachers served by each program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) Measurement of how each program improvedf) Assessment Plan- Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report on its plan for instituting assessments of the effectiveness of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education programs in improving student achievement, including with regard to challenging State achievement standards.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 1302. AERONAUTICS INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH2002. AERONAUTICS.

(a) Establishment-(1) IN GENERAL- The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall establish within the Administration an Aeronautics Institute for Research for the purpose of managing the aeronautics research carried out by the Administration.(2) DIRECTOR- The Institute shall be headed by a Director with appropriate experience in Sense of Congress- It is the sense of Congress that the aeronautics research anddevelopment.(b) Duties- The Institute shall implement the programs authorized under title IV development program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16701 et seq.).(chas been an important contributor to innovation and to the competitiveness of the United States and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration should maintain its capabilities to advance the state of aeronautics.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Cooperation With Other Agencies-(1) IN GENERAL- The Institute shall operate in conjunction with on Aeronautics Activities- The Administrator shall coordinate, as appropriate, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's aeronautics activities with relevant programs in the Department of Transportation, the Department of Defense, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Homeland Security, including the activities of the Joint Planning and Development Office established under section 709 of the Vision 100--Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (Public Law 108-176; 117 Stat. 2490).(2) RESOURCES- The Director of the Institute may accept assistance, staff, and funding from those Departments and other Federal agencies. Any such funding shall be in addition to funds authorized for aeronautics under the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-155).(3) OTHER COORDINATION- The Director of the Institute may utilize the Next Generation Air Transportation Senior Policy Committee established under section 710 of the Vision 100--Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (Public Law 108-176; 49 U.S.C. 40101 note) to coordinate its programs with other Departments and agencies.(d) Partnerships- In developing and carrying out its plans, the Institute shall consult with the public and ensure the participation of experts from the private sector including representatives of commercial aviation, general aviation, aviation labor groups, aviation research and development entities, aircraft and air traffic control suppliers, and the space industry582).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 132003. BASIC RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT.

(a) In General- The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Director of the National Science Foundation, the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Defense, and Secretary of Commerce shall, to the extent practicable, coordinate basic and fundamental research activities related to physical sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Establishment of Basic Research Executive Council- In order to ensure effective application of resources to basic science activity and to facilitate cooperative basic and fundamental research activities with other governmental organizations, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall establish within the Administration a Basic Research Executive Council to oversee the distribution and management of programs and resources engaged in support of basic research activity.(c) Membership- The membership of the Basic Research Executive Council shall consist of the most senior agency official representing each of the following areas of research:(1) Space Science.(2) Earth Science.(3) Life and Microgravity Sciences.(4) Aeronautical Research.(d) Leadership- The Basic Research Executive Council shall be chaired by an individual appointed for that purpose who shall have, as a minimum, a appropriate graduate degree in a recognizable discipline in the physical sciences, and appropriate experience in the conduct and management of basic research activity. The Chairman of the Council shall report directly to the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.(e) Supporting Resources and Personnel- The Chairman of the Basic Research Executive Council shall be provided with adequate administrative staff support to conduct the activity and functions of the Council.(f) Duties- The Basic Research Executive Council shall have, at minimum, the following duties:(1) To establish criteria for the identification of research activity as basic in nature.(2) To establish, in consultation with the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the National Science Foundation, the National Academy of Sciences, the National Institutes of Health, and other appropriate external organizations, a prioritization of fundamental research activity to be conducted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, to be reviewed and updated on an annual basis, taking into consideration evolving national research priorities.(3) To monitor, review, and evaluate all basic research activity of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for compliance with basic research priorities established under paragraph (2).(4) To make recommendations to the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration regarding adjustments in the basic research activities of the Administration to ensure consistency with the research priorities established under this section.(5) To provide an annual report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives outlining the activities of the Council during the preceding year and the status of basic research activity within the Administration. The initial such report, to serve as a baseline document, shall be provided within 90 days after the establishment and initial operations of the CouncilDefined- In this section, the term `basic research' has the meaning given such term in Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A-11.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 132004. AGING WORKFORCE ISSUES PROGRAM.

It is the sense of Congress that the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration should implement a program to address aging work force issues in aerospace that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) documents technical and management experiences before senior people leave the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) documenting lessons learned;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) briefing organizations;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) providing opportunities for archiving lessons in a database; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) providing opportunities for near-term retirees to transition out early from their primary assignment in order to document their career lessons learned and brief new employees prior to their separation from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) provides incentives for retirees to return and teach new employees about their career lessons and experiences; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) provides for the development of an award to recognize and reward outstanding senior employees for their contributions to knowledge sharing.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 1305. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.Section 101(d) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16611(d)) is amended--(1) by striking `and' after the semicolon in paragraph (2)(B);(2) by striking `Act.' in paragraph (2)(C) and inserting `Act; and';(3) by adding at the end of paragraph (2) the following:`(D) the number and content of science activities which are undertaken in support of science missions described in subparagraph (A), and the number and content of science activities which may be considered as fundamental, or basic research, whether incorporated within specific missions or conducted independently of any specific mission.'; and(4) by adding at the end of paragraph (3) the following:`(H) How NASA science activities can best be structured to ensure that basic and fundamental research can be effectively maintained and coordinated in response to national goals in competitiveness and innovation, and in contributing to national scientific, technology, engineering and mathematics leadership.'.SEC. 1306. FISCAL YEAR 2008 BASIC SCIENCE AND2005. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING NASA'S UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH FUNDING.Notwithstanding any other provision of law,PROGRAM.

It is the sense of Congress that in order to generate interest in careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and to help train the next generation of space and aeronautical scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall increase funding for basic science and research, including for the Explorer Program, for fiscal year 2008 by $160,000,000 by transferring such amount for such purpose from accountsould utilize the existing Undergraduate Student Research Program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The transfer shall be contingent upon the availability of unobligated balances to the National to support basic research projects on subjects of relevance to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) are to be carried out primarily by undergraduate students; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) combine undergraduate research with other research supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(a) Sense of Congress- It is the sense of Congress that the International Space Station National Laboratory offers unique opportunities for educational activities and provides a unique resource for research and development in science, technology, and engineering, which can enhance the global competitiveness of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Development of Educational Projects- The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall develop a detailed plan for implementation of 1 or more education projects that utilize the resources offered by the International Space Station. In developing any detailed plan according to this paragraph, the Administrator shall make use of the findings and recommendations of the International Space Station National Laboratory Education Concept Development Task Force.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Development of Research Plans for Competitiveness Enhancement- The Administrator shall develop a detailed plan for identification and support of research to be conducted aboard the International Space Station, which offers the potential for enhancement of United States competitiveness in science, technology, and engineering. In developing any detailed plan pursuant to this subsection, the Administrator shall consult with agencies and entities with which cooperative agreements have been reached regarding utilization of International Space Station National Laboratory facilities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IVII--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY

SEC. 143001. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce for the use of the National Institute of Standards and Technology--(1) for fiscal year 2008, $703,611,000, of which $115,000,000 shall be used for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program;(2) for fiscal year 2009, $773,972,000, of which $122,005,000 shall be used for the Hollings (a) Scientific and Technical Research and Services- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) LABORATORY ACTIVITIES- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce for the scientific and technical research and services laboratory activities of the National Institute of Standards and Technology--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) $502,100,000 for fiscal year 2008;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) $541,900,000 for fiscal year 2009; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) $584,800,000 for fiscal year 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce for construction and maintenance of facilities of the National Institute of Standards and Technology--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) $150,900,000 for fiscal year 2008;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) $86,400,000 for fiscal year 2009; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) $49,700,000 for fiscal year 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Industrial Technology Services- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce for Industrial Technology Services activities of the National Institute of Standards and Technology--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) $210,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, of which--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) $100,000,000 shall be for the Technology Innovation Program under section 28 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n), of which at least $40,000,000 shall be for new awards; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) $110,000,000 shall be for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program;(3) for fiscal year 2010, $851,369,000, of which $131,766,000 shall be used for the Hollingsprogram under sections 25 and 26 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k and 278l), of which not more than $1,000,000 shall be for the competitive grant program under section 25(f) of such Act;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) $253,500,000 for fiscal year 2009, of which--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) $131,500,000 shall be for the Technology Innovation Program under section 28 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n), of which at least $40,000,000 shall be for new awards; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) $122,000,000 shall be for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program; and(4) for fiscal year 2011, $936,506,000, of which $142,300,000 shall be used for the Hollings under sections 25 and 26 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k and 278l), of which not more than $4,000,000 shall be for the competitive grant program under section 25(f) of such Act; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) $272,300,000 for fiscal year 2010, of which--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) $140,500,000 shall be for the Technology Innovation Program under section 28 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n), of which at least $40,000,000 shall be for new awards; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) $131,800,000 shall be for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program under sections 25 and 26 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k and 278l), of which not more than $4,000,000 shall be for the competitive grant program under section 25(f) of such Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 143002. AMENDMENTS TO THE STEVENSON-WYDLER TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION ACT OF 1980.

(a) In General- Section 5 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3704) is repealed.(bamended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking subsections (a) through (e);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (a);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in subsection (a), as redesignated by paragraph (2)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in paragraph (1), by striking `The Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary, shall establish for fiscal year 1999' and inserting `Beginning in fiscal year 1999, the Secretary shall establish';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking `, acting through the Under Secretary,' each place it appears;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by redesignating paragraph (6) as subsection (b);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) by striking paragraph (7); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) in the subsection heading, by striking `Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology' and inserting `Program Establishment';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) in subsection (b), as redesignated by paragraph (3)(C), by striking `this subsection' and inserting `subsection (a)'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) in the section heading by striking `commerce and technological innovation' and inserting `experimental program to stimulate competitive technology'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Construction- The amendments made by subsection (a) shall not be construed to eliminate the National Institute of Standards and Technology or the National Technical Information Service.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Conforming Amendments-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE- Section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking `Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY- The National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 271 et seq.) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in section 2 of such Act (15 U.S.C. 272)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) in subsection (b), by striking `and, if appropriate, through other officials,'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) in subsection (c), by striking `and, if appropriate, through other appropriate officials,'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in section 5 of such Act (15 U.S.C. 274), by striking `The Director shall have the general' and inserting `The Director shall report directly to the Secretary and shall have the general'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) DEFINITIONS- Section 4 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3703) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking paragraphs (1) and (3); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (13) as paragraphs (1) through (11), respectively.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(34) FUNCTIONS OF SECRETARY- Section 11(g)(1) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 3710(g)(1)) is amended by striking `through the Under Secretary, and'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) REPEAL OF AUTHORIZATION- Section 21(a) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980such Act (15 U.S.C. 3713(a)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in paragraph (1), by striking `sections 5, 11(g), and 16' and inserting `sections 11(g) and 16'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in paragraph (2), by striking `$500,000 is authorized only for the purpose of carrying out the requirements of the Japanese technical literature program established under section 5(d) of this Act;'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4)6) HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING ACT OF 1991- Section 208 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5528) is amended by striking subsection (c) and redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(57) ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT OF 1998- Section 6(b)(4)(B)(v) of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 3005(b)(4)(B)(v)) is amended by striking `the Technology Administration of the Department of Commerce,' and inserting `the National Institute of Standards and Technology,'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 1403. INNOVATION ACCELERATION.(a) Program- In order to implement section 1202 of this Act, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall--(1) establish a program linked to the goals and objectives of the measurement laboratories, to be known as the `Standards and Technology Acceleration Research Program', to support and promote innovation in the United States through high-risk, high-reward research; and(2) set aside, from funds available to the measurement laboratories, an amount equal to not less than 8 percent of the funds available to the Institute each fiscal year for such Program.(b) External Funding- The Director shall ensure that at least 80 percent of the funds available for such Program shall be used to award competitive, merit-reviewed grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts to public or private entities, including businesses and universities. In selecting entities to receive such assistance, the Director shall ensure that the project proposed by an entity has scientific and technical merit and that any resulting intellectual property shall vest in a United States entity that can commercialize the technology in a timely manner. Each external project shall involve at least one small or3003. MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP.

(a) Clarification of Eligible Contributions in Connection With Regional Centers Responsible for Implementing the Objectives of the Program- Paragraph (3) of section 25(c) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k(c)(3)) is amended to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3)(A) Any nonprofit institution, or group thereof, or consortia of nonprofit institutions, including entities existing on August 23, 1988, may submit to the Secretary an application for financial support under this subsection, in accordance with the procedures established by the Secretary and published in the Federal Register under paragraph (2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) In order to receive assistance under this section, an applicant for financial assistance under subparagraph (A) shall provide adequate assurances that non-Federal assets obtained from the applicant and the applicant's partnering organizations will be used as a funding source to meet not less than 50 percent of the costs incurred for the first 3 years and an increasing share for each of the last 3 years. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the costs incurred means the costs incurred in connection with the activities undertaken to improve the management, productivity, and technological performance of small- and medium-sized business and the Director shall give priority to joint ventures between small ormanufacturing companies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) In meeting the 50 percent requirement, it is anticipated that a Center will enter into agreements with other entities such as private industry, universities, and State governments to accomplish programmatic objectives and access new and existing resources that will further the impact of the Federal investment made on behalf of small- and medium-sized businesses and educational institutions. Any grant shall be for a period not to exceed 3 years.(c) Competitions- The Director shall solicit proposals annually to address areas of national need for high-risk, high-reward research, as identified by the Director.(d) Annual Report- Each year the Director shall issue an annual report describing the program's activities, including includemanufacturing companies. All non-Federal costs, contributed by such entities and determined by a description of the metrics upon which grant funding decisions were made in the previous fiscal year, anyCenter as programmatically reasonable and allocable under MEP program procedures are includable as a portion of the Center's contribution.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) Each applicant under subparagraph (A) shall also submit a proposal for the allocation of the legal rights associated with any invention which may result from the proposed changes to those metrics, metrics for evaluating the success of ongoing and completed grants, and an evaluation of ongoing and completed grants. The first annual report shall include best practices for management of programs to stimulate high-risk, high-reward research.(e) Administrative Expenses- No more than 5 percent of the finding available to the program may be used for administrative expenses.(f) High-Risk, High-Reward Research Defined- In this section, the term `high-risk, high-reward research' means research that--(1) has the potential for yielding results with far-ranging or wide-ranging implications;(2) addresses critical national needs related to measurement standards and technology; and(3) is too novel or spans too diverse a range of disciplines to fare well in the traditional peer review process.SEC. 1404. MANUFACTURING EXTENSION.(a) Center's activities.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Manufacturing Center Evaluation- Section 25(c)(5Paragraph (5) of section 25(c) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k(c)(5)) is amended by inserting `A Center that has not received a positive evaluation by the evaluation panel shall be notified by the panel of the deficiencies in its performance and shall be placed on probation for one year, after which time the panel shall reevaluate the Center. If the Center has not addressed the deficiencies identified by the panel, or shown a significant improvement in its performance, the Director shall conduct a new competition to select an operator for the Center or may close the Center.' after `at declining levels.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(bc) Federal Share- Section 25 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k) is amended by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(d) and inserting the following:`(d)Acceptance of Funds-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- In addition to such sums as may be appropriated to the Secretary and Director to operate the Centers program, the Secretary and Director also may accept funds from other Federal departments and agencies and under section 2(c)(7) from the private sector for the purpose of strengthening United States manufacturing.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Such funds from the private sector, if allocated to a Center or Centers, shall not be consider `(2) ALLOCATION OF FUNDS- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) FUNDS ACCEPTED FROM OTHER FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS OR AGENCIES- The Director shall determine whether funds accepted from other Federal departments or agencies shall be counted in the calculation of the Federal share of capital and annual operating and maintenance costs under subsection (c).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





'.SEC. 1405. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE TECHNOLOGY.(a) In General- The Director of the National Institutes of Standards and Technology `(B) FUNDS ACCEPTED FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR- Funds accepted from the private sector under section 2(c)(7), if allocated to a Center, shall not be considered in the calculation of the Federal share under subsection (c) of this section.'. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) MEP Advisory Board- Such section 25 is further amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(e) MEP Advisory Board-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) ESTABLISHMENT- There is established within the Institute a Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board (in this subsection referred to as the `MEP Advisory Board').CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) MEMBERSHIP-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) IN GENERAL- The MEP Advisory Board shall consist of 10 members broadly representative of stakeholders, to be appointed by the Director. At least 2 members shall be employed by or on an advisory board for the Centers, and at least 5 other members shall be from United States small businesses in the manufacturing sector. No member shall be an employee of the Federal Government.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) TERM- Except as provided in subparagraph (C) or (D), the term of office of each member of the MEP Advisory Board shall be 3 years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) CLASSES- The original members of the MEP Advisory Board shall be appointed to 3 classes. One class of 3 members shall have an initial term of 1 year, one class of 3 members shall have an initial term of 2 years, and one class of 4 members shall have an initial term of 3 years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) VACANCIES- Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which his predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of such term.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) SERVING CONSECUTIVE TERMS- Any person who has completed two consecutive full terms of service on the MEP Advisory Board shall thereafter be ineligible for appointment during the one-year period following the expiration of the second such term.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) MEETINGS- The MEP Advisory Board shall meet not less than 2 times annually, and provide to the Director--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) advice on Manufacturing Extension Partnership programs, plans, and policies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) assessments of the soundness of Manufacturing Extension Partnership plans and strategies; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) assessments of current performance against Manufacturing Extension Partnership program plans.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT- In discharging its duties under this subsection, the MEP Advisory Board shall function solely in an advisory capacity, in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(5) REPORT- The MEP Advisory Board shall transmit an annual report to the Secretary for transmittal to Congress within 30 days after the submission to Congress of the President's annual budget request in each year. Such report shall address the status of the program established pursuant to this section and comment on the relevant sections of the programmatic planning document and updates thereto transmitted to Congress by the Director under subsections (c) and (d) of section 23.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Manufacturing Extension Center Competitive Grant Program- Such section 25 is further amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(f) Competitive Grant Program-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) ESTABLISHMENT- The Director shall re-establish the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology. The purpose of the program shall be to strengtheestablish, within the Centers program under this section and section 26 of this Act, a program of competitive awards among participants described in paragraph (2) for the purposes described in paragraph (3).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) PARTICIPANTS- Participants receiving awards under this subsection shall be the Centers, or a consortium of such Centers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) PURPOSE- The purpose of the program under this subsection is to develop projects to solve new or emerging manufacturing problems as determined by the Director, in consultation with the Director of the Centers program, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board, and small and medium-sized manufacturers. One or more themes for the competition may be identified, which may vary from year to year, depending on the needs of manufacturers and the success of previous competitions. These themes shall be related to projects associated with manufacturing extension activities, including supply chain integration and quality management, and including the transfer of technology based on the technological needs of manufacturers and available technologies from institutions of higher education, laboratories, and other technology producing entities, or extend beyond these traditional areas.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) APPLICATIONS- Applications for awards under this subsection shall be submitted in such manner, at such time, and containing such information as the Director shall require, in consultation with the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(5) SELECTION- Awards under this subsection shall be peer reviewed and competitively awarded. The Director shall select proposals to receive awards--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) that utilize innovative or collaborative approaches to solving the problem described in the competition;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) that will improve the competitiveness of those States that have historically received less Federal research and development funds than a majority of the States have received.(b) Arrangements- In carrying out the program, the Director shall cooperate with State, regional, or local science and technology-based economic development organization and with representatives of small business firms and other appropriate technology-based businesses.industries in the region in which the Center or Centers are located; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) that will contribute to the long-term economic stability of that region.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(6) PROGRAM CONTRIBUTION- Recipients of awards under this subsection shall not be required to provide a matching contribution.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Section 23 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278i) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Grants and Cooperative Agreements- In carrying out the program, the Director may make grants or enter into cooperative agreements to provide for--(1) technology research and development;(2) technology transfer from university research;(3) technology deployment and diffusion; and(4) the strengthening of technological and innovation capabilities through consortia comprised of--(A) technology-based small business firms;(B) industries and emerging companies;(C) institutions of higher education including community colleges; and(D) State and local development agencies and entities.Three-Year Programmatic Planning Document- Concurrent with the submission to Congress of the President's annual budget request in the first year after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Director shall submit to Congress a 3-year programmatic planning document for the Institute, including programs under the Scientific and Technical Research and Services, Industrial Technology Services, and Construction of Research Facilities functions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(d) Requirements for Making Awards-(1) IN GENERAL- In making awards under this section, the Director shall ensure that the awards are awarded on a competitive basis that includes a review of the merits of the activities that are the subject of the award, giving special emphasis to those projects which will increaseAnnual Update on Three-Year Programmatic Planning Document- Concurrent with the submission to the Congress of the President's annual budget request in each year after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Director shall submit to Congress an update to the 3-year programmatic planning document submitted under subsection (c), revised to cover the first 3 fiscal years after the date of that update.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Section 10(h)(1) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278(h)(1)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking `on or before January 31 in each year' and inserting `not later than 30 days after the submittal to Congress of the participation of women, Native Americans (including Native Hawaiians and Alaska Natives), and underrepresented groups in science and technology.(2) MATCHING REQUIREMENT- The non-Federal share of the activities (other thanPresident's annual budget request in each year'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by adding to the end the following: `Such report also shall comment on the programmatic planning activities) carried out under an award under this subsection shall be not less than 50 percent of the cost of those activities.document and updates thereto submitted to Congress by the Director under subsections (c) and (d) of section 23.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`(a) Authority-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) ESTABLISHMENT- The Director shall establish a pilot program of awards to partnerships among participants described in paragraph (2) for the purposes described in paragraph (3). Awards shall be made on a peer-reviewed, competitive basis.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) PARTICIPANTS- Such partnerships shall include at least--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) 1 manufacturing industry partner; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) 1 nonindustry partner.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) PURPOSE- The purpose of the program under this section is to foster cost-shared collaborations among firms, educational institutions, research institutions, State agencies, and nonprofit organizations to encourage the development of innovative, multidisciplinary manufacturing technologies. Partnerships receiving awards under this section shall conduct applied research to develop new manufacturing processes, techniques, or materials that would contribute to improved performance, productivity, and competitiveness of United States manufacturing, and build lasting alliances among collaborators.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Program Contribution- Awards under this section shall provide for not more than one-third of the costs of a partnership. Not more than an additional one-third of such costs may be obtained directly or indirectly from other Federal sources.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Applications- Applications for awards under this section shall be submitted in such manner, at such time, and containing such information as the Director shall require. Such applications shall describe at a minimum--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) how each partner will participate in developing and carrying out the research agenda of the partnership;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) the research that the grant would fund; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) how the research to be funded with the award would contribute to improved performance, productivity, and competitiveness of the United States manufacturing industry.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(d) Selection Criteria- In selecting applications for awards under this section, the Director shall consider at a minimum--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) the degree to which projects will have a broad impact on manufacturing;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) the novelty and scientific and technical merit of the proposed projects; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) the demonstrated capabilities of the applicants to successfully carry out the proposed research.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(e) Criteria for States- The Director shall establish criteria for achievement by each State that participates in the program. Upon the achievement of all such criteria, a State shall cease to be eligible to participate in the program.(f) Coordination- To the extent practicable, in carrying outDistribution- In selecting applications under this section the Director shall ensure, to the extent practicable, a distribution of overall awards among a variety of manufacturing industry sectors and a range of firm sizes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(f) Duration- In carrying out this section, the Director shall run a single pilot competition to solicit and make awards. Each award shall be for a 3-year period.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Section 18 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g-1) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by inserting `(a) In General- ' before `The Director is authorized'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Manufacturing Fellowship Program-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) ESTABLISHMENT- To promote the development of a robust research community working at the leading edge of manufacturing sciences, the Director shall establish a program to award--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) postdoctoral research fellowships at the Institute for research activities related to manufacturing sciences; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) senior research fellowships to established researchers in industry or at institutions of higher education who wish to pursue studies related to the manufacturing sciences at the Institute.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) APPLICATIONS- To be eligible for an award under this subsection, an individual shall submit an application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may require.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) STIPEND LEVELS- Under this subsection, the Director shall provide stipends for postdoctoral research fellowships at a level consistent with the National Institute of Standards and Technology Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program, and senior research fellowships at levels consistent with support for a faculty member in a sabbatical position.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(a) In General- The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology may procure the temporary or intermittent services of experts or consultants (or organizations thereof) in accordance with section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, to assist with urgent or short-term research projects.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Extent of Authority- A procurement under this section may not exceed 1 year in duration, and the Director shall coordinate the program with other programs of the Departmentprocure no more than 200 experts and consultants per year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Sunset- This section shall cease to be effective after September 30, 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Report to Congress- Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on whether additional safeguards would be needed with respect to the use of authorities granted under this section if such authorities were to be made permanent.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Not later than 3 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall submit to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Commerce.(g) Report-(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall prepare and submitRepresentatives and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives a report that meets the requirements of this subsection.(2) REQUIREMENTS FOR REPORT- The report required by this subsection shall contain--(A) a description of the structure and procedures of the program;(B) a management plan for the program;(C) a description of the report on efforts to recruit and retain young scientists and engineers at the early stages of their careers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology laboratories and joint institutes. The report shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) a description of National Institute of Standards and Technology policies and procedures, including financial incentives, awards, promotions, time set aside for independent research, access to equipment or facilities, and other forms of recognition, designed to attract and retain young scientists and engineers;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) an evaluation of the impact of these incentives on the careers of young scientists and engineers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and also on the quality of the research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology's laboratories and in the National Institute of Standards and Technology's programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) a description of what barriers, if any, exist to efforts to recruit and retain young scientists and engineers, including limited availability of full time equivalent positions, legal and procedural requirements, and pay grading systems; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) the amount of funding devoted to efforts to recruit and retain young researchers and the source of such funds.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`(a) Establishment- There is established within the Institute a program linked to the purpose and functions of the Institute, to be known as the `Technology Innovation Program' for the purpose of assisting United States businesses and institutions of higher education or other organizations, such as national laboratories and nonprofit research institutions, to support, promote, and accelerate innovation in the United States through high-risk, high-reward research in areas of critical national need.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) External Funding-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- The Director shall award competitive, merit-based review process to be used in the program;(D) milestones for the evaluation of activities to be assisted under the program in fiscal year 2008;(E) an assessment of the eligibility of each Statereviewed grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) eligible companies that are small-sized businesses or medium-sized businesses; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) joint ventures.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) SINGLE COMPANY AWARDS- No award given to a single company shall exceed $3,000,000 over 3 years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) JOINT VENTURE AWARDS- No award given to a joint venture shall exceed $9,000,000 over 5 years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) FEDERAL COST SHARE- The Federal share of a project funded by an award under the program shall not be more than 50 percent of total project costs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(5) PROHIBITIONS- Federal funds awarded under this program may be used only for direct costs and not for indirect costs, profits, or management fees of a contractor. Any business that is not a small-sized or medium-sized business may not receive any funding under this program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Award Criteria- The Director shall only provide assistance under this section to an entity--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) whose proposal has scientific and technical merit and may result in intellectual property vesting in a United States entity that can commercialize the technology in a timely manner;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) whose application establishes that the proposed technology has strong potential to address critical national needs through transforming the Nation's capacity to deal with major societal challenges that are not currently being addressed, and generate substantial benefits to the Nation that extend significantly beyond the direct return to the applicant;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) whose application establishes that the research has strong potential for advancing the state-of-the-art and contributing significantly to the United States science and technology knowledge base;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) whose proposal explains why Technology Innovation Program support is necessary, including evidence that the research will not be conducted within a reasonable time period in the absence of financial assistance under this section;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(5) whose application demonstrates that reasonable efforts have been made to secure funding from alternative funding sources and no other alternative funding sources are reasonably available to support the proposal; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(6) whose application explains the novelty of the technology and demonstrates that other entities have not already developed, commercialized, marketed, distributed, or sold similar technologies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(d) Competitions- The Director shall solicit proposals at least annually to address areas of critical national need for high-risk, high-reward projects.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(e) Intellectual Property Rights Ownership-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- Title to any intellectual property developed by a joint venture from assistance provided under this section may vest in any participant in the joint venture, as agreed by the members of the joint venture, notwithstanding section 202 (a) and (b) of title 35, United States Code. The United States may reserve a nonexclusive, nontransferable, irrevocable paid-up license, to have practice for or on behalf of the United States in connection with any such intellectual property, but shall not in the exercise of such license publicly disclose proprietary information related to the license. Title to any such intellectual property shall not be transferred or passed, except to a participant in the joint venture, until the expiration of the first patent obtained in connection with such intellectual property.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) LICENSING- Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit the licensing to any company of intellectual property rights arising from assistance provided under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) DEFINITION- For purposes of this subsection, the term `intellectual property' means an invention patentable under title 35, United States Code, or any patent on such an invention, or any work for which copyright protection is available under title 17, United States Code.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(f) Program Operation- Not later than 9 months after the date of the enactment of this section, the Director shall promulgate regulations--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) establishing criteria for the selection of recipients of assistance under this section;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) establishing procedures regarding financial reporting and auditing to ensure that awards are used for the purposes specified in this section, are in accordance with sound accounting practices, and are not funding existing or planned research programs that participates in the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research of the National Science Foundawould be conducted within a reasonable time period in the absence of financial assistance under this section; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) providing for appropriate dissemination of Technology Innovation Program research results.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(g) Annual Report- The Director shall submit annually to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives a report describing the Technology Innovation Program's activities, including a description of the metrics upon which award funding decisions were made in the previous fiscal year, any proposed changes to those metrics, metrics for evaluating the success of ongoing and completed awards, and an evaluation of ongoing and completed awards. The first annual report shall include best practices for management of programs to stimulate high-risk, high-reward research.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(h) Continuation of ATP Grants- The Director shall, through the Technology Innovation Program, continue to provide support originally awarded under the Advanced Technology Program, in accordance with the terms of the original award and consistent with the goals of the Technology Innovation Program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) Coordination With Other State and Federal Technology Programs- In carrying out this section, the Director shall, as appropriate, coordinate with other senior State and Federal officials to ensure cooperation and coordination in State and Federal technology programs and to avoid unnecessary duplication of efforts.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(j) Acceptance of Funds From Other Federal Agencies- In addition to amounts appropriated to carry out this section, the Secretary and the Director may accept funds from other Federal agencies to support awards under the Technology Innovation Program. Any award under this section which is supported with funds from other Federal agencies shall be selected and carried out according to the provisions of this section. Funds accepted from other Federal agencies shall be included as part of the Federal cost share of any project funded under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(k) TIP Advisory Board-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) ESTABLISHMENT- There is established within the Institute a TIP Advisory Board.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) MEMBERSHIP-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) IN GENERAL- The TIP Advisory Board shall consist of 10 members appointed by the Director, at least 7 of whom shall be from United States industry, chosen to reflect the wide diversity of technical disciplines and industrial sectors represented in Technology Innovation Program projects. No member shall be an employee of the Federal Government.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) TERM- Except as provided in subparagraph (C) or (D), the term of office of each member of the TIP Advisory Board shall be 3 years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) CLASSES- The original members of the TIP Advisory Board shall be appointed to 3 classes. One class of 3 members shall have an initial term of 1 year, one class of 3 members shall have an initial term of 2 years, and one class of 4 members shall have an initial term of 3 years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) VACANCIES- Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which his predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of such term.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) SERVING CONSECUTIVE TERMS- Any person who has completed 2 consecutive full terms of service on the TIP Advisory Board shall thereafter be ineligible for appointment during the 1-year period following the expiration of the second such term.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) PURPOSE- The TIP Advisory Board shall meet not less than 2 times annually, and provide the Director--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) advice on programs, plans, and policies of the Technology Innovation Program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) reviews of the Technology Innovation Program's efforts to accelerate the research and development of challenging, high-risk, high-reward technologies in areas of critical national need;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) reports on the general health of the program and its effectiveness in achieving its legislatively mandated mission; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) guidance on investment areas that are appropriate for Technology Innovation Program funding;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) ADVISORY CAPACITY- In discharging its duties under this subsection, the TIP Advisory Board shall function solely in an advisory capacity, in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(5) ANNUAL REPORT- The TIP Advisory Board shall transmit an annual report to the Secretary for transmittal to the Congress not later than 30 days after the submission to Congress of the President's annual budget request in each year. Such report shall address the status of the Technology Innovation Program and comment on the relevant sections of the programmatic planning document and updates thereto transmitted to Congress by the Director under subsections (c) and (d) of section 23.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(l) Definitions- In this section--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) the term `eligible company' means a small-sized or medium-sized business that is incorporated in the United States and does a majority of its business in the United States, and that either--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) is majority owned by citizens of the United States; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) is owned by a parent company incorporated in another country and the Director finds that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) the company's participation in the Technology Innovation Program would be in the economic interest of the United States, as evidenced by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(I) investments in the United States in research and manufacturing;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(II) significant contributions to employment in the United States; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(III) agreement with respect to any technology arising from assistance provided under this section to participate in the program under this subsection; and(F) the evaluation criteria with respect to which the overall management and effectiveness of the program will be evaluatedromote the manufacture within the United States of products resulting from that technology; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) the company is incorporated in a country which--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(I) affords to United States-owned companies opportunities, comparable to those afforded to any other company, to participate in any joint venture similar to those receiving funding under this section;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(II) affords to United States-owned companies local investment opportunities comparable to those afforded any other company; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(III) affords adequate and effective protection for intellectual property rights of United States-owned companies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) the term `high-risk, high-reward research' means research that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) has the potential for yielding transformational results with far-ranging or wide-ranging implications;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) addresses critical national needs within the National Institute of Standards and Technology's areas of technical competence; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) is too novel or spans too diverse a range of disciplines to fare well in the traditional peer-review process;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) the term `institution of higher education' has the meaning given that term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) the term `joint venture' means a joint venture that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) includes either--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) at least 2 separately owned for-profit companies that are both substantially involved in the project and both of which are contributing to the cost-sharing required under this section, with the lead entity of the joint venture being one of those companies that is a small-sized or medium-sized business; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) at least 1 small-sized or medium-sized business and 1 institution of higher education or other organization, such as a national laboratory or nonprofit research institute, that are both substantially involved in the project and both of which are contributing to the cost-sharing required under this section, with the lead entity of the joint venture being either that small-sized or medium-sized business or that institution of higher education; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) may include additional for-profit companies, institutions of higher education, and other organizations, such as national laboratories and nonprofit research institutes, that may or may not contribute non-Federal funds to the project; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(5) the term `TIP Advisory Board' means the advisory board established under subsection (k).'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Transition- Notwithstanding the repeal made by subsection (a), the Director shall carry out section 28 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n) as such section was in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, with respect to applications for grants under such section submitted before such date, until the earlier of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the date that the Director promulgates the regulations required under section 28(f) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act, as added by subsection (b); orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) December 31, 2007.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 14063013. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY ACT AND OTHER TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.

(a) Research Fellowships- Section 18 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g-1l) is amended by striking `up to 1 per centum of the' in the first sentence.(b) and inserting `up to 1.5 percent of the'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Financial Agreements-(1) CLARIFICATION Clarification- Section 2(b)(4) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 272(b)(4)) is amended by inserting `and grants and cooperative agreements,' after `arrangements,'.(2) MEMBERSHIPS- Section 2(c) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 272(c)) is amended--(A) by striking `and' after the semicolon in paragraph (21);(B) by redesignating paragraph (22) as paragraph (23); and(C) by inserting after paragraph (21) the following:`(22) notwithstanding subsection (b)(4) of this section, sections 6301 through 6308 of title 31, United States Code (commonly known as the `Grants and Cooperative Agreements Act'), sections 3551 through 3556 of such title (commonly known as the `Competition in Contracting Act'), and the Federal Acquisition Regulations set forth in title 48, Code of Federal Regulations, to expend appropriated funds for National Institute of Standards and Technology memberships in scientific organizations, registration fees for attendance at conferences, and sponsorship of conferences in furtherance of technology transfer; and'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Outdated Specifications-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) REDEFINITION OF THE METRIC SYSTEM- Section 3570 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (derived from section 2 of the Act of July 28, 1866, entitled `An Act to authorize the Use of the Metric System of Weights and Measures' (15 U.S.C. 205; 14 Stat. 339)) is amended to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`SEC. 23570. METRIC SYSTEM DEFINED.

`The metric system of measurement shall be defined as the International System of Units as established in 1960, and subsequently maintained, by the General Conference of Weights and Measures, and as interpreted or modified for the United States by the Secretary of Commerce.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REPEAL OF REDUNDANT AND OBSOLETE AUTHORITY- The Act of July 21, 1950, entitled, `An Act To redefine the units and establish the standards of electrical and photometric measurements of 1950.' (15 U.S.C. 223 and 224) is hereby repealed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) IDAHO TIME ZONE- Section 3 of the Act of March 19, 1918, (commonly known as the `Calder Act') (15 U.S.C. 264) is amended--(A) in the section heading, by striking `third zone' and inserting `fourth zone'; and(B) by striking `third zone' and inserting `fourth zone'.(4)STANDARD TIME- Section 1 of the Act of March 19, 1918, (commonly known as the `Calder Act') (15 U.S.C. 261) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by inserting `(a) In General- ' before `For the purpose';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking the second sentence and the extra period after it and inserting `Except as provided in section 3(a) of the Uniform Time Act of 1966 (15 U.S.C. 260a), the standard time of the first zone shall be Coordinated Universal Time retarded by 4 hours; that of the second zone retarded by 5 hours; that of the third zone retarded by 6 hours; that of the fourth zone retarded by 7 hours; that of the fifth zone retarded 8 hours; that of the sixth zone retarded by 9 hours; that of the seventh zone retarded by 10 hours; that of the eighth zone retarded by 11 hours; and that of the ninth zone shall be Coordinated Universal Time advanced by 10 hours.'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Coordinated Universal Time Defined- In this section, the term `Coordinated Universal Time' means the time scale maintained through the General Conference of Weights and Measures and interpreted or modified for the United States by the Secretary of Commerce in coordination with the Secretary of the Navy.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) IDAHO TIME ZONE- Section 3 of the Act of March 19, 1918, (commonly known as the `Calder Act') (15 U.S.C. 264) is amended by striking `third zone' and inserting `fourth zone'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Non-Energy Inventions Program- Section 27 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278m) is repealed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 1407. CLARIFICATION OF ELIGIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS IN CONNECTION WITH REGIONAL CENTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE OBJECTIVES OF THE HOLLINGS MANUFACTURING PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.Paragraph (3) of section 25(c)3014. RETENTION OF DEPRECIATION SURCHARGE.

Section 14 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k(c)(3)) is amended to read as follows:`(3) FINANCIAL SUPPORT-`(A) IN GENERAL- Any nonprofit institution, or group thereof, or consortia of nonprofit institutions, including entities existing on August 23, 1988, may submit to the Secretary an application for financial support under this subsection, in accordance with the procedures established by the Secretary and published in the Federal Register under paragraph (2).`(B) CENTER CONTRIBUTIONS- In order to receive assistance under this section, an applicant for financial assistance under subparagraph (A) shall provide adequate assurances that non-Federal assets obtained from the applicant and the applicantd) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by inserting `(a) In General- ' before `Within'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Retention of Fees- The Director is authorized to retain all building use and depreciation surcharge fees collected pursuant to OMB Circular A-25. Such fees shall be collected and credited to the Construction of Research Facilities Appropriation Account for use in maintenance and repair of the Institute's partnering organizations will be used as a funding source to meet not less than 50 percent of the costs incurred for the first 3 years and an increasing share for each of the last 3 years. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the costs incurred means the costs incurred in connection with the activities undertaken to improve the management, productivity, and technological performance of small- and medium-sized manufacturing companies.`(C) AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER ENTITIES- In meeting the 50 percent requirement, it is anticipated that a Center will enter into agreements with other entities such as private industry, universities, and State governments to accomplish programmatic objectives and access new and existing resources that will further the impact of the Federal investment made on behalf of small- and medium-sized manufacturing companies. All non-Federal costs, contributed by such entities and determined by a Center as programmatically reasonable and allocable are includable as a portion of the Center's contribution.`(D) ALLOCATION OF LEGAL RIGHTS- Each applicant under subparagraph (A) shall also submit a proposal for the allocation of any legal right associated with any invention that may result from an activity of a Center for which such applicant receives financial assistance under this section.facilities.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Section 19 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g-2) is amended by striking `nor more than 60 new fellows' and inserting `nor more than 120 new fellows'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IV--OCEAN AND ATMOSPHERIC PROGRAMS

SEC. 154001. OCEAN AND ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in consultation with the Director of the National Science Foundation and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, shall establish a coordinated program of ocean, coastal, Great Lakes, and atmospheric research and development, in collaboration with academic institutions and other nongovernmental entities, that shall focus on the development of advanced technologies and analytical methods that will promote United States leadership in ocean and atmospheric science and competitiveness in the applied uses of such knowledge.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 154002. NOAA OCEAN AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

(a) In General- The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall conduct, develop, support, promote, and coordinate formal and informal educational activities at all levels to enhance public awareness and understanding of ocean, coastal, Great Lakes, and atmospheric science and stewardship by the general public and other coastal stakeholders, including underrepresented groups in ocean and atmospheric science and policy careers. In conducting those activities, the Administrator shall build upon the educational programs and activities of the agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) NOAA Science Education Plan- The Administrator, appropriate National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration programs, ocean atmospheric science and education experts, and interested members of the public shall develop a science education plan setting forth education goals and strategies for the Administration, as well as programmatic actions to carry out such goals and priorities over the next 20 years, and evaluate and update such plan every 5 years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Construction- Nothing in this section may be construed to affect the application of section 438 of the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232a) or sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794 and 794d).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 154003. NOAA'S CONTRIBUTION TO INNOVATION.

(a) Participation in Interagency Activities- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall be a full participant in any interagency effort to promote innovation and economic competitiveness through near-term and long-term basic scientific research and development and the promotion of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, consistent with the agency mission, including authorized activities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Historic Foundation- In order to carry out the participation described in subsection (a), the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall build on the historic role of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in stimulating excellence in the advancement of ocean and atmospheric science and engineering disciplines and in providing opportunities and incentives for the pursuit of academic studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 1504. NOAA ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY.(a) Review of Activities Carried Out With NOAA Funds-(1) REQUIREMENT FOR REVIEW- The Inspector General of the Department of Commerce shall conduct routine, independent reviews of the activities carried out with grants or other financial assistance made available by the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Such reviews shall include cost-benefit analysis of such activities and reviews to determine if the goals of such activities are being accomplished.(2) AVAILABILITY TO THE PUBLIC- The Administrator shall make each review conducted pursuant to paragraph (1) available to the public through the website of the Administration not later than 60 days after the date such review is completed.(b) Prohibition on Use of NOAA Funds for Meetings- No funds made available by the Administrator through a grant or contract may be used by the person who received such grant or contract, including any subcontractor to such person, for a banquet or conference, other than a conference related to training or a routine meeting with officers or employees of the Administration to discuss an ongoing project or training.(c) Prohibition on Conflicts of Interest- Each person who receives funds from the Administrator through a grant or contract shall submit to the Administrator a certification stating that none of such funds will be made available through a subcontract or in any other manner to another person who has a financial interest or other conflict of interest with the person who received such funds from the Administrator.DIVISION BTITLE V--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

SEC. 25001. SHORT TITLE.

This divisiontitle may be cited as the `Protecting America's Competitive Edge Through Energy Act' or the `PACE-Energy Act'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 25002. DEFINITIONS.

In this divisiontitle:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) DEPARTMENT- The term `Department' means the Department of Energy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) 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)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) NATIONAL LABORATORY- The term `National Laboratory' has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Energy, acting through the Under Secretary for Science appointed under section 202(b) of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7132(b)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2003. MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, AND ENGINEERING5003. SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION AT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY.

(a) Science Education Programs- Section 3164 of the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act (42 U.S.C. 7381a) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by redesignating subsections (b) through, (c), and (d) as subsections (c) through (e, (d), and (f), respectively;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Organization of Mathematics, Science, and EngineeringScience, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Programs-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) DIRECTOR OF MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE AND ENGINEERINGSCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Science (referred to in this subsection as the `Under Secretary'), shall appoint a Director of Mathematics, Science, and EngineeringScience, Engineering, and Mathematics Education (referred to in this subsection as the `Director') with the principal responsibility for administering mathematics, science, and engineeringscience, engineering, and mathematics education programs across all functions of the Department.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) QUALIFICATIONS- The Director shall be an individual, who by reason of professional background and experience, is specially qualified to advise the Under Secretary on all matters pertaining to mathematics, science, and engineering education at the Department.`(3)science, engineering, and mathematics education at the Department.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) DUTIES- The Director shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) oversee all mathematics, science, and engineering education programs of thescience, engineering, and mathematics education programs of the Department;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) represent the Department as the principal interagency liaison for all mathematics, science, and engineeringscience, engineering, and mathematics education programs, unless otherwise represented by the Secretary or the Under Secretary;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) prepare the annual budget and advise the Under Secretary on all budgetary issues for mathematics, science, and engineeringscience, engineering, and mathematics education programs of the Department;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) increase, to the maximum extent practicable, the participation and advancement of women and underrepresented minorities at every level of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) perform other such matters related to mathematics, science, and engineeringing to science, engineering, and mathematics education as are required by the Secretary or the Under Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) STAFF AND OTHER RESOURCES- The Secretary shall assign to the Director such personnel and other resources as the Secretary considers necessary to permit the Director to carry out the duties of the Director.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(5) ASSESSMENT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall offer to enter into a contract with the National Academy of Sciences under which the National Academy, not later than 5 years after, and not later than 10 years after, the date of enactment of this paragraph, shall assess the performance of the mathematics, science, and engineeringscience, engineering, and mathematics education programs of the Department.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) CONSIDERATIONS- An assessment under this paragraph shall be conducted taking into consideration, where applicable, the effect of mathematics, science, and engineeringscience, engineering, and mathematics education programs of the Department on student academic achievement in math and science.`(6) science and mathematics.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(6) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this subsection.'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by striking subsection (d) (as redesignated by paragraph (1)) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(d) Mathematics, Science, and EngineeringScience, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Fund- The Secretary shall establish a Mathematics, Science, and EngineeringScience, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Fund, using not less than 0.3 percent of the amount made available to the Department for research, development, demonstration, and commercial application for each fiscal year, to carry out sections 3165, 3166, and 3167.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(e) Annual Plan for Allocation of Education Funding- The Secretary shall submit to Congress as part of the annual budget submission for a fiscal year a report describing the manner in which the Department has complied with subsection (d) for the prior fiscal year and the manner in which the Department proposes to comply with subsection (d) during the following fiscal year, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) the total amount of funding for research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities for the corresponding fiscal year;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) the amounts set aside for the Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Fund under subsection (d) from funding for research activities, development activities, demonstration activities, and commercial application activities for the corresponding fiscal year; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) a description of how the funds set aside under subsection (d) were allocated for the prior fiscal year and will be allocated for the following fiscal year.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Consultation- The Secretary shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) consult with the Secretary of Education and the Director of the National Science Foundation regarding activities authorized under subpart B of the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act (as added by subsection (d)(3)) to improve mathematics and science education; and(2) science and mathematics education; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) otherwise make available to the Secretary of Education reports associated with programs authorized under that section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Definition- Section 3168 of the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act (42 U.S.C. 7381d) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(5) NATIONAL LABORATORY- The term `National Laboratory' has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Mathematics, Science, and EngineeringScience, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Programs- The Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act (42 U.S.C. 7381 et seq.) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by inserting after section 3162 (42 U.S.C. 7381) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`Subpart A--Science Education Enhancement';

(2) in section 3169 (42 U.S.C. 7381e), by striking `part' and inserting `subpart'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`Subpart B--Mathematics, Science, and EngineeringScience, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Programs

`SEC. 3170. DEFINITIONS.

`In this subpart:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) DIRECTOR- The term `Director' means the Director of Mathematics, Science, and EngineeringScience, Engineering, and Mathematics Education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) NATIONAL LABORATORY- The term `National Laboratory' has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`CHAPTER 1--ASSISTANCE FORPILOT PROGRAM OF GRANTS TO SPECIALTY SCHOOLS FOR MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCESCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS

`SEC. 3171. PILOT PROGRAM OF GRANTS TO SPECIALTY SCHOOLS FOR MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCESCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS.

`(a) Purpose- The purpose of this section is to provide assistance to States to establish orestablish a pilot program of grants to States to help establish or expand public, statewide specialty secondary schools that provide comprehensive mathematics and science (including engineering and technologyscience and mathematics (including technology and engineering) education to improve the academic achievement of students in mathematics and science.`(b) science and mathematics.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Definition of Specialty School for Mathematics and ScienceScience and Mathematics- In this chapter, the term `specialty school for mathematics and sciencescience and mathematics' means a public secondary school (including a school that provides residential services to students) that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) serves students residing in the State in which the school is located; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) offers to those students a high-quality, comprehensive mathematics and science (including engineering and technologyscience and mathematics (including technology and engineering) curriculum designed to improve the academic achievement of students in mathematics and sciencescience and mathematics.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) GrantsPilot Program Authorized-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- From the amounts authorized under subsection (i), the Secretary, acting through the Director and in consultation with the Director of the National Science Foundation, shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to States in order to provide assistance to the States for the costs of establishing or expanding public, statewide specialty schools for mathematics and sciencescience and mathematics.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) RESOURCES- The Director shall ensure that appropriate resources of the Department, including the National Laboratories, are available to schools funded under this section in order to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) increase experiential, hands-on learning opportunities in mathematics, science, engineering, and technologyscience, technology, engineering, and mathematics for students attending such schools; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) provide ongoing professional development opportunities for teachers employed at such schools.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) ASSISTANCE- Consistent with sections 3165 and 3166, the Director shall make available necessary funds for a program using scientific and engineeringfrom funds authorized in this section to carry out a program using scientific and engineering staff of the National Laboratories, during which the staff--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) assists teachers in teaching courses at the schools funded under this section;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) uses National Laboratory scientific equipment in teaching the courses; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) uses distance education and other technologies to provide assistance described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) to schools funded under this section that are not located near the National Laboratories.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) RESTRICTION- No State shall receive funding for more than 1 specialty school for mathematics and scienceS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) MAXIMUM NUMBER OF FUNDED SPECIALTY SCHOOLS PER STATE- No State shall receive funding for more than 1 specialty school for science and mathematics for a fiscal year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) MAXIMUM AMOUNT AND DURATION OF GRANTS- A grant awarded to a State for a specialty school for science and mathematics under this section--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) shall not exceed $2,000,000 for a fiscal year; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) shall not be provided for more than 3 fiscal years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(d) Federal and Non-Federal Shares-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) FEDERAL SHARE- The Federal share of the costs described in subsection (c)(1) shall not exceed 5033 percent.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) NON-FEDERAL SHARE- The non-Federal share of the costs described in subsection (c)(1) shall be--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) not less than 5067 percent; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) provided from non-Federal sources, in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(e) Application- Each State desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the DirectorTo be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a State shall submit to the Director an application at such time, in such manner, and accompanied bycontaining such information as the Director may require that describes--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) the process by which and selection criteria with which the State will select and designate a school as a specialty school for mathematics and sciencescience and mathematics in accordance with this section;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) how the State will ensure that funds made available under this section are used to establish or expand a specialty school for mathematics and sciencescience and mathematics--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) in accordance with the activities described in subsection (g); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) that has the capacity to improve the academic achievement of all students in all core academic subjects, and particularly in mathematics and sciencescience and mathematics;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) how the State will measure the extent to which the school increases student academic achievement on State academic achievement standards in mathematics, science, and, to thescience, mathematics, and, to the maximum extent applicable, technology and engineering;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) the curricula and materials to be used in the school;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(5) the availability of funds from non-Federal sources for the non-Federal share of the costs of the activities authorized under this section; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(6) how the State will use technical assistance and support from the Department, including the National Laboratories, and other entities with experience and expertise in mathematics, science, technology, and engineering education, including institutions of higher education.`(f)science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, including institutions of higher education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(f) Distribution- In awarding grants under this section, the Director shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) ensure a wide, equitable distribution among States that propose to serve students from urban and rural areas; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) provide equal consideration to States without National Laboratories.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(g) Uses of Funds-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERALREQUIREMENT- A State that receives a grant under this section shall use the funds made available through the grant to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) employ proven strategies and methods for improving student learning and teaching in mathematics, science, technology, and engineeringscience, technology, engineering, and mathematics;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) integrate into the curriculum of the school comprehensive mathematics and sciencescience and mathematics education, including instruction and assessments in mathematics, sciencescience, mathematics, and to the extent applicable, technology and engineering that are aligned with the State's academic content and student academic achievement standards (academic content and student academic achievement standards of the State, within the meaning of section 1111 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311)), classroom management, professional development, parental involvement, and school management; and`(C) provide high-quality and continuous teacher and staff professional development.`(2);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) create opportunities for enhanced and ongoing professional development for teachers that improves the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics content knowledge of the teachers; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) design and implement hands-on laboratory experiences to help prepare students to pursue postsecondary studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) SPECIAL RULE- Grant funds under this section may be used for activities described in paragraph (1) only if the activities are directly relateding to improving student academic achievement in mathematics, sciencescience, mathematics, and to the extent applicable, technology and engineering.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(h) Evaluation and Report-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) STATE EVALUATION AND REPORT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) EVALUATION- Each State that receives a grant under this section shall develop and carry out an evaluation and accountability plan for the activities funded through the grant that measures the impact of the activities, including measurable objectives for improved student academic achievement on State mathematics, science, and, to thescience, mathematics, and, to the maximum extent applicable, technology and engineering assessments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) REPORT- The State shall submit to the Director a report containing the results of the evaluation and accountability plan.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) REPORT TO CONGRESS- Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the PACE-Energy Act, the Director shall submit a report to the appropriate committees of Congress detailing the impact of the activities assisted with funds made available under this section to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) $2014,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;22,500,000 for fiscal year 2009; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and`(4) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 201130,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`CHAPTER 2--EXPERIENTIAL-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

`SEC. 3175. EXPERIENTIAL-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.

`(a) Internships Authorized-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- From the amounts authorized under subsection (f), the Secretary, acting through the Director, shall establish a summer internship program for middle school and secondary school students that shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) provide the students with internships at the National Laboratories;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) promote experiential, hands-on learning in mathematics, science, technology, or engineeringscience, technology, engineering, or mathematics; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) be of at least 2 weeks in duration.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) RESIDENTIAL SERVICES- The Director may provide residential services to students participating in the Internship authorized under this chapter.`(b) internship program authorized under paragraph (1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Selection Criteria-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- The Director shall establish criteria to determine the sufficient level of academic preparedness necessary for a student to be eligible for an internship under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) PARTICIPATION- The Director shall ensure the participation of students from a wide distribution of States, including States without National Laboratories.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT- The Director may consider the academic achievement of middle and secondary school students in determining eligibility under this section, in accordance with subsectionparagraphs (1) and (2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Priority-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- The Director shall give priority for an internship under this section to a student who meets the eligibility criteria described in subsection (b) and who attends a school--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A)(i) in which not less than 30 percent of the children enrolled in the school are from low-income families; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) that is designated with a school locale code of 6, 7, or 841, 42, or 43, as determined by the Secretary of Education; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) for which there is--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) a high percentage of teachers who are not teaching in the academic subject areas or grade levels in which the teachers were trained to teach;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) a high teacher turnover rate; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) a high percentage of teachers with emergency, provisional, or temporary certification or licenses.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) COORDINATION- The Director shall consult with the Secretary of Education in order to determine whether a student meets the priority requirements of this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(d) Outreach and Experiential-Based Programs for Minority Students-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary, acting through the Director, in cooperation with Hispanic-serving institutions, historically Black colleges and universities, tribally controlled colleges and universities, Alaska Native- and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, and other minority-serving institutions and nonprofit entities with substantial experience relating to outreach and experiential-based learning projects, shall establish outreach and experiential-based learning programs that will encourage underrepresented minority students in kindergarten through grade 12 to pursue careers in math, science, and engineering.`(2)science, engineering, and mathematics.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT- The Secretary shall ensure that the programs established under paragraph (1) involve, to the maximum extent practicable--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) participation by parents and educators; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) the establishment of partnerships with business organizations and appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) DISTRIBUTION- The Secretary shall ensure that the programs established under paragraph (1) are located in diverse geographic regions of the United States, to the maximum extent practicable.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(e) Evaluation and Accountability Plan- The Director shall develop an evaluation and accountability plan for the activities funded under this chapter that objectively measures the impact of the activities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(f) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 20117,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`CHAPTER 3--NATIONAL LABORATORIES CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE IN MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND ENGINEERINGENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION

`SEC. 3181. NATIONAL LABORATORIES CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE IN MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND ENGINEERINGENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION.

`(a) Definition of High-Need Public Secondary School- In this chaptersection, the term `high-need public secondary school' means a secondary school--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) with a high concentration of low-income individuals (as defined in section 1707 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6537)); orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) designated with a school locale code of 6, 7, or 841, 42, or 43, as determined by the Secretary of Education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Establishment- The Secretary shall establish at each of the National Laboratories a program to support a Center of Excellence in Mathematics, Science, Technology, and Engineering aScience, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (referred to in this section as a `Center of Excellence') in at least 1 high-need public secondary school located in the region ofserved by the National Laboratory to provide assistance in accordance with subsection (f).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Partnership- ECollaboration-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- To comply with subsection (g), each high-need public secondary school selected as a Center of Excellence and the National Laboratory shall form a partnership with a department that provides training for teachers and principals at an institution of higher education for purposes of compliance with subsection (g)school, department, or program of education at an institution of higher education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) NONPROFIT ENTITIES- The partnership may include a nonprofit entity with demonstrated experience and effectiveness in science or mathematics, as agreed to by other members of the partnership.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(d) Selection-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall establish criteria to guide the National Laboratories in selecting the sites of thefor Centers of Excellence.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) PROCESS- The National Laboratories shall select the sites of the CentersA National Laboratory shall select a site for a Center of Excellence through an open, widely publicized, and competitive -publicized, and competitive process.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(e) Goals- The Secretary shall establish goals and performance assessments for each Center of Excellence authorized under subsection (b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(f) Assistance- Consistent with sections 3165 and 3166, the Director shall make available necessary funds for a program using scientific and engineering staff of the National Laboratories, during which theassistance for a program established under this section through the use of scientific and engineering staff of a National Laboratory, including the use of staff--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) assists teachers in teaching courses at the Centers of Excellence in Mathematics, Science, Technology, and Engineering; and`(2) usesto assist teachers in teaching a course at a Center of Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) to use National Laboratory scientific equipment in the teaching of the courses.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(g) Special Rule- Eachs- A Center of Excellence in a region shall ensure--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) provision of clinical practicum, student teaching, or internship experiences for mathematics, science, and technology science, technology, and mathematics teacher candidates as part of its teacher preparation programthe teacher preparation program of the Center of Excellence;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) provision of supervision and mentoring for teacher candidates in the teacher preparation program; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) to the maximum extent practicable, provision of professional development for veteran teachers in the public secondary schools in the region.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(h) Evaluation- The Secretary shall consider the results of performance assessments required under subsection (e) in determining the contract award fee of a National Laboratory management and operations contractor.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) Plan- The Director shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) develop an evaluation and accountability plan for the activities funded under this chaptersection that objectively measures the impact of the activities; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) disseminate information obtained from those measurements.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(j) No Effect on Similar Programs- Nothing in this section displaces or otherwise affects any similar program being carried out as of the date of enactment of this subpartection at any National Laboratory under any other provision of law.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`CHAPTER 4--SUMMER INSTITUTES

`SEC. 3185. SUMMER INSTITUTES.

`(a) Definitions- In this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) ELIGIBLE PARTNER- The term `eligible partner' means--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) the mathematics, science, or engineeringscience, engineering, or mathematics department at an institution of higher education, acting in coordination with a departmentschool, department, or program of education at an institution of higher education that provides training for teachers and principals; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) a nonprofit entity with expertise in providing professional development for mathematics, science, or technology teachers.`(2)science, technology, engineering, or mathematics teachers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) SUMMER INSTITUTE- The term `summer institute' means an institute, conducoperated during the summer, that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) is conduchosted by a National Laboratory or an eligible partner;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) is operated for a period of not less than 2 weeks;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(BC) includes, as a component, a program that provides direct interaction between students and faculty, including personnel of 1 or more National Laboratories who have scientific expertise;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





and`(C`(D) provides for follow-up training, during the academic year, that is conducted in the classroom; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) provides hands-on science, technology, engineering, or mathematics laboratory experience for not less than 2 days.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Summer Institute Programs Authorized-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) PROGRAMS AT THE NATIONAL LABORATORIES- The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall establish or expand programs of summer institutes at each of the National Laboratories to provide additional training to strengthen the mathematics, science, technology, and engineering teaching skills of teachers science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teaching skills of teachers employed at public schools for kindergarten through grade 12, in accordance with the activities authorized under subsections (c) and (dparagraphs (3) and (4).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) PROGRAMS WITH ELIGIBLE PARTNERS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall identify and provide assistance as described in subparagraph (C) to eligible partners to establish or expand programs of summer institutes that provide additional training to strengthen the mathematics, science, technology, and engineering teaching skills of teachers science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teaching skills of teachers employed at public schools for kindergarten through grade 12, in accordance with the activities authorized under subsections (c) and (dparagraphs (3) and (4).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) SELECTION CRITERIA- In identifying eligible partners under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall require that partner institutions describe--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) how the partner institution has the capability to administer the program in accordance with this section, which may include a description of any existing programs at the institution of the applicant that are targeted at education of science and mathematics teachers and the number of teachers graduated annually from the programs; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) how the partner institution will assist the National Laboratory in carrying out the activities described in paragraphs (3) and (4).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) ASSISTANCE- Consistent with sections 3165 and 3166, the Director shall make available necessary funds for a program using scientific and engineeringfunds authorized under this section to carry out a program using scientific and engineering staff of the National Laboratories, during which the staff--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) assists in providing training to teachers at summer institutes; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) uses National Laboratory scientific equipment in the training.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) LIMITATION OF AMOUNT- To carry out this paragraph, the Director may use not more than 50 percent of the amounts authorized under subsection (h) for a fiscal year.`(c) Required Activities- Each program authorized under subsection (b) shall--`(1) create opportunities for 3) REQUIRED ACTIVITIES- Funds authorized under this section shall be used for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) creating opportunities for enhanced and ongoing professional development for teachers that improves the mathematics, science, technology, and engineering content knowledge of such science, technology, engineering, and mathematics content knowledge of the teachers;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) include material pertaining toB) training to improve the ability of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teachers to translate content knowledge and recent developments in mathematics, science, technology, and engineering pedagogy;`(3) provide training on the use and integration of technology in the classroom;`(4) directly relate to the curriculum and academic areas in which the teachers provide instruction;`(5) enhance the ability of the teachers to understand and use the challenging State academic content standards for mathematics, science, and, to the extent applicable, technology and engineering and to select appropriate curricula;`(6) train teacherspedagogy into classroom practice, including training to use curricula that are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) based on scientific research;`(Bi) based on scientific research; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) aligned with challenging State academic content standards;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





and`(C) object-centered, experiment-oriented, and concept- and content-based;`(7) provide professional development activities, including `(C) training on the use and integration of technology in the classrooms; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) supplemental and follow-up activities; and`(8) allow for the exchange of best practices among the participants.`(d) Permissible Activities- A program authorized under subsection (b) may include--`(1) a program that provides teachers with opportunities to work under the guidance of experienced teachers and college faculty;`(2professional development activities as described in subsection (a)(2)(D).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) ADDITIONAL USES OF FUNDS- Funds authorized under this section may be used for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) training and classroom materials to assist in carrying out paragraph (3);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) expenses associated with scientific and engineering staff at the National Laboratories assisting in providing training to teachers at summer institutes;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) instruction in the use and integration of data and assessments to inform and instruct classroom practice; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) extended master teacher programs.`(e)D) stipends and travel expenses for teachers participating in the program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Priority- To the maximum extent practicable, the Director shall ensure that each summer institute program authorized under subsection (b) provides training to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) teachers from a wide range of school districts;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) teachers from disadvantaghigh-need school districts; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) teachers from groups underrepresented in the fields of mathematics, science, technology, and engineeringscience, technology, engineering, and mathematics teaching, including women and members of minority groups.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(fd) Coordination and Consultation- The Director shall consult and coordinate with the Secretary of Education and the Director of the National Science Foundation regarding the implementation of the programs authorized under subsection (b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ge) Evaluation and Accountability Plan-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- The Director shall develop an evaluation and accountability plan for the activities funded under this section that measures the impact of the activities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) CONTENTS- The evaluation and accountability plan shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) measurable objectives to increase the number of mathematics, science, and technology teachers science, technology, and mathematics teachers who participate in the summer institutes involved; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) measurable objectives for improved student academic achievement on State mathematics, science, and to the extentscience, mathematics, and to the maximum extent applicable, technology and engineering assessments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) REPORT TO CONGRESS- The Secretary shall submit to Congress with the annual budget submission of the Secretary a report on how the activities assisted under this section improve the mathematics, science, technology, and engineering teaching skills of participating teachers.`(hscience, technology, engineering, and mathematics teaching skills of participating teachers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(f) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) $215,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;20,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and`(4) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 201125,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`CHAPTER 5--NUCLEAR SCIENCE EDUCATIONATIONAL ENERGY EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT

`SEC. 3191. NATIONAL ENERGY EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT.

SEC. 5004. NUCLEAR SCIENCE TALENT EXPANSION PROGRAM FOR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

`(a) Purposes- The purposes of this section are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) to address the decline in the number of and resources available to nuclear science programs of institutions of higher education; and`(2) to increase the number of at institutions of higher education; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to increase the number of graduates with degrees in nuclear science, an area of strategic importance to the economic competitiveness and energy security of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Definition of Nuclear Science- In this section, the term `nuclear science' includes--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) nuclear science;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) nuclear engineering;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) nuclear chemistry;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) radio chemistry; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(5) health physics.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Establishment- The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall establish in accordance with this section shall establish, in accordance with this section, a program to expand and enhance institution of higher education nuclear science educational capabilities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(d) Nuclear Science Program Expansion Grants for Institutions of Higher Education-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall award up to 3 competitive grants for each fiscal year to institutions of higher education that establish new academic degree programs in nuclear science.` (1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall award up to 3 competitive grants for each fiscal year to institutions of higher education that establish new academic degree programs in nuclear science. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ELIGIBILITY- To be eligible for a grant under this subsection, an applicant shall partner with a National PRIORITY- In evaluating grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to proposals that involve partnerships with a National Laboratory or other eligible nuclear-related entity, as determined by the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3)(3) CRITERIA- Criteria for a grant awarded under this subsection shall be based on--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) the potential to attract new students to the program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) academic rigor; and` (B) academic rigor; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the ability to offer hands-on learning opportunities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) (4) DURATION AND AMOUNT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) DURATION- A grant under this subsection shall be 5 years in duration.`may be up to 5 years in duration.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) AMOUNT- An institution of higher education that receives a grant under this subsection shall be eligible for up to $1,000,000 for each year of the grant period.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(5) USE OF FUNDS- An institution of higher education that receives a grant under this subsection may use the grant to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) recruit and retain new faculty;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) develop core and specialized course content;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) encourage collaboration between faculty and researchers in the nuclear science field; or`andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) support outreach efforts to recruit students.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(e) Nuclear Science Competitiveness Grants for Institutions of Higher Education-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary, acting through the Director(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall award up to 10 competitive grants for each fiscal year to institutions of higher education with5 competitive grants for each fiscal year to institutions of higher education with existing academic degree programs that produce graduates in nuclear science.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) CRITERIA- Criteria for a grant awarded under this subsection shall be based on the potential for increasing the number and academic quality of graduates in the nuclear sciences who enter into careers in nuclear-related fields.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) DURATION AND AMOUNT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) DURATION- A grant under this subsection shall be 5 years in duration.`may be up to 5 years in duration.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) AMOUNT- An institution of higher education that receives a grant under this subsection shall be eligible for up to $500,000 for each year of the grant period.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) USE OF FUNDS- An institution of higher education that receives a grant under this subsection may use the grant to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) increase the number of graduates in nuclear science that enter into careers in the nuclear science field;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) enhance the teaching of advanced nuclear technologies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) aggressively pursue collaboration opportunities with industry and National Laboratories;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) bolster or sustain nuclear infrastructure and research facilities of the institution of higher education, such as research and training reactors or laboratories; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) provide tuition assistance and stipends to undergraduate and graduate students.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(f) Authorization of Appropriations-`(1) (f) Authorization of Appropriations- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) NUCLEAR SCIENCE PROGRAM EXPANSION GRANTS FOR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection (d)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) $9,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;`(B) $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;`(C) $18,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and`(D) $22,500,000 for fiscal year 2011.` (A) $3,500,000 for fiscal year 2008; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) $6,500,000 for fiscal year 2009; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) $9,500,000 for fiscal year 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) NUCLEAR SCIENCE COMPETITIVENESS GRANTS FOR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection (e)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) $11,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;`(B) $16,500,000 for fiscal year 2009;`(C) $22,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and`(D) $27,500,000 for fiscal year 2011.`CHAPTER 6--ADMINISTRATION`SEC. 3195. MENTORING PROGRAM.`(a) In General- As part of the programs established under chapters 1, 3, and 4, the Director shall establish a program to recruit and provide mentors for women and underrepresented minorities who are interested in careers in mathematics, science, and engineering. The program shall pair mentors with women and minorities who are in programs of study at specialty schools for mathematics and science, Centers of Excellence, and summer institutes established under chapters 1, 3, and 4, respectively.`(b) Program Evaluation- The Secretary shall annually--`(1) use metrics to evaluate the success of the programs established under subsection (a); and`(2) submit to Congress a report that describes the results of each evaluation.'.`CHAPTER 7--NATIONAL ENERGY EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT`SEC. 3196. NATIONAL ENERGY EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT.` (A) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) $5,500,000 for fiscal year 2009; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(a) Purpose- The purpose of this section is to enable all students to reach or exceed grade-level academic achievement standards and to enhance the knowledge of the students of the science of energy, the sources of energy, the uses of energy in society, and the environmental consequences and benefits of alls- The purposes of this section are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to address the decline in the number of and resources available to hydrocarbon systems science programs at institutions of higher education; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to increase the number of graduates with degrees in hydrocarbon systems science, an area of strategic importance to the economic competitiveness and energy sources and uses by--`(1) improving instruction in science related to energy for students in kindergarten through grade 9 through the implementation of energy education programs and with the support of comprehensive science education initiatives that are based on the best available evidence of effectiveness; and`(2) providing professional development and instructional leadership activities for teachers and, if appropriate, for administrators and other school staff, on the implementation of comprehensive mathematics initiatives designed--`(A) to improve the understanding of students of the scientific, economic, andecurity of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Definition of Hydrocarbon Systems Science- In this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The term `hydrocarbon systems science' means a science involving natural gas or other petroleum exploration, development, or production.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) INCLUSIONS- The term `hydrocarbon systems science' includes--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) petroleum or reservoir engineering;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) environmental impacts of energy;`(B) to improve the knowledge of teachers, administrators, and other school staff related to the scientific content of energy;`(C) to increase the use of effective instructional practices; and`(D) to reflect science content that is consistent with State academic achievement standards in mathematics described in section 1111(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)).`(b) Program- The Secretary (acting through the Director) (referred to in this section as the `Secretary') shall provide grants to States to assist the States in establishing or expanding programs to enhance the quality of science education in elementary schools with respect to conventional and emerging energy sources and uses.`geoscience;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) petrophysics;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) geophysics;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) geochemistry;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) petroleum geology;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) ocean engineering;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) environmental engineering; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) computer science, as computer science relates to a science described in this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Coordination- In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall use and coordinate with existing State and national programs that have a similar mission.`Establishment- The Secretary shall establish, in accordance with this section, a program to expand and enhance institution of higher education hydrocarbon systems science educational capabilities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Grants- The Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, under this section to States to pay the Federal share of the costs of establishing or expanding high-quality energy education curricula and programs.`Hydrocarbon Systems Science Program Expansion Grants for Institutions of Higher Education-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall award up to 3 competitive grants for each fiscal year to institutions of higher education that establish new academic degree programs in hydrocarbon systems science.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ELIGIBILITY- In evaluating grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to proposals that involve partnerships with the National Laboratories, including the National Energy Technology Laboratory, or other hydrocarbon systems scientific entities, as determined by the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) CRITERIA- Criteria for a grant awarded under this subsection shall be based on--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the potential to attract new students to the program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) academic rigor; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the ability to offer hands-on learning opportunities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) DURATION AND AMOUNT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) DURATION- A grant under this subsection may be up to 5 years in duration.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) AMOUNT- An institution of higher education that receives a grant under this subsection shall be eligible for up to $1,000,000 for each year of the grant period.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) USE OF FUNDS- An institution of higher education that receives a grant under this subsection may use the grant to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) recruit and retain new faculty;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) develop core and specialized course content;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) encourage collaboration between faculty and researchers in the hydrocarbon systems science field; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) support outreach efforts to recruit students.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Programs- In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall award grants to establish or expand programs that enhance--`(1) the quality of science education in elementary schools with respect to conventional and emerging energy sources and uses; and`(2) the understanding of students of the science, economics, and environmental impacts of energy production and consumption.`(f) Federal and Non-Federal Shares-`(1) FEDERAL SHARE- The Federal share of the costs of carrying out a program under this section shall be 50 percent.`Hydrocarbon Systems Science Competitiveness Grants for Institutions of Higher Education-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall award up to 5 competitive grants for each fiscal year to institutions of higher education with existing academic degree programs that produce graduates in hydrocarbon systems science.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) NON-FEDERAL SHARE- The non-Federal share of the costs of carrying out a program under this section may be provided in the form of cash or in-kind contributions, fairly evaluated, including services.`(g) Distribution- In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall--`(1) ensure a wide, equitable distribution of grants among States that propose to serve students from urban and rural areas; and`(2) provide equal consideration to States without National Laboratories.`(h) Uses of Funds-`(1) IN GENERAL- Subject to paragraph (2), States, or other entities through States, that receive grants under this section shall use the grant funds to--`CRITERIA- Criteria for a grant awarded under this subsection shall be based on the potential for increasing the number and academic quality of graduates in hydrocarbon systems sciences who enter into careers in natural gas and other petroleum exploration, development, and production related fields.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) DURATION AND AMOUNT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) employ proven strategies and methods for improving student learning and teaching regarding energy;`DURATION- A grant under this subsection may be up to 5 years in duration.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) integrate into the curriculum of schools comprehensive, science-based, energy education, including instruction and assessments that are aligned with--`(i) the academic content and student academic achievement standards of the State (within the meaning of section 1111 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311));`(ii) classroom management;`(iii) professional development;`(iv) parental involvement; and`(v) school management; and`(C) provide high-quality and continuous teacher and staff professional development.`(2) REQUIREMENTS- Grant funds under this section may be used for activities described in paragraph (1) only if the activities are directly related to improving student academic achievement related to--`(A) the science of energy;`(B) the sources of energy;`(C) the uses of energy in society; and`(D) the environmental consequences and benefits of all energy sources and uses.`(i) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section--`(1) $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009; and`AMOUNT- An institution of higher education that receives a grant under this subsection shall be eligible for up to $500,000 for each year of the grant period.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) USE OF FUNDS- An institution of higher education that receives a grant under this subsection may use the grant to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) increase the number of graduates in the hydrocarbon systems sciences that enter into careers in the natural gas and other petroleum exploration, development, and production science fields;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) enhance the teaching of advanced natural gas and other petroleum exploration, development, and production technologies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) aggressively pursue collaboration opportunities with industry and the National Laboratories, including the National Energy Technology Laboratory;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) bolster or sustain natural gas and other petroleum exploration, development, and production infrastructure and research facilities of the institution of higher education, such as research and training or laboratories; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) provide tuition assistance and stipends to undergraduate and graduate students.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Authorization of Appropriations-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) HYDROCARBON SYSTEMS SCIENCE PROGRAM EXPANSION GRANTS FOR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection (d)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) $3,500,000 for fiscal year 2008;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) $6,500,000 for fiscal year 2009; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) $9,500,000 for fiscal year 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011.'.SEC. 2004HYDROCARBON SYSTEMS SCIENCE COMPETITIVENESS GRANTS FOR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection (e)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) $5,500,000 for fiscal year 2009; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5006. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY EARLY- CAREER RESEARCH GRANTAWARDS FOR SCIENCE. ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS RESEARCHERS.

(a) Purpose- It is the purpose of this section to authorize research grants in the Department for early-careerGrant Awards- The Director of the Office of Science of the Department (referred to in this section as the `Director') shall carry out a program to award grants to scientists and engineers for purposes of pursuing independent research.(b) Definition of Eligible Early-Career Researcher- In this section, the term `eligible early-at an early career researcher' means an individual who-stage at institutions of higher education and organizations described in subsection (c) to conduct research in fields relevant to the mission of the Department.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Amount and Duration-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) AMOUNT- The amount of a grant awarded under this section shall be--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) not less than $80,000; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) not more than $125,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) DURATION- The term of a grant awarded under this section shall be not more than 5 years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Eligibility-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an individual shall, as determined by the Director--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) subject to paragraph (2), have completed a doctorate or other terminal degree not more than 10 years before the date of application for a grant authorized under this section, except as provided in subsection (c)(3); and(2) hasn which the proposal for a grant is submitted under subsection (e)(1);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) have demonstrated promise in the field of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, computer science, or computational science.(c) Grant Program Authorized-(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall award not less than 65 grants per year to outstanding eligible early-career researchers to support the work of such researchers in the Department, particularly at the National Laboratories, or other federally-funded research and development centersa science, engineering, or mathematics field relevant to the missions of the Department; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) be employed--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) in a tenure track-position as an assistant professor or equivalent title at an institution of higher education in the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) at an organization in the United States that is a nonprofit, nondegree-granting research organization such as a museum, observatory, or research laboratory; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) as a scientist at a National Laboratory.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) APPLICATION- An eligible early-career researcher who desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require.(3) WAIVER- The Secretary may find eligible a candidateWAIVER- Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(A), the Director may determine that an individual who has completed a doctorate more than 10 years prior to the date of application if the candidatebefore the date of submission of a proposal under subsection (e)(1) is eligible to receive a grant under this section if the individual was unable to conduct research for a period of time because of extenuating circumstances, including military service or family responsibilities.(4) DURATION AND AMOUNT-(A) DURATION- A grant under this section shall be 5 years in duration.(B) AMOUNT- An eligible early career-researcher who receives a grant under this section shall receive up to $100,000 for each year of the grant period.(5) USE OF FUNDS- An eligible early career-researcher who receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds for basic research in natural sciences, engineering, mathematics, or computer sciences at the Department, particularly the National Laboratories, or other federally-funded research and development center.(6) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section--(A) $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;(B) $19,500,000 for fiscal year 2009;(C) $26,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and(D) $32,500,000 for fiscal year 2011.SEC. 2005. ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AUTHORITY-ENERGY.(a) Definitions- In this section:(1) ADVISORY BOARD- The term `Advisory Board' means the Advisory Board established under subsection, as determined by the Director.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) .(2) AUTHORITY- The term `Authority' means the Advanced Research Projects Authority--Energy established under subsection (b).(3) DIRECTOR- The term `Director' means the Director of the Authority appointed under subsection (c)(1).(4) ENERGY TECHNOLOGY- The term `energy technology' means technology, including carbon-neutral technology, used for--(A) fossil energy;(B) carbon sequestration;(C) nuclear energy;(D) renewable energy;(E) energy distribution; or(F) energy efficiency technology.(b) Establishment- The Secretary shall establish an Advanced Research Projects Authority-Energy to overcome the long-term and high-risk technological barriers in the development of energy technologies.(c) DirectorSelection- Grant recipients shall be selected on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Selection Process and Criteria-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) APPOINTMENT- The Secretary shall appoint a Director of the Authority.(2) QUALIFICATIONS- The Director shall be an individual who, by reason of professional background and experience, is especially qualified to advise the Secretary on matters pertaining to long-term, high-risk programs to overcome long-term and high-risk technological barriers to the development of energy technologies.(3) DUTIES- The Director shall--(A) employ such qualified technical staff as are necessary to carry out the duties of the Authority, including providing staff for the Advisory Committee;(B) serve as the selection official forPROPOSAL- To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an individual shall submit to the Director a proposal at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may require.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) EVALUATION- In evaluating the proposals relating to energy technologies that are solicited within the Department;(C) develop metrics to assist in developing funding criteria and for assessing the success of existing programs;(D) terminate programs carried out under this section that are not achieving the goals of the programs; and(E) perform such duties relating to long-term and high-risk technological barriers in the development of energy technologies as are determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.(d) Advisory Board-(1) APPOINTMENT- The Secretary shall, consistent with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5submitted under paragraph (1), the Director shall take into consideration, at a minimum--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the intellectual merit of the proposed project;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the innovative or transformative nature of the proposed research;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the extent to which the proposal integrates research and education, including undergraduate education in science and engineering disciplines; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the potential of the applicant for leadership at the frontiers of knowledge.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Diversity Requirement-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- In awarding grants under this section, the Director shall endeavor to ensure that the grant recipients represent a variety of types of institutions of higher education and nonprofit, nondegree-granting research organizations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REQUIREMENT- In support of the goal described in paragraph (1), the Director shall broadly disseminate information regarding the deadlines applicable to, and manner in which to submit, proposals for grants under this section, including by conducting outreach activities for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) part B institutions, as defined in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. App.), establish, and appoint members to, an Advisory Board to make recommendations to the Secretary and the Director on actions necessary to carry out this section1061 ); and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) minority institutions, as defined in section 365 of that Act (20 U.S.C. 1067k).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Report on Recruiting and Retaining Early Career Science and Engineering Researchers at National Laboratories-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report describing efforts of the Director to recruit and retain young scientists and engineers at early career stages at the National Laboratories.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) QUALIFICATIONS- The Advisory Board shall consist of individuals who, by reason of professional background and experience, are especially qualified to advise the Secretary and the Director on matters pertaining to long-term and high-risk technological barriers in the development of energy technologies.(3) TERM- A member of the Advisory Board shall be appointed for a term of 5 years.(4) INFORMATION- Each fiscal year, individuals who carry out energy technology programs of the Department and staff of the Authority shall provide to the Advisory Board written proposals and oral briefings on long-term and high-risk technological barriers that are critical to overcome for the successful development of energy technologies.(5) DUTIES- Each fiscal year, the Advisory Board shall--INCLUSIONS- The report under paragraph (1) shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a description of applicable Department and National Laboratory policies and procedures, including policies and procedures relating to financial incentives, awards, promotions, time reserved for independent research, access to equipment or facilities, and other forms of recognition, designed to attract and retain young scientists and engineers;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) an evaluation of the impact of the incentives described in subparagraph (A)recommend to the Secretary and the Director--(i) in order of priority, proposals of energy programs of the Department that are critical to overcoming long-term and high-risk technological barriers to enable the successful development of energy technologies; and(ii) additional programs not covered in the proposals that are critical to overcoming the barriers described in clause (i); and(B) based on the metrics described in subsection (c)(3)(C), make recommendations to the Secretary and the Directory concerning whether programs funded under this section are achieving the goals of the programs.(e) Review- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences under which the Academy shall--(1) conduct reviews during each of calendar years 2010 and 2012 to determine the success of the activities carried out under this section; and(2) submit to Congress, the Secretary, and the Director a report describing the results of each review.(f) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2011 on--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the careers of young scientists and engineers at the National Laboratories; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the quality of the research at the National Laboratories and in Department programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) a description of barriers, if any, that exist with respect to efforts to recruit and retain young scientists and engineers, including the limited availability of full-time equivalent positions, legal and procedural requirements, and pay grading systems; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the amount of funding devoted to efforts to recruit and retain young researchers, and the source of the funds.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary, acting through the Director, to carry out this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 20065007. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY FOR BASIC RESEARCH.

Section 971(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16311(b)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in paragraph (2), by striking `and' at the end;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in paragraph (3)--(A) by striking `$5,200,000,000' and inserting `$4,800,000,000'; and(B) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon, by striking the period at the end and inserting `; and'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) $4,945,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and`(5) $5,2655,814,000,000 for fiscal year 20110.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 20075008. DISCOVERY SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING INNOVATION INSTITUTES.

(a) In General- The Secretary shall establish distributed, multidisciplinary institutes (referred to in this section as `Institutes') centered at National Laboratories to apply fundamental science and engineering discoveries to technological innovations related to the missions of the Department anding to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the missions of the Department; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the global competitiveness of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Topical Areas- The Institutes shall support scientific and engineering research and education activities on critical emerging technologies determined by the Secretary to be essential to global competitiveness, including activities relateding to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) sustainable energy technologies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) multi-scale materials and processes;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) micro- and nano-engineering;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) computational and information engineering; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) genomics and proteomics.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Partnerships- In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall establish partnerships between the Institutes and--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) institutions of higher education to--(A)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to train undergraduate and graduate engineering and science students;(B) develop innovativscience and engineering students;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) to develop innovative undergraduate and graduate educational curricula; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) conduct research within the to conduct research within the topical areas described in subsection (b); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) private industry to develop innovative technologies within the topical areas described in subsection (b);(3) State and local governments to promote regionally-based commercialization and entrepreneurship; and(4) financing entities to guide successful technology commercialization.(d) Merit-Based Selection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Grants-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- For each fiscal year, the Secretary may select not more than 3 Institutes to receive a grant under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) MERIT-BASED SELECTION- The selection of Institutes under this section shall beparagraph (1) shall be--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) merit-based and made through an open, competitive selection proces; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) made through an open, competitive selection process.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) TERM- An Institute shall receive a grant under this section for not more than 3 fiscal years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Restriction- Not more than 3 Institutes shall receive grants for a fiscal year.(f) Review- The Secretary shall offer to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences under which the Academy shall, not later than 3 and 6by not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) review the performance of the Institutes under this section; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) submit to Congress and the Secretary a report describing the results of the review.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the activities off) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to provide grants to each Institute selected under this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2011.SEC. 20080.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5009. PROTECTING AMERICA'S COMPETITIVE EDGE (PACE) GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.

(a) Definition of Eligible Student- In this section, the term `eligible student' means a student who attends an institution of higher education that offers a doctoral degree in a field relevant to a mission area of the Department.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Establishment- The Secretary shall establish a graduate fellowship program for eligible students pursuing a doctoral degree in a mission area of the Department.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Selection-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall award fellowships to eligible students under this section through a competitive merit review process (, involving written and oral interviews), that will result in a wide distribution of awards throughout the United States, as determined by the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CRITERIA- The Secretary shall establish selection criteria for awarding fellowships under this section that require an eligible student to--(A)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to pursue a field of science or engineering of importance to thea mission area of the Department;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) rank in the upper 10 percent of the class of the eligible student;(C)to demonstrate to the Secretary--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the capacity to understand technical topics relatedof the eligible student to understand technical topics relating to the fellowship that can be derived from the first principles of the technical topics;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) imagination and creativity;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) leadership skills in organizations or intellectual endeavors, demonstrated through awards and past experience; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) excellent verbal and communication skills to explain, defend, and demonstrate an understanding of technical subjects relateding to the fellowship; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D)C) to be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Awards-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) AMOUNT- A fellowship awarded under this section shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) provide an annual living stipend; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) cover--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) graduate tuition at an institution of higher education described in subsection (a); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) incidental expenses associated with curricula and research at the institution of higher education (including books, computers, and software).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) DURATION- A fellowship awarded under this section shall be for a period of not greater than 5 yearsup to 3 years duration within a 5-year period.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) PORTABILITY- A fellowship awarded under this section shall be portable with the fellow.(e) Administration- The Secretary (acting through the Director of Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education)eligible student.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Administration- The Secretary, acting through the Director of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Education--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) shall administer the program established under this section; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





,(2) may enter into a contract with a nonprofit entity to administer the program, including the selection and award of fellowships.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) FELLOWSHIPS- There are authorized to be appropriated to award fellowships under this section--(A) $9,300,000 for 200 fellowships for fiscal year 2008;(B) $14,500,000 for 300 fellowships for fiscal year 2009 (including non-expiring fellowships for prior fiscal years);(C) $25,000,000 for 500 fellowships for fiscal year 2010 (including non-expiring fellowships for prior fiscal years); and(D) $35,500,000 for 700 fellowships for fiscal year 2011 (including non-$7,500,000 for fiscal year 2008;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, including nonexpiring fellowships for the preceding fiscal year; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, including nonexpiring fellowships for prior fiscal years).(2) ADMINISTRATION- There are authorized to be appropriated for administrative expenses incurred in carrying out this section--(A) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;(B) $1,500,000 for fiscal year 2009;(C) $2,500,000 for fiscal year 2010; and(D) $3,500,000 for fiscal year 2011eceding fiscal years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2009. TITLE IX COMPLIANCE.(a) In General- Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report that describes actions taken by the Department of Energy to5010. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING CERTAIN RECOMMENDATIONS AND REVIEWS.

It is the sense of Congress that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the Department of Energy should implement the recommendations contained in the report of the Government Accountability Office numbered 04-639.(b) Compliance- To comply; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the Secretary of Energy should annually conduct reviews in accordance with title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.), the Secretary of Energy shall annually conduct compliance reviews of at least 2 recipients of Department of Energy grants.SEC. 2010. HIGH-RISK, HIGH-REWARD RESEARCH.(a) Definition of High-Risk, High-Reward Research- In this section, the term `high-risk, high reward research' means research that--(1) has the potential for yielding results with far-ranging implications;(2) is too novel or spans too diverse a range of disciplines to fare well in the traditional peer review process; and(3) is supportive of the missions of the sponsoring agency.(b) Establishment of Grant Programs-(1) ENERGY GRANT PROGRAM- The Secretary shall establish a grant program to encourage the conduct of high-risk, high-reward research at the Department.(2) GEOLOGICAL GRANT PROGRAM- The Director of the United States Geological Survey shall establish a grant program to encourage the conduct of high-risk, high-reward research at the United States Geological Survey.SEC. 2 of at least 2 recipients of grants provided by the Department of Energy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5011. DISTINGUISHED SCIENTIST PROGRAM.

(a) Purpose- The purpose of this section is to promote scientific and academic excellence through collaborations between institutions of higher education and the NationalNational Laboratories.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Establishment- The Secretary shall establish a program to support the joint appointment of distinguished scientists by institutions of higher education and National Laboratories.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Qualifications- Successful candidates under this section shall be persons whoTo be eligible for appointment as a distinguished scientist under this section, an individual, by reason of professional background and experience, arshall be able to bring international recognition to the appointing institution of higher education and National Laboratory in their field of scientific endeavor.(d) or National Laboratory in the field of scientific endeavor of the individual.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Selection- A distinguished scientist appointed under this section shall be selected through an open, competitive process.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Appointment-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION- An appointment by an institution of higher education under this section shall be filled within the tenure allotment of the institution of higher education at a, at a minimum rank of professor.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) NATIONAL LABORATORY- An appointment by a National Laboratory under this section shall be at the rank of the highest grade of distinguished scientist or technical staff of the National Laboratory.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Duration- An appointment under this section shall be for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) be for a term of 6 years, consisting; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) consist of 2 3-year funding allotments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Use of Funds- Funds made available under this section may be used for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the salary of the distinguished scientist and support staff;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral appointments;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) research-related equipment;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) professional travel; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) such other requirements as the Director determines arSecretary determines to be necessary to carry out the purpose of the program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Review-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The appointment of a distinguished scientist under this section shall be reviewed at the end of the first 3-year allotment for the distinguished scientist through an open peer-review process to determine whether the appointment is meeting the purpose of this section under subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) FUNDING- Funding of the appointment of the distinguished scientist for the second 3-year allotment shall be determined based on the review conducted under paragraph (1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Cost Sharing- To be eligible for assistance under this section, an appointing institution of higher education shall pay at least 50 percent of the total costs of the appointment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(j) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(a) Definitions- In this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ARPA-E- The term `ARPA-E' means the Advanced Research Projects Agency--Energy established by subsection (b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) DIRECTOR- The term `Director' means the Director of ARPA-E appointed under subsection (d).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) FUND- The term `Fund' means the Energy Transformation Acceleration Fund established under subsection (m)(1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Establishment- There is established the Advanced Research Projects Agency--Energy within the Department to overcome the long-term and high-risk technological barriers in the development of energy technologies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Goals-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The goals of ARPA-E shall be--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to enhance the economic and energy security of the United States through the development of energy technologies that result in--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) reductions of imports of energy from foreign sources;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) reductions of energy-related emissions, including greenhouse gases; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) improvement in the energy efficiency of all economic sectors; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) to ensure that the United States maintains a technological lead in developing and deploying advanced energy technologies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) MEANS- ARPA-E shall achieve the goals established under paragraph (1) through energy technology projects by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) identifying and promoting revolutionary advances in fundamental sciences;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) translating scientific discoveries and cutting-edge inventions into technological innovations; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) accelerating transformational technological advances in areas that industry by itself is not likely to undertake because of technical and financial uncertainty.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Director-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) APPOINTMENT- There shall be in the Department of Energy a Director of ARPA-E, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) QUALIFICATIONS- The Director shall be an individual who, by reason of professional background and experience, is especially qualified to advise the Secretary on, and manage research programs addressing, matters pertaining to long-term and high-risk technological barriers to the development of energy technologies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) RELATIONSHIP TO SECRETARY- The Director shall report to the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PROGRAMS- No other programs within the Department shall report to the Director.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Responsibilities- The responsibilities of the Director shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) approving all new programs within ARPA-E;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) developing funding criteria and assessing the success of programs through the establishment of technical milestones;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) administering the Fund through awards to institutions of higher education, companies, research foundations, trade and industry research collaborations, or consortia of such entities, which may include federally-funded research and development centers, to achieve the goals described in subsection (c) through targeted acceleration of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) novel early-stage energy research with possible technology applications;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) development of techniques, processes, and technologies, and related testing and evaluation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) research and development of manufacturing processes for novel energy technologies; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) coordination with nongovernmental entities for demonstration of technologies and research applications to facilitate technology transfer; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) terminating programs carried out under this section that are not achieving the goals of the programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Personnel-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) PROGRAM MANAGERS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- The Director shall designate employees to serve as program managers for each of the programs established pursuant to the responsibilities established for ARPA-E under subsection (e).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) RESPONSIBILITIES- A program manager of a program shall be responsible for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) establishing research and development goals for the program, including through the convening of workshops and conferring with outside experts, and publicizing the goals of the program to the public and private sectors;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) soliciting applications for specific areas of particular promise, especially areas that the private sector or the Federal Government are not likely to undertake alone;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) building research collaborations for carrying out the program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) selecting on the basis of merit, with advice under subsection (j) as appropriate, each of the projects to be supported under the program after considering--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) the novelty and scientific and technical merit of the proposed projects;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) the demonstrated capabilities of the applicants to successfully carry out the proposed project;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) the consideration by the applicant of future commercial applications of the project, including the feasibility of partnering with 1 or more commercial entities; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(IV) such other criteria as are established by the Director;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) monitoring the progress of projects supported under the program; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vi) recommending program restructure or termination of research partnerships or whole projects.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) TERM- The term of a program manager shall be 3 years and may be renewed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) HIRING AND MANAGEMENT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- The Director shall have the authority to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) make appointments of scientific, engineering, and professional personnel without regard to the civil service laws; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) fix the compensation of such personnel at a rate to be determined by the Director.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) NUMBER- The Director shall appoint not less than 70, and not more than 120, personnel under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) PRIVATE RECRUITING FIRMS- The Secretary, or the Director serving as an agent of the Secretary, may contract with private recruiting firms for the hiring of qualified technical staff to carry out this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) ADDITIONAL STAFF- The Director may use all authorities in existence on the date of enactment of this Act that are provided to the Secretary to hire administrative, financial, and clerical staff as necessary to carry out this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Reports and Roadmaps-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ANNUAL REPORT- As part of the annual budget request submitted for each fiscal year, the Director shall provide to the relevant authorizing and appropriations committees of Congress a report describing projects supported by ARPA-E during the previous fiscal year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) STRATEGIC VISION ROADMAP- Not later than October 1, 2008, and October 1, 2011, the Director shall provide to the relevant authorizing and appropriations committees of Congress a roadmap describing the strategic vision that ARPA-E will use to guide the choices of ARPA-E for future technology investments over the following 3 fiscal years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Coordination and Nonduplication-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- To the maximum extent practicable, the Director shall ensure that the activities of ARPA-E are coordinated with, and do not duplicate the efforts of, programs and laboratories within the Department and other relevant research agencies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER COORDINATOR- To the extent appropriate, the Director may coordinate technology transfer efforts with the Technology Transfer Coordinator appointed under section 1001 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16391).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Federal Demonstration of Technologies- The Secretary shall make information available to purchasing and procurement programs of Federal agencies regarding the potential to demonstrate technologies resulting from activities funded through ARPA-E.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(j) Advice-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ADVISORY COMMITTEES- The Director may seek advice on any aspect of ARPA-E from--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) an existing Department of Energy advisory committee; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) a new advisory committee organized to support the programs of ARPA-E and to provide advice and assistance on--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) specific program tasks; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) overall direction of ARPA-E.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF ADVICE- In carrying out this section, the Director may seek advice and review from--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the President's Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) any professional or scientific organization with expertise in specific processes or technologies under development by ARPA-E.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(k) ARPA-E Evaluation-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- After ARPA-E has been in operation for 4 years, the Secretary shall offer to enter into a contract with the National Academy of Sciences under which the National Academy shall conduct an evaluation of how well ARPA-E is achieving the goals and mission of ARPA-E.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) INCLUSIONS- The evaluation shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the recommendation of the National Academy of Sciences on whether ARPA-E should be continued or terminated; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) a description of lessons learned from operation of ARPA-E.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) AVAILABILITY- On completion of the evaluation, the evaluation shall be made available to Congress and the public.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(l) Existing Authorities- The authorities granted by this section are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in addition to existing authorities granted to the Secretary; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) are not intended to supersede or modify any existing authorities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(m) Funding-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) FUND- There is established in the Treasury of the United States a fund, to be known as the `Energy Transformation Acceleration Fund', which shall be administered by the Director for the purposes of carrying out this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), there are authorized to be appropriated to the Director for deposit in the Fund, without fiscal year limitation--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) SEPARATE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) BUDGET REQUEST- The budget request for ARPA-E shall be separate from the rest of the budget of the Department.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) APPROPRIATIONS- Appropriations to the Fund shall be separate and distinct from the rest of the budget for the Department.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) LIMITATION- No amounts may be appropriated for ARPA-E for fiscal year 2008 (to support up to 30 appointments under this section);(2) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 (to support up to 60 such appointments); and(3) $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (to support up to 100 such appointments).DIVISION Cunless the amount appropriated for the activities of the Office of Science of the Department for fiscal year 2008 exceeds the amount appropriated for the Office for fiscal year 2007, as adjusted for inflation in accordance with the Consumer Price Index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) ALLOCATION- Of the amounts appropriated for a fiscal year under paragraph (2)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) not more than 50 percent of the amount shall be used to carry out subsection (e)(3)(D);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) at least 2.5 percent of the amount shall be used for technology transfer and outreach activities; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) no funds may be used for construction of new buildings or facilities during the 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE VI--EDUCATION

SEC. 36001. FINDINGS.

Congress makes the following findings:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) A well-educated population is essential to retaining America's competitiveness in the global economy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) The United States needs to build on and expand the impact of existing programs by taking additional, well-coordinated steps to ensure that all students are able to obtain the knowledge the students need to obtain postsecondary education and participate successfully in the workforce or the Armed Forces.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) The next steps must be informed by independent information on the effectiveness of current programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematicsmathematics, and critical foreign language education, and by identification of best practices that can be replicated.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) Teacher preparation and elementary school and secondary school programs and activities must be aligned with the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) and the requirements of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) The ever increasing knowledge and skill demands of the 21st century require that secondary school preparation and requirements be better aligned with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in postsecondary education and the workforce, and States need better data systems to track educational achievement from prekindergarten through baccalaureate degrees.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 36002. DEFINITIONS.

(a) ESEA Definitions- Unless otherwise specified in this division, the terms used in this divisiontitle, 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).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Other Definitions- In this divisiontitle:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) CRITICAL FOREIGN LANGUAGE- The term `critical foreign language' means a foreign language that the Secretary determines, in consultation with the heads of such Federal departments and agencies as the Secretary determines appropriate, is critical to the national security and economic competitiveness of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) 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)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





TITLE (4) SCIENTIFICALLY VALID RESEARCH- The term `scientifically valid research' includes applied research, basic research, and field-initiated research in which the rationale, design, and interpretation are soundly developed in accordance with accepted principles of scientific research. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

PART I--TEACHER ASSISTANCESubtitle A--Teachers for a Competitive TomorrowSEC. 3S FOR A COMPETITIVE TOMORROW

SEC. 6111. PURPOSE.

The purpose of this subtitlepart is--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to develop and implement programs to provide integrated courses of study in mathematics, science, engineeringscience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or critical foreign languages, and teacher education, that lead to a baccalaureate degree within science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or a critical foreign language, with concurrent teacher certification;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to develop and implement 2- or 3-year part-time master's degree programs in mathematics, science, technology, or critical foreign language education for teachers inscience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or critical foreign language education for teachers in order to enhance the teachers' content knowledge and pedagogical skills; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) to develop programs for professionals in mathematics, sciencescience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or critical foreign language education that lead to a master's degree in teaching that results in teacher certification.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 36112. DEFINITIONS.

In this subtitlepart:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) CHILDREN FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES- The term `children from low-income families' means children described in section 1124(c)(1)(A) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6333(c)(1)(A)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ELIGIBLE RECIPIENT- The term `eligible recipient' means an institution of higher education that receives grant funds under this subtitlepart on behalf of a department of mathematics, engineering, sciencescience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or a critical foreign language, or on behalf of a department or school with a competency-based degree program (in mathematics, engineering, sciencescience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or a critical foreign language) that includes teacher certification, for use in carrying out activities assisted under this subtitlepart.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) HIGH-NEED LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY- The term `high-need local educational agency' means a local educational agency or educational service agency--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A)(i) that serves not fewer than 10,000 children from low-income families;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) for which not less than 20 percent of the children served by the agency are children from low-income families; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) with a total of less than 600 students in average daily attendance at the schools that are served by the agency and all of whose schools are designated with a school locale code of 6, 7, or 841, 42, or 43, as determined by the Secretary; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B)(i) for which there is a high percentage of teachers providing instruction in academic subject areas or grade levels for which the teachers are not highly qualified; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) for which there is a high teacher turnover rate or a high percentage of teachers with emergency, provisional, or temporary certification or licensure.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) HIGHLY QUALIFIED- The term `highly qualified' has the meaning given such term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801) and, with respect to special education teachers, in section 602 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1401).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) PARTNERSHIP- The term `partnership' means a partnership that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) an eligible recipient;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii)(I)(aa) a department within the eligible recipient that provides a program of study in mathematics, engineering, science, or a critical foreignscience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or a critical foreign language; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(bb) a school or department within the eligible recipient that provides a teacher preparation program, department, or program of education within the eligible recipient, or a 2-year institution of higher education that has a teacher preparation offering or a dual enrollment program with the eligible recipient; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) a department or school within the eligible recipient with a competency-based degree program (in mathematics, engineering, sciencescience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or a critical foreign language) that includes teacher certification; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) not less than 1 high-need local educational agency and a public school or a consortium of public schools served by the agency; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) may include a nonprofit organization that has the capacity to providea demonstrated record of providing expertise or support to meet the purposes of this subtitlepart.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) TEACHING SKILLS- The term `teaching skills' means the ability to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) increase student achievement and learning and increase a student's ability to apply knowledge;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) effectively convey and explain academic subject matter;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) employ strategies grounded in the disciplines of teaching and learning that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) are based on scientifically basevalid research;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) are specific to academic subject matter; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) focus on the identification of, and tailoring of academic instruction to, students' specific learning needs, particularly children with students with disabilities, students who are limited English proficient, and students who are gifted and talented, and students with low literacy levels, and the tailoring of academic instruction to such needs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) conduct ongoing assessment of student learning;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) effectively manage a classroom; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) communicate and work with parents and guardians, and involve parents and guardians in their children's education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 36113. PROGRAMS FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREES IN MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, MATHEMATICS, OR CRITICAL FOREIGN LANGUAGES, WITH CONCURRENT TEACHER CERTIFICATION.

(a) Program Authorized- From the amounts made available to carry out this section under section 36116(1) and not reserved under section 36115(d) for a fiscal year, the Secretary is authorized to award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible recipients to enable partnerships served by the eligible recipients to develop and implement programs to provide courses of study in mathematics, science, engineeringscience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or critical foreign languages that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) are integrated with teacher education; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) lead to a baccalaureate degree within science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or a critical foreign language with concurrent teacher certification.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Application- Each eligible recipient desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require. Each application shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) describe the program for which assistance is sought;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) describe how a department of mathematics, science, engineeringscience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or a critical foreign language participating in the partnership will ensure significant collaboration with a teacher preparation program in the development of undergraduate degrees in mathematics, science, engineeringscience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or a critical foreign language, with concurrent teacher certification, including providing student teaching and other clinical classroom experiences or how a department or school participating in the partnership with a competency-based degree program has ensured, in the development of a baccalaureate degree program in mathematics, science, engineeringscience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or a critical foreign language, the provision of concurrent teacher certification, including providing student teaching and other clinical classroom experiences;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) describe the high-quality research, laboratory, or internship experiences, integrated with coursework, that will be provided under the program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) describe how members of groups that are underrepresented in the teaching of mathematics, science, technology, engineeringscience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or critical foreign languages will be encouraged to participate in the program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) describe how program participants will be encouraged to teach in schools determined by the partnership to be most in need, and whatthe assistance in finding employment in such schools that will be provided;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) describe the ongoing activities and services that will be provided to graduates of the program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) describe how the activities of the partnership will be coordinated with any activities funded through other Federal grants, and how the partnership will continue the activities assisted under the program when the grant period ends;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) describe how the partnership will assess the content knowledge and teaching skills of the program participants; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) provide any other information the Secretary may reasonably require.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Priority- Priority shall be given to applications whose primary focus is on placing participants in high-need local educational agencies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Authorized Activities-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Each eligible recipient receiving a grant under this section shall use the grant funds to enable a partnership to develop and implement a program to provide courses of study in mathematics, science, engineeringscience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or a critical foreign language that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) are integrated with teacher education programs that promote effective teaching skills; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) lead to a baccalaureate degree in mathematics, science, engineeringscience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or a critical foreign language with concurrent teacher certification.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS- The program shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) provide high-quality research, laboratory, or internship experiences for program participants;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) provide student teaching or other clinical classroom experiences that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) are integrated with coursework; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) lead to the participants' ability to demonstrate effective teaching skills;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) if implementing a program in which program participants are prepared to teach mathematics, science, technology, or engineeringscience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or critical foreign language courses, include strategies for improving student literacy;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) encourage the participation of individuals who are members of groups that are underrepresented in the teaching of mathematics, science, technology, engineeringscience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or critical foreign languages;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) encourage participants to teach in schools determined by the partnership to be most in need, and actively assist the participants in finding employment in such schools;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) offer training in the use of and integration of educational technology;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) collect data regarding and evaluate, using measurable objectives and benchmarks, the extent to which the program succeeded in--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) increasing the percentage of highly qualified mathematics, science, or critical foreign language teachers, including increasing the percentage of such teachers teaching in those schools determined by the partnership to be most in need;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) improving student academic achievement in mathematics, science, and where applicable, technology and engineering;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) increasing the number of students in secondary schools enrolled in upper level mathematics, science, and, where available, technology and engineering courses; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) increasing the numbers of elementary school, middle school, and secondary school students and secondary school students enrolled in and continuing in critical foreign language courses;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) collect data on the employment placement and retention of all graduates of the program, including information on how many graduates are teaching and in what kinds of schools;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) provide ongoing activities and services to graduates of the program who teach elementary school, middle school, or secondary school, by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) keeping the graduates informed of the latest developments in their respective academic fields; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) supporting the graduates of the program who are employed in schools in the local educational agency participating in the partnership during the initial years of teaching through--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) induction programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) promotion of effective teaching skills; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) providing opportunities for regular professional development; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(J) develop recommendations to improve the teacher preparation program participatingschool, department, or program of education participating in the partnership.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(de) Annual Report- Each eligible recipient receiving a grant under this section shall collect and report to the Secretary annually such information as the Secretary may reasonably require, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the number of participants in the program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) information on the academic majors of participating students;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) the race, gender, income, and disability status of program participants;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) the employment placement of program participants as teachers in schools determined by the partnership to be most in need;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) the extent to which the program succeeded in meeting the objectives and benchmarks described in subsection (cd)(2)(G); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) the data collected under subparagraphs (G) and (H) of subsection (c)(2).(ed)(2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Technical Assistance- From the funds made available under section 36116(1), the Secretary may provide technical assistance to an eligible recipient developing a baccalaureate degree program with concurrent teacher certification, including technical assistance provided through a grant or contract awarded on a competitive basis to an institution of higher education or a technical assistance center.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Compliance With FERPA- Any activity under this section shall be carried out in compliance with section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g) (commonly known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Induction Program Defined- In this section, the term `induction program' means a formalized program for new teachers during not less than the teachers' first 2 years of teaching that is designed to provide support for, and improve the professional performance and advance the retention in the teaching field of, beginning teachers. Such program shall promote effective teaching skills and shall include the following components:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) High-quality teacher mentoring.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Periodic, structured time for collaboration with teachers in the same department or field, as well as time for information-sharing among teachers, principals, administrators, and participating faculty in the partner institution.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) The application of empirically based practice and scientifically valid research on instructional practices.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) Opportunities for new teachers to draw directly upon the expertise of teacher mentors, faculty, and researchers to support the integration of empirically based practice and scientifically valid research with practice.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) The development of skills in instructional and behavioral interventions derived from empirically based practice and, where applicable, scientifically valid research.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) Faculty who--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) model the integration of research and practice in the classroom; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) assist new teachers with the effective use and integration of technology in the classroom.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) Interdisciplinary collaboration among exemplary teachers, faculty, researchers, and other staff who prepare new teachers on the learning process and the assessment of learning.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) Assistance with the understanding of data, particularly student achievement data, and the data's applicability in classroom instruction.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) Regular evaluation of the new teacher.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 36114. PROGRAMS FOR MASTER'S DEGREES IN MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, MATHEMATICS, OR CRITICAL FOREIGN LANGUAGES EDUCATION.

(a) Program Authorized- From the amounts made available to carry out this section under section 36116(2) and not reserved under section 36115(d) for a fiscal year, the Secretary is authorized to award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible recipients to enable the partnerships served by the eligible recipients to develop and implement--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) 2- or 3-year part-time master's degree programs in mathematics, science, technology, or critical foreign language education for teachers inscience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or critical foreign language education for teachers in order to enhance the teacher's content knowledge and teaching skills; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) programs for professionals in mathematics, science, engineering, or critical foreign language that lead to a 1 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or a critical foreign language that lead to a 1-year master's degree in teaching that results in teacher certification.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Application- Each eligible recipient desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require. Each application shall describe--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) how a department of mathematics, science, engineering, technologyscience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or a critical foreign language will ensure significant collaboration with a teacher preparation programschool, department, or program of education in the development of the master's degree programs authorized under subsection (a), or how a department or school with a competency-based degree program has ensured, in the development of a master's degree program, the provision of rigorous studies in mathematics, sciencescience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or a critical foreign language that enhance the teachers' content knowledge and teaching skills;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the role of the local educational agency in the partnership in developing and administering the program and how feedback from the local educational agency, school, and participants will be used to improve the program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) how the program will help increase the percentage of highly qualified mathematics, science, or critical foreign language teachers, including increasing the percentage of such teachers teaching in schools determined by the partnership to be most in need;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) how the program will--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) improve student academic achievement in mathematics, science, and, where applicable, technology and engineering and increase the number of students taking upper-level courses in such subjects; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) increase the numbers of elementary school, middle school, and secondary school students and secondary school students enrolled and continuing in critical foreign language courses;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) how the program will prepare participants to become more effective mathematics, sciencescience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or critical foreign language teachers;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) how the program will prepare participants to assume leadership roles in their schools;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) how teachers (or mathematics, science, or criticalscience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or critical foreign language professionals) who are members of groups that are underrepresented in the teaching of mathematics, science, engineering, technologyscience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or critical foreign languages and teachers from schools determined by the partnership to be most in need will be encouraged to apply for and participate in the program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) the ongoing activities and services that will be provided to graduates of the program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) how the partnership will continue the activities assisted under the grant when the grant period ends;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) how the partnership will assess, during the program, the content knowledge and teaching skills of the program participants; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(11) methods to ensure applicants to the master's degree program for professionals in mathematics, science, orscience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or a critical foreign language demonstrate advanced knowledge in the relevant subject.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Authorized Activities- Each eligible recipient receiving a grant under this section shall use the grant funds to develop and implement a 2- or 3-year part-time master's degree program in mathematics, sciencescience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or critical foreign language education for teachers in order to enhance the teachers' content knowledge and teaching skills, or programs for professionals in mathematics, science, orscience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or a critical foreign language that lead to a 1-year master's degree in teaching that results in teacher certification. The program shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) promote effective teaching skills so that program participants become more effective mathematics, sciencescience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or critical foreign language teachers;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) prepare teachers to assume leadership roles in their schools by participating in activities such as teacher mentoring, development of curricula that integrate state of the art applications of mathematics, science, technology, and engineering into the science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or critical foreign language into the classroom, working with school administrators in establishing in-service professional development of teachers, and assisting in evaluating data and assessments to improve student academic achievement;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) use high-quality research, laboratory, or internship experiences for program participants that are integrated with coursework;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) provide student teaching or clinical classroom experience;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) if implementing a program in which participants are prepared to teach mathematics or sciencscience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or critical foreign language courses, provide strategies for improving student literacy;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) align the content knowledge in the master's degree program with challenging student academic achievement standards and challenging academic content standards established by the State in which the program is conducted;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) encourage the participation of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) individuals who are members of groups that are underrepresented in the teaching of mathematics, science, engineering, technologyscience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or critical foreign languages;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) members of the Armed Forces who are transitioning to civilian life; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) teachers teaching in schools determined by the partnership to be most in need;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) offer tuition assistance, based on need, as appropriate;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) create opportunities for enhanced and ongoing professional development for teachers that improves the mathematics and science content knowledge and teaching skills of suchscience, technology, engineering, mathematics, and critical foreign language content knowledge and teaching skills of such teachers; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) evaluate and report on the impact of the program, in accordance with subsection (d).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Evaluation and Report- Each eligible recipient receiving a grant under this section shall evaluate, using measurable objectives and benchmarks, and provide an annual report to the Secretary regarding, the extent to which the program assisted under this section succeeded in the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Increasing the number and percentage of mathematics, science, engineering, technologyscience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or critical foreign language teachers who have a master's degree and meet 1 or more of the following requirements:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) Are teaching in schools determined by the partnership to be most in need, and taught in such schools prior to participation in the program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) Are teaching in schools determined by the partnership to be most in need, and did not teach in such schools prior to participation in the program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) Are members of a group underrepresented in the teaching of mathematics, sciencescience, technology, engineering, mathematics, or a critical foreign language.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Bringing professionals in mathematics, science, engineering, or critical foreign language into the science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or a critical foreign language into the field of teaching.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) Retaining teachers who participate in the program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 36115. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

(a) Duration of Grants- The Secretary shall award each grant under this subtitlepart for a period of not more than 5 years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Matching Requirement- Each eligible recipient that receives a grant under this subtitlepart shall provide, from non-Federal sources, an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount of the grant (which may be provided in cash or in kind) to carry out the activities supported by the grant.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Supplement, Not Supplant- Grant funds provided under this subtitle shall be used topart shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, other Federal or State funds.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Evaluation- From amounts made available for any fiscal year under section 36116, the Secretary shall reserve such sums as may be necessary--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to provide for the conduct of an annual independent evaluation, by grant or by contract, of the activities assisted under this subtitlepart, which shall include an assessment of the impact of the activities on student academic achievement; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to prepare and submit an annual report on the results of the evaluation described in paragraph (1) to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, the Committee on Education and the WorkforceLabor of the House of Representatives, and the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and House of Representatives.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 36116. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $210,076,200,000 for fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 32 succeeding fiscal years, of which--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) 57.1 percent$151,200,000 shall be available to carry out section 36113 for fiscal year 2008 and each succeeding fiscal year; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) 42.9 percent$125,000,000 shall be available to carry out section 36114 for fiscal year 2008 and each succeeding fiscal year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle B--Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate ProgramsSEC. 3 PART II--ADVANCED PLACEMENT AND INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAMS

SEC. 6121. PURPOSE.

It is the purpose of this subtitlepart--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to raise academic achievement through Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs by increasing, by 70,000, over a 4-year period beginning in 2008, the number of teachers serving high-need schools who are qualified to teach Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, and critical foreign languages;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to increase, to 700,000 per year, the number of students attending high-need schools who--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) take and score a 3, 4, or 5 on an Advanced Placement examination in mathematics, science, or a critical foreign language administered by the College Board; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) achieve a passing score on an examination administered by the International Baccalaureate Organization in such a subject;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) to increase the availability of, and enrollment in, Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, and critical foreign languages, and pre-Advanced Placement or pre-International Baccalaureate courses in such subjects, in high-need schools; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) to support statewide efforts to increase the availability of, and enrollment in, Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, and critical foreign languages, and pre-Advanced Placement or pre-International Baccalaureate courses in such subjects, in high-need schools.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 36122. DEFINITIONS.

In this subtitlepart:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ADVANCED PLACEMENT OR INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE COURSE- The term `Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate course' means--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a course of college-level instruction provided to middle or secondary schoolsecondary school students, terminating in an examination administered by the College Board or the International Baccalaureate Organization, or another such examination approved by the Secretary, or; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) another highly rigorous, evidence-based, postsecondary preparatory program terminating in an examination administered by another nationally recognized educational association.(2) organization that has a demonstrated record of effectiveness in assessing secondary school students, or another such examination approved by the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITY- The term `eligible entity' means--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a State educational agency;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) a local educational agency; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) a partnership consisting of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) a national, regional, or statewide nonprofit organization, with expertise and experience in providing Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate services; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) a State educational agency or local educational agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) LOW-INCOME STUDENT- The term `low-income student' has the meaning given the term `low-income individual' in section 1707(3) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6537(3)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) HIGH CONCENTRATION OF LOW-INCOME STUDENTS- The term `high concentration of low-income students' has the meaning given the term in section 1707(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6537(2)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) HIGH-NEED LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY- The term `high-need local educational agency' means a local educational agency or educational service agency described in 36112(3)(A).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) HIGH-NEED SCHOOL- The term `high-need school' means a middle school or secondary school--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) with a pervasive need for Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, or critical foreign languages, or for additional Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in such a subject; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B)(i) with a high concentration of low-income students; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) designated with a school locale code of 6, 7 or 8, as determined by the Secretary.SEC. 341, 42, or 43, as determined by the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 6123. ADVANCED PLACEMENT AND INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAMS.

(a) Program Authorized- From the amounts appropriated under subsection (l), the Secretary is authorized to award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to carry out the authorized activities described in subsection (g).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Duration of Grants- The Secretary may award grants under this section for a period of not more than 5 years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Coordination- The Secretary shall coordinate the activities carried out under this section with the activities carried out under section 1705 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6535).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Priority- In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that--(1) are part of a statewide strategy for increasing--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the availability of Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, and critical foreign languages, and pre-Advanced Placement or pre-International Baccalaureate courses in such subjects, in high-need schools; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) make Advanced Placement math, science, and critical foreign language courses available to students who are prepared for such work in earlier grades than traditionally made available.(e)the number of students who participate in Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, and critical foreign language in high-need schools, and take and score a 3, 4, or 5 on an Advanced Placement examination in such a subject, or pass an examination administered by the International Baccalaureate Organization in such a subject in such schools.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Equitable Distribution- The Secretary, to the extent practicable, shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ensure an equitable geographic distribution of grants under this section among the States; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) promote an increase in participation in Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate mathematics, science, and critical foreign language courses and examinations in all States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Application-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Each eligible entity desiring 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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONTENTS- The application shall, at a minimum, include a description of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the goals and objectives for the project, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) increasing the number of teachers serving high-need schools who are qualified to teach Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, or critical foreign languages;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) increasing the number of qualified teachers serving high-need schools who are teaching Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, or critical foreign languages to students in the high-need schools;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) increasing the number of Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, and critical foreign languages that are available to students attending high-need schools; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) increasing the number of students attending a high-need school, particularly low-income students, who enroll in and pass--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, or critical foreign languages; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) pre-Advanced Placement or pre-International Baccalaureate courses in such a subject (where provided in accordance with subparagraph (B));CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) how the eligible entity will ensure that students have access to courses, including pre-Advanced Placement and pre-International Baccalaureate courses, that will prepare the students to enroll and succeed in Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, or critical foreign languages;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) how the eligible entity will provide professional development for teachers assisted under this section;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) how the eligible entity will ensure that teachers serving high-need schools are qualified to teach Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, or critical foreign languages;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) how the eligible entity will provide for the involvement of business and community organizations and other entities, including institutions of higher education, in the activities to be assisted; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) how the eligible entity will use funds received under this section, including how the eligible entity will evaluate the success of its project.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Authorized Activities-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Each eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds to carry out activities designed to increase--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the number of qualified teachers serving high-need schools who are teaching Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, or critical foreign languages; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the number of students attending high-need schools who enroll in, and pass, the examinations for such Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) PERMISSIVE ACTIVITIES- The activities described in paragraph (1) may include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) teacher professional development, in order to expand the pool of teachers in the participating State, local educational agency, or high-need school who are qualified to teach Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, or critical foreign languages;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) pre-Advanced Placement or pre-International Baccalaureate course development and professional development;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) coordination and articulation between grade levels to prepare students to enroll and succeed in Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, or critical foreign languages;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) purchase of instructional materials;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) activities to increase the availability of, and participation in, online Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, and critical foreign languages;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) reimbursing low-income students attending high-need schools for part or all of the cost of Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate examination fees;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) carrying out subsection (j), relating to collecting and reporting data;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) in the case of a State educational agency that receives a grant under this section, awarding subgrants to local educational agencies to enable the local educational agencies to carry out authorized activities described in subparagraphs (A) through (G); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) providing salary increments or bonuses to teachers serving high-need schools who--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) become qualified to teach, and teach, Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, or a critical foreign language; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) increase the number of low-income students, who take Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate examinations in mathematics, science, or a critical foreign language with the goal of successfully passing such examinations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Matching Requirement-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Subject to paragraph (2), each eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall provide, toward the cost of the activities assisted under the grant, from non-Federal sources, an amount equal to 200 percent of the amount of the grant, except that an eligible entity that is a high-need local educational agency shall provide an amount equal to not more than 100 percent of the amount of the grant.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) WAIVER- The Secretary may waive all or part of the matching requirement described in paragraph (1) for any fiscal year for an eligible entity described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 36122(2), if the Secretary determines that applying the matching requirement to such eligible entity would result in serious hardship or an inability to carry out the authorized activities described in subsection (g).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Supplement Not Supplant- Grant funds provided under this section shall be used to supplement, not supplant, other Federal and non-Federal funds available to carry out the activities described in subsection (g).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(j) Collecting and Reporting Requirements-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) REPORT- Each eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall collect and report to the Secretary annually such data on the results of the grant as the Secretary may reasonably require, including data regarding--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the number of students enrolling in Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, or a critical foreign language, and pre-Advanced Placement or pre-International Baccalaureate courses in such a subject, by the grade the student is enrolled in, and the distribution of grades those students receive;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the number of students taking Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate examinations in mathematics, science, or a critical foreign language, and the distribution of scores on those examinations by the grade the student is enrolled in at the time of the examination;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the number of teachers receiving training in teaching Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, or a critical foreign language who will be teaching such courses in the next school year;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the number of teachers becoming qualified to teach Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, or a critical foreign language; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) the number of qualified teachers who are teaching Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, or critical foreign languages to students in a high-need school.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REPORTING OF DATA- Each eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall report data required under paragraph (1)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) disaggregated by subject area;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in the case of student data, disaggregated in the same manner as information is disaggregated under section 1111(h)(1)(C)(i) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(h)(1)(C)(i)); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) to the extent feasible, in a manner that allows comparison of conditions before, during, and after the project.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(k) Evaluation and Report- From the amount made available for any fiscal year under subsection (l), the Secretary shall reserve such sums as may be necessary--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to conduct an annual independent evaluation, by grant or by contract, of the program carried out under this section, which shall include an assessment of the impact of the program on student academic achievement; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to prepare and submit an annual report on the results of the evaluation described in paragraph (1) to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, the Committee on Education and the WorkforceLabor of the House of Representatives, and the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and House of Representatives.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(l) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5875,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 32 succeeding fiscal years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle C--Promising Practices in Mathematics, Science, Technology, and Engineering TeachingSEC. 3 PART III--PROMISING PRACTICES IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS TEACHING

SEC. 6131. PROMISING PRACTICES.

(a) Purpose- The purpose of this section is to strengthen the skills of mathematics, science, technology, and engineering teachers by identifyingestablish an expert panel to provide information on promising practices in the teaching of mathematics, science, technology, and engineering in elementary and secondary educationfor strengthening teaching and learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at the elementary school and secondary school levels. The panel shall build on prior Federal efforts, such as efforts by the National Mathematics Advisory Panel, and shall synthesize scientific evidence pertaining to the improvement of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teaching and learning.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) National Panel on Promising Practices in Teaching Mathematics, Science, Technology, and Engineering- The Secretary is authorized to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to convene, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, a national panel to identify existing promising practices in the teaching of mathematics, science, technology, and engineering in kindergarten through grade 12.(c) Composition of National Panel-(1) CONSULTATIONK-12 STEM Teaching and Learning-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall enter into a contract with the NationalCenter for Education of the National Academy of Sciences to establish a panel tond convene, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, an expert panel to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) identify existing promising practices in the teaching of mathematics, science, technology, and engineering in elementary and secondary education with demonstrated evidence of increasing student academic achievementfor improving teaching and student achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in kindergarten through grade 12; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) examine and synthesize the scientific evidence pertaining to the improvement of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teaching and learning.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) SELECTIONCOMPOSITION OF NATIONAL PANEL- The National Academy of Sciences shall ensure that the panel established under paragraph (1) broadly represents scientists, practitioners, teachers, principals, and representatives from entities with expertise in education, mathematics, and science. The Nationalengineers, mathematicians, technologists, computer and information technology experts, educators, principals, researchers with expertise in teaching and learning (including experts in cognitive science), and others with relevant expertise. The National Academy of Sciences shall ensure that the panel includes the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) A majority rRepresentation of teachers and principals directly involved in teaching mathematics, science, technology, or engineeringscience, technology, engineering, and mathematics in kindergarten through grade 12.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) Representation of teachers and principals from alldiverse demographic groups and geographic areas, including urban, suburban, and rural schools.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) Representation of teachers from public and and principals from public and private schools.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERS- The members of the panel established under paragraph (1) shall be individuals who have substantial knowledge orexpertise and experience relating to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) mathematics, science, technology, or engineeringexisting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





or(B) mathematics, science, technology, or engineering curricula content development.(d) (B) developing and improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics curricula content; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) improving the academic achievement of students who are below grade level in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) research on teaching or learning.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Authorized Activities of National Panel- The panel shallestablished under subsection (b) shall identify--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) identify promising practices in the teaching of mathematics, science, technology, and engineering in elementary and secondary education;(2) identifyeffective teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics topics in kindergarten through grade 12;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) promising training and professional development techniques provendesigned to help teachers increase their skills and expertise in improving student achievement in mathematics, science, technology, and engineering; and(3) identify areas of need forscience, technology, engineering, and mathematics in kindergarten through grade 12;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) critical skills and skills progressions needed to enable students to acquire competence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and readiness for advanced secondary school and college level science, technology, engineering, and mathematics coursework;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) processes by which students with varying degrees of prior academic achievement and backgrounds learn effectively in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) areas in which existing data about promising practices in mathematics, science, technology, and engineeringscience, technology, engineering, and mathematics education are insufficient.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Report- The panel established under subsection (b) shall prepare a written report for the Secretary that presents the findings of the panel pursuant to this section and includes recommendations, based on the findings of the panel, to strengthen science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teaching and learning in kindergarten through grade 12.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Dissemination- The Secretary shall disseminate information collected pursuant to this section the report under subsection (d) to the public, State educational agencies, and local educational agencies, and shall publish appropriate and relevant information on the promising practices on the website of the Departmentmake the information in such report available, in an easy to understand format.(f) Mathematics, , on the website of the Department.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Science, Technology, and Engineering `Engineering, and Mathematics Promising Practices'-(1)-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) RELIABILITY AND MEASUREMENT- The promising practices in the teaching of mathematics, science, technology, and engineering in elementary and secondary educationscience, technology, engineering, and mathematics in elementary schools and secondary schools collected under this section shall be--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) reliable, valid, and grounded in scientific theory anally valid research;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) inclusive of the critical skills and skill progressions needed for students to acquire competence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) reviewed regularly to assess effectiveness; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(CD) reviewed in the context of State academic assessments and student academic achievement standards.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) STUDENTS WITH DIVERSE LEARNING NEEDS- In identifying promising practices under this section, the panel established under subsection (cb) shall take into account the needs of students with diverse learning needs, particularly for students with students with disabilities and students who are limited English proficient.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008.

TITLE II--MATHEMATICSSEC. 3$1,200,000 for fiscal year 2008.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 6201. MATH NOW FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS PROGRAM.

(a) Purpose- The purpose of this section is to enable all students to reach or exceed grade-level academic achievement standards and to prepare the students to enroll in and pass algebra courses by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) improving instruction in mathematics for students in kindergarten through grade 9 through the implementation of mathematics programs and the support of comprehensive mathematics initiatives that are research-based and reflect a demonstrated record of effectiveness; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) providing targeted help to low-income students who are struggling with mathematics and whose achievement is significantly below grade level.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Definition of Eligible Local Educational Agency- In this section, the term `eligible local educational agency' means a high-need local educational agency (as defined in section 36112(3)) serving 1 or more schools--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) with significant numbers or percentages of students whose mathematics skills are below grade level;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) that are not making adequate yearly progress in mathematics under section 1111(b)(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)); orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in which students are receiving instruction in mathematics from teachers who do not have mathematical content knowledge or expertise in the teaching of mathematics.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Program Authorized-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- From the amounts appropriated under subsection (k) for any fiscal year, the Secretary is authorized to award grants, on a competitive basis, for not more than 5a period of 3 years, to State educational agencies to enable the State educational agencies to award grants to eligible local educational agencies to carry out the activities described in subsection (e).(2) for students in any of the grades kindergarten through grade 9.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) PRIORITY- In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to applications for projects that will implement statewide strategies for improving mathematics instruction and raising the mathematics achievement of students, particularly students in grades 4 through 8.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) State Uses of Funds-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Each State educational agency that receives a grant under this section for a fiscal year--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) shall expend not more than a total of 10 percent of the grant funds to carry out the activities described in paragraphs (2) or (3) for the fiscal year; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) shall use not less than 90 percent of the grant funds to award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible local educational agencies to enable the eligible local educational agencies to carry out the activities described in subsection (e) for the fiscal year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) MANDATORY USES OF FUNDS- A State educational agency shall use the grant funds made available under paragraph (1)(A) to carry out each of the following activities:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION- Planning and administration, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) evaluating applications from eligible local educational agencies using peer review teams described in subsection (f)(1)(D);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) administering the distribution of grants to eligible local educational agencies; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) assessing and evaluating, on a regular basis, eligible local educational agency activities assisted under this section, with respect to whether the activities have been effective in increasing the number of childrenstudents--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) making progress toward meeting grade-level mathematics achievement; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) meeting or exceeding grade-level mathematics achievement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) REPORTING- Annually providing the Secretary with a report on the implementation of this section as described in subsection (i).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) PERMISSIVE USES OF FUNDS; TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- A State educational agency may use the grant funds made available under paragraph (1)(A) for 1 or more of the following technical assistance activities that assist an eligible local educational agency, upon request by the eligible local educational agency, in accomplishing the tasks required to design and implement a project under this section, including assistance in--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) implementing mathematics programs or comprehensive mathematics initiatives that are research-based and reflect a demonstrated record of effectiveness;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) evaluating and selecting diagnostic and classroom based instructional mathematics assessments; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) identifying eligible professional development providers to conduct the professional development activities described in subsection (e)(1)(B).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) GUIDANCE- The technical assistance described in subparagraph (A) shall be guided by researchers with expertise in the pedagogy of mathematics, mathematicians, and mathematics educators from high-risk, high-achievement schools and eligible local educational agencies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Local Uses of Funds-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) MANDATORY USES OF FUNDS- Each eligible local educational agency receiving a grant under this section shall use the grant funds to carry out each of the following activities:(A) for students in any of the grades kindergarten through grade 9:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) To implement mathematics programs or comprehensive mathematics initiatives--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) for students in the grades of a participating school as identified in the application submitted under subsection (f)(2)(AB); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) that are research-based and reflect a demonstrated record of effectiveness.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) To provide professional development and instructional leadership activities for teachers and, if appropriate, for administrators and other school staff, on the implementation of comprehensive mathematics initiatives designed--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) to improve the achievement of students performing significantly below grade level;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) to improve the mathematical content knowledge of the teachers, administrators, and other school staff;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) to increase the use of effective instructional practices; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) to monitor student progress.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) To conduct continuous progress monitoring, which may include the adoption and use of assessments that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) measure student progress and identify areas in which students need help in learning mathematics; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) reflect mathematics content that is consistent with State academic achievement standards in mathematics described in section 1111(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) PERMISSIVE USES OF FUNDS- An eligible local educational agency may use grant funds under this section to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) adopt and use mathematics instructional materials and assessments;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) implement classroom-based assessments, including diagnostic or formative assessments;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) provide remedial coursework and interventions for students, which may be provided before or after school;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) provide small groups with individualized instruction in mathematics;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) conduct activities designed to improve the content knowledge and expertise of teachers, such as the use of a mathematics coach, enrichment activities, and interdisciplinary methods of mathematics instruction; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) collect and report performance data.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Applications-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) STATE EDUCATIONAL AGENCY- Each State educational agency desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require. Each application shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) an assurance that the core mathematics instructional program, supplemental instructional materials, and intervention programs used by the eligible local educational agencies for the project, are research-based and reflect a demonstrated record of effectiveness and are aligned with State academic achievement standards;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) an assurance that eligible local educational agencies will meet the requirements described in paragraph (2);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) an assurance that local applications will be evaluated using a peer review process;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) a description of the qualifications of the peer review teams, which shall consist of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) researchers with expertise in the pedagogy of mathematics;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) mathematicians; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) mathematics educators serving high-risk, high-achievement schools and eligible local educational agencies; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) an assurance that the State will establishhas a process to safeguard against conflicts of interest, consistent with subsection (g)(2), for individuals providing j)(2) and section 6204 for individuals providing technical assistance on behalf of the State educational agency or participating in the State peer review process under this subtitle.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ELIGIBLE LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY- Each eligible local educational agency desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the State educational agency at such time and in such manner as the State educational agency may require. Each application shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) an assurance that the eligible local educational agency will provide assistance to 1 or more schools that are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) served by the eligible local educational agency; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) described in section 3201(b);(B) a description of the grades kindergarten through grade 96201(b);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) a description of the grades, and of the schools, that will be served;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) information, on an aggregate basis, on each school to be served by the project, including such demographic, socioeconomic, and mathematics achievement data as the State educational agency may request;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) a description of the core mathematics instructional program, supplemental instructional materials, and intervention programs or strategies that will be used for the project, including an assurance that the programs or strategies are research-based and reflect a demonstrated record of effectiveness and are aligned with State academic achievement standards;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) a description of the activities that will be carried out under the grant, including a description of the professional development that will be provided to teachers, and, if appropriate, administrators and other school staff, and a description of how the activities will support achievement of the purpose of this section;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) an assurance that the eligible local educational agency will report to the State educational agency all data on student academic achievement that is necessary for the State educational agency's report under subsection (i);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) a description of the eligible entity's plans for evaluating the impact of professional development and leadership activities in mathematics on the content knowledge and expertise of teachers, administrators, or other school staff; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) any other information the State educational agency may reasonably require.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Prohibitions-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- In implementing this section, the Secretary shall not--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) endorse, approve, or sanction any mathematics curriculum designed for use in any school; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) engage in oversight, technical assistance, or activities that will require the adoption of a specific mathematics program or instructional materials by a State, local educational agency, or school.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONFLICT OF INTEREST- Any Federal employee, contractor, or subcontractor involved in the administration, implementation, or provision of oversight or technical assistance duties or activities under this section shall--(A) disclose to the Secretary any financial ties to publishers, entities, private individuals, or organizations that will benefit from funds provided under this section; and(B) be prohibited from maintaining significant financial interests in areas directly related to duties or activities under this section, unless granted a waiver by the Secretary.(3) REPORTING- The Secretary shall report annually to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives on any of the special allowances or waivers granted under paragraph (2)(B).(4) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION- Nothing in this subtitle shall be construed to authorize or permit the Department of Education, or a Department of Education contractor, to mandate, direct, control, or suggest the selection of a mathematics curriculum, supplemental instructional materials, or program of instruction by a State, local educational agency, or school.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Matching Requirements-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) STATE EDUCATIONAL AGENCY- A State educational agency that receives a grant under this section shall provide, from non-Federal sources, an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount of the grant, in cash or in kind, to carry out the activities supported by the grant, of which not more than 20 percent of such 50 percent may be provided by local educational agencies within the State.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) WAIVER- The Secretary may waive all of or a portion of the matching requirement described in paragraph (1) for any fiscal year, if the Secretary determines that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the application of the matching requirement will result in serious hardship for the State educational agency; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) providing a waiver best serves the purpose of the program assisted under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Program Performance and Accountability-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) INFORMATION- Each State educational agency receiving a grant under this section shall collect and report to the Secretary annually such information on the results of the grant as the Secretary may reasonably require, including information on--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) mathematics achievement data that show the progress of students participating in projects under this section (including, to the extent practicable, comparable data from students not participating in such projects), based primarily on the results of State, school district wide, or classroom-based, assessments, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) specific identification of those schools and eligible local educational agencies that report the largest gains in mathematics achievement; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) evidence on whether the State educational agency and eligible local educational agencies within the State have--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) significantly increased the number of students achieving at grade level or above in mathematics;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) significantly increased the percentages of students described in section 1111(b)(2)(C)(v)(II) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(C)(v)(II)) who are achieving at grade level or above in mathematics;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) significantly increased the number of students making significant progress toward meeting grade-level mathematics achievement standards; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(IV) successfully implemented this section;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the percentage of students in the schools served by the eligible local educational agency who enroll in algebra courses and the percentage of such students who pass algebra courses; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the progress made in increasing the quality and accessibility of professional development and leadership activities in mathematics, especially activities resulting in greater content knowledge and expertise of teachers, administrators, and other school staff, except that the Secretary shall not require such information until after the third year of a grant awarded under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REPORTING AND DISAGGREGATION- The information required under paragraph (1) shall be--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) reported in a manner that allows for a comparison of aggregated score differentials of student academic achievement before (to the extent feasible) and after implementation of the project assisted under this section; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) disaggregated in the same manner as information is disaggregated under section 1111(h)(1)(C)(i) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(h)(1)(C)(i)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) PRIVACY PROTECTION- The data in the report shall be reported in a manner that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) protects the privacy of individuals; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) complies with the requirements of section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g) (commonly known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. 1232g).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(j) Evaluation and Technical Assistance-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) EVALUATION-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall conduct an annual independent evaluation, by grant or by contract, of the program assisted under this section, which shall include an assessment of the impact of the program on student academic achievement and teacher performance, and may use funds available to carry out this section to conduct the evaluation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) REPORT- The Secretary shall annually submit, to the Committee on Education and Labor and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives, and the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and House of Representatives, a report on the results of the evaluationand the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, a report on the results of the evaluation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) LIMITATIONS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall ensure that the organization selected to carry out the independent evaluation under subparagraph (A) does not hold a contract or subcontract to implement any aspect of the program under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) SUBCONTRACTORS- Any contract entered into under subparagraph (A) shall prohibit the organization conducting the evaluation from subcontracting with any entity that holds a contract or subcontract for any aspect of the implementation of this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) WAIVER- Subject to clause (iv), the Secretary may waive the application of clause (i) or (ii), or both, in accordance with the requirements under section 9.503 of title 48, Code of Federal Regulations, if the Secretary determines that their application in a particular situation would not be in the Federal Government's interest.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) SPECIAL RULE REGARDING WAIVERS- No organization or subcontractor under this paragraph shall receive a waiver that allows the organization or subcontractor to evaluate any aspect of the program under this section that the organization or subcontractor was involved in implementing.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may use funds made available under paragraph (3) to provide technical assistance to prospective applicants and to eligible local educational agencies receiving a grant under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) B) CONFLICTS OF INTEREST- If the Secretary carries out subparagraph (A) through any contracts, the Secretary, in consultation with the Office of the General Counsel of the Department, shall ensure that each contract requires the contractor to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) screen for conflicts of interest when hiring individuals to carry out the responsibilities under the contract;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) include the requirement of clause (i) in any subcontracts the contractor enters into under the contract; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) establish and follow a schedule for carrying out clause (i) and subparagraph (C) and reporting to the Secretary on the contractor's actions under those provisions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) SCREENING PROCESS- Subject to subparagraph (D), the screening process described in subparagraph (B)(i) shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) include, at a minimum, a review of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) each individual performing duties under the contract or subcontract for connections to any State's program under this section;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) such individual's potential financial interests in, or other connection to, products, activities, or services that might be purchased by a State educational agency or local educational agency in the course of the agency's implementation of the program under this section; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) such individual's connections to teaching methodologies that might require the use of specific products, activities, or services; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) ensure that individuals performing duties under the contract do not maintain significant financial interests in products, activities, or services supported under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) WAIVER-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may, in consultation with the Office of the General Counsel of the Department, waive the requirements of subparagraph (C).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) REPORT- The Secretary shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) establish criteria for the waivers under clause (i); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) report any waivers under clause (i), and the criteria under which such waivers are allowed, to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) INFORMATION DISSEMINATION-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) IN GENERAL- If the Secretary enters into contracts to provide technical assistance under subparagraph (A), and if a contractor enters into subcontracts for that purpose, each such contract and subcontract shall require the provider of technical assistance to clearly separate technical assistance provided under the contract or subcontract from information provided, or activities engaged in, as part of the normal operations of the contractor or subcontractor.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) METHODS OF COMPLIANCE- Efforts to comply with clause (i) may include the creation of separate webpages for the purpose of fulfilling a contract or subcontract entered into under subparagraph (A).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) RESERVATION OF FUNDS- The Secretary may reserve not more than 2.5 percent of funds appropriated under subsection (k) for a fiscal year to carry out this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(k) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $146,795,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 32 succeeding fiscal years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 36202. SUMMER TERM EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

(a) Purpose- The purpose of this section is to create opportunities for summer learning by providing students with access to summer learning in mathematics, technology, and problem-solving to ensure that students do not experience learning losses over the summer and to remedy, reinforce, and accelerate the learning of mathematics and problem-solving.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Definitions- In this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) EDUCATIONAL SERVICE AGENCY- The term `educational service agency' has the meaning given the term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITY- The term `eligible entity' means an entity that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) desires to participate in a summer learning grant program under this section by providing summer learning opportunities described in subsection (d)(4)(A)(ii) to eligible students; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) is--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) a high-need local educational agency; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) a consortium consisting of a high-need local educational agency and 1 or more of the following entities:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) Another local educational agency;.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) A community-based youth development organization with a demonstrated record of effectiveness in helping students learn;(III) An institution of higher education;(IV) An educational service agency; or.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) An institution of higher education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(IV) An educational service agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(V) A for-profit educational provider, nonprofit organization, science center, museum, or summer enrichment camp, that has been approved by the State educational agency to provide the summer learning opportunity described in subsection (d)(4)(A)(ii).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(32) ELIGIBLE STUDENT- The term `eligible student' means a student who--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) is eligible for a free lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) is served by a local educational agency identified by the State educational agency in the application described in subsection (c)(2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) 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)).(5) LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY- The term `local educational agency' has the meaning given the term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).(63) HIGH-NEED LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY- The term high-need local educational agency means a local educational agency (as defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965)--(A) that serves not less than 10,000 children from low-income families;(B) for which not less than 20 percent of the children served by the agency are children from low-income families; or(C) with a total of not less than 600 students in average daily attendance at the schools that are served by the agency, and all of whose schools are designated with a school locale code of 6, 7, or 8 as determined by the Secretary of Education.(7) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Education.(8) STATE- The term `State' means each of the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.(9) STATE EDUCATIONAL AGENCY- The term `Statehigh-need local educational agency' has the meaning given the term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)6112.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Demonstration Grant Program-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) PROGRAM AUTHORIZED-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- From the funds appropriated under subsection (f) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall carry out a demonstration grant program in which the Secretary awards grants, on a competitive basis, to State educational agencies to enable the State educational agencies to pay the Federal share of summer learning grants for eligible students.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) NUMBER OF GRANTS- For each fiscal year, the Secretary shall award not more than 5 grants under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) APPLICATION- A State educational agency that desires to receive 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. Such application shall identify the areas in the State where the summer learning grant program will be offered and the local educational agencies that serve such areas.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) AWARD BASIS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) SPECIAL CONSIDERATION- In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give special consideration to a State educational agency that agrees, to the extent possible, to enter into agreements with eligible entities that are consortia described in subsection (b)(2)(B)(i1)(B)(ii) and that proposes to target services to children in grades K-kindergarten through grade 8.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION- In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall take into consideration an equitable geographic distribution of the grants.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Summer Learning Grants-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) USE OF GRANTS FOR SUMMER LEARNING GRANTS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- Each State educational agency that receives a grant under subsection (c) for a fiscal year shall use the grant funds to provide summer learning grants for the fiscal year to eligible students in the State who desire to attend a summer learning opportunity offered by an eligible entity that enters into an agreement with the State educational agency under paragraph (4)(A).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) AMOUNT; FEDERAL AND NON-FEDERAL SHARES-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) AMOUNT- The amount of a summer learning grant provided under this section shall be--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011, $1,600; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) for fiscal year 2012, $1,800.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) FEDERAL SHARE- The Federal share of each summer learning grant shall be not more than 50 percent of the amount of the summer learning grant determined under clause (i).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) NON-FEDERAL SHARE- The non-Federal share of each summer learning grant shall be not less than 50 percent of the amount of the summer learning grant determined under clause (i), and shall be provided from non-Federal sources.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) DESIGNATION OF SUMMER SCHOLARS- Eligible students who receive summer learning grants under this section shall be known as `summer scholars'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) SELECTION OF SUMMER LEARNING OPPORTUNITY-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION- A State educational agency that receives a grant under subsection (c) shall disseminate information about summer learning opportunities and summer learning grants to the families of eligible students in the State.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) APPLICATION- The parents of an eligible student who are interested in having their child participate in a summer learning opportunity and receive a summer learning grant shall submit an application to the State educational agency that includes a ranked list of preferred summer learning opportunities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) PROCESS- A State educational agency that receives an application under subparagraph (B) shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) process such application;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) determine whether the eligible student shall receive a summer learning grant;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) coordinate the assignment of eligible students receiving summer learning grants with summer learning opportunities; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) if demand for a summer learning opportunity exceeds capacity, the State educational agency shall prioritize applications to low-achieving eligible students.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) FLEXIBILITY- A State educational agency may assign a summer scholar to a summer learning opportunity program that is offered in an area served by a local educational agency that is not the local educational agency serving the area where such scholar resides.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) REQUIREMENT OF ACCEPTANCE- An eligible entity shall accept, enroll, and provide the summer learning opportunity of such entity to, any summer scholar assigned to such summer learning opportunity by a State educational agency pursuant to this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) AGREEMENT WITH ELIGIBLE ENTITY-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- A State educational agency shall enter into an agreement with one or more eligible entities offering a summer learning opportunity, under which--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the State educational agency shall agree to make payments to the eligible entity, in accordance with subparagraph (B), for a summer scholar; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the eligible entity shall agree to provide the summer scholar with a summer learning opportunity that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) provides a total of not less than the equivalent of 30 full days of instruction (or not less than the equivalent of 25 full days of instruction, if the equivalent of an additional 5 days is devoted to field trips or other enrichment opportunities) to the summer scholar;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) employs small-group, research-based educational programs, materials, curricula, and practices;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) provides a curriculum that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(aa) emphasizes mathematics, technology, engineering, and problem-solving through experiential learning opportunities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(bb) is primarily designed to increase the numeracy and problem-solving skills of the summer scholar; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(cc) is aligned with State academic content standards and goals of the local educational agency serving the summer scholar;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(IV) measures student progress to determine the gains made by summer scholars in the summer learning opportunity, and disaggregates the results of such progress for summer scholars by race and ethnicity, economic status, limited English proficiency status, and disability status, in order to determine the opportunity's impact on each subgroup of summer scholars;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(V) collects daily attendance data on each summer scholar;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(VI) provides professional development opportunities for teachers to improve their practice in teaching numeracy, and in integrating problem-solving techniques into the curriculum; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(VII) meets all applicable Federal, State, and local civil rights laws.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) AMOUNT OF PAYMENT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in clause (ii), a State educational agency shall make a payment to an eligible entity for a summer scholar in the amount determined under paragraph (1)(B)(i).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) ADJUSTMENT- In the case in which a summer scholar does not attend the full summer learning opportunity, the State educational agency shall reduce the amount provided to the eligible entity pursuant to clause (i) by a percentage that is equal to the percentage of the summer learning opportunity not attended by such scholar.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS- A State educational agency or eligible entity receiving funding under this section may use not more than 5 percent of such funding for administrative costs associated with carrying out this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Evaluations; Report; Website-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT- For each year that an eligible entity enters into an agreement under subsection (d)(4), the eligible entity shall prepare and submit to the Secretary a report on the activities and outcomes of each summer learning opportunity that enrolled a summer scholar, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) information on the design of the summer learning opportunity;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the alignment of the summer learning opportunity with State standards; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) data from assessments of student mathematics and problem-solving skills for the summer scholars and on the attendance of the scholars, disaggregated by the subgroups described in subsection (d)(4)(A)(ii)(IV).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REPORT- For each year funds are appropriated under subsection (f) for this section, the Secretary shall prepare and submit a report to the HELP Committee of the Senate and the Education Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Education and Labor Committee of the Houseof the House of Representatives on the summer learning grant programs, including the effectiveness of the summer learning opportunities in improving student achievement and learning.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) SUMMER LEARNING GRANTS WEBSITE- The Secretary shall make accessible, on the Department of Education website, information for parents and school personnel on successful programs and curricula, and best practices, for summer learning opportunities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008 through fiscal year 2012and each of the 2 succeeding fiscal years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 36203. MATH SKILLS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.

(a) Purposes- The purposes of this section are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to provide assistance to State educational agencies and local educational agencies in implementing effective research-based mathematics programs for students in secondary schools, including students with disabilities and students with limited English proficiency;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to improve instruction in mathematics for students in secondary school through the implementation of mathematics programs and the support of comprehensive mathematics initiatives that are based on the best available evidence of effectiveness;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) to provide targeted help to low-income students who are struggling with mathematics and whose achievement is significantly below grade level; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) to provide in-service training for mathematics coaches who can assist secondary school teachers to utilize research-based mathematics instruction to develop and improve students' mathematical abilities and knowledge, and assist teachers in assessing and improving student academic achievement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Definitions- In this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ELIGIBLE LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY- The term `eligible local educational agency' means a local educational agency that is eligible to receive funds, and that is receiving funds, under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) MATHEMATICS COACH- The term `mathematics coach' means a certified or licensed teacher, with a demonstrated effectiveness in teaching mathematics to students with specialized needs in mathematics and improving student academic achievement in mathematics, a command of mathematical content knowledge, and the ability to work with classroom teachers to improve the teachers' instructional techniques to support mathematics improvement, who works on site at a school--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to train teachers to better assess student learning in mathematics;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) to train teachers to assess students' mathematics skills and identify students who need remediation; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) to provide or assess remedial mathematics instruction, including for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) students in after-school and summer school programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) students requiring additional instruction;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) students with disabilities; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) students with limited English proficiency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) SECONDARY SCHOOL- The term `secondary school' means a school that provides secondary education, as determined under State law.(4) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Education.(c) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as be necessary for fiscal year 2008 and each of the 3 succeeding fiscal years.(d) Grantsc) Program Authorized-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- From funds appropriated under subsection (co) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall establish a program, in accordance with the requirements of this section, that will provide grants on a competitive basis to State educational agencies to award grants and subgrants to eligible local educational agencies for the purpose of establishing mathematics programs to improve the overall mathematics performance of secondary school students in the State.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) LENGTH OF GRANT- A grant to a State educational agency under this section shall be awarded for a period of 4 years.(e3 years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Reservation of Funds by the Secretary- From amounts appropriated under subsection (co) for a fiscal year, the Secretary may reserve--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) not more than 3 percent of such amounts to fund national activities in support of the programs assisted under this section, such as research and dissemination of best practices, except that the Secretary may not use the reserved funds to award grants directly to local educational agencies; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) not more than 1/2 of 1 percent of such amounts for the Bureau of Indian Education of the Department of the Interior to carry out the services and activities described in subsection (lk)(3) for Indian children.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(fe) Grant Formulas-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) COMPETITIVE GRANTS TO STATE EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES- From amounts appropriated under subsection (co) and not reserved under subsection (ed), the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to State educational agencies to enable the State educational agencies to provide subgrants to eligible local educational agencies to establish mathematics programs for the purpose of improving overall mathematics performance among students in secondary school in the State.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) MINIMUM GRANT- The Secretary shall ensure that the minimum grant made to any sState educational agency under this section shall be not less than $500,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Applications-(1) IN GENERAL- In order to receive a grant under this section, a State educational agency shall submit an application to the Secretary at suchf) Applications- In order to receive a grant under this section, a State educational agency shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require. Each such application shall meet the following conditions:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A1) A State educational agency shall not include the application for assistance under this section in a consolidated application submitted under section 9302 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7842).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B2) The State educational agency's application shall include assurances that such application and any technical assistance provided by the State will be guided by a peer review team, which shall consist of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iA) researchers with expertise in the pedagogy of mathematics;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iiB) mathematicians; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iiiC) mathematics educators serving high-risk, high-achievement schools and eligible local educational agencies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C3) The State educational agency shall include an assurance that the State has a process to safeguard against conflicts of interest consistent with subsection (m)(2) and section 6204 for individuals providing technical assistance on behalf of the State educational agency or participating in the State peer review process under this subtitle.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) The State educational agency will participate, if requested, in any evaluation of the State educational agency's program under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D5) The State educational agency's application shall include a program plan that contains a description of the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iA) How the State educational agency will assist eligible local educational agencies in implementing subgrants, including providing ongoing professional development for mathematics coaches, teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iiB) How the State educational agency will help eligible local educational agencies identify high-quality screening, diagnostic, and classroom-based instructional mathematics assessments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iiiC) How the State educational agency will help eligible local educational agencies identify high-quality research-based mathematics materials and programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ivD) How the State educational agency will help eligible local educational agencies identify appropriate and effective materials, programs, and assessments for students with disabilities and students with limited English proficiency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vE) How the State educational agency will ensure that professional development funded under this section--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(Ii) is based on mathematics research;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(IIii) will effectively improve instructional practices for mathematics for secondary school students;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(IIIiii) will improve student academic achievement in mathematics; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(IViv) is coordinated with professional development activities funded through other programs, including section 2113 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6613).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(viF) How funded activities will help teachers and other instructional staff to implement research-based components of mathematics instruction and improve student academic achievement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(viiG) The subgrant process the State educational agency will use to ensure that eligible local educational agencies receiving subgrants implement programs and practices based on mathematics research.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(viiiH) How the State educational agency will build on and promote coordination among mathematics programs in the State to increase overall effectiveness in improving mathematics instruction and student academic achievement, including for students with disabilities and students with limited English proficiency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ixI) How the State educational agency will regularly assess and evaluate the effectiveness of the eligible local educational agency activities funded under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(hg) State Use of Funds- Each State educational agency receiving a grant under this section shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) establish a peer review team comprised of researchers with expertise in the pedagogy of mathematics, mathematicians, and mathematics educators from high-risk, high-achievement schools, to provide guidance to eligible local educational agencies in selecting or developing and implementing appropriate, research-based mathematics programs for secondary school students;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) use 80 percent of the grant funds received under this section for a fiscal year to fund high-quality applications for subgrants to eligible local educational agencies having applications approved under subsection (lk); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) use 20 percent of the grant funds received under this section--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to carry out State-level activities described in the application submitted under subsection (gf);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) to provide--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) technical assistance to eligible local educational agencies; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) high-quality professional development to teachers and mathematics coaches in the State;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) to oversee and evaluate subgrant services and activities undertaken by the eligible local educational agencies as described in subsection (lk)(3); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) for administrative costs, of which not more than 5 percent of the grant funds may be used for planning, administration, and reporting.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ih) Notice to Eligible Local Educational Agencies- Each State educational agency receiving a grant under this section shall provide notice to all eligible local educational agencies in the State about the availability of subgrants under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ji) Prohibitions-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- In implementing this section, the Secretary shall not--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) endorse, approve, or sanction any mathematics curriculum designed for use in any school; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) engage in oversight, technical assistance, or activities that will require the adoption of a specific mathematics program or instructional materials by a State, local educational agency, or school.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONFLICT OF INTEREST- Any federal employee, contractor, or subcontractor involved in the administration, implementation, or provision of oversight or technical assistance duties or activities under this section shall--(A) disclose to the Secretary any financial ties to publishers, entities, private individuals, or organizations that will benefit from funds provided under this section; and(B) be prohibited from maintaining significant financial interests in areas directly related to duties or activities under this section, unless granted a waiver by the Secretary.(3) REPORTING- The Secretary shall report annually to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives, on each of the waivers granted under paragraph (2)(B).(4) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION- Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize or permit the Secretary, Department of Education, or a Department of Education contractor, to mandate, direct, control, or suggest the selection of a mathematics curriculum, supplemental instructional materials, or program of instruction by a State, local educational agency, or school.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(kj) Supplement Not Supplant- Each State educational agency receiving a grant under this section shall use the grant funds to supplement, not supplant, State funding for activities authorized under this section or for other educational activities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(lk) Subgrants to Eligible Local Educational Agencies-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) APPLICATION-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- Each eligible local educational agency desiring a subgrant under this subsection shall submit an application to the State educational agency in the form and according to the schedule established by the State educational agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) CONTENTS- In addition to any information required by the State educational agency, each application under paragraph (1subparagraph (A) shall demonstrate how the eligible local educational agency will carry out the following required activities:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Development or selection and implementation of research-based mathematics assessments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) Development or selection and implementation of research-based mathematics programs, including programs for students with disabilities and students with limited English proficiency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) Selection of instructional materials based on mathematics research.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) High-quality professional development for mathematics coaches and teachers based on mathematics research.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) Evaluation and assessment strategies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vi) Reporting.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vii) Providing access to research-based mathematics materials.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) CONSORTIA- Consistent with State law, an eligible local educational agency may apply to the State educational agency for a subgrant as a member of a consortium of local educational agencies if each member of the consortium is an eligible local educational agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) AWARD BASIS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) PRIORITY- A State educational agency awarding subgrants under this subsection shall give priority to eligible local educational agencies that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) are among the local educational agencies in the State with the lowest graduation rates, as described in section 1111(b)(2)(C)(vi) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(C)(vi)); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) have the highest number or percentage of students who are counted under section 1124(c) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6333(c)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) AMOUNT OF GRANTS- Subgrants under this subsection shall be of sufficient size and scope to enable eligible local educational agencies to fully implement activities assisted under this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) LOCAL USE OF FUNDS- Each eligible local educational agency receiving a subgrant under this subsection shall use the subgrant funds to carry out, at the secondary school level, the following services and activities:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) Hiring mathematics coaches and providing professional development for mathematics coaches--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) at a level to provide effective coaching to classroom teachers;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) to work with classroom teachers to better assess student academic achievement in mathematics;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) to work with classroom teachers to identify students with mathematics problems and, where appropriate, refer students to available programs for remediation and additional services;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) to work with classroom teachers to diagnose and remediate mathematics difficulties of the lowest-performing students, so that those teachers can provide intensive, research-based instruction, including during after-school and summer sessions, geared toward ensuring that those students can access and be successful in rigorous academic coursework; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) to assess and organize student data on mathematics and communicate that data to school administrators to inform school reform efforts.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) Reviewing, analyzing, developing, and, where possible, adapting curricula to make sure mathematics skills are taught within other core academic subjects.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) Providing mathematics professional development for all relevant teachers in secondary school, as necessary, that addresses both remedial and higher level mathematics skills for students in the applicable curriculum.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) Providing professional development for teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals serving secondary schools to help the teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals improve student academic achievement in mathematics.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) Procuring and implementing programs and instructional materials based on mathematics research, including software and other education technology related to mathematics instruction with demonstrated effectiveness in improving mathematics instruction and student academic achievement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) Building on and promoting coordination among mathematics programs in the eligible local educational agency to increase overall effectiveness in--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) improving mathematics instruction; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) increasing student academic achievement, including for students with disabilities and students with limited English proficiency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) Evaluating the effectiveness of the instructional strategies, teacher professional development programs, and other interventions that are implemented under the subgrant; and.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) Measuring improvement in student academic achievement, including through progress monitoring or other assessments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) SUPPLEMENT NOT SUPPLANT- Each eligible local educational agency receiving a subgrant under this subsection shall use the subgrant funds to supplement, not supplant, the eligible local educational agency's funding for activities authorized under this section or for other educational activities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) NEW SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES- Subgrant funds provided under this subsection may be used only to provide services and activities authorized under this section that were not provided on the day before the date of enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) EVALUATIONS- Each eligible local educational agency receiving a grant under this subsection shall participate, as requested by the State educational agency or the Secretary, in reviews and evaluations of the programs of the eligible local educational agency and the effectiveness of such programs, and shall provide such reports as are requested by the State educational agency and the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ml) Matching Requirements-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) STATE EDUCATIONAL AGENCY REQUIREMENTS- A State educational agency that receives a grant under this section shall provide, from non-Federal sources, an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount of the grant, in cash or in-kind, to carry out the activities supported by the grant, of which not more than 20 percent of such 50 percent may be provided by local educational agencies within the State.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) WAIVER- The Secretary may waive all or a portion of the matching requirements described in paragraph (1) for any fiscal year, if the Secretary determines that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the application of the matching requirement will result in serious hardship for the State educational agency; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) providing a waiver best serves the purpose of the program assisted under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(m) Evaluation and Technical Assistance-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) EVALUATION-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall conduct an annual independent evaluation, by grant or by contract, of the program assisted under this section, which shall include an assessment of the impact of the program on student academic achievement and teacher performance, and may use funds available to carry out this section to conduct the evaluation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) REPORT- The Secretary shall annually submit to the Committee on Education and Labor and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, a report on the results of the evaluation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) LIMITATIONS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall ensure that the organization selected to carry out the independent evaluation under subparagraph (A) does not hold a contract or subcontract to implement any aspect of the program under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) SUBCONTRACTORS- Any contract entered into under subparagraph (A) shall prohibit the organization conducting the evaluation from subcontracting with any entity that holds a contract or subcontract for any aspect of the implementation of this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) WAIVER- Subject to clause (iv), the Secretary may waive the application of clause (i) or (ii), or both, in accordance with the requirements under section 9.503 of title 48, Code of Federal Regulations, if the Secretary determines that their application in a particular situation would not be in the Federal Government's interest.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) SPECIAL RULE REGARDING WAIVERS- No organization or subcontractor under this paragraph shall receive a waiver that allows the organization or subcontractor to evaluate any aspect of the program under this section that the organization or subcontractor was involved in implementing.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may use funds made available under paragraph (3) to provide technical assistance to prospective applicants and to State educational agencies and eligible local educational agencies receiving grants or subgrants under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) CONFLICTS OF INTEREST- If the Secretary carries out subparagraph (A) through any contracts, the Secretary, in consultation with the Office of the General Counsel of the Department, shall ensure that each contract requires the contractor to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) screen for conflicts of interest when hiring individuals to carry out the responsibilities under the contract;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) include the requirement of clause (i) in any subcontracts the contractor enters into under the contract; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) establish and follow a schedule for carrying out clause (i) and subparagraph (C) and reporting to the Secretary on the contractor's actions under those provisions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) SCREENING PROCESS- Subject to subparagraph (D), the screening process described in subparagraph (B)(i) shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) include, at a minimum, a review of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) each individual performing duties under the contract or subcontract for connections to any State's program under this section;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) such individual's potential financial interests in, or other connection to, products, activities, or services that might be purchased by a State educational agency or local educational agency in the course of the agency's implementation of the program under this section; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) such individual's connections to teaching methodologies that might require the use of specific products, activities, or services; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) ensure that individuals performing duties under the contract do not maintain significant financial interests in products, activities, or services supported under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) WAIVER-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may, in consultation with the Office of the General Counsel of the Department, waive the requirements of subparagraph (C).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) REPORT- The Secretary shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) establish criteria for the waivers under clause (i); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) report any waivers under clause (i), and the criteria under which such waivers are allowed, to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) INFORMATION DISSEMINATION-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) IN GENERAL- If the Secretary enters into contracts to provide technical assistance under subparagraph (A), and if a contractor enters into subcontracts for that purpose, each such contract and subcontract shall require the provider of technical assistance to clearly separate technical assistance provided under the contract or subcontract from information provided, or activities engaged in, as part of the normal operations of the contractor or subcontractor.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) METHODS OF COMPLIANCE- Efforts to comply with clause (i) may include the creation of separate webpages for the purpose of fulfilling a contract or subcontract entered into under subparagraph (A).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) RESERVATION OF FUNDS- The Secretary may reserve not more than 2.5 percent of funds appropriated under subsection (o) for a fiscal year to carry out this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(n) Program Performance and Accountability-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) INFORMATION- Each State educational agency receiving a grant under this section shall collect and report to the Secretary annually such information on the results of the grant as the Secretary may reasonably require, including information on--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) mathematics achievement data that show the progress of students participating in projects under this section (including, to the extent practicable, comparable data from students not participating in such projects), based primarily on the results of State, school districtwide, or classroom-based monitoring reports or assessments, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) specific identification of those schools and eligible local educational agencies that report the largest gains in mathematics achievement; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) evidence on whether the State educational agency and eligible local educational agencies within the State have--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) significantly increased the number of students achieving at the proficient or advanced level on the State student academic achievement standards in mathematics under section 1111(b)(1)(D)(ii) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(1)(D)(ii));CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) significantly increased the percentages of students described in section 1111(b)(2)(C)(v)(II) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(C)(v)(II)) who are achieving proficiency or advanced levels on such State academic content standards in mathematics;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) significantly increased the number of students making significant progress toward meeting such State academic content and achievement standards in mathematics; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(IV) successfully implemented this section;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the percentage of students in the schools served by the eligible local educational agency who enroll in advanced mathematics courses in grades 9 through 12, including the percentage of such students who pass such courses; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the progress made in increasing the quality and accessibility of professional development and leadership activities in mathematics, especially activities resulting in greater content knowledge and expertise of teachers, administrators, and other school staff, except that the Secretary shall not require such information until after the third year of a grant awarded under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REPORTING AND DISAGGREGATION- The information required under paragraph (1) shall be--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) reported in a manner that allows for a comparison of aggregated score differentials of student academic achievement before (to the extent feasible) and after implementation of the project assisted under this section; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) disaggregated in the same manner as information is disaggregated under section 1111(h)(1)(C)(i) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(h)(1)(C)(i)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





TITLE III--FOREIGN LANGUAGE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMSEC. 3 (o) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $95,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and each of the 2 succeeding fiscal years. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 6301. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

(a) Findings- Congress makes the following findings:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) The United States faces a shortage of skilled professionals with higher levels of proficiency in foreign languages and area knowledge critical to the Nation's security.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Given the Nation's economic competitiveness interests, it is crucial that our Nation expand the number of Americans who are able to function effectively in the environments in which critical foreign languages are spoken.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) Students' ability to become proficient in foreign languages can be addressed by starting language learning at a younger age and expanding opportunities for continuous foreign language education from elementary school through postsecondary education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Purpose- The purpose of this subtitle is to significantly increase--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the opportunities to study critical foreign languages and the context in which the critical foreign languages are spoken; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the number of American students who achieve the highest level of proficiency in critical foreign languages.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 36302. DEFINITIONS.

In this subtitle:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ELIGIBLE RECIPIENT- The term `eligible recipient' means an institution of higher education that receives grant funds under this title on behalf of aentity mutually agreed upon by a partnership that shall receive grant funds under this subtitle on behalf of the partnership for use in carrying out the activities assisted under this title.(2)subtitle.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) PARTNERSHIP- The term `partnership' means a partnership that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) an institution of higher education; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) 1 or more local educational agencies; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) may include 1 or more entities that support the purposes of this subtitle.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) SUPERIOR LEVEL OF PROFICIENCY- The term `superior level of proficiency' means level 3, the professional working level, as measured by the Federal Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) or by other generally recognized measures of superior standards.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 36303. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.

(a) Program Authorized-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary is authorized to award grants to eligible recipients to enable partnerships served by the eligible recipients to establish articulated programs of study in critical foreign languages that will enable students to advance successfully from elementary school through postsecondary education and achieve higher levels of proficiency in a critical foreign language.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) DURATION- A grant awarded under paragraph (1) shall be for a period of not more than 5 years, of which 2 years may be for planning and development. A grant may be renewed for not more than 2 additional 5-year periods, if the Secretary determines that the partnership's program is effective and the renewal will best serve the purposes of this subtitle.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Applications-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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 containing such information as the Secretary may require.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONTENTS- Each application shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) identify each local educational agency partner, including contact information and letters of commitment, and describe the responsibilities of each member of the partnership, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) how each of the partners will be involved in planning, developing, and implementing--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) program curriculum and materials; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) teacher professional development;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) what resources each of the partners will provide; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) how the partners will contribute to ensuring the continuity of student progress from elementary school through the postsecondary level;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) describe how an articulated curriculum for students will be developed and implemented, which may include the use and integration of technology into such curriculum;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) identify target proficiency levels for students at critical benchmarks (such as grades 4, 8, and 12), and describe how progress toward those proficiency levels will be assessed at the benchmarks, and how the program will use the results of the assessments to ensure continuous progress toward achieving a superior level of proficiency at the postsecondary level;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) describe how the partnership will--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) ensure that students from a program assisted under this subtitle who are beginning postsecondary education will be assessed and enabled to progress to a superior level of proficiency;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) address the needs of students already at, or near, the superior level of proficiency, which may include diagnostic assessments for placement purposes, customized and individualized language learning opportunities, and experimental and interdisciplinary language learning; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) identify and describe how the partnership will work with institutions of higher education outside the partnership to provide participating students with multiple options for postsecondary education consistent with the purposes of this subtitle;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) describe how the partnership will support and continue the program after the grant has expired, including how the partnership will seek support from other sources, such as State and local governments, foundations, and the private sector; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) describe what assessments will be used or, if assessments not available, how assessments will be developed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Uses of Funds- Grant funds awarded under this title--(1) shall be used to developsubtitle--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) shall be used to plan, develop, and implement programs at the elementary school level through postsecondary education, consistent with the purpose of this subtitle, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the development of curriculum and instructional materials; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) recruitment of students; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) may be used for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) teacher recruitment (including recruitment from other professions and recruitment of native-language speakers in the community) and professional development directly related to the purposes of this subtitle at the elementary school through secondary school levels;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) development of appropriate assessments;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) opportunities for maximum language exposure for students in the program, such as the creation of immersion environments (such as language houses, language tables, immersion classrooms, and weekend and summer experiences) and special tutoring and academic support;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) dual language immersion programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) scholarships and study-abroad opportunities, related to the program, for postsecondary students and newly recruited teachers who have advanced levels of proficiency in a critical foreign language, except that not more than 20 percent of the grant funds provided to an eligible recipient under this section for a fiscal year may be used to carry out this subparagraph;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) activities to encourage community involvement to assist in meeting the purposes of this subtitle;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) summer institutes for students and teachers;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) bridge programs that allow dual enrollment for secondary school students in institutions of higher education;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) programs that expand the understanding and knowledge of historic, geographic, and contextual factors within countries with populations who speak critical foreign languages, if such programs are carried out in conjunction with language instruction;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(J) research on, and evaluation of, the teaching of critical foreign languages;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(K) data collection and analysis regarding the results of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) various student recruitment strategies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) program design; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) curricular approaches;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(L) the impact of the strategies, program design, and curricular approaches described in subparagraph (K) on increasing--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the number of students studying critical foreign languages; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the proficiency of the students in the critical foreign languages; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(M) distance learning projects for critical foreign language learning.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Matching Requirement-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- An eligible recipient that receives a grant under this subtitle shall provide, toward the cost of carrying out the activities supported by the grant, from non-Federal sources, an amount equal to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) 20 percent of the amount of the grant payment for the first fiscal year for which a grant payment is made;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) 30 percent of the amount of the grant payment for the second such fiscal year;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) 40 percent of the amount of the grant payment for the third such fiscal year; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) 50 percent of the amount of the grant payment for each of the fourth and fifth such fiscal years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) NON-FEDERAL SHARE- The non-Federal share required under paragraph (1) may be provided in cash or in-kind.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) WAIVER- The Secretary may waive all or part of the matching requirement of paragraph (1), for any fiscal year, if the Secretary determines that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the application of the matching requirement will result in serious hardship for the partnership; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the waiver will best serve the purposes of this subtitle.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Supplement Not Supplant- Grant funds provided under this title shall be used to subtitle shall be used to supplement, not supplant, other Federal and non-Federal funds available to carry out the activities described in subsection (c).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Technical Assistance- The Secretary shall enter into a contract to establish a technical assistance center to provide technical assistance to partnerships developing critical foreign language programs assisted under this sectionubtitle. The center shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) assist the partnerships in the development of critical foreign language instructional materials and assessments; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) disseminate promising foreign language instructional practices.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Program Evaluation-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may reserve not more than 5 percent of the total amount appropriated for this subtitle for any fiscal year to annually evaluate the programs under this subtitle.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REPORT- The Secretary shall prepare and annually submit, to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, the Committee on Education and the WorkforceLabor of the House of Representatives, and the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and House of Representatives, a report--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) on the results of any program evaluation conducted under this subsection; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) that includes best practices on the teaching and learning of foreign languages based on the findings from the evaluation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 36304. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

For the purpose of carrying out this subtitle, there are authorized to be appropriated $228,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 32 succeeding fiscal years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IV--ALIGNMENT OF EDUCATION PROGRAMSSEC. 3 Subtitle D--Alignment of Education Programs

SEC. 6401. ALIGNMENT OF SECONDARY SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS WITH THE DEMANDS OF 21ST CENTURY POSTSECONDARY ENDEAVORS AND SUPPORT FOR P-16 EDUCATION DATA SYSTEMS.

(a) Purpose- It is the purpose of this section--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to promote more accountability with respect to preparation for higher education, the 21st century workforce, and the Armed Forces, by aligning--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) student knowledge, student skills, State academic content standards and assessments, and curricula, in elementary and secondary education, especially with respect to mathematics, science, reading, and, where applicable, engineering and technology; withCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the demands of higher education, the 21st century workforce, and the Armed Forces;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to support the establishment or improvement of statewide P-16 education data systems that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) assist States in improving the rigor and quality of State academic content standards and assessments;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) ensure students are prepared to succeed in--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) academic credit-bearing coursework in higher education without the need for remediation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the 21st century workforce; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) the Armed Forces; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) enable States to have valid and reliable information to inform education policy and practice.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Definitions- In this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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) P-16 EDUCATION- The term `P-16 education' means the educational system from preschool through the conferring of a baccalaureate degree.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(32) STATEWIDE PARTNERSHIP- The term `statewide partnership' means a partnership that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the Governor of the State or the designee of the Governor;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the heads of the State systems for public higher education, or, if such a position does not exist, not less than 1 representative of a public degree-granting institution of higher education;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) a representative of the agencies in the State that administer Federal or State-funded early childhood education programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) not less than 1 representative of a public community college;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) not less than 1 representative of a technical school;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vi) not less than 1 representative of a public secondary school;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vii) the chief State school officer;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(viii) the chief executive officer of the State higher education coordinating board;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ix) not less than 1 public elementary school teacher employed in the State;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(x) not less than 1 early childhood educator in the State;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(xi) not less than 1 public secondary school teacher employed in the State;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(xii) not less than 1 representative of the business community in the State; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(xiii) not less than 1 member of the Armed Forces; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) may include other individuals or representatives of other organizations, such as a school administrator, a faculty member at an institution of higher education, a member of a civic or community organization, a representative from a private institution of higher education, a dean or similar representative of a school of education at an institution of higher education or a similar teacher certification or licensure program, or the State official responsible for economic development.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Grants Authorized- The Secretary is authorized to award grants, on a competitive basis, to States to enable each such State to work with a statewide partnership--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to promote better alignment of content knowledge requirements for secondary school graduation with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in postsecondary education, the 21st century workforce, or the Armed Forces; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to establish or improve a statewide P-16 education data system.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Period of Grants; Non-Renewability-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) GRANT PERIOD- The Secretary shall award a grant under this section for a period of not more than 3 years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) NON-RENEWABILITY- The Secretary shall not award a State more than 1 grant under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Authorized Activities-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) GRANTS FOR P-16 ALIGNMENT- Each State receiving a grant under subsection (c)(1)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) shall use the grant funds for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) identifying and describing the content knowledge and skills students who enter institutions of higher education, the workforce, and the Armed Forces need to have in order to succeed without any remediation based on detailed requirements obtained from institutions of higher education, employers, and the Armed Forces;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) identifying and making changes that need to be made to a State's secondary school graduation requirements, academic content standards, academic achievement standards, and assessments preceding graduation from secondary school in order to align the requirements, standards, and assessments with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in academic credit-bearing coursework in postsecondary education, in the 21st century workforce, and in the Armed Forces without the need for remediation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) convening stakeholders within the State and creating a forum for identifying and deliberating on education issues that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) involve preschool through grade 12 education, postsecondary education, the 21st century workforce, and the Armed Forces; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) transcend any single system of education's ability to address; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) implementing activities designed to ensure the enrollment of all elementary school and secondary school students in rigorous coursework, which may include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) specifying the courses and performance levels necessary for acceptance into institutions of higher education; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) developing or providing guidance to local educational agencies within the State on the adoption of curricula and assessments aligned with State academic content standards, which assessments may be used as measures of student academic achievement in secondary school as well as for entrance or placement at institutions of higher education, including through collaboration with institutions of higher education in, or State educational agencies serving, other States; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) may use the grant funds for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) developing and making available specific opportunities for extensive professional development for teachers, paraprofessionals, principals, and school administrators, including collection and dissemination of effective teaching practices to improve instruction and instructional support mechanisms;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) identifying changes in State academic content standards, academic achievement standards, and assessments for students in grades preceding secondary school in order to ensure such standards and assessments are appropriately aligned and adequately reflect the content needed to prepare students to enter secondary school;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) developing a plan to provide remediation and additional learning opportunities for students who are performing below grade level to ensure that all students will have the opportunity to meet secondary school graduation requirements;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) identifying and addressing teacher certification needs; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) incorporating 21st century learning skills into the State plan, which skills shall include critical thinking, problem solving, communication, collaboration, global awareness, and business and financial literacy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) GRANTS FOR STATEWIDE P-16 EDUCATION DATA SYSTEMS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) ESTABLISHMENT OF SYSTEM- Each State that receives a grant under subsection (c)(2) shall establish a statewide P-16 education longitudinal data system that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) provides each student, upon enrollment in a public elementary school or secondary school in the State, with a unique identifier, such as a bar code, that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) does not permit a student to be individually identified by users of the system; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) is retained throughout the student's enrollment in P-16 education in the State; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) meets the requirements of subparagraphs (B) through (E).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) IMPROVEMENT OF EXISTING SYSTEM- Each State that receives a grant under subsection (c)(2) for the improvement of a statewide P-16 education data system may employ, coordinate, or revise an existing statewide data system to establish a statewide longitudinal P-16 education data system that meets the requirements of subparagraph (A), if the statewide longitudinal P-16 education data system produces valid and reliable data.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) PRIVACY AND ACCESS TO DATA-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) IN GENERAL- Each State that receives a grant under subsection (c)(2) shall implement measures to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) limit the State's use of information inensure that the statewide P-16 education data system to the purposes and functions for use of such information meets the requirements of section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g) (commonly known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) limit the use of information in the statewide P-16 education data system by institutions of higher education and State or local educational agencies or institutions to the activities set forth in Federal or Stateparagraph (1) or State law regarding education and allow access to the information in the statewide data system only to those State employees, and only on such terms, as may be necessary to fulfill those purposes and functions;(, consistent with the purposes of this subtitle;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) prohibit the disclosure of personally identifiable information except as permitted under section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act and any additional limitations set forth in State law;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(IV) keep an accurate accounting of the date, nature, and purpose of each disclosure of personally identifiable information in the statewide P-16 education data system to any other, a description of the information disclosed, and the name and address of the person, agency, institution, or entity, except to the extent necessary to whom the disclosure is made, which accounting shall be made available on request to parents of any student whose information has been disclosed;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(V) notwithstanding section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act, require any non-governmental party obtaining personally identifiable information to assist the State in fulfilling the purposes and functions for use of such information set forth in Federal or State law regarding education, and only if such party has signed a data use agreementsign a data use agreement prior to disclosure that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(aa) prohibits the party from further disclosing the information;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(bb) prohibits the party from using the information for any purpose other than the purpose specified in the agreement, which purpose must relate to assisting the State in carrying out the purposes and functions for use of such information set forth in Federal or State law regarding education; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(cc) requires the party to destroy the information when the purpose for which the disclosure was made is accomplished;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(III) keep an accurate accounting of the date, nature, and purpose of each disclosure of information in the statewide P-16 education data system, and the name and address of the person, agency, institution, or entity to whom the disclosure is made, which accounting shall be made available on request to parents of any student whose information has been disclosed;(IVVI) maintain adequate security measures to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the data system;(V) ensure that the statewide P-16 education data system meets any further requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. 1232g);(V, such as protecting a student record from identification by a unique identifier;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(VII) where rights are provided to parents under this clause, provide those rights to the student instead of the parent if the student has reached the age of 18 or is enrolled in a postsecondary educational institution; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(VIII) ensure adequate enforcement of the requirements of this clause.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) USE OF UNIQUE IDENTIFIERS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) GOVERNMENTAL USE OF UNIQUE IDENTIFIERS- It shall be unlawful for any Federal, State, or local governmental agency to use the unique identifiers employed in the statewide P-16 education data systems for any purpose other than as authorized by Federal or State law regarding education, or to deny any individual any right, benefit, or privilege provided by law because of such individual's refusal to disclose the individual's unique identifier.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) REGULATIONS- Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall promulgate regulations governing the use by governmental and non-governmental entities of the unique identifiers employed in statewide P-16 education data systems, including, where necessary, regulations requiring States desiring grants for statewide P-16 education data systems under this section to implement specified measures, with the goal of safeguarding individual privacy to the maximum extent practicable consistent with the uses of the information authorized in this Act or other Federal or State law regarding education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) REQUIRED ELEMENTS OF A STATEWIDE P-16 EDUCATION DATA SYSTEM- The State shall ensure that the statewide P-16 education data system includes the following elements:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) PRESCHOOL THROUGH GRADE 12 EDUCATION AND POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION- With respect to preschool through grade 12 education and postsecondary education--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) a unique statewide student identifier that does not permit a student to be individually identified by users of the system;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) student-level enrollment, demographic, and program participation information;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) student-level information about the points at which students exit, transfer in, transfer out, drop out, or complete P-16 education programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(IV) the capacity to communicate with higher education data systems; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(V) a State data audit system assessing data quality, validity, and reliability.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) PRESCHOOL THROUGH GRADE 12 EDUCATION- With respect to preschool through grade 12 education--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) yearly test records of individual students with respect to assessments under section 1111(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b));CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) information on students not tested by grade and subject;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) a teacher identifier system with the ability to match teachers to students;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(IV) student-level transcript information, including information on courses completed and grades earned; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(V) student-level college readiness test scores.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION- With respect to postsecondary education, data that provide--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) information regarding the extent to which students transition successfully from secondary school to postsecondary education, including whether students enroll in remedial coursework; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) other information determined necessary to address alignment and adequate preparation for success in postsecondary education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) FUNCTIONS OF THE STATEWIDE P-16 EDUCATION DATA SYSTEM- In implementing the statewide P-16 education data system, the State shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) 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;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) 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; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) use the data in the system to otherwise inform education policy and practice in order to better align State academic content standards, and curricula, with the demands of postsecondary education, the 21st century workforce, and the Armed Forces.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Application-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Each State desiring 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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) APPLICATION CONTENTS- Each application submitted under this section shall specify whether the State application is for the conduct of P-16 education alignment activities, or the establishment or improvement of a statewide P-16 education data system. The application shall include, at a minimum, the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) A description of the activities and programs to be carried out with the grant funds and a comprehensive plan for carrying out the activities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) A description of how the concerns and interests of the larger education community, including parents, students, teachers, teacher educators, principals, and preschool administrators will be represented in carrying out the authorized activities described in subsection (e).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) In the case of a State applying for funding for P-16 education alignment, a description of how the State will provide assistance to local educational agencies in implementing rigorous State academic content standards, substantive curricula, remediation, and acceleration opportunities for students, as well as other changes determined necessary by the State.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) In the case of a State applying for funding to establish or improve a statewide P-16 education data system--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) a description of the privacy protection and enforcement measures that the State has implemented or will implement pursuant to subparagraph section (e)(2)(C), and assurances that these measures will be in place prior to the establishment or improvement of the statewide P-16 education data system; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) an assurance that the State will continue to fund the statewide P-16 education data system after the end of the grant period.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Supplement Not Supplant- Grant funds provided under this section shall be used to supplement, not supplant, other Federal, State, and local funds available to carry out the authorized activities described in subsection (e).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Matching Requirement- Each State that receives a grant under this section shall provide, from non-Federal sources, an amount equal to 100 percent of the amount of the grant, in cash or in kind, to carry out the activities supported by the grant.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Rule of Construction-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) NO RAW DATA REQUIREMENT- Nothing in this section shall be construed to require States to provide raw data to the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(j) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $102) PRIVATE OR HOME SCHOOLS- Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect any private school that does not receive funds or services under this Act or any home school, whether or not the home school is treated as a home school or a private school under State law, including imposing new requirements for students educated through a home school seeking admission to institutions of higher education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(j) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $120,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2009.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE V--MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE PARTNERSHIP BONUS GRANTS.SEC. 3 Subtitle E--Mathematics and Science Partnership Bonus Grants

SEC. 6501. MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE PARTNERSHIP BONUS GRANTS.

(a) In General- From amounts appropriated under subsection (d), the Secretary of Educationection 6502, the Secretary shall award a grant--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) for each of the school years 2007-2008 through 2010-2011, to each of the 3 elementary schools and each of the 3 secondary schools each of which has a high, and each of the 3 secondary schools, each of which has a high concentration of low income students as defined in section 1707(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6537(32)), in each State whose students demonstrate the most improvement in mathematics, as measured by the improvement in the students' average score on the State's assessments in mathematics for the school year for which the grant is awarded, as compared to the school year preceding the school year for which the grant is awarded; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) for each of the school years 2008-2009 through 2010-2011, to each of the 3 elementary schools and each of the 3 secondary schools each of which has a high, and each of the 3 secondary schools, each of which has a high concentration of low income students as defined in section 1707(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6537(32)), in each State whose students demonstrate the most improvement in science, as measured by the improvement in the students' average score on the State's assessments in science for the school year for which the grant is awarded, as compared to the school year preceding the school year for which the grant is awarded.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Grant Amount- The amount of each grant awarded under this section shall be $50,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 36502. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums for fiscal years 2008 through 2011.DIVISION Dubtitle such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2008 and each of the 2 succeeding fiscal years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE VII--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

SEC. 40017001. DEFINITIONS.

SEC. 7002. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) In General- There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation--(1) $6,729,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;(2) $7,738,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;(3) $8,899,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and(4) $10,234Fiscal Year 2008-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Foundation $6,600,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.(b) Plan for Increased Research-(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Science Foundation, in consultation with the National Science Board, shall submit a comprehensive, multiyear plan that describes how the funds authorized in subsection (a) would be used, if appropriated, to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives08.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) PLAN REQUIREMENTS- The Director shall--(A) develop the plan with a focus on strengthening the Nation's lead in physical science and technology, increasing overall workforce skills in physical science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at all levels, and strengthening innovation by expanding the focus of competitiveness and innovation policy at the regional and local level; and(B) emphasize spending increased research funds appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) in areas of investment for Federal research and technology programs identified under section 1101(c) of this Act.SEC. 4002. STRENGTHENING OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTORATE THROUGH EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF NEW FUNDS.(a) Purpose- The purpose of this section is to ensure the continued involvement of experts at the National Science Foundation in improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education at the elementary, secondary, and postsecondary school levels by providing annual funding increases for the education and human resources programs of the National Science Foundation that are proportional to the funding increases provided to the Foundation overall.(b) Equitable Distribution of New Funds- Within the amounts authorized to be appropriated by section 4001, there are authorized to be appropriated for the educationSPECIFIC ALLOCATIONS- Of the amount authorized under paragraph (1)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) $5,156,000,000 shall be made available for research and related activities, of which--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) $115,000,000 shall be made available for the Major Research Instrumentation program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) $165,400,000 shall be made available for the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) $61,600,000 shall be made available for the Research Experiences for Undergraduates program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) $120,000,000 shall be made available for the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) $47,300,000 shall be made available for the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vi) $9,000,000 shall be made available for the Graduate Research Fellowship program; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vii) $10,000,000 shall be made available for the professional science master's degree program under section 7034;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) $896,000,000 shall be made available for education and human resources programs of the National Science Foundation, for fiscal year 2008, $1,050,000,000, and, for each of the fiscal years 2009 through 2011, an amount equal to $1,050,000,000 increased for each such fiscal year by an amount equal to the percentage increase in the appropriation for the National Science Foundation for such fiscal year above the amount appropriated to the National Science Foundation for fiscal year 2008.SEC. 4003. GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS AND GRADUATE TRAINEESHIPS.(a) Graduate Research Fellowship Program-(1) IN GENERAL- During the 4-year period beginning on the date of, of which--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) $100,000,000 shall be for Mathematics and Science Education Partnerships established under section 9 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) $89,800,000 shall be for the enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Science Foundation shall expand the Graduate Research Fellowship Program of the National Science Foundation so that an additional 1,250 fellowships are awarded to citizens or nationals of the United States or eligible lawful permanent residents under the Program during that period.(2) EXTENSION OF FELLOWSHIP PERIOD- The Director is authorized to award fellowships under the Graduate Research Fellowship Program for a period of up to 5 years.(3) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- Within the amounts authorized to be appropriated by section 4001, there are authorized to be appropriated, to provide additional fellowships undeRobert Noyce Scholarship Program established under section 10 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-1);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) $40,000,000 shall be for the Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology Talent Expansion Program established under section 8(7) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-368);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) $52,000,000 shall be for the Advanced Technological Education program established by section 3(a) of the Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-476);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) $27,100,000 shall be made available for the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vi) $96,600,000 shall be made available for the Graduate Research Fellowship Program during each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011, the following:(A) $24,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.(B) $36,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.(C) $48,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.(D) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2011program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) $245,000,000 shall be made available for major research equipment and facilities construction;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) $285,600,000 shall be made available for agency operations and award management;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) $4,050,000 shall be made available for the Office of the National Science Board; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) $12,350,000 shall be made available for the Office of Inspector General.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Fiscal Year 2009-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Foundation $7,326,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) SPECIFIC ALLOCATIONS- Of the amount authorized under paragraph (1)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) $5,742,300,000 shall be made available for research and related activities, of which--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) $123,100,000 shall be made available for the Major Research Instrumentation program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) $183,600,000 shall be made available for the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) $68,400,000 shall be made available for the Research Experiences for Undergraduates program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) $133,200,000 shall be made available for the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) $52,500,000 shall be made available for the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship Program-(1) IN GENERAL- During the 4-year period beginning on the date of program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vi) $10,000,000 shall be made available for the Graduate Research Fellowship program; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vii) $12,000,000 shall be made available for the professional science master's degree program under section 7034;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) $995,000,000 shall be made available for education and human resources, of which--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) $111,000,000 shall be for Mathematics and Science Education Partnerships established under section 9 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) $115,000,000 shall be for the enactment of this Act, the Director shall expandRobert Noyce Scholarship Program established under section 10 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-1);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) $50,000,000 shall be for the Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology Talent Expansion Program established under section 8(7) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-368);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) $57,700,000 shall be for the Advanced Technological Education program as established by section 3(a) of the Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-476);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) $30,100,000 shall be made available for the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program of the National Science Foundation so that an additional 1,250 individuals who are citizens or nationals of the United States or eligible lawful permanent residents are awarded grants under the program during that period; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vi) $107,200,000 shall be made available for the Graduate Research Fellowship program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) $262,000,000 shall be made available for major research equipment and facilities construction;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) $309,760,000 shall be made available for agency operations and award management;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) $4,190,000 shall be made available for the Office of the National Science Board; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) $12,750,000 shall be made available for the Office of Inspector General.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Fiscal Year 2010-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Foundation $8,132,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- Within the amounts authorized to be appropriated by section 4001, there are authorized to be appropriated, to provide grants to additional individuals undeSPECIFIC ALLOCATIONS- Of the amount authorized under paragraph (1)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) $6,401,000,000 shall be made available for research and related activities, of which--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) $131,700,000 shall be made available for the Major Research Instrumentation program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) $203,800,000 shall be made available for the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) $75,900,000 shall be made available for the Research Experiences for Undergraduates program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) $147,800,000 shall be made available for the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) $58,300,000 shall be made available for the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program during each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011, the following:(A) $22,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.(B) $33,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.(C) $44,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.(D) $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.(c) Definition of Eligible Lawful Permanent Resident- In this section, the term `eligible lawful permanent resident' means a lawful permanent resident of the United States who declares an intent--(1) to apply for United States citizenship; or(2) to reside in the United States for not less than 5 years after the completion of a graduate fellowship or traineeship awarded under this section.SEC. 4004. PROFESS;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vi) $11,100,000 shall be made available for the Graduate Research Fellowship program; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vii) $15,000,000 shall be made available for the professional science master's degree program under section 7034;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) $1,104,000,000 shall be made available for education and human resources, of which--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) $123,200,000 shall be for Mathematics and Science Education Partnerships established under section 9 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) $140,500,000 shall be for the Robert Noyce Scholarship Program established under section 10 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-1);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) $55,000,000 shall be for the Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology Talent Expansion Program established under section 8(7) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-368);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) $64,000,000 shall be for the Advanced Technological Education program as established by section 3(a) of the Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-476);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) $33,400,000 shall be made available for the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vi) $119,000,000 shall be made available for the Graduate Research Fellowship program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) $280,000,000 shall be made available for major research equipment and facilities construction;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) $329,450,000 shall be made available for agency operations and award management;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) $4,340,000 shall be made available for the Office of the National Science Board; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) $13,210,000 shall be made available for the Office of Inspector General.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 7003. REAFFIRMATION OF THE MERIT-REVIEW PROCESS OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAMSFOUNDATION.

SEC. 7006. CENTERS FOR RESEARCH ON LEARNING AND EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT.

(a) Clearinghouse-(1) DEVELOPMENT- The Director of the National Science Foundation shall establish a clearinghouse, in collaboration with 4-year institutions of higher education (including applicable graduate schools and academic departments), and industries and Federal agencies that employ science-trained personnel, to share program elements used in successful professional science master's degree programs and other advanced degree programs related to science, mathematics, technology, and engineering.(2) AVAILABILITY- The Director 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 programsFunding for Centers- The Director shall continue to carry out the program of Centers for Research on Learning and Education Improvement as established in section 11 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Programs-(1) PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED- The Director shall award grants 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 may require. The application shall include--(A) a description of the professional science master's degree program that theEligibility for Centers- Section 11 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-2) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting `or eligible nonprofit organizations' after `institutions of higher education';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting `or an eligible nonprofit organization' after `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'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in subsection (b)(1), by striking `of such institutions' and inserting `thereof'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

The Director shall require that each institution that applies for financial assistance from the Foundation for science and engineering research or education describe in its grant proposal a plan to provide appropriate training and oversight in the responsible and ethical conduct of research to undergraduate students, graduate fellowships and student financial assistance under titles IV and VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20students, and postdoctoral researchers participating in the proposed research project.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(a) Evaluation of Programs- The Director shall, on an annual basis, evaluate all of the Foundation's grants that are scheduled to expire within 1 year and--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) that have the primary purpose of meeting the objectives of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunity Act (42 U.S.C. 1070 et seq., 1133885 et seq.).(3) PREFERENCES- The Director shall give preference in making awards to 4-year institutions of higher education seeking Federal funding to create or improve professional science master's degree programs, to those applicants--(A) located in States with low percentages of citizens with graduate or professional degrees, as determined by the Bureau of the Census, that demonstrate success; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) that have the primary purpose of providing teacher professional development.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Continuation of Funding- For grants that are identified under subsection (a) and that are determined by the Director to be successful in meeting the unique needs of the corporate, non-profit, and government communities in the State, as evidenced by providing internships for professional science master's degree students or similar partnership arrangements; or(B) 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 shall award grants under paragraphobjectives of the initial grant solicitation, the Director may extend the duration of those grants for not more than 3 additional years beyond their scheduled expiration without the requirement for a recompetition.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Report to Congress- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Director shall submit a report to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) lists the grants that have been extended in duration by the authority provided under this section; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) provides any recommendations the Director may have regarding the extension of the authority provided under this section to programs other than those specified in subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(a) Report on Funding for Major Facilities-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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 Director of the National Science Foundation, in collaboration with 4-year institutions of higher education (including applicable graduate schools and academic departments), and industries and Federal agencies that employ science-trained personnel, shall develop performance benchmarks toPRECONSTRUCTION FUNDING- The Board shall evaluate the pilot programs assisted by grants under this section.(B) EVALUATION- For each year of the grant period, the Director, in consultation with 4-year institutions of higher education (including applicable graduate schools and academic departments), and industries and Federal agencies that employ science-trained personnel, shall complete an evaluation of each program assisted by grants under this section. Any program that fails to satisfy the performance benchmarks developed under subparagraph (A) shall not be eligible for further funding.(Cappropriateness of the requirement that funding for detailed design work and other preconstruction activities for major research equipment and facilities come exclusively from the sponsoring research division rather than being available, at least in part, from the Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction account.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION COSTS- The Board shall evaluate the appropriateness of the Foundation's policies for allocation of costs for, and oversight of, maintenance and operation of major research equipment and facilities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) REPORT- Not later than 180 days after the completion of an evaluation described in subparagraph (B), the Director shall submit a report to Congress that includes--(i) the results of the evaluation described in subparagraph (B); and(ii)6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Board shall report on the results of the evaluations under paragraphs (1) and (2) and on any recommendations for administrative and legislative action that could optimize the effectiveness of the pilot programs, as the Director determines to be appropriate.(c) Institution of Higher Education Defined- In this section, the term `institution of higher education' has the meaning given that term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20modifying the current policies related to allocation of funding for major research equipment and facilities to the Committee on Science and Technology and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Inclusion of Polar Facilities Upgrades in Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction Plan- Section 201(a)(2)(D) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1998 ( 42 U.S.C. 1001(a)).(d) Authorization of Appropriations- Within the amounts authorized to be appropriated by section 4001, there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section--(1) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;(2) $18,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and(3) $20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2010 and 2011862l(a)(2)(D) ) is amended by inserting `and for major upgrades of facilities in support of Antarctic research programs' after `facilities construction account'. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Report on Education Programs Within the Research Directorates- Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall transmit to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report cataloging all elementary school and secondary school, informal, and undergraduate educational programs and activities supported through appropriations for Research and Related Activities. The report shall display the programs and activities by directorate, along with estimated funding levels for the fiscal years 2006, 2007, and 2008, and shall provide a description of the goals of each program and activity. The report shall also describe how the programs and activities relate to or are coordinated with the programs supported by the Education and Human Resources Directorate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Report on Research in Undergraduate Institutions Program- The Director shall transmit to Congress, as part of the President's fiscal year 2011 budget submission under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, a report listing the funding success rates and distribution of awards for the Research in Undergraduate Institutions program, by type of institution based on the highest academic degree conferred by the institution, for fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Annual Plan for Allocation of Education and Human Resources Funding-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of legislation providing for the annual appropriation of funds for the Foundation, the Director shall submit to the Committee on Science and Technology and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, a plan for the allocation of education and human resources funds authorized by this title for the corresponding fiscal year, including any funds from within the research and related activities account used to support activities that have the primary purpose of improving education or broadening participation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS- The plan shall include a description of how the allocation of funding--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) will affect the average size and duration of education and human resources grants supported by the Foundation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) will affect trends in research support for the effective instruction of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) will affect the kindergarten through grade 20 pipeline for the study of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) will encourage the interest of individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b) in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and help prepare such individuals to pursue postsecondary studies in these fields.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4005. INCREASED SUPPORT FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION THROUGH THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION.(a) In General- Within the amounts authorized to be appropriated by section 4001, 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 7015. ADMINISTRATIVE AMENDMENTS.

(a) Triannual Audit of the Office of the National Science Board- Section 15(a) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-368, 116 Stat. 3042)--(1) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;(2) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;(3) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and(4) $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.(b) Promoting Outreach and High Quality-42 U.S.C. 1862n-5) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in paragraph (3), by striking `an annual audit' and inserting `an audit every three years';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in paragraph (4), by striking `each year' and inserting `every third year'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(5) MATERIALS RELATING TO CLOSED PORTIONS OF MEETINGS- To facilitate the audit required under paragraph (3) of this subsection, the Office of the National Science Board shall maintain the General Counsel's certificate, the presiding officer's statement, and a transcript or recording of any closed meeting, for at least 3 years after such meeting.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Limited Term Personnel for the National Science Board- Subsection (g) of section 4 of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1863(g)) is amended to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(g) The Board may, with the concurrence of a majority of its members, permit the appointment of a staff consisting of not more than 5 professional staff members, technical and professional personnel on leave of absence from academic, industrial, or research institutions for a limited term, and such operations and support staff members as may be necessary. Such staff shall be appointed by the Chairman and assigned at the direction of the Board. The professional members and limited term technical and professional personnel of such staff may be appointed without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and the provisions of chapter 51 of such title relating to classification, and shall be compensated at a rate not exceeding the maximum rate payable under section 5376 of such title, as may be necessary to provide for the performance of such duties as may be prescribed by the Board in connection with the exercise of its powers and functions under this Act. Section 8(7)(C14(a)(3) shall apply to each limited term appointment of technical and professional personnel under this subsection. Each appointment under this subsection shall be subject to the same security requirements as those required for personnel of the Foundation appointed under section 14(a).'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Increase in Number of Waterman Awards to Three- Section 6(c) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-368, 116 Stat. 3042) is amended--(1) by redesignating clauses (i) through (vi) as subclauses (I) through (VI), respectively, and indenting appropriately;(2) by striking `include those that promote high quality--' and inserting `include programs that--`(i) promote high-quality--';(3) in clause (i) (as inserted by paragraph (2))--(A) in subclause (III) (as redesignated by paragraph (1)), by striking `for students;' and inserting, 1976 (42 U.S.C. 1881a) is amended to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Not more than three awards may be made under this section in any one fiscal year.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 4(j) of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1863(j)(1) and (2)) are amended by striking `, for submission to' and `for students, especially underrepresented minority and female mathematics, science, engineering, and technology students;';(B) in subclause (V) (as redesignated by paragraph (1)ubmission to', respectively, and inserting `and'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Section 3801(a)(1) of title 31, United States Code (commonly known as the `Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act of 1986') is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in subparagraph (C), by striking `and' after the semicolon;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) in subclause (VI) (as redesignated by paragraph (1)), by striking `students.' and inserting `students; and'; and(D) by adding at the end the following:`(VII) outreach programs that provide middle and secondary school students and their science, technology, and math teachers opportunities to increase the students' and teachers' exposure to engineering and technology;'; and(42) in subparagraph (D), by inserting `and' after the semicolon; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) finance summer internships for mathematics, science, engineering, and technology undergraduate students;`(iii) facilitate the hiring of additional mathematics, science, engineering, and technology faculty; and`(iv) serve as bridges to enable underrepresented minority and female secondary school students to obtain extra mathematics, science, engineering, and technology training prior to entering an institution of higher education.'.SEC. 4006E) the National Science Foundation.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 7018. MEETING CRITICAL NATIONAL SCIENCE NEEDS.

(a) In General- In addition to any other criteria, the Director of the National Science Foundation shall include consideration of the degree to which awards and research activities that otherwise qualify for support by the National Science Foundation may assist in meeting critical national needs in innovation, competitiveness, safety and security, the physical and natural sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics.(b) social sciences, and mathematics.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Priority Treatment- The Director shall give priority in the selection of awards and the allocation of National Science Foundation Foundation resources to proposed research activities, and grants funded under the National Science Foundation's Research and Related Activities Account, that can be expected to make contributions in physical or natural science, technology, engineering, social sciences, or mathematics, or that enhance competitiveness or innovation in the United States.(c) , innovation, or safety and security in the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Limitation- Nothing in this section shall be construed to inhibit the grant selection process for funding otherrestrict or bias the grant selection process against funding other areas of research deemed by the National Science Foundation to be consistent with its mandate nor to change the core mission of the National Science Foundation.SEC. 4007. REAFFIRMATION OF THE MERIT-REVIEW PROCESS OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION.Nothing in this division or division A, or the amendments made by this division or division A, shall be interpreted to require or recommend that the National Science Foundation--(1) alter or modify its merit-review system or peer-review process; or(2) exclude the awarding of any proposal by means of the merit-review or peer-review process.SEC. 4008. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE RESEARCH.Within the amounts authorized to be appropriated by section 4001, there are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation for the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research authorized under section 113 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 1862g), for fiscal year 2008, $125,000,000, and, for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2011, an amount equal to $125,000,000 increased for each such year by an amount equal to the percentage increase in the appropriation for the National Science Foundation for such fiscal year above the total amount appropriated to the National Science Foundation for fiscal year 2008.SEC. 4009. ENCOURAGING PARTICIPATION.(a) Mentoring Program- The Director of the National Science Foundation shall establish a program to recruit and provide mentors for women who are interested in careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by pairing such women who are in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics programs Foundation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

In carrying out its research programs on science policy and on the science of study in secondary school, community college, undergraduate or graduate school with mentors who are working in industry.(b) Additional Learning Program- The Director shall also establish a program to provide grants to community colleges to provide additional learning and other appropriate training to allow women to enter higher-paying technical jobs in fields related to science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.(c) Applications- An institution of higher education, including a community college, desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Director may require.(d) Program Evaluation- The Director shall establish metrics to evaluate the success of the programs established under subsections (a) and (b) annually and report the findings and conclusions of the evaluations annually to Congrlearning, the Foundation may support research on the process of innovation and the teaching of inventiveness.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4017020. CYBERINFRASTRUCTURE.

In order to continue and expand efforts to ensure that research institutions throughout the Nation can fully participate in research programs of the National Science Foundation and collaborate with colleagues throughout the nation, the Director of the National Science Foundation, withiNation, the Director, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, shall develop and publish a plan that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) describes the current status of broadband access for scientific research purposes in States locatedat institutions in EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions and States, at institutions in rural areas, and at minority serving institutions; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) outlines actions whichthat can be taken to ensure that such connections are available to enable participation in those National Science Foundation programs whichFoundation programs that rely heavily on high-speed networking and collaborations across institutions and regions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4011. FEDERAL INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH.(a) Advanced Information and Communications Technology Research7021. PILOT PROGRAM OF GRANTS FOR NEW INVESTIGATORS.

(a) High-Performance Computing Act of 1991-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) AMENDMENTS- Title I of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5511 et seq.) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in the title heading, by striking `AND THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH- The Director of the National Science Foundation shall establish a program of basic research in advanced information and communications technologies focused on enhancing or facilitating the availability and affordability ofRESEARCH AND EDUCATION NETWORK' and inserting `RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in section 101(a) (15 U.S.C. 5511(a))--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) provide for long-term basic and applied research on high-performance computing, including networking;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) provide for research and development on, and demonstration of, technologies to advance the capacity and capabilities of high-performance computing and networking systems, and related software;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) provide for sustained access by the research community throughout the United States to high-performance computing and networking systems that are among the most advanced in the world in terms of performance in solving scientific and engineering problems, including provision for technical support for users of such systems;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) provide for widely dispersed efforts to increase software availability, productivity, capability, security, portability, and reliability;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) provide for high-performance networks, including experimental testbed networks, to enable research and development on, and demonstration of, advanced communications services to all people of the United States. In developing and carrying out the program, the Director shall consult with the Board established underapplications enabled by such networks;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(F) provide for computational science and engineering research on mathematical modeling and algorithms for applications in all fields of science and engineering;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(G) provide for the technical support of, and research and development on, high-performance computing systems and software required to address Grand Challenges;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(H) provide for educating and training additional undergraduate and graduate students in software engineering, computer science, computer and network security, applied mathematics, library and information science, and computational science; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(I) provide for improving the security of computing and networking systems, including Federal systems, including providing for research required to establish security standards and practices for these systems.';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) by striking paragraph (2).(2) FEDERAL ADVANCED INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH BOARD- There is established within the National Science Foundation a Federal Advanced Information and Communications Technology Research Board (referred to in this subsection as and redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) in paragraph (2), as redesignated by clause (ii)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) by striking subparagraph (B);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (C) as subparagraphs (D) and (F), respectively;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) by inserting before subparagraph (D), as redesignated by subclause (II), the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) establish the goals and priorities for Federal high-performance computing research, development, networking, and other activities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) establish Program Component Areas that implement the goals established under subparagraph (A), and identify the Grand Challenges that the Program should address;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) provide for interagency coordination of Federal high-performance computing research, development, networking, and other activities undertaken pursuant to the Program;'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(IV) by inserting after subparagraph (D), as redesignated by subclause (II) of this clause, the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) develop and maintain a research, development, and deployment roadmap covering all States and regions for the provision of high-performance computing and networking systems under paragraph (1)(C); and'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) in paragraph (3), as so redesignated by clause (ii) of this subparagraph--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) by striking `paragraph (3)(A)' and inserting `paragraph (2)(D)';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) provide a detailed description of the Program Component Areas, including a description of any changes in the definition of or activities under the Program Component Areas from the preceding report, and the reasons for such changes, and a description of Grand Challenges addressed under the Program;';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) in subparagraph (C), by striking `specific activities' and all that follows through `the Board') which shall advise the Director of the National Science Foundation in carrying out the program authorized under paragraph (1). The Board shall be composed of individuals with expertise in information Network' and inserting `each Program Component Area';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(IV) in subparagraph (D), by inserting `, and for each Program Component Area,' after `participating in the Program';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(V) in subparagraph (D), by striking `applies;' and inserting `applies; and';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(VI) by striking subparagraph (E) and communications technologies, including representatives from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the Federal Communications Commission, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Departmentredesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph (E); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(VII) in subparagraph (E), as redesignated by subclause (VI), by inserting `and the extent to which the Program incorporates the recommendations of the advisory committee established under subsection (b)' after `for the Program';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by striking subsection (b) of section 101 (15 U.S.C. 5511) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Advisory Committee- (1) The President shall establish an advisory committee on high-performance computing, consisting of geographically dispersed non-Federal members, including representatives of the research, education, and library communities, network and related software providers, and industry representatives in the Program Component Areas, who are specially qualified to provide the Director with advice and information on high-performance computing. The recommendations of the advisory committee shall be considered in reviewing and revising the Program. The advisory committee shall provide the Director with an independent assessment of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) progress made in implementing the Program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) the need to revise the Program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) the balance between the components of the Program, including funding levels for the Program Component Areas;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) whether the research and development undertaken pursuant to the Program is helping to maintain United States leadership in high-performance computing, networking technology, and related software; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) other issues identified by the Director.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) In addition to the duties outlined in paragraph (1), the advisory committee shall conduct periodic evaluations of the funding, management, coordination, implementation, and activities of the Program. The advisory committee shall report not less frequently than once every 2 fiscal years to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Defense, and representatives from industry and educational institutions.(3) GRANT PROGRAM- The Director of the National Science Foundation, in consultation with the Board, shall award grants for basic research into Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on its findings and recommendations. The first report shall be due within 1 year after the date of enactment of the America COMPETES Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act shall not apply to the advisory committee established under this subsection.'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) in section 101(c) (15 U.S.C. 5511(c))--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking `Program or' and inserting `Program Component Areas or'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking `subsection (a)(3)(A)' and inserting `subsection (a)(2)(D)'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) DEFINITIONS- Section 4 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5503) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in paragraph (2), by inserting `and multidisciplinary teams of researchers' after `high-performance computing resources';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in paragraph (3)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) by striking `scientific workstations,';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) by striking `(including vector supercomputers and large scale parallel systems)';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) by striking `and applications' and inserting `applications'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) by inserting `, and the management of large data sets' after `systems software';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) in paragraph (4), by striking `packet switched';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) by striking `and' at the end of paragraph (5);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (6) and inserting `; and'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(7) `Program Component Areas' means the major subject areas under which related individual projects and activities carried out under the Program are grouped.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- Section 1(26) of the Act entitled `An Act to prevent the elimination of certain reports', approved November 28, 2001 (31 U.S.C. 3113 note) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking `101(a)(3)' and inserting `101(a)(2)'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking `(15 U.S.C. 5511(a)(3))' and inserting `(15 U.S.C. 5511(a)(2))'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Advanced Information and Communications Technology Research-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- As part of the Program described in title I of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5511 et seq.), the Foundation shall support basic research related to advanced information and communications technologies that will contribute to enhancing or facilitating the availability and affordability of advanced communications services tofor all people of the United States. Areas of research to be supported through the grants includemay include research on--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) affordable broadband access, including wireless technologies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) network security and reliability;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) communications interoperability;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) networking protocols and architectures, including resilience to outages or attacks;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) trusted software;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) privacy;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) nanoelectronics for communications applications;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) low-power communications electronics;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) implementation of equitable access to national advanced fiber optic research and educational networks in noncontiguous States; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(J) such other related areas as the Director, in consultation with the Board, finds appropriate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(42) CENTERS- The Director shall award multiyear grants, subject to the availability of appropriations, to institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)) and on a merit-reviewed competitive basis, to institutions of higher education, nonprofit research institutions affiliated with institutions of higher education, or consortia thereof to establish of either type of institution to establish multidisciplinary Centers for Communications Research. The purpose of the Centers shall be to generate innovative approaches to problems in communications and information technology research, including the researchinformation and communications technology research, including the research areas described in paragraph (31). Institutions of higher education, nonprofit research institutions affiliated with institutions of higher education, or consortia receiving such grants may partner with 1 or more government laboratories or, for-profit entities, or other institutions of higher education or nonprofit research institutions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) APPLICATIONS- The Director of the National Science Foundation, in consultation with the Board, shall establish criteria for the award of grants under paragraphs (3) and (4). Such grants shall be awarded under the programs on a3) FUNDING ALLOCATION- The Director shall increase funding for the basic research activities described in paragraph (1), which shall include support for the Centers described in paragraph (2), in proportion to the increase in the total amount appropriated to the Foundation for research and related activities for the fiscal years 2008 through 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) REPORT TO CONGRESS- The Director shall transmit to Congress, as part of the President's annual budget submission under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, a report on the amounts allocated for support of research under this subsection for the fiscal year during which such report is submitted and the levels proposed for the fiscal year with respect to which the budget submission applies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(a) Amendments- Section 8(7) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking `competitive, merit-reviewed competitive basis. The Director shall give priority to grants that offer the potential for revolutionary rather than evolutionary breakthroughs.(6) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- Within the amounts authorized to be appropriated by section 4001, there are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation to carry out this subsection--(A) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;(B) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;(C) $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and(D) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.(b) National Institute of Standards and Technology Responsibilities- The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall continue to support research and support standards development in advanced information and communications technologiebased' and all that follows through `in recent years.' and inserting `competitive, merit-based multiyear grants for eligible applicants to improve undergraduate education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) the creation of programs to increase the number of students studying toward and completing associate's or bachelor's degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, particularly in fields that have faced declining enrollment in recent years; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) the creation of not more than 5 centers (in this paragraph referred to as `Centers') to increase the number of students completing undergraduate courses in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including the number of nonmajors, and to improve student academic achievement in those courses, by developing--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(I) undergraduate educational material, including curricula and courses of study;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(II) teaching methods for undergraduate courses; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(III) methods to improve the professional development of professors and teaching assistants who teach undergraduate courses.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Grants made under clause (ii) shall be awarded jointly through the Education and Human Resources Directorate and at least 1 research directorate of the Foundation.';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) In selecting projects under subparagraph (A)(i), the Director shall strive to increase the number of students studying toward and completing associate's or bachelor's degrees, concentrations, or certificates in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics by giving priority to programs that heavily recruit individuals who are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b); orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) graduates of a public secondary school that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(I) is among the highest 25 percent of schools served by the local educational agency that serves the school, in terms of the percentage of students from families with incomes below the poverty line, as defined in section 673(2) of the Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9902(2)), applicable to a family of the size involved; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(II) is designated with a school locale code of 41, 42, or 43, as determined by the Secretary of Education.';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C)(i) The types of projects the Foundation may support under subparagraph (A)(i) include those programs that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(I) promote high quality--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(aa) interdisciplinary teaching;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(bb) undergraduate-conducted research;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(cc) mentor relationships for students, especially underrepresented minority and female science, technology, engineering, and mathematics students;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(dd) bridge programs that enable students at community colleges to matriculate directly into baccalaureate science, technology, engineering, or mathematics programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ee) internships carried out in partnership with industry;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ff) innovative uses of digital technologies, particularly at institutions of higher education that serve high numbers or percentages of economically disadvantaged students; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(gg) bridge programs that enable underrepresented minority and female secondary school students to obtain extra science, technology, engineering, and mathematics instruction prior to entering an institution of higher education;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(II) finance summer internships for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics undergraduate students; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(III) conduct outreach programs that provide secondary school students and their science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teachers opportunities to increase the students' and teachers' exposure to engineering and technology.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) The types of activities the Foundation may support under subparagraph (A)(ii) include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(I) creating model curricula and laboratory programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(II) developing and demonstrating research-based instructional methods and technologies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(III) developing methods to train graduate students and faculty to be more effective teachers of undergraduates;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(IV) conducting programs to disseminate curricula, instructional methods, or training methods to faculty at the grantee institutions and at other institutions;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(V) conducting assessments of the effectiveness of the Center at accomplishing the goals described in subparagraph (A)(ii); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(VI) conducting any other activities the Director determines will accomplish the goals described in subparagraph (A)(ii).';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) in subparagraph (D)(i), by striking `under this paragraph' and inserting `under subparagraph (A)(i)';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) in subparagraph (D)(ii), by striking `under this paragraph' and inserting `under subparagraph (A)(i)';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) after subparagraph (D)(iii), by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iv) A grant under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be awarded for up to 5 years.';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) in subparagraph (E), by striking `under this paragraph' both places it appears and inserting `under subparagraph (A)(i)';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph (J); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(F) Grants awarded under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be carried out by a department or departments of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics at institutions of higher education (or a consortia thereof), which may partner with the department, college, or school of education at the institution. Applications for awards under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be submitted to the Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may require. At a minimum, the application shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) a description of the activities to be carried out by the Center;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) a plan for disseminating programs related to the activities carried out by the Center to faculty at the grantee institution and at other institutions;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) an estimate of the number of faculty, graduate students (if any), and undergraduate students who will be affected by the activities carried out by the Center; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iv) a plan for assessing the effectiveness of the Center at accomplishing the goals described in subparagraph (A)(ii).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(G) In evaluating the applications submitted under subparagraph (F), the Director shall consider, at a minimum--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) the ability of the applicant to effectively carry out the proposed activities, including the dissemination activities described in subparagraph (C)(ii)(IV); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) the extent to which the faculty, staff, and administrators of the applicant institution are committed to improving undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(H) In awarding grants under subparagraph (A)(ii), the Director shall ensure that a wide variety of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields and types of institutions of higher education, including 2-year colleges and minority-serving institutions, are covered, and that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) at least 1 Center is housed at a Doctoral/Research University as defined by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) at least 1 Center is focused on enhancing or facilitating the availability and affordability of advanced communications services to all people of the United States, in order to implement the Instituteimproving undergraduate education in an interdisciplinary area.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(I) The Director shall convene an annual meeting of the awardees under this paragraph to foster collaboration and to disseminate the results of the Centers and the other activities funded under this paragraph.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Report on Data Collection- Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall transmit to Congress a report on how the Director is determining whether current grant recipients in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program are making satisfactory progress as required by section 8(7)(D)(ii) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 and what funding actions have been taken as a result of the Director's responsibilities under section 2(c)(12) of the National Institutedeterminations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(a) Findings- Congress finds the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) To remain competitive in science and technology in the global economy, the United States must increase the number of students graduating from high school prepared to pursue postsecondary education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) There is broad agreement in the scientific community that learning science requires direct involvement by students in scientific inquiry and that laboratory experience is so integral to the nature of science that it must be included in every science program for every science student.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) In America's Lab Report, the National Research Council concluded that the current quality of laboratory experiences is poor for most students and that educators and researchers do not agree on how to define high school science laboratories or on their purpose, hampering the accumulation of research on how to improve laboratories.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) The National Research Council found that schools with higher concentrations of non-Asian minorities and schools with higher concentrations of poor students are less likely to have adequate laboratory facilities than other schools.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) The Government Accountability Office reported that 49.1 percent of schools where the minority student population is greater than 50.5 percent reported not meeting functional requirements for laboratory science well or at all.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) 40 percent of those college students who left the science fields reported some problems related to high school science preparation, including lack of laboratory experience and no introduction to theoretical or to analytical modes of thought.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) It is in the national interest for the Federal Government to invest in research and demonstration projects to improve the teaching of Standards and Technology Act (15laboratory science in the Nation's high schools.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Grant Program- Section 8(8) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (F) as clauses (i) through (vi), respectively;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by inserting `(A)' before `A program of competitive'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) In accordance with subparagraph (A)(v), the Director shall establish a research pilot program designated as `Partnerships for Access to Laboratory Science' to award grants to partnerships to improve laboratories and provide instrumentation as part of a comprehensive program to enhance the quality of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics instruction at the secondary school level. Grants under this subparagraph may be used for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) professional development and training for teachers aligned with activities supported under section 2123 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 272(c)(12)). The Director shall support intramural research and cooperative research with institutions of higher education6623 ); CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) purchase, rental, or leasing of equipment, instrumentation, and other scientific educational materials;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) development of instructional programs designed to integrate the laboratory experience with classroom instruction and to be consistent with State mathematics and science and, to the extent applicable, technology and engineering, academic achievement standards;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iv) training in laboratory safety for school personnel;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(v) design and implementation of hands-on laboratory experiences to encourage the interest of individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b) in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and help prepare such individuals to pursue postsecondary studies in these fields; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(vi) assessment of the activities funded under this subparagraph.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) Grants may be made under subparagraph (B) only to a partnership--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) for a project that includes significant teacher preparation and professional development components; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) that establishes that appropriate teacher preparation and professional development is being addressed, or has been addressed, through other means.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) Grants awarded under subparagraph (B) shall be to a partnership that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) includes a 2-year or 4-year degree granting institution of higher education;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) includes a high need local educational agency (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20201 of the Higher Education Act of 1965);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) includes a business or eligible nonprofit organization; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iv) may include a State educational agency, other public agency, National Laboratory, or community-based organization.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) The Federal share of the cost of activities carried out using amounts from a grant under subparagraph (B) shall not exceed 40 percent.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(F) The Director shall require grant recipients under subparagraph (B) to submit a report to the Director on the results of the project supported by the grant.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Report- The Director shall evaluate the effectiveness of activities carried out under the research pilot projects funded by the grant program established pursuant to the amendment made by subsection (b) in improving student achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. A report documenting the results of that evaluation shall be submitted to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act. The report shall identify best practices and materials developed and demonstrated by grant awardees.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Sunset- The provisions of this section shall cease to have force or effect on the last day of fiscal year 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Authorization of Appropriations- From the amounts authorized under subsections (a)(2)(B), (b)(2)(B), and (c)(2)(B) of section 7002, there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section and the amendments made by this section $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 2 succeeding fiscal years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Section 9 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 ( 42 U.S.C. 1001(a)) and industry.SEC. 4012862n ) is amended-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in subsection (a)(2)(A), by striking `a State educational agency' and inserting `the department, college, or program of education at an institution of higher education, a State educational agency,';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking subparagraph (B) of subsection (a)(3) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) offering professional development programs, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) teacher institutes for the 21st century, as described in paragraph (10); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) academic year institutes or workshops that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(I) are designed to strengthen the capabilities of mathematics and science teachers; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(II) may include professional development activities to prepare mathematics and science teachers to teach challenging mathematics, science, and technology college-preparatory courses;';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in subsection (a)(3)(C)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by inserting `and laboratory experiences' after `technology'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by inserting `and laboratory' after `provide technical';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) in subsection (a)(3)(I), by inserting `including the use of induction programs, as defined in section 6113(h) of the America COMPETES Act, for teachers in their first 2 years of teaching,' after `and science,';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) by striking subparagraph (K) of section (a)(3) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(K) developing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics educational programs and materials and conducting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics enrichment programs for students, including after-school programs and summer programs, with an emphasis on including and serving students described in subsection (b)(2)(G);';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(8) MENTORS FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS OF CHALLENGING COURSES- Partnerships carrying out activities to prepare mathematics and science teachers to teach challenging mathematics, science, and technology college-preparatory courses in accordance with paragraph (3)(B) shall encourage companies employing scientists, technologists, engineers, or mathematicians to provide mentors to teachers and students and provide for the coordination of such mentoring activities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(9) INNOVATION- Activities carried out in accordance with paragraph (3)(H) may include the development and dissemination of curriculum tools that will help foster inventiveness and innovation.';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) in subsection (b)(2)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) and (F) as subparagraphs (F) and (G), respectively; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) the extent to which the evaluation described in paragraph (1)(E) will be independent and based on objective measures;';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) by striking paragraph (2) of subsection (c) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) REPORT ON EVALUATIONS- Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of the America COMPETES Act, the Director shall transmit a report summarizing the evaluations required under subsection (b)(1)(E) of grants received under this program and describing any changes to the program recommended as a result of these evaluations to the Committee on Science and Technology and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate. Such report shall be made widely available to the public.'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(d) Definitions- In this section--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) the term `mathematics and science teacher' means a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics teacher at the elementary school or secondary school level; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) the term `science', in the context of elementary and secondary education, includes technology and pre-engineering.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 7030. ROBERT NOYCE TEACHER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

(a) In General- Section 10 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-1) is amended--(1) in the section heading, by striking `scholarship' and inserting `teacher';(2) in subsection (a)--(A) in paragraph (1)--(i) by striking `(or consortia of such institutions)' and inserting `, consortia of such institutions, or partnerships';(ii) by striking `to provide scholarships, stipends, and programming designed';(iii) by inserting `and to provide scholarships, stipends, or fellowships to individuals participating in the program' after `science teachers'; and(iv) by striking `Scholarship' and inserting `Teacher';(B) in paragraph (3)--(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking `or consortia' and inserting `consortia, or partnerships';(ii) in subparagraph (A)--(I) in the matter preceding clause (i)--(aa) by striking `encourage top college juniors and seniors majoring in' and inserting ` to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`(a) Scholarship Program-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- The Director shall carry out a program to award grants to eligible entities to recruit and train mathematics and science teachers and to provide scholarships and stipends to individuals participating in the program. Such program shall be known as the `Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) MERIT REVIEW- Grants shall be provided under this section on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) USE OF GRANTS- A grant provided under this section shall be used by the eligible entity--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) to develop and implement a program to recruit and prepare undergraduate students to pursue degrees in'; and(bb) by striking `to become' and inserting `andmajoring in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at the eligible entity (and participating institutions of higher education of the consortium, if applicable) to become qualified as';(II) in clause (ii)--(aa) by striking `programs to help scholarship recipients' and inserting `academic courses and mathematics and science teachers, through--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) administering scholarships in accordance with subsection (c);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) offering academic courses and early clinical teaching experiences designed to prepare students participating in the program';(bb) by striking `programs that will result in' and inserting ` to teach in elementary schools and secondary schools, including such preparation as is necessary to meet requirements for'; and(cc) by striking `licensing; and' and inserting `licensing;';(III) in clause (iii)--(aa) by striking `scholarship recipients' and inserting `students participating in the program';(bb) by striking `enable the recipients' and inserting `enable the students'; and(cc) by striking `; or' and inserting `; and'; and(IV) by adding at the end the following: teacher certification or licensing;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) offering programs to students participating in the program, both before and after the students receive their baccalaureate degree, to enable the students to become better mathematics and science teachers, to fulfill the service requirements of this section, and to exchange ideas with others in the students' fields; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iv) providing summer internships for freshman and sophomore students participating in the program;';(iii) in subparagraph (B)--(I) in the matter preceding clause (i)--(aa) by striking `encourage' and inserting `recruit and prepare'; and(bb) by inserting `qualified as' after `to become';(II) by striking clause (ii) and inserting the following:`(ii) offering academic courses and clinical teaching experiences designed to prepare stipend recipients to teach in elementary schools and secondary schools, including such preparation as is necessary to meet requirements for teacher certification or licensing; and'; and(III) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the end and inserting `; or'; and(iv) by adding at the end the following:`(C orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) to develop and implement a program to recruit and prepare mathematics, science, or engineering science, technology, engineering, or mathematics professionals to become NSF Teaching Fellows, and to recruit existing teachers to become NSF Master Teaching Fellowqualified as mathematics and science teachers, through--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) administering fellowships in accordance with subsection (estipends in accordance with subsection (d);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) offering academic courses and clinical teaching experiences that are designed to prepare students participating in the program to teach in secondary schools and that, in the case of NSF Teaching Fellows, result in a master's degree in teaching and teacher ipend recipients to teach in elementary schools and secondary schools served by a high need local educational agency, including such preparation as is necessary to meet requirements for teacher certification or licensing; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) offering programs to participants to assist in the fulfillment of the participants' responsibilities under this section, including mentoring, training, mentoring training, and induction and professional development programs.'; and(C) by adding at the end the following:stipend recipients, both during and after matriculation in the program for which the stipend is received, to enable recipients to become better mathematics and science teachers, to fulfill the service requirements of this section, and to exchange ideas with others in the students' fields.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





To be eligible for an award under this section, an institution of higher education, a consortium of such institutions, or a partnership`(A) IN GENERAL- To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall ensure that specific faculty members and staff from the mathematics, science, or engineering department of the institution (or a participating institution of the consortium or partnership)science, technology, engineering, and mathematics departments and specific education faculty members of the institution (or such participating institutionof the eligible entity (and participating institutions of higher education of the consortium, if applicable) are designated to carry out the development and implementation of the program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





An institution of higher education and consortium may also include teachers to participate in developing the `(B) INCLUSION OF MASTER TEACHERS- An eligible entity (and participating institutions of higher education of the consortium, if applicable) receiving a grant under this section may also include master teachers in the development of the pedagogical content of the program and to supervise students participating in the program in the students' field teaching experiences. No institution of higher education, consortium, or partnership shall be eligible for an award in the supervision of students participating in the program in their clinical teaching experiences.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS- No eligible entity (or participating institution of higher education of the consortium, if applicable) shall be eligible for a grant under this section unless faculty from the mathematics, science, or engineering department of the institution (or such participating institutionscience, technology, engineering, and mathematics departments of the eligible entity (and participating institutions of higher education of the consortium, if applicable) are active participants in the program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(5) MATCHING REQUIREMENT- An institution of higher education, consortium of institutions of higher education, or partnership receiving a grant under this section shall provide, from non-Federal sources, an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount of the grant (which may be provided in cash or in-kind) to carry out the activities supported by the grantAWARDS- In awarding grants under this section, the Director shall ensure that the eligible entities (and participating institutions of higher education of the consortia, if applicable) represent a variety of types of institutions of higher education. In support of this goal, the Director shall broadly disseminate information about when and how to apply for grants under this section, including by conducting outreach to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) historically Black colleges and universities that are part B institutions, as defined in section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) minority institutions, as defined in section 365(3) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067k(3)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(6) SUPPLEMENT, NOT SUPPLANT- Grant funds provided under this section shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, other Federal or State funds available for the type of activities supported by the grant.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





';(3) in subsection (b)--(A) in paragraph (1)--(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking `or consortium' and inserting `consortium, or partnership';(ii) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:`(A `(b) Selection Process- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) APPLICATION- An eligible entity seeking funding under this section 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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) in the case of an applicant that is submitting an application on behalf of a consortium of institutions of higher education, a description of the participating institutions of higher education and the roles and responsibilities of each such institution;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) a description of the program that the applicant intends to operate, including--`(i) the number of scholarships and summer internships or the size and number of stipends or fellowships the applicant intends to award;`(ii), the type of activities proposed for the recruitment of students to the program; and`(iii), and the selection process that will be used in awarding the scholarships, stipends, or fellowships;';(iii) in subparagraph (B)--(I) by striking `scholarship or stipend'; and(II) by striking `; and' and inserting ` or stipends;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) evidence that the applicant has the capability to administer the program in accordance with the provisions of this section, which may include a description of any existing programs at the applicant's institution eligible entity (and participating institutions of higher education of the consortium, if applicable) that are targeted to the education of mathematics and science teachers and the number of teachers graduated annually from such programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





'; and(iv) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the following:`(C`(D) a description of the academic courses and clinical teaching experiences required under subparagraph (A)(ii), (B)(ii), or (Cs (A)(ii) and (B)(ii) of subsection (a)(3), as applicable, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i)(I) a description of the undergraduate program under subsection (a)(3)(A)(ii) a description of the undergraduate program that will enable a student to graduate in 4 years with a major in mathematics, science, or engineeringwithin 5 years with a major in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics and to obtain teacher certification or licensing;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





or`(II) a description of the master's degree programs offered under subsection (a)(3)(C)(ii);`(ii) a description of `(ii) a description of the clinical teaching experiences proposed; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) evidence of agreements between the applicant and the schools or school districts that are identified as the local educational agencies that are identified as the locations at which clinical teaching experiences will occur;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) a description of the programs required under subparagraph (A)(iii), (B)(iii), or (C)(iii) of subsection (a)(3), as applicableE) a description of the programs required under subparagraphs (A)(iii) and (B)(iii) of subsection (a)(3), including activities to assist new teachers in fulfilling their service requirements under this section; and`(E teachers' service requirements under this section;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(F) an identification of the applicant's mathematics, science, or engineering eligible entity's science, technology, engineering, and mathematics faculty and its education faculty (and such faculty of participating institutions of higher education of the consortium, if applicable) who will carry out the development and implementation of the program as required under subsection (a)(4).'; and(B) in paragraph (2)--(i) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (E) as subparagraphs (C) through (F), respectively;(ii) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(G) a description of the process the applicant will use to fulfill the requirements of subsection (f).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS- In evaluating the applications submitted under paragraph (1), the Director shall consider, at a minimum--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) the ability of the applicant (and the participating institutions of higher education of the consortium, if applicable) to effectively carry out the program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) the extent to which the applicant's mathematics, science, or engineeringscience, technology, engineering, and mathematics faculty and its education faculty (and such faculty of participating institutions of higher education of the consortium, if applicable) have worked or will work collaboratively to design new or revised curricula that recognize the specialized pedagogy required to teach science, technology, engineering, and mathematics effectively in elementary schools and secondary schools;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) the extent to which the applicant (and the participating institutions of higher education of the consortium, if applicable) is committed to making the program a central organizational focus;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) the degree to which the proposed programming will enable scholarship or stipend recipients to become successful mathematics and science teachers;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) the number and academic qualifications of the students who will be served by the program; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(F) the ability of the applicant (and the participating institutions of higher education of the consortium, if applicable) to recruit students who would otherwise not pursue a career in teaching in elementary schools or secondary schools and students who are individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Scholarship Requirements-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- Scholarships under this section shall be available only to students who--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) are majoring in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) have attained at least junior status in a baccalaureate degree program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) 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 individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) AMOUNT- The Director shall establish for each year the amount to be awarded for scholarships under this section for that year, which shall be not less than $10,000 per year, except that no individual shall receive for any year more than the cost of attendance at that individual's institution. Full-time students may receive annual scholarships through the completion of a baccalaureate degree program, not to exceed a maximum of 3 years. Part-time students may receive scholarships that are prorated according to such students' enrollment status, not to exceed 6 years of scholarship support.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) SERVICE OBLIGATION- If an individual receives a scholarship under this section, such individual shall be required to teach mathematics and science effectively in elementary schools and secondary schools;'; and(iii) in subparagraph (D) (as redesignated by clause (i)), by striking `or stipend' and inserting `, stipend, or fellowship';(4) in subsection (c)--(A) in paragraph (3)--(i) by striking `$7,500' and inserting `$10,000'; and(ii) by striking `of scholarship support' and inserting `of scholarship support, unless the Director establishes a policy by which part-time students may receive additional years of support'; and(B) in paragraph (4), by inserting `with a maximum service requirement of 4 years' after `complete, within 8 years after graduation from the baccalaureate degree program for which the scholarship was received';(5) in subsection (d)--(A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:awarded, 2 years of service as a mathematics or science teacher for each full scholarship award received, with a maximum service requirement of 6 years. Service required under this paragraph shall be performed in a high need local educational agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(d) Stipends-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- Stipends under this section shall be available only to--`(A) teachers enrolled in a master's degree program in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics; and`(B) mathematics, science, or engineering science, technology, engineering, or mathematics professionals who, while receiving the stipend, are enrolled in a program to receive certification or licensing to teach.';(B) in paragraph (3), by inserting `, except that if an individual is enrolled in a part-time program, such stipend shall be prorated according to the length of the program' after `stipend support'; and(C) in paragraph (4), by striking `for each year a stipend was received';(6) by redesignating subsections (e) through (h) and subsection (i) as subsections (f) through (i) and subsection (l), respectively;(7) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:`(e) National Science Foundation Teaching Fellowships-`(1) PURPOSE- The purpose of the fellowships under this subsection is to promote and recognize high-level achievement in advanced mathematics and science teachingestablished under subsection (a)(3)(B).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) PARTNERSHIP REQUIREMENTS- In order to receive a grant under this section to carry out this subsection, the recipient of such grant shall be a partnership and the only local educational agencies that shall be members of the partnership shall be local educational agencies that agree not to reduce the base salary normally paid to an individual solely because such individual receives a salary supplement under this subsection.`(3) GENERAL CRITERIA- A partnership receiving a grant to carry out a fellowship program under this subsection shall award such fellowships only to--`(A) mathematics, science, or engineering professionals who enroll in 1-year master's degree programs in teaching that result in teacher certification or licensing and who shall be referred to as `NSF Teaching Fellows'; and`(B) mathematics and science teachers who possess a master's degree in their field and who shall be referred to as `NSF Master Teaching Fellows'.`(4)SELECTION- Individuals shall be selected to receive fellowshipstipends under this section primarily on the basis of--`(A) professional achievement;`(B) academic merit;`(C) demonstrated advanced content knowledge; and`(D) in the case of NSF Master Teaching Fellows, demonstrated success in improving student academic achievement in mathematics, science, technology, or engineering.`(5) USE OF FUNDS- Each partnership receiving a grant under this section to award fellowships under this subsection shall--`(A) provide a stipend to each NSF Teaching Fellow for the duration of the Fellow's enrollment in the master's degree program, to be used to offset the academic merit and professional achievement, with consideration given to financial need and to the goal of promoting the participation of individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) AMOUNT AND DURATION- Stipends under this section shall be not less than $10,000 per year, except that no individual shall receive for any year more than the cost of tuition, fees, and living expenses; and`(B) provide salary supplements to each NSF Teaching Fellow and NSF Master Teaching Fellow during the period of the Fellow's service obligation under paragraphattendance at such individual's institution. Individuals may receive a maximum of 1 year of stipend support, except that if an individual is enrolled in a part-time program, such amount shall be prorated according to the length of the program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) .`(6)SERVICE OBLIGATION- If an individual is awarded a fellowship under this subsection, that individual shall be receives a stipend under this section, such individual shall be required to serve in a high-need local educational agency for--`(A) in the case of a NSF Teaching Fellow, 4 years; and`(B) in the case of a NSF Master Teaching Fellow, 5 years.`(7) DUTIES- Acomplete, within 4 years after graduation from the program for which the stipend was awarded, 2 years of service as a mathematics or science teacher. Service required under this paragraph shall be performed in a high need local educational agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(e) Conditions of Support- As a condition of acceptance of a scholarship or stipend under this section, a recipient of a fellowship under this section, during the service obligation required under paragraph (6) and in addition to regular classroom activities, shall take on a leadership role within the school or local educational agency in which the recipient is employed, as defined by the partnership according to the recipient's expertise, including serving as a mentor or master teacher, developing curricula, and assisting in the development and implementation of professional development activities.';(8) in subsection (f) (as redesignated by paragraph (6))--(A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:`(1) accepting--`(A)scholarship or stipend shall enter into an agreement with the eligible entity--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) accepting the terms of the scholarship pursuant to subsection (c), theor stipend pursuant to subsection (d), or the fellowship pursuant to subsection (e); and`(B) the terms regarding the failure to complete ac) or subsection (d);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) agreeing to provide the eligible entity with annual certification of employment and up-to-date contact information and to participate in surveys conducted by the eligible entity as part of an ongoing assessment program; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) establishing that if the service obligation required for the scholarship, stipend, or fellowship pursuant to subsection (h);'; and(B) in paragraph (3)--(i) by striking `scholarship' and inserting `scholarship, stipend, or fellowship'; and(ii) by striking `subsection (g)' and inserting `under this section is not completed, all or a portion of the scholarship or stipend received under this section shall be repaid in accordance with subsection (h)';(9) in subsection (g)(1) (as redesignated by paragraph (6))--(A) by striking `(or consortium thereof)' and inserting `, consortium, or partnership'; and(B) by striking `scholarship and stipend' and inserting `scholarship, stipend, and fellowship';(10) in subsection (h) (as redesignated by paragraph (6))--(A) in paragraph (1)--(i)g).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(f) Collection for Noncompliance-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) MONITORING COMPLIANCE- An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall, as a condition of participating in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting `, stipend, or fellowship' after `scholarship'; and(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking `baccalaureate degree'; and(B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:`(2) REPAYMENT FOR FAILUREprogram, enter into an agreement with the Director to monitor the compliance of scholarship or stipend recipients with their respective service requirements.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) COLLECTION OF REPAYMENT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) IN GENERAL- In the event that a scholarship or stipend recipient is required to repay the scholarship or stipend under subsection (g), the eligible entity shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) be responsible for determining the repayment amounts and for notifying the recipient and the Director of the amount owed; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) collect such repayment amount within a period of time as determined under the agreement described in paragraph (1), or the repayment amount shall be treated as a loan in accordance with subparagraph (C).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) RETURNED TO COMPLETE SERVICETREASURY- Except as provided in subparagraph (C), any such repayment shall be returned to the Treasury of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) RETAIN PERCENTAGE- An eligible entity may retain a percentage of any repayment the eligible entity collects to defray administrative costs associated with the collection. The Director shall establish a single, fixed percentage that will apply to all eligible entities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(g) Failure to Complete Service Obligation-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) GENERAL RULE- If an individual who has received a scholarship or stipend under this section--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) fails to maintain an acceptable level of academic standing in the educational institution in which the individual is enrolled, as determined by the Director;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) is dismissed from such educational institution for disciplinary reasons;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) withdraws from the program for which the award was made before the completion of such program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) declares that the individual does not intend to fulfill the service obligation under this section; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) fails to fulfill the service obligation of the individual under this section,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





such individual shall be liable to the United States as provided in paragraph (2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) AMOUNT OF REPAYMENT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) LESS THAN 1ONE YEAR OF SERVICE- If a circumstance described in paragraph (1) occurs before the completion of 1 year of a service obligation under this section, the sum of the total amount of awards received by the individual under this sectiontotal amount of awards received by the individual under this section shall be repaid or such amount shall be treated as a loan payable to the Federal Government, consistent with the provisions of part B or D of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, and shall be subject to repayment in accordance with terms and conditions specified by the Secretary of Education in regulations promulgated to carry out this paragraph.`(B) 1 YEAR OR MOREto be repaid in accordance with subparagraph (C).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) MORE THAN ONE YEAR OF SERVICE- If a circumstance described in subparagraph (D) or (E) of paragraph (1) occurs after the completion of 1 year of a service obligation under this section, an amount equal to 1/2 of the sum of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) for a scholarship recipient, the total amount of awards received by the individual under this sectionscholarship awards received by the individual under this section, reduced by the ratio of the number of years of service completed divided by the number of years of service required, shall be repaid or such amount shall be treated as a loan to be repaid in accordance with subparagraph (C); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) for a stipend recipient, one-half of the total amount of stipends received by the individual under this section shall be repaid or such amount shall be treated as a loan to be repaid in accordance with subparagraph (C).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) REPAYMENTS- The loans described under subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall be payable to the Federal Government, consistent with the provisions of part B or D of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, and shall be subject to repayment in accordance with terms and conditions specified by the Secretary of EducationDirector (in consultation with the Secretary of Education) in regulations promulgated to carry out this paragraph.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





';(11) in subsection (i) (as redesignated by paragraph (6))--(A) by striking ``(3) EXCEPTIONS- The Director may provide for the partial or total waiver or suspension of any service or consortia' and inserting `, consortia, or partnerships';(B) by striking `scholarship recipientspayment obligation by an individual under this section whenever compliance by the individual with the obligation is impossible or would involve extreme hardship to the individual, or if enforcement of such obligation with respect to the individual would be unconscionable.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(h) Data Collection- An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall supply to the Director any relevant statistical and demographic data on scholarship and stipend recipients' and inserting `scholarship, stipend, and fellowship recipients'; and(C) by striking `subsection (e)' and inserting `subsection (f)';(12) by inserting after subsection (i) (as redesignated by paragraph (6)) the following:`(j) Science and Mathematics the Director may request, including information on employment required under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) Definitions- In this section--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) 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);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) the term `eligible entity' means--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) an institution of higher education; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) an institution of higher education that receives grant funds on behalf of a consortium of institutions of higher education;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) the term `fellowship' means an award to an individual under section 10A;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) the term `high need local educational agency' has the meaning given such term in section 201 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1021);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(5) the term `mathematics and science teacher' means a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics teacher at the elementary school or secondary school level;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(6) the term `scholarship' means an award under subsection (c);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(7) the term `science, technology, engineering, or mathematics professional' means a person who holds a baccalaureate, master's, or doctoral degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, and is working in or had a career in such field or a related area; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(8) the term `stipend' means an award under subsection (d).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(j) Mathematics and Science Scholarship Gift Fund- In accordance with section 11(f) of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1870(f)), the Director is authorized to accept donations from the private sector to supplement, but not supplant, scholarships, stipends, internships, or fellowships associated with the programs under this sectionprograms under this section or section 10A.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(k) Assessment of Teacher Service and Retention- Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of the America COMPETES Act, the Director shall transmit to Congress a report on the effectiveness of the programthe Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives a report on the effectiveness of the programs carried out under this section regarding the retention of participants in the teachingand section 10A. The report shall include the proportion of individuals receiving scholarships, stipends, or fellowships under the program who--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) fulfill the individuals' service obligation required under this section or section 10A;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) remain in the teaching profession beyond the individuals' service obligation; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) remain in the teaching profession in a high need local educational agency beyond the individuals' service obligation required under this section.';(13) in subsection (l) (as redesignated by paragraph (6))--(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5) as paragraphs (2), (5), (7), (9), and (10), respectively;(B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as redesignated by subparagraph (A)) the following:`(1) the term `advanced content knowledge' means demonstrated mathematics or science content knowledge as measured by a rigorous, valid assessment tool that has.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(l) Evaluation- Not less than 2 years after the date of enactment of the America COMPETES Act, the Director, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall conduct an evaluation to determine whether the scholarships, stipends, and fellowships authorized under this section and section 10A have been approved by the Director;';(C) by inserting after paragrapheffective in increasing the numbers of high-quality mathematics and science teachers teaching in high need local educational agencies and whether there continue to exist significant shortages of such teachers in high need local educational agencies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`(a) In General-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) GRANTS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) IN GENERAL- As part of the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program established under section 10, the Director shall establish a separate program to award grants to eligible entities to enable such entities to administer fellowships in accordance with this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) DEFINITIONS- The terms used in this section have the meanings given the terms in section 10.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) (as redesignated by subparagraph (A)) the following:`(3) the term `fellowship' means an award under subsection (e);`(4) the term `high-need local educational agency' means a local educational agency or educational service agency (as defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965)--`(A)(i) that serves not less than 10,000 children from low-income families;`(ii) for which not less than 20 percent of the children served by the agency are children from low-income families; or`(iii) with a total of less than 600 students in average daily attendance at the schools that are served by the agency, and all of whose schools are designated with a school locale code of 6, 7, or 8, as determined by the Secretary of Education; and`(B)(i) for which there is a higher percentage of teachers providing instruction in academic subject areas or grade levels for which the teachers are not highly qualified; or`(ii) for which there is a high teacher turnover rate or a high percentage of teachers with emergency, provisional, or temporaryFELLOWSHIPS- Fellowships under this section shall be available only to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) science, technology, engineering, or mathematics professionals, who shall be referred to as `National Science Foundation Teaching Fellows' and who, in the first year of the fellowship, are enrolled in a master's degree program leading to teacher certification or licensure;';(D) in paragraph (5) (as redesignated by subparagraph (A)), by inserting `engineering,' after `mathematics, science,';(E) by inserting after paragraph (5) (as redesignated by subparagraph (A)) the following:`(6) the term `mathematics and science teaching' means mathematics, science, engineering, or technology teaching at the elementary or secondary school level;';(F) in paragraph (7) (as redesignated by subparagraph (A)) by inserting `or had a career' after `is working'; and(G) by inserting after paragraph (7) (as redesignated by subparagraph (A)) the following:`(8) the term `partnership' meansing; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) mathematics and science teachers, who shall be referred to as `National Science Foundation Master Teaching Fellows' and who possess a master's degree in their field.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Eligibility- In order to be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall enter into a partnership that shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) an institution of higher education or a consortium of such institutions;`(B1) a department within an institution of higher education participating in the partnership that provides an advanced program of study in mathematics and science;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C)(i2)(A) a school or department within an institution of higher education participating in the partnership that provides a master teacher'steacher preparation program; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iiB) a 2-year institution of higher education that has a teacher preparation offering or a dual enrollment program with an institution of higher education participating in the partnership;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) not less than 1 high-3) not less than 1 high need local educational agency and a public school or a consortium of public schools served by the agency; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E4) 1 or more nonprofit organizations that have thea demonstrated record of capacity to provide expertise or support to meet the purposes of this section;'; and(14) by adding at the end the following:`(m) Authorization of Appropriations-`(1) IN GENERAL- Within the amounts authorized to be appropriated by section 4001 of the America COMPETES Act and except as provided in paragraph (2), there are authorized to be appropriated to the Director for the Robert Noyce Teacher Program under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Use of Grants- Grants awarded under this section shall be used by the eligible entity (and participating institutions of higher education of the consortium, if applicable) to develop and implement a program for National Science Foundation Teaching Fellows or National Science Foundation Master Teaching Fellows, through--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) administering fellowships in accordance with this section, including providing the teaching fellowship salary supplements described in subsection (f);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) in the case of National Science Foundation Teaching Fellowships--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) $117,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, of which at least $18,000,000 shall be used for capacity building activities described in clauses (ii) and (iii) of subsection (a)(3)(A), clauses (ii) and (iii) of subsection (a)(3)(B), and clauses (ii) and (iii) of subsection (a)(3)(C);offering academic courses and clinical teaching experiences leading to a master's degree and designed to prepare individuals to teach in elementary schools and secondary schools, including such preparation as is necessary to meet the requirements for certification or licensing; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) $130,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, of which at least $21,000,000 shall be used for such capacity buildingoffering programs both during and after matriculation in the program for which the fellowship is received to enable fellows to become highly effective mathematics and science teachers, including mentoring, training, induction, and professional development activities, to fulfill the service requirements of this section, including the requirements of subsection (e), and to exchange ideas with others in their fields; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) in the case of National Science Foundation Master Teaching Fellowships--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) offering academic courses and leadership training to prepare individuals to become master teachers in elementary schools and secondary schools; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) offering programs both during and after matriculation in the program for which the fellowship is received to enable fellows to become highly effective mathematics and science teachers, including mentoring, training, induction, and professional development activities, to fulfill the service requirements of this section, including the requirements of subsection (e), and to exchange ideas with others in their fields.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(d) Selection Process-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) MERIT REVIEW- Grants shall be awarded under this section on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) APPLICATIONS- An eligible entity desiring a grant under this section 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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) in the case of an applicant that is submitting an application on behalf of a consortium of institutions of higher education, a description of the participating institutions of higher education and the roles and responsibilities of each such institution;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) a description of the program that the applicant intends to operate, including the number of fellowships the applicant intends to award, the type of activities proposed for the recruitment of students to the program, and the amount of the teaching fellowship salary supplements to be provided in accordance with subsection (f);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) evidence that the applicant has the capability to administer the program in accordance with the provisions of this section, which may include a description of any existing programs at the applicant eligible entity (and participating institutions of higher education of the consortium, if applicable) that are targeted to the education of mathematics and science teachers and the number of teachers graduated annually from such programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) in the case of National Science Foundation Teaching Fellowships, a description of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) the selection process that will be used in awarding fellowships, including a description of the rigorous measures to be used, including the rigorous, nationally recognized assessments to be used, in order to determine whether individuals applying for fellowships have advanced content knowledge of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) the academic courses and clinical teaching experiences described in subsection (c)(2)(A), including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(I) a description of an educational program that will enable a student to obtain a master's degree and teacher certification or licensing within 1 year; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(II) evidence of agreements between the applicant and the schools or local educational agencies that are identified as the locations at which clinical teaching experiences will occur;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) a description of the programs described in subsection (c)(2)(B), including activities to assist individuals in fulfilling their service requirements under this section;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) evidence that the eligible entity will provide the teaching supplements required under subsection (f); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(F) a description of the process the applicant will use to fulfill the requirements of section 10(f).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) CRITERIA- In evaluating the applications submitted under paragraph (2), the Director shall consider, at a minimum--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) the ability of the applicant (and participating institutions of higher education of the consortium, if applicable) to effectively carry out the program and to meet the requirements of subsection (f);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) the extent to which the mathematics, science, or engineering faculty and the education faculty at the eligible entity (and participating institutions of higher education of the consortium, if applicable) have worked or will work collaboratively to design new or revised curricula that recognizes the specialized pedagogy required to teach science, technology, engineering, and mathematics effectively in elementary schools and secondary schools;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) the extent to which the applicant (and participating institutions of higher education of the consortium, if applicable) is committed to making the program a central organizational focus;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) the degree to which the proposed programming will enable participants to become highly effective mathematics and science teachers and prepare such participants to assume leadership roles in their schools, in addition to their regular classroom duties, including serving as mentor or master teachers, developing curriculum, and assisting in the development and implementation of professional development activities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) the number and quality of the individuals that will be served by the program; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(F) in the case of the National Science Foundation Teaching Fellowship, the ability of the applicant (and participating institutions of higher education of the consortium, if applicable) to recruit individuals who would otherwise not pursue a career in teaching and individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1855a or 1855b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) SELECTION OF FELLOWS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) IN GENERAL- Individuals shall be selected to receive fellowships under this section primarily on the basis of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) professional achievement;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) academic merit;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) content knowledge of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, as demonstrated by their performance on an assessment in accordance with paragraph (2)(D)(i); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iv) in the case of National Science Foundation Master Teaching Fellows, demonstrated success in improving student academic achievement in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) PROMOTING PARTICIPATION OF CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS- Among individuals demonstrating equivalent qualifications, consideration may be given to the goal of promoting the participation of individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(e) Duties of National Science Foundation Teaching Fellows and Master Teaching Fellows- A National Science Foundation Teaching Fellow or a National Science Foundation Master Teaching Fellow, while fulfilling the service obligation under subsection (g) and in addition to regular classroom activities, shall take on a leadership role within the school or local educational agency in which the fellow is employed, as defined by the partnership according to such fellow's expertise, including serving as a mentor or master teacher, developing curricula, and assisting in the development and implementation of professional development activities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(f) Teaching Fellowship Salary Supplements-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall provide salary supplements to individuals who participate in the program under this section during the period of their service obligation under subsection (g). A local educational agency through which the service obligation is fulfilled shall agree not to reduce the base salary normally paid to an individual solely because such individual receives a salary supplement under this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) AMOUNT AND DURATION-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) AMOUNT- Salary supplements provided under paragraph (1) shall be not less than $10,000 per year, except that, in the case of a National Science Foundation Teaching Fellow, while enrolled in the master's degree program as described in subsection (c)(2)(A), such fellow shall receive not more than the cost of attendance at such fellow's institution.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) SUPPORT WHILE ENROLLED IN MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAM- A National Science Foundation Teaching Fellow may receive a maximum of 1 year of fellowship support while enrolled in a master's degree program as described in subsection (c)(2)(A), except that if such fellow is enrolled in a part-time program, such amount shall be prorated according to the length of the program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) $148,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, of which at least $24,000,000 shall be used for such capacity building activities; and`(D) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, of which at least $27,000,000 shall be used for such capacity building activitiesDURATION OF SUPPORT- An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall provide teaching fellowship salary supplements through the period of the fellow's service obligation under subsection (g).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(g) Service Obligation- An individual awarded a fellowship under this section shall serve as a mathematics or science teacher in an elementary school or secondary school served by a high need local educational agency for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) in the case of a National Science Foundation Teaching Fellow, 4 years, to be fulfilled within 6 years of completing the master's program described in subsection (c)(2)(A); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) in the case of a National Science Foundation Master Teaching Fellow, 5 years, to be fulfilled within 7 years of the start of participation in the program under subsection (c)(3).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(h) Matching Requirement-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall provide, from non-Federal sources, an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount of the grant (which may be provided in cash or in-kind) to carry out the activities supported by the grant.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) EXCEPTION- For any fiscal year for which the funding allocated for activities under this section is less than $105,000,000, the amount of funding available for capacity building activities described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of paragraph (1) shall not exceed 15 percent of the allocated fundsWAIVER- The Director may waive all or part of the matching requirement described in paragraph (1) for any fiscal year for an eligible entity receiving a grant under this section, if the Director determines that applying the matching requirement would result in serious hardship or inability to carry out the authorized activities described in this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) Conditions of Support; Collection for Noncompliance; Failure to Complete Service Obligation; Data Collection-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in paragraph (2), subsections (e), (f), (g), and (h) of section 10 shall apply to eligible entities and recipients of fellowships under this section, as applicable, in the same manner as such subsections apply to eligible entities and recipients of scholarships and stipends under section 10, as applicable.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) AMOUNT OF REPAYMENT- If a circumstance described in subparagraph (D) or (E) of section 10(g)(1) occurs after the completion of 1 year of a service obligation under this section--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) for a National Science Foundation Teaching Fellow, the total amount of fellowship award received by the individual under this section while enrolled in the master's degree program, reduced by one-fourth of the total amount for each year of service completed, plus one-half of the total teaching fellowship salary supplements received by such individual under this section, shall be repaid or such amount shall be treated as a loan to be repaid in accordance with section 10(g)(1)(C); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) for a National Science Foundation Master Teaching Fellow, the total amount of teaching fellowship salary supplements received by the individual under this section, reduced by one-half, shall be repaid or such amount shall be treated as a loan to be repaid in accordance with section 10(g)(1)(C).'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(a) Community College Program- Section 3 of the Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 1862i) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in subsection (a)(3)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking `and' after the semicolon;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the semicolon and inserting `; and'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) encourage participation of individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b);'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) MENTOR TRAINING GRANTS- The Director shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) establish a program to encourage and make grants available to institutions of higher education that award associate degrees to recruit and train individuals from the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to mentor students who are described in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b) in order to assist those students in identifying, qualifying for, and entering higher-paying technical jobs in those fields; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) make grants available to associate-degree-granting colleges to carry out the program identified in subsection (A).'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Conforming Amendments-(1) SECTION 4- Section 4 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002Evaluation and Report- The Director shall establish metrics to evaluate the success of the programs established by the Foundation for encouraging individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1862n note) is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking `In this Act:' and inserting `Except as otherwise provided, in this Act:'.(2) SECTION 8- Section 8(6) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-368) is amended--(A) in the paragraph heading, by striking `SCHOLARSHIP' and inserting `TEACHER'; and(B) by striking `Scholarship' and inserting `Teacher'.SEC. 4013. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING THE MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE85a or 1885b) to study and prepare for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including programs that provide for mentoring for such individuals. The Director shall carry out evaluations based on the metrics developed and report to Congress annually on the findings and conclusions of the evaluations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 7032. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION.It is the sense of the Senate thatACADEMY OF SCIENCES REPORT ON DIVERSITY IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS FIELDS.

(a) In General- The Director shall enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences for a report, to be transmitted to the Congress not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, about barriers to increasing the number of underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields and to identify strategies for bringing more underrepresented minorities into the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics workforce.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Specific Requirements- The Director shall ensure that the report described in subsection (a) addresses--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) although the mathematics and science education partnership program at the National Science Foundation and the mathematics and science partnership program at the Department of Education practically share the same name, the 2 programs are intended to be complementary, not duplicative;(2) the National Science Foundation partnership programs are innovative, model reform initiatives that move promising ideas in education from research into practice to improve teacher quality, develop challenging curricula, and increase student achievement in mathematics and science, and Congress intends that the National Science Foundation peer-reviewed partnership programs found to be effective should be put into wider practice by dissemination through the Department of Education partnership programs; and(3) the Director of the National Science Foundation and the Secretary of Education should have ongoing collaboration to ensure thatsocial and institutional factors that shape the decisions of minority students to commit to education and careers in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) specific barriers preventing greater minority student participation in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) primary focus points for policy intervention to increase the 2 components of this priority effort for mathematics and science education continue to work in concert for the benefit of States and local practitioners nationwiderecruitment and retention of underrepresented minorities in the future workforce of the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) programs already underway to increase diversity in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields, and their level of effectiveness;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) factors that make such programs effective, and how to expand and improve upon existing programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) the role of minority-serving institutions in the diversification of the workforce of the United States in these fields and how that role can be supported and strengthened; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) how the public and private sectors can better assist minority students in their efforts to join the workforce of the United States in these fields.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4014. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION TEACHER INSTITUTES FOR THE 21ST CENTURY.(a) Authorization of Appropriations- Within the amounts authorized to be appropriated by section 4001, there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the teacher institutes for the 21st century under paragraphs (3) and (7) of section 9(a) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (as amended by subsection (b)) (427033. HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM.

(a) In General- The Director is authorized to establish a new program to award grants on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis to Hispanic-serving institutions (as defined in section 502 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1862n(a))-101a )) to enhance the quality of undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education at such institutions and to increase the retention and graduation rates of students pursuing associate's or baccalaureate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Program Components- Grants awarded under this section shall support--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) activities to improve courses and curriculum in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) faculty development;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) stipends for undergraduate students participating in research; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) other activities consistent with subsection (a), as determined by the Director.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Instrumentation- Funding for instrumentation is an allowed use of grants awarded under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(a) Clearinghouse-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) $84,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;(2) $94,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;(3) $106,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and(4) $140,000,000 for fiscal year 2011DEVELOPMENT- The Director shall establish a clearinghouse, in collaboration with 4-year institutions of higher education (including applicable graduate schools and academic departments), and industries and Federal agencies that employ science-trained personnel, to share program elements used in successful professional science master's degree programs and other advanced degree programs related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) AVAILABILITY- The Director 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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Teacher Institutes for the 21st Century- Section 9(a) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42Programs-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED- The Director shall award grants to 4-year institutions of higher education to facilitate the institutions' creation or improvement of professional science master's degree programs that may include linkages between institutions of higher education and industries that employ science-trained personnel, with an emphasis on practical training and preparation for the workforce in high-need fields.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) APPLICATION- A 4-year institution of higher education desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Director may require. The application shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a description of the professional science master's degree program that the institution of higher education will implement;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) a description of how the professional science master's degree program at the institution of higher education will produce individuals for the workforce in high-need fields;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) 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; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) 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 titles IV and VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1862n(a)) is amended--(1) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking `summer or' and inserting `teacher institutes for the 21st century, as described in paragraph (7),';(2) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and(3) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:`(7) TEACHER INSTITUTES FOR THE 21ST CENTURY-`(A) IN GENERAL- Teacher institutes for the 21st century carried out in accordance with paragraph (3)(B) shall--`(i) be carried out in conjunction with a school served by the local educational agency in the partnership;`(ii) be science, technology, engineering, and mathematics focused institutes that provide professional development to elementary school and secondary school teachers;`(iii) serve teachers who are considered highly qualified (as defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965), teach high-need subjects, and teach in high-need schools (as described in section 1114(a)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965);`(iv) focus on the theme and structure developed by the Director under subparagraph (C);`(v) be content-based and build on school year curricula that are experiment-oriented, content-based, and grounded in current research;`(vi) ensure that the pedagogy component is designed around specific strategies that are relevant to teaching the subject and content on which teachers are being trained, which may include training teachers in the essential components of reading instruction for adolescents in order to improve student reading skills within the subject areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics;`(vii) be a multiyear program that is conducted for a period of not less than 2 weeks per year;`(viii) provide for direct interaction between participants in and faculty of the teacher institute;`(ix) have a component that includes the use of the Internet;`(x) provide for followup training in the classroom during the academic year for a period of not less than 3 days, which may or may not be consecutive, for participants in the teacher institute, except that for teachers in rural local educational agencies, the followup training may be provided through the Internet;`(xi) provide teachers participating in the teacher institute with travel expense reimbursement and classroom materials related to the teacher institute, and may include providing stipends as necessary; and`(xii) establish a mechanism to provide supplemental support during the academic year for teacher institute participants to apply the knowledge and skills gained at the teacher institute.`070 et seq., 1133 et seq.). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) PREFERENCES- The Director shall give preference in making awards to 4-year institutions of higher education seeking Federal funding to create or improve professional science master's degree programs, to those applicants--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) located in States with low percentages of citizens with graduate or professional degrees, as determined by the Bureau of the Census, that demonstrate success in meeting the unique needs of the corporate, non-profit, and government communities in the State, as evidenced by providing internships for professional science master's degree students or similar partnership arrangements; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) that secure more than two-thirds of the funding for such professional science master's degree programs from sources other than the Federal Government.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) NUMBER OF GRANTS; TIME PERIOD OF GRANTS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) NUMBER OF GRANTS- Subject to the availability of appropriated funds, the Director shall award grants under paragraph (1) to a maximum of 200 4-year institutions of higher education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) OPTIONAL MEMBERS OF THE PARTNERSHIP- In addition to the partnership requirement under paragraph (2), an institution of higher education or eligible nonprofit organization (or consortium) desiring a grant for a teacher institute for the 21st century may also partner with a teacher organization, museum, or educational partnership organization.`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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) EVALUATION AND REPORTS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) DEVELOPMENT OF PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS- Prior to the start of the grant program, the Director, in collaboration with 4-year institutions of higher education (including applicable graduate schools and academic departments), and industries and Federal agencies that employ science-trained personnel, shall develop performance benchmarks to evaluate the pilot programs assisted by grants under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) EVALUATION- For each year of the grant period, the Director, in consultation with 4-year institutions of higher education (including applicable graduate schools and academic departments), and industries and Federal agencies that employ science-trained personnel, shall complete an evaluation of each program assisted by grants under this section. Any program that fails to satisfy the performance benchmarks developed under subparagraph (A) shall not be eligible for further funding.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) THEME AND STRUCTURE- Each year, nREPORT- Not later than 180 days before the application deadline for a grant under this section, the Director shall, in consultation with a broad group of relevant education organizations, develop a theme and structure for the teacher institutes of the 21st century supported under paragraph (3)(B).'.SEC. 4015. PARTNERSHIPSafter the completion of an evaluation described in subparagraph (B), the Director shall submit a report to Congress that includes--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the results of the evaluation; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) recommendations for administrative and legislative action that could optimize the effectiveness of the pilot programs, as the Director determines to be appropriate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 7035. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON COMMUNICATIONS TRAINING FOR ACCESS TO LABORATORY SCIENCESCIENTISTS.

(a) Grant Program- Section 8(8) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-368) is amended--(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (F) as clauses (i) through (vi), respectively, and indenting appropriately;(2) by moving the flush language at the end 2 ems to the right;(3) in the flush language at the end, by striking `paragraph' and inserting `subparagraph';(4) by striking `INITIATIVE- A program of' and inserting `INITIATIVE-`(A) IN GENERAL- A program of'; and(5) by inserting at the end the following:`(B) PILOT PROGRAM-`(i) IN GENERAL- In accordance with subparagraph (A)(v), the Director shall establish a pilot program designated as `Partnerships for Access to Laboratory Science' to award grants to partnerships to pay the Federal share of the costs of improving laboratories and providing instrumentation as part of a comprehensive program to enhance the quality of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology instruction at the secondary school level. Grants under this subparagraph may be used for--`(I) purchase, rental, or leasing of equipment, instrumentation, and other scientific educational materials;`(II) acquire appropriate nanotechnology equipment and software designed for teaching students about nanotechnology in the classroom;`(III) professional development and training for teachers aligned with activities supported under section 2123 of the ESEA of 1965;`(IV) development of instructional programs designed to integrate the laboratory experience with classroom instruction and to be consistent with State mathematics and science, and to the extent applicable, technology and engineering, academic achievement standards;`(V) training in laboratory safety for relevant school personnel;`(VI) design and implementation of hands-Sense of Congress- It is the sense of Congress that institutions of higher education receiving awards under the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program of the Foundation should, among the activities supported under these awards, train graduate students in the communication of the substance and importance of their research to nonscientist audiences.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Report to Congress- Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall transmit a report to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on laboratory experiences to encourage the interest of individuals Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, describing the training programs described in subsection (a) provided to graduate students who participated in the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program. The report shall include data on the number of graduate students trained and a description of the types of activities funded.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(a) Award Amount- The minimum amount of an award under the Major Research Instrumentation program shall be $100,000. The maximum amount of an award under the program shall be $4,000,000 except if the total amount appropriated for the program for a fiscal year exceeds $125,000,000, in which case the maximum amount of an award shall be $6,000,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Use of Funds- In addition to the acquisition of instrumentation and equipment, funds made available by awards under the Major Research Instrumentation program may be used to support the operations and maintenance of such instrumentation and equipment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Cost Sharing-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- An institution of higher education receiving an award under the Major Research Instrumentation program shall provide at least 30 percent of the cost from private or non-Federal sources.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) EXCEPTIONS- Institutions of higher education that are not Ph.D.-granting institutions are exempt from the cost sharing requirement in paragraph (1), and the Director may reduce or waive the cost sharing requirement for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) institutions--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) that are not ranked among the top 100 institutions receiving Federal research and development funding, as documented by the statistical data published by the Foundation; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) for which the proposed project will make a substantial improvement in the institution's capabilities to conduct leading edge research, to provide research experiences for undergraduate students using leading edge facilities, and to broaden the participation in science and engineering research by individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b) in mathematics, science, engineering, and technology and help prepare such individuals to pursue postsecondary studies in these fields; and`(VII) assessment of the activities funded under this subparagraph.`(ii) PARTNERSHIP- Grants awarded under clause (i) shall be to a partnership that--`(I) includes an institution of higher education or a community college;`(II) includes a high-need local educational agency;`(III) includes a business or eligible nonprofit organization; and`(IV) may include a State educational agency, other public agency, National Laboratory, or community-based organization.`(iii) FEDERAL SHARE- The Federal share of the cost of activities carried out using amounts from a grant under clause (i) shall not exceed 30 percent.'.(b) Report- The Director of the National Science Foundation; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) consortia of institutions of higher education that include at least one institution that is not a Ph.D.-granting institution.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(a) Policy- For programs supported by the Foundation that require as part of the selection process for awards the submission of preproposals and that also limit the number of preproposals that may be submitted by an institution, the Director shall evaluate the effectiveness of activities carried out under the pilot projects funded by the grant program established pursuant to the amendment made by subsectionallow the subsequent submission of a full proposal based on each preproposal that is determined to have merit following the Foundation's merit review process.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) in improving student performance in mathematics, science, engineering, and technology and recommend whether such activities should continue. A report documenting the results of that evaluation shall be submitteReview and Assessment of Policies- The Board shall review and assess the effects on institutions of higher education of the policies of the Foundation regarding the imposition of limitations on the number of proposals that may be submitted by a single institution for programs supported by the Foundation. The Board shall determine whether current policies are well justified and appropriate for the types of programs that limit the number of proposal submissions. Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Board shall summarize the Board's findings and any recommendations regarding changes to the current policy on the restriction of proposal submissions in a report to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act. The report shall identify best practices and materials for the classroom developed and demonstrated by grant awardees.(c) Sunset- The provisions of this section shall cease to have force or effect at the beginning of fiscal year 2012.(d) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation to carry out this section and the amendments made by this section such sums for fiscal year 2008 and each of the 3 succeeding fiscal years.DIVISION E.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE VIII--GENERAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 58001. COLLECTION OF DATA RELATING TO TRADE IN SERVICES.

(a) In General- Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall establish a program withinReport- Not later than January 31, 2008, the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Economic Analysis, shall report to Congress on the feasibility, annual cost, and potential benefits of a program to collect and study data relating to export and import of services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





As part of the program, the Secretary shall(b) Program- The proposed program to be studied under subsection (a) shall include requirements that the Secretary annually--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) provide data collection and analysis relating to export and import of services;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) collect and analyze data for service imports and exports in not less than 40 service industry categories, on a sState-by-state basis;(3) include data collection and analysis ofState basis;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) collect data on, and analyze, the employment effects of exports and imports on the service industry; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) integrate ongoing and planned data collection and analysis initiatives in research and development and innovation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 8002. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH AND CAPITAL MARKETS.

(a) Findings- The Congress finds that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the United States has the most fair, most transparent, and most efficient capital markets in the world, in part due to its strong securities statutory and regulatory scheme;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) it is of paramount importance for the continued growth of our Nation's economythe economy of the Nation, that our capital markets retain their leading position in the world;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) small businesses are vital participants in United States capital markets, and play a critical role in future economic growth and high-wage job creation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, has greatly enhanced the quality of corporate governance and financial reporting for public companies and increased investor confidence;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) the Securities and Exchange Commission (in this section referred toreferred to in this section as the `Commission') and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (in this section referred toreferred to in this section as the `PCAOB') have both determined that the current auditing standard implementing section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has imposed unnecessary and unintended cost burdens on small and mid-sized public companies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) the Commission and the PCAOB are now near completion of a 2-year process intended to revise the auditing standard in order to provide more efficient and effective regulation; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) the cChairman of the Commission recently has said, with respect to section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, `We don't need to change the law, we need to change the way the law is implemented. It is the implementation of the law that has caused the excessive burden, not the law itself. That's an important distinction. I don't believe these important investor protections, which are even now only a few years old, should be opened up for amendment, or that they need to be.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Sense of the Senate- It is the sense of the Senate that the Commission and the PCAOB should complete promulgation of the final rules implementing section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (15 U.S.C. 7262).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 58003. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES, GRANTS, AND PROGRAMS.

Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to Congress that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) examines each annual and interim report required to be submitted to Congress under this Act (including any amendment made by this Act);(2) assesses or evaluates assessments of the effectiveness of the new or expended activities, grants, and programs carried out under this Act (including any amendment made by this Act); and(3) includes anyassesses and evaluates the effectiveness of a representative sample of the new or expanded programs and activities (including programs and activities carried out under grants) required to be carried out under this Act; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) includes such recommendations as the Comptroller General determines are appropriate to improve the effectiveness of such activities, grants, and programensure effectiveness of, or improvements to, the programs and activities, including termination of programs or activities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5004. PROHIBITION AGAINST FUN8004. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING ANTI-COMPETITIVENESS.Notwithstanding any other provision of the Law; no federal funds shall TAX POLICY.

It is the sense of the Senate that Federal funds should not be provided to any organization or entity that advocates against tax competition or United States tax competitiveness.Provided, however, that advocating for effective tax information exchange, advocating for effective transfer pricing, and advocating for income tax treaties is not considered to be advocating against tax competition of United Statesa United States tax competitiveness.SEC. 5005. FEASIBILITY STUDY ON FREEpolicy that is internationally competitive.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 8005. STUDY OF THE PROVISION OF ONLINE COLLEGE DEGREE PROGRAMS.

(a) In General- Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall enter into a contracEducation shall enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct and complete a feasibility study on creating a national, study and provide a report to the Secretary, the Secretary of Commerce, and Congress. The study shall consider the mechanisms and supports needed for an institution of higher education (as defined in section 7001) or nonprofit organization to develop and maintain a program to provide free online college degree program that would be available to all individuals described under section 484(a)(5)access to online educational content as part of a degree program, especially in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or foreign languages, without using Federal funds, including funds provided under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1091(a)(5)) who wish to pursue a degree in a field of strategic importance to the United States and where expertise is in demand, such as mathematics, sciences, and foreign languages.70 et seq.) The study shall look at the need for a free college degree program as well as the feasibility ofconsider whether such a program could be developed and managed by such institution of higher education or nonprofit organization and sustained through private funding. The study shall examine how such program can--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) developbuild on existing online course content;(2) developing sufficiently rigorous tests to determine mastery of a field of study; and(3) sustaining the program through private funding.(b) Study- The study described in subsection (a) shall also include a reviewprograms, including making use of existing online education programs to determine the extent to which these programs offer a rigorous curriculum in areas like mathematics and science and the National Academy of Sciences shall make recommendations for how online degree programs can be assessed and accredited.(c) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $500,000courses;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) modify or expand traditional course content for online educational content;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) develop original course content for online courses and degree programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) provide necessary laboratory experience for science, technology, and engineering courses;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) be accepted for full credit by other institutions of higher education; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) provide credentials that would be recognized by employers, enabling program participants to attain employment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 58006. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING DEEMED EXPORTS.

It is the sense of Senate that--(1) United States government policies relatedthe Senate that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the policies of the United States Government relating to deemed exports should safeguard United Statesthe national security of the United States and protect fundamental research.(2) T;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the Department of Commerce has established the Deemed Export Advisory Committee to develop recommendations for improving current controls on deemed exports.(3) The Administration; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) the President and Congress should consider the recommendations of the Deemed Export Advisory Committee in itsthe development and implementation of export control policies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 58007. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING CAPITAL MARKETS.

(a) Findings- The Senate finds that--(1) United States capital markets are losing their competitive edge in the face of intensifying global competition, posing a risk to economic growth, a problem that is well-documented in initial public offerings (IPO), over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, securitization, and traditional lending;(2) according to the Senator Charles E. Schumer and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg report, entitled `Sustaining New York's and the US's Global Financial Services Leadership', `In looking at several of the critical contested investment banking and sales and trading markets--initial public offerings (IPOs), over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, and debt--it is clear that the declining position of the US goes beyond this natural market evolution to more controllable, intrinsic issues of US competitiveness. As market effectiveness, liquidity and safety become more prevalent in the world's financial markets, the competitive arena for financial services is shifting toward a new set of factors--like availability of skilled people and a balanced and effective legal and regulatory environment--where the US is moving in the wrong direction.';(3) further, the report referred to in paragraph (2) stated that--(A) `The IPO market also offers the most dramatic illustration of the change in capital-raising needs around the world, and US exchanges are rapidly losing ground to foreign rivals. When looking at all IPOs that took place globally in 2006, the share of IPO volume attracted by US exchanges is barely one-third of that captured in 2001. By contrast, the global share of IPO volume captured by European exchanges has expanded by more than 30 percent over the same period, while non-Japan Asian markets have doubled their equivalent market share since 2001. When one considers mega-IPOs - those over $1 billion - US exchanges attracted 57 percent of such transactions in 2001, compared with just 16 percent during the first ten months of 2006.'; and(B) `London already enjoys clear leadership in the fast-growing and innovative over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives market. This is significant because of the trading flow that surrounds derivatives markets and because of the innovation these markets drive, both of which are key competitive factors for financial centers. Dealers and investors increasingly see derivatives and cash markets as interchangeable and are therefore combining trading operations for both products. Indeed, the derivatives markets can be more liquid than the underlying cash markets. Therefore, as London takes the global lead in derivatives, America's competitiveness in both cash and derivatives flow trading is at risk, as is its position as a center for financial innovation.';(4) on March 13, 2007, the Department of the Treasury convened a conference on United States capital markets competitiveness, where--(A) key policymakers, consumer advocates, members of the international community, business representatives, and academic experts, each with different perspectives, discussed ways to keep United States capital markets the strongest and most innovative in the world; and(B) conference delegates examined the impact of the United States regulatory structure and philosophy, the legal and corporate governance environment, and the auditing profession and financial reporting on United States capital markets competitiveness;(5) the foundation of any competitive capital market is investor confidence, and since 1930, the United States has required some of the most extensive financial disclosures, supported by one of the most robust enforcement regimes in the world;(6) a balanced regulatory system is essential to protecting investors and the efficient functioning of capital markets; and(7) too much regulation stifles entrepreneurship, competition, and innovation, and too little regulation creates excessive risk to industry, investors, and the overall system.(b) Sense of the Senate- It is the sense of the Senate that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Congress, the President, regulators, industry leaders, and other stakeholders should take the necessary steps to reclaim the preeminent position of the United States in the global financial services marketplace;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the Federal and State financial regulatory agencies should, to the maximum extent possible,--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) coordinate activities on significant policy matters, so as not to impose regulations that may have adverse unintended consequences on innovativeness with respect to financial products, instruments, and services, or that impose regulatory costs that are disproportionate to their benefits, and,; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) at the same time, ensure that the regulatory framework overseeing the United States capital markets continues to promote and protect the interests of investors in those markets; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) given the complexity of the financial services marketplace today, Congress should exercise vigorous oversight over Federal regulatory and statutory requirements affecting the financial services industry and consumers, with the goal of eliminating excessive regulation and problematic implementation of existing laws and regulations, while ensuring that necessary investor protections are not compromised.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink