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S 761 PCS

Calendar No. 70ESCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

110th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 761

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To invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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) DivisionsIVISIONS- This Act is organized into 45 divisions as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) DIVISION A- Commerce and Science.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) DIVISION B- Department of Energy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) DIVISION CB- Education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) DIVISION D- National Science Foundation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b)5) DIVISION E- General Provisions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Table of Contents- The table of contents for this Act is as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1. Short title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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

DIVISION A--COMMERCE AND SCIENCE

Sec. 1001. Short title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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

Sec. 1101. National Science and Technology Summit.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1102. Study on barriers to innovation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1103. National Innovation Medal.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1104. Release of scientific research results.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1105. Semiannual Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Days.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1106. Study of service science.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--INNOVATION PROMOTION

Sec. 1201. President's Council on Innovation and Competitiveness.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1202. Innovation acceleration research.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE III--NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Sec. 1301. NASA's contribution to innovation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1302. Aeronautics Institute for Research.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1303. Basic research enhancement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1304. Aging workforce issues program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1305. Conforming amendments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1306. Fiscal year 2008 basic science and research funding.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IV--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY

Sec. 1401. Authorization of appropriations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1402. Amendments to the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1403. Innovation acceleration.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1404. Manufacturing extension.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1405. Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1406. 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 program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE V--OCEAN AND ATMOSPHERIC PROGRAMS

Sec. 1501. Ocean and atmospheric research and development program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1502. NOAA ocean and atmospheric science education programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1503. NOAA's contribution to innovation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1504. NOAA accountability and transparency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

DIVISION B--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Sec. 2001. Short title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 2002. Definitions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





Sec. 2004. Department of Energy early-career research grants.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 2005. Advanced Research Projects Authority-Energy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





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





Sec. 2008. Protecting America's Competitive Edge (PACE) graduate fellowship program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 2009. Title IX compliance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 2010. High-risk, high-reward research.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 2011. Distinguished scientist program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

DIVISION C--EDUCATION

Sec. 3001. Findings.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 3002. Definitions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--TEACHER ASSISTANCE

Subtitle A--Teachers for a Competitive Tomorrow

Sec. 3111. Purpose.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 3112. Definitions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 3113. Programs for baccalaureate degrees in mathematics, science, engineering, or critical foreign languages, with concurrent teacher certification.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 3114. Programs for master's degrees in mathematics, science, technology, or critical foreign languages education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 3115. General provisions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 3116. Authorization of appropriations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle B--Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Programs

Sec. 3121. Purpose.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 3122. Definitions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 3123. Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--MATH NOWEMATICS

Sec. 3201. Math Now for elementary school and middle school students program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 3202. Summer term education programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 3203. Math skills for secondary school students.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE III--FOREIGN LANGUAGE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

Sec. 3301. Findings and purpose.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 3302. Definitions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 3303. Program authorized.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 3304. Authorization of appropriations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IV--ALIGNMENT OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Sec. 3401. Alignment of secondary school graduation requirements with the demands of 21st century postsecondary endeavors and support for P-16 education data systems.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

DIVISION D--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Sec. 4001. Authorization of appropriations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4002. Strengthening of education and human resources directorate through equitable distribution of new funds.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4003. Graduate fellowships and graduate traineeships.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4004. Professional science master's degree programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4005. Increased support for science education through the National Science Foundation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4006. Meeting critical national science needs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4007. Reaffirmation of the merit-review process of the National Science Foundation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4008. Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4009. Encouraging participation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4010. Cyberinfrastructure.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4011. Federal information and communications technology research.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4012. Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4013. Sense of the Senate regarding the mathematics and science partnership programs of the Department of Education and the National Science Foundation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4014. National Science Foundation teacher institutes for the 21st century.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4015. Partnerships for access to laboratory science.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

DIVISION A--COMMERCE AND SCIENCE

SEC. 1001. SHORT TITLE.

This division may be cited as the `American Innovation and Competitiveness Act'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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

SEC. 1101. NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT.

(a) In General- Not later than 180 days after the date of 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 and technology, 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 issue 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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 1102. 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 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) the extent to which Federal funding 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;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





and(11(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;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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 Sciences $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 for the purpose of carrying out the study required under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 1103. NATIONAL 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.'; 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').CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) specifically address what is and what is not permitted or recommended under such policies and procedures;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) be specifically designed for each such agency;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) be applied uniformly throughout each such agency; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) be widely communicated and readily accessible to all employees of each such agency and the public.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 1105. 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. 1106. 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 Policy, through the National Academy of Sciences, shall conduct a study and report to Congress regarding 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 PROMOTION

SEC. 1201. 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 duties 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.(E) The Department of Energy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.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 government, 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 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 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'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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. 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 to research projects that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





(2) involve multidisciplinary work; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





(b) Departments and Agencies-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) FUNDING GOALS- The President shall ensure that it is the goal of each Executive agency (as defined in section 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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ADMINISTRATION-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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 as described in subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) REQUIRED METRICS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) GRANT DURATION AND RENEWALS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) IN GENERAL- Any grants issued by an Executive agency under this section shall be for a period not to exceed 3 years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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 program 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).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) 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 research.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 under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE III--NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

SEC. 1301. 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 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 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. 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 Act (42 U.S.C. 16631 and 16632) and at appropriate levels in subsequent fiscal years would enable a fair balance among science, aeronautics, education, exploration, and human space flight programs and allow full participation in any interagency efforts to promote innovation and economic competitiveness.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) 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 improved student achievement, including with regard to challenging State achievement standards.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 1302. AERONAUTICS INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH.

(a) Establishment-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) DIRECTOR- The Institute shall be headed by a Director with appropriate experience in aeronautics research and development.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Duties- The Institute shall implement the programs authorized under title IV of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16701 et seq.).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Cooperation With Other Agencies-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Institute shall operate in conjunction 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 the Vision 100--Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (Public Law 108-176; 117 Stat. 2490).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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 industry.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 1303. 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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Space Science.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Earth Science.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) Life and Microgravity Sciences.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) Aeronautical Research.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Duties- The Basic Research Executive Council shall have, at minimum, the following duties:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) To establish criteria for the identification of research activity as basic in nature.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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 Council.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 1304. 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 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 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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking `and' after the semicolon in paragraph (2)(B);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking `Act.' in paragraph (2)(C) and inserting `Act; and';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





`(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.'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





`(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.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 1306. FISCAL YEAR 2008 BASIC SCIENCE AND RESEARCH FUNDING.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 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 accounts of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The transfer shall be contingent upon the availability of unobligated balances to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IV--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY

SEC. 1401. 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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) for fiscal year 2008, $703,611,000, of which $115,000,000 shall be used for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) for fiscal year 2009, $773,972,000, of which $120,0002,005,000 shall be used for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) for fiscal year 2010, $851,369,000, of which $125,00031,766,000 shall be used for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) for fiscal year 2011, $936,506,000, of which $130,042,300,000 shall be used for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 1402. 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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) 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) 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





(3) REPEAL OF AUTHORIZATION- Section 21(a) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (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) 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





(5) 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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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 or medium-sized business and the Director shall give priority to joint ventures between small or medium-sized businesses and educational institutions. Any grant shall be for a period not to exceed 3 years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Annual Report- Each year the Director shall issue an annual report describing the program's activities, including include a description of the metrics upon which grant funding decisions were made in the previous fiscal year, any 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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Administrative Expenses- No more than 5 percent of the finding available to the program may be used for administrative expenses.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) High-Risk, High-Reward Research Defined- In this section, the term `high-risk, high-reward research' means research that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





(2) addresses critical national needs related to measurement standards and technology; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) is too novel or spans too diverse a range of disciplines to fare well in the traditional peer review process.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 1404. MANUFACTURING EXTENSION.

(a) Manufacturing Center Evaluation- Section 25(c)(5) 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





(b) 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:` (d) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(d) Acceptance of Funds- 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. Such funds from the private sector, if allocated to a Center or Centers, shall not be considered 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 shall re-establish the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology. The purpose of the program shall be to strengthen the technological competitiveness of those States that have historically received less Federal research and development funds than a majority of the States have received.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) technology research and development;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) technology transfer from university research;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) technology deployment and diffusion; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) the strengthening of technological and innovation capabilities through consortia comprised of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) technology-based small business firms;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) industries and emerging companies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) institutions of higher education including community colleges; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) State and local development agencies and entities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Requirements for Making Awards-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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 increase the participation of women, Native Americans (including Native Hawaiians and Alaska Natives), and underrepresented groups in science and technology.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) MATCHING REQUIREMENT- The non-Federal share of the activities (other than planning activities) carried out under an award under this subsection shall be not less than 50 percent of the cost of those activities.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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Coordination- To the extent practicable, in carrying out this subsection, the Director shall coordinate the program with other programs of the Department of Commerce.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Report-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall prepare and submit 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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REQUIREMENTS FOR REPORT- The report required by this subsection shall contain--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a description of the structure and procedures of the program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) a management plan for the program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) a description of the merit-based review process to be used in the program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) milestones for the evaluation of activities to be assisted under the program in fiscal year 2008;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) an assessment of the eligibility of each State that participates in the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research of the National Science Foundation to participate in the program under this subsection; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) the evaluation criteria with respect to which the overall management and effectiveness of the program will be evaluated.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 1406. 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-1) is amended by striking `up to 1 per centum of the' in the first sentence.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Financial Agreements-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) 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,'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) MEMBERSHIPS- Section 2(c) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 272(c)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking `and' after the semicolon in paragraph (21);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by redesignating paragraph (22) as paragraph (23); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by inserting after paragraph (21) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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) Working Capital Fund- Section 12 of the National Institute of Standards and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 278b) is amended by adding at the end the following:`(g) Amount and Source of Transfers- Not to exceed one-quarter per centum of the amounts appropriated to the Institute for any fiscal year may be transferred to the fund, in addition to any other transfer authority. In addition, funds provided to the Institute from other Federal agencies for the purpose of production of Standard Reference Materials may be transferred to the fund.'.(d) Outdated Specifications-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) REDEFINITION OF METRIC SYSTEM- 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. 2. 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) 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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in the section heading, by striking `third zone' and inserting `fourth zone'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking `third zone' and inserting `fourth zone'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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





(e) Retention of Depreciation Surcharge- Section 14d) Non-Energy Inventions Program- Section 27 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278d) is amended--(1) by inserting `(a) In General- ' before `Within'; and(2) by adding at the end the following:`(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 National Institute of Standards and Technology's existing facilities.'.(f) Non-Energy Inventions Program- Section 27m) is repealed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Paragraph (3) of section 25(c) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278m) is repealedk(c)(3)) is amended to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) FINANCIAL SUPPORT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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 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 manufacturing companies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE V--OCEAN AND ATMOSPHERIC PROGRAMS

SEC. 1501. 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. 1502. 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

DIVISION B--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

SEC. 2001. SHORT TITLE.

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

SEC. 2002. DEFINITIONS.

In this division: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 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 ENGINEERING 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 (d) as subsections (c) through (e), respectively;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





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





`(1) DIRECTOR OF MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 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 Engineering Education (referred to in this subsection as the `Director') with the principal responsibility for administering mathematics, science, and engineering 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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





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





`(B) represent the Department as the principal interagency liaison for all mathematics, science, and engineering 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 engineering 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 engineering 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 engineering 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 engineering education programs of the Department on student academic achievement in math and science.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 Engineering Education Fund- The Secretary shall establish a Mathematics, Science, and Engineering 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





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





(1) consult with the Secretary of Education 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; 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 Engineering 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 the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`Subpart A--Science Education Enhancement';

(2) in section 3169, by striking `part' and inserting `subpart'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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

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

`SEC. 3170. DEFINITIONS.

`In this subpart:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) DIRECTOR- The term `Director' means the Director of Mathematics, Science, and Engineering 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 FOR SPECIALTY SCHOOLS FOR MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE

`SEC. 3171. SPECIALTY SCHOOLS FOR MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE.

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





`(b) Definition of Specialty School for Mathematics and Science- In this chapter, the term `specialty school for mathematics and science' 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 technology) curriculum designed to improve the academic achievement of students in mathematics and science.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Grants Authorized-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- From the amounts authorized under subsection (i), the Secretary, acting through the Director, 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 science.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 and science for students, science, engineering, and technology 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 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 science for a fiscal year.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 50 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 50 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 Director at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by 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 science 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 science--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 science;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 and science, science, and, to the 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 and science, science, technology, and engineering 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 GENERAL- 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 and science, science, technology, and engineering;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) integrate into the curriculum of the school comprehensive mathematics and science education, including instruction and assessments in mathematics, science, and to the extent applicable, technology and engineering that are aligned with the State's academic content and student academic achievement standards (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; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) provide high-quality and continuous teacher and staff professional development.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 related to improving student academic achievement in mathematics and science, science, 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 and science, science, and, to the 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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





`(1) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.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





and`(B) promote experiential, hands-on learning in mathematics or science, science, technology, or engineering; 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.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 subsection (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 8, 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.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 2011.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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

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

`(a) Definition of High-Need Public Secondary School- In this chapter, 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 8, 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 and Science at 1 high-need public secondary school , Science, Technology, and Engineering at 1 high-need public secondary school located in the region of the National Laboratory to provide assistance in accordance with subsection (f).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Partnership- Each high-need public secondary school selected as a Center of Excellence 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).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 the Centers of Excellence.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) PROCESS- The National Laboratories shall select the sites of the Centers of Excellence through an open, widely 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 the staff--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) assists teachers in teaching courses at the Centers of Excellence in Mathematics and Science, Science, Technology, and Engineering; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





`(g) Special Rule- Each Center of Excellence shall ensure--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) provision of clinical practicum, student teaching, or internship experiences for math and scienceematics, science, and technology teacher candidates as part of its teacher preparation program;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 chapter 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 subpart 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 or science (including engineering), science, or engineering department at an institution of higher education, acting in coordination with a department 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 or science teachers.`(2) , science, or technology teachers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





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





`(B) 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; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) provides for follow-up training, during the academic year, that is conducted in the classroom.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 and science teaching skills of teachers employed at public schools for kindergarten through grade , science, technology, and engineering teaching skills of teachers employed at public schools for kindergarten through grade 12, in accordance with the activities authorized under subsections (c) and (d).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) PROGRAMS WITH ELIGIBLE PARTNERS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





`(B) 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 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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Required Activities- Each program authorized under subsection (b) shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





`(2) include material pertaining to recent developments in mathematics and science, science, technology, and engineering pedagogy;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) provide training on the use and integration of technology in the classroom;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) directly relate to the curriculum and academic areas in which the teachers provide instruction;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(5) enhance the ability of the teachers to understand and use the challenging State academic content standards for mathematics and science, science, and, to the extent applicable, technology and engineering and to select appropriate curricula;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(6) train teachers to use curricula that are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) based on scientific research;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) aligned with challenging State academic content standards; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) object-centered, experiment-oriented, and concept- and content-based;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(7) provide professional development activities, including supplemental and follow-up activities; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(8) allow for the exchange of best practices among the participants.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(d) Permissible Activities- A program authorized under subsection (b) may include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) a program that provides teachers with opportunities to work under the guidance of experienced teachers and college faculty;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





`(3) extended master teacher programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(e) 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 disadvantaged school districts; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





`(f) 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





`(g) 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 and science teachers who participate in the summer , science, and technology teachers who participate in the summer institutes involved; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) measurable objectives for improved student academic achievement on State mathematics and science, science, and to the 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 and science, science, technology, and engineering teaching skills of participating teachers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





`(1) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





`(3) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`CHAPTER 5--NUCLEAR SCIENCE EDUCATION

`SEC. 3191. 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; 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 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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) ELIGIBILITY- To be eligible for a grant under this subsection, an applicant shall partner with a National Laboratory or other eligible nuclear-related entity, 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 shall be 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; orCommentsClose 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 shall award up to 10 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.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-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;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) $18,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) $22,500,000 for fiscal year 2011.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;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) $16,500,000 for fiscal year 2009;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) $22,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) $27,500,000 for fiscal year 2011.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 all energy sources and uses by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) to improve the understanding of students of the scientific, economic, and environmental impacts of energy;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) to improve the knowledge of teachers, administrators, and other school staff related to the scientific content of energy;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) to increase the use of effective instructional practices; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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.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.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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(e) Programs- In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall award grants to establish or expand programs that enhance--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) the quality of science education in elementary schools with respect to conventional and emerging energy sources and uses; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) the understanding of students of the science, economics, and environmental impacts of energy production and consumption.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





`(1) FEDERAL SHARE- The Federal share of the costs of carrying out a program under this section shall be 50 percent.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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





`(1) ensure a wide, equitable distribution of grants 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





`(h) Uses of Funds-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) employ proven strategies and methods for improving student learning and teaching regarding energy;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) integrate into the curriculum of schools comprehensive, science-based, energy education, including instruction and assessments that are aligned with--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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));CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) classroom management;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) professional development;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iv) parental involvement; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(v) school management; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) provide high-quality and continuous teacher and staff professional development.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) the science of energy;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) the sources of energy;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) the uses of energy in society; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) the environmental consequences and benefits of all energy sources and uses.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





`(1) $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2004. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY EARLY-CAREER RESEARCH GRANTS.

(a) Purpose- It is the purpose of this section to authorize research grants in the Department for early-career scientists and engineers for purposes of pursuing independent research.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Definition of Eligible Early-Career Researcher- In this section, the term `eligible early-career researcher' means an individual who--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) 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); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) has demonstrated promise in the field of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, computer science, or computational science.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Grant Program Authorized-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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 centers.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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) WAIVER- The Secretary may find eligible a candidate who has completed a doctorate more than 10 years prior to the date of application if the candidate was unable to conduct research for a period of time because of extenuating circumstances, including military service or family responsibilities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) DURATION AND AMOUNT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) DURATION- A grant under this section shall be 5 years in duration.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) $19,500,000 for fiscal year 2009;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) $26,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) $32,500,000 for fiscal year 2011.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2005. ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AUTHORITY-ENERGY.

(a) Definitions- In this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ADVISORY BOARD- The term `Advisory Board' means the Advisory Board established under subsection (d).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) AUTHORITY- The term `Authority' means the Advanced Research Projects Authority--Energy established under subsection (b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) DIRECTOR- The term `Director' means the Director of the Authority appointed under subsection (c)(1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) ENERGY TECHNOLOGY- The term `energy technology' means technology, including carbon-neutral technology, used for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) fossil energy;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) carbon sequestration;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) nuclear energy;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) renewable energy;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) energy distribution; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) energy efficiency technology.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Director-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) APPOINTMENT- The Secretary shall appoint a Director of the Authority.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 matters pertaining to long-term, high-risk programs to overcome long-term and high-risk technological barriers to the development of energy technologies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





(A) employ such qualified technical staff as are necessary to carry out the duties of the Authority, including providing staff for the Advisory Committee;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) serve as the selection official for proposals relating to energy technologies that are solicited within the Department;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) develop metrics to assist in developing funding criteria and for assessing the success of existing programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) terminate programs carried out under this section that are not achieving the goals of the programs; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Advisory Board-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) APPOINTMENT- The Secretary shall, consistent with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 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 section.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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) TERM- A member of the Advisory Board shall be appointed for a term of 5 years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) DUTIES- Each fiscal year, the Advisory Board shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) recommend to the Secretary and the Director--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) additional programs not covered in the proposals that are critical to overcoming the barriers described in clause (i); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) conduct reviews during each of calendar years 2010 and 2012 to determine the success of the activities carried out under this section; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2006. 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)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking `$5,200,000,000' and inserting `$4,800,000,000'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





`(4) $4,945,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(5) $5,265,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2007. 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 and 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 related 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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) train undergraduate and graduate engineering and science students;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) develop innovative educational curricula; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





(2) private industry to develop innovative technologies within the topical areas described in subsection (b);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) State and local governments to promote regionally-based commercialization and entrepreneurship; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) financing entities to guide successful technology commercialization.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Merit-Based Selection- The selection of Institutes under this section shall be merit-based and made through an open, competitive selection process.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Restriction- Not more than 3 Institutes shall receive grants for a fiscal year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Review- The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences under which the Academy shall, not later than 3 and 6 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 of each Institute selected under this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2011.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2008. 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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





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





(B) rank in the upper 10 percent of the class of the eligible student;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) demonstrate to the Secretary--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the capacity to understand technical topics related 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 related to the fellowship; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) 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; 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 years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) PORTABILITY- A fellowship awarded under this section shall be portable with the fellow.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





(1) shall administer the program established under this section; and,CommentsClose 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-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) FELLOWSHIPS- There are authorized to be appropriated to award fellowships under this section--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) $9,300,000 for 200 fellowships for fiscal year 2008;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) $14,500,000 for 300 fellowships for fiscal year 2009 (including non-expiring fellowships for prior fiscal years);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) $25,000,000 for 500 fellowships for fiscal year 2010 (including non-expiring fellowships for prior fiscal years); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) $35,500,000 for 700 fellowships for fiscal year 2011 (including non-expiring fellowships for prior fiscal years).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ADMINISTRATION- There are authorized to be appropriated for administrative expenses incurred in carrying out this section--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





(B) $1,500,000 for fiscal year 2009;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) $2,500,000 for fiscal year 2010; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) $3,500,000 for fiscal year 2011.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 to implement the recommendations in the report of the Government Accountability Office numbered 04-639.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Compliance- To comply 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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) has the potential for yielding results with far-ranging implications;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) is too novel or spans too diverse a range of disciplines to fare well in the traditional peer review process; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) is supportive of the missions of the sponsoring agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Establishment of Grant Programs-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ENERGY GRANT PROGRAM- The Secretary shall establish a grant program to encourage the conduct of high-risk, high-reward research at the Department.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2011. 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 National 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 who, by reason of professional background and experience, are able to bring international recognition to the appointing institution of higher education and National Laboratory in their field of scientific endeavor.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 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 6 years, consisting 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 are 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) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 (to support up to 30 appointments under this section);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 (to support up to 60 such appointments); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (to support up to 100 such appointments).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

DIVISION C--EDUCATION

SEC. 3001. 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 mathematics 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. 3002. DEFINITIONS.

(a) ESEA Definitions- Unless otherwise specified in this division, the terms used in this division 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 division: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) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--TEACHER ASSISTANCE

Subtitle A--Teachers for a Competitive Tomorrow

SEC. 3111. PURPOSE.

The purpose of this subtitle is--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to develop and implement programs to provide integrated courses of study in mathematics, science, engineering, or critical foreign languages, and teacher education, that lead to a baccalaureate degree with concurrent teacher certification;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





and(2) to develop and implement 2- or 3-year part-time master's degree programs in mathematics, science, or critical foreign language education for teachers in technology, 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, science, or critical foreign language education that lead to a master's degree in teaching that results in teacher certification.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3112. DEFINITIONS.

In this subtitle: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 subtitle on behalf of a department of mathematics, engineering, science, or critical foreign language for use in a critical foreign language, or on behalf of a department or school with a competency-based degree program (in mathematics, engineering, science, or a critical foreign language) that includes teacher certification, for use in carrying out activities assisted under this subtitle.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 8, 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 critical foreign languages;(iii)(Ia critical foreign language; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(bb) a school or department within the eligible recipient that provides a teacher preparation program; or(II), or a 2-year institution of higher education that has a teacher preparation offering or a dual enrollment program with the eligible recipient; and(iv) not less than 1 high-need local educational agency and a public school or a consortium of public schools orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) a department or school within the eligible recipient with a competency-based degree program (in mathematics, engineering, science, 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 provide expertise or support to meet the purposes of this subtitle.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) TEACHING SKILLS- The term `teaching skills' means the ability to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) increase student achievement;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) effectively convey and explain academic subject matter;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) employ strategies that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) are based on scientifically based 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 disabilities, students who are limited English proficient, and students who are gifted and talented;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. 3113. PROGRAMS FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREES IN MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, OR CRITICAL FOREIGN LANGUAGES, WITH CONCURRENT TEACHER CERTIFICATION.

(a) Program Authorized- From the amounts made available to carry out this section under section 3116(1) and not reserved under section 3115(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, engineering, or critical foreign languages that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) are integrated with teacher education; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) lead to a baccalaureate degree 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, engineering, 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, engineering, 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, engineering, 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, engineering, 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 what assistance in finding employment in such schools 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) 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, engineering, 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, engineering, 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 or science, science, technology, or engineering 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, engineering, 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 and science;(iii) , science, and where applicable, technology and engineering;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) increasing the number of students in secondary schools enrolled in upper level mathematics and science, science, and, where available, technology and engineering courses; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) increasing the numbers of elementary school, middle school, and secondary school students enrolled in and continuing in critical foreign language courses;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) collect data on the employment placement 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 participating in the partnership.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) 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 (c)(2)(G); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) the data collected under subparagraphs (G) and (H) of subsection (c)(2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Technical Assistance- From the funds made available under section 3116(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

SEC. 3114. PROGRAMS FOR MASTER'S DEGREES IN MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, OR CRITICAL FOREIGN LANGUAGES EDUCATION.

(a) Program Authorized- From the amounts made available to carry out this section under section 3116(2) and not reserved under section 3115(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, or critical foreign language education for teachers in technology, 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 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, technology, or a critical foreign language will ensure significant collaboration with a teacher preparation program in the development of master's degree programs in mathematics, science, or a critical foreign language for teachers thatthe 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, science, 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 and science and increase the number of students, 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 enrolled and continuing in critical foreign language courses;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) how the program will prepare teacherparticipants to become more effective mathematics, science, or critical foreign language teachers;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) how the program will prepare teacherparticipants to assume leadership roles in their schools;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) how teachers (or mathematics, science, or critical language professionals) who are members of groups that are underrepresented in the teaching of mathematics, science, engineering, technology, 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





and(10) how the partnership will assess, during the program, the content knowledge and teaching skills of teachers participating in the program.(c)he program participants; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(11) methods to ensure applicants to the master's degree program for professionals in mathematics, science, or 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, science, or critical foreign language education for teachers in order to enhance the teachers' content knowledge and teaching skills. The program shall--(1), or programs for professionals in mathematics, science, or 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 the teachers participating in the programat program participants become more effective mathematics, science, 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 and science, science, technology, and engineering 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 science 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, technology, or critical foreign languages;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





and(B (B) members of the Armed Forces who are transitioning to civilian life; and CommentsClose 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





and(9 (9) create opportunities for enhanced and ongoing professional development for teachers that improves the mathematics and science content knowledge and teaching skills of such teachers; and CommentsClose 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 increasing the following:(1) The number and the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Increasing the number and percentage of mathematics, science, engineering, technology, 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, science, or a critical foreign language.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) The retention of teachers whoBringing professionals in mathematics, science, engineering, or critical foreign language into the field of teaching.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) Retaining teachers who participate in the program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3115. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

(a) Duration of Grants- The Secretary shall award each grant under this subtitle for a period of not more than 5 years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Matching Requirement- Each eligible recipient that receives a grant under this sectionubtitle 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 to supplement, and not supplant, other Federal or State funds.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Evaluation- From amounts made available for any fiscal year under section 3116, 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 subtitle, 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 Workforce of the House of Representatives, and the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and House of Representatives.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3116. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $210,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 3 succeeding fiscal years, of which--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) 57.1 percent shall be available to carry out section 3113 for fiscal year 2008 and each succeeding fiscal year; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) 42.9 percent shall be available to carry out section 3114 for fiscal year 2008 and each succeeding fiscal year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle B--Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Programs

SEC. 3121. PURPOSE.

It is the purpose of this subtitle--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. 3122. DEFINITIONS.

In this subtitle:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ADVANCED PLACEMENT OR INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE COURSE- The term `Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate course' means a course of college-level instruction provided to middle or secondary school students, terminating in an examination administered by the College Board or the International Baccalaureate Organization, or another such examination approved by the Secretary.(2), or another highly rigorous, evidence-based, postsecondary preparatory program terminating in an examination administered by a nationally recognized educational association.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 3112(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3123. 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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) are part of a statewide strategy for increasing 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.(e) ; 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.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 3122(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 Workforce 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 $58,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 3 succeeding fiscal years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--MATH NOWEMATICS

SEC. 3201. 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 based on the best available evidenceresearch-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 3112(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 5 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).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 children--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 USE 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) selecting and implementing a program of mathematics instruction, or materials and interventions, based on the best available evidenceimplementing 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:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) To implement mathematics instructional materials and interventions (including intensive and systematic instruction)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)(A); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) that are based on the best available evidenceresearch-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 materials or program, supplemental instructional materials, and intervention programs used by the eligible local educational agencies for the project, are based on the best available evidenceresearch-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





and(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.(2); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) an assurance that the State will establish a process to safeguard against conflicts of interest, consistent with subsection (g)(2), for individuals providing technical assistance on behalf of the State educational agency or participating in the State peer review process under this title.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);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) a description of the grades kindergarten through grade 9, 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 materials or program, supplemental instructional materials, and intervention programs or strategies that will be used for the project, including an assurance that the programs or strategies and materials are based on the best available evidencere 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) Prohibition on Endorsement of Curriculums-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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) disclose to the Secretary any financial ties to publishers, entities, private individuals, or organizations that will benefit from funds provided under this section; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION- Nothing in this title 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 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 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 evaluation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE- 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) 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 $146,700,000 for fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 3 succeeding fiscal years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE III--FOREIGN LANGUAGE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

SEC. 3301. 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 title 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. 3302. DEFINITIONS.

In this title: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 a partnership for use in carrying out the activities assisted under this title.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 title.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. 3303. 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. 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 title.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 title 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 title;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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) shall be used to develop and implement programs at the elementary school level through postsecondary education, consistent with the purpose of this title, 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 title 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 title;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





and(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 title 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 title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Supplement Not Supplant- Grant funds provided under this title 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 section. 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 title for any fiscal year to annually evaluate the programs under this title.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 Workforce of the House of Representatives, and the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and House of Representatives, a report on the results of any program evaluation conducted under this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3304. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

For the purpose of carrying out this title, there are authorized to be appropriated $22,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 3 succeeding fiscal years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IV--ALIGNMENT OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS

SEC. 3401. 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 elementary and secondary education content knowledge requirementState 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)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) P-16 EDUCATION- The term `P-16 education' means the educational system from prekindergarten through theschool through the conferring of a baccalaureate degree.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) 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





(ivvi) 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





(viiix) not less than 1 public elementary school teacher employed in the State;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(viii) not less than 1 public elementary school teacher certified in x) not less than 1 early childhood education;(ix) not less than 1 public secondary school teacheror in the State;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(xi) not less than 1 public secondary school teacher employed in the State;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(x) not less than 1ii) not less than 1 representative of the business community in the State; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(xi) not less than 1 ii) 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 prekindergartenschool 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 curricula and assessments 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 the studsuch standards and assessments are appropriately aligned and adequately prepared when the studentsreflect 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





or(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) DATA AND COMPLIANCE WITH FERPA- The State, through the implementation ofPRIVACY 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 in the statewide P-16 education data system, shall--(i) ensure the implementation and use of valid and reliable secondary school dropout data; and(ii to the purposes and functions for use of such information set forth in Federal 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;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) prohibit the disclosure of information in the statewide P-16 education data system to any other person, agency, institution, or entity, except to the extent necessary 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 agreement that--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;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(IV) maintain adequate security measures to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the data system;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(V) ensure that the statewide P-16 education data system meets theany further requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. 1232g);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(VI) 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





(VII) 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) PREKINDERGARTENSCHOOL THROUGH GRADE 12 EDUCATION AND POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION- With respect to prekindergartenschool 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) PREKINDERGARTENSCHOOL THROUGH GRADE 12 EDUCATION- With respect to prekindergartenschool 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 student knowledge and skillState 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 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 content knowledge requirements throughacademic content standards, substantive curricula and other changes the State determines necessary, including scientifically based remediation, 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 and the timetable forthe privacy protection and enforcement measures that the State has implemented or will implement pursuant to subparagraph (C), and assurances that these measures will be in place prior to the establishment or improvement of suchthe 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- 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 $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2009.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

DIVISION D--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

SEC. 4001. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) In General- There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) $6,808729,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) $7,433738,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) $8,446899,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) $11,2000,234,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Plan for Increased Research-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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 Representatives.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) PLAN REQUIREMENTS- The Director shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Equitable Distribution of New Funds- Within the amounts authorized to be appropriated by section 4001, there are authorized to be appropriated for the education and human resources programs of the National Science Foundation, for each of the fiscal years 2008fiscal 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 20078.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4003. GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS AND GRADUATE TRAINEESHIPS.

(a) Graduate Research Fellowship Program-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- During the 54-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Science Foundation shall expand the Graduate Research Fellowship Program of the 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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- Within the amounts authorized to be appropriated by section 4001, there are authorized to be appropriated, to provide an additional 250 fellowships under the Graduate Research Fellowship Program during each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011, the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) $24,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) $36,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) $48,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship Program-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- During the 54-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall expand 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.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 an additional 250 individuals under the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program during each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011, the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) $22,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) $33,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) $44,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to apply for United States citizenship; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4004. PROFESSIONAL SCIENCE MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAMS.

(a) Clearinghouse-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.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) Programs-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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a description of the professional science master's degree program that the institution of higher education will implement;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) an assurance that the institution of higher education shall encourage students in the professional science master's degree program to apply for all forms of Federal assistance available to such students, including applicable graduate fellowships and student financial assistance under titles IV and VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq., 1133 et seq.).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) PREFERENCE FOR APPLICANTS WITH ALTERNATIVE FUNDING SOURCES- The Director shallS- 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 2/3 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) 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 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 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) 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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the results of the evaluation described in subparagraph (B); 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





(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 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





(2) $18,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) $20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2010 and 2011.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 Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-368, 116 Stat. 3042)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Promoting Outreach and High Quality- Section 8(7)(C) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-368, 116 Stat. 3042) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by redesignating clauses (i) through (vi) as subclauses (I) through (VI), respectively, and indenting appropriately;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking `include those that promote high quality--' and inserting `include programs that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) promote high-quality--';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in clause (i) (as inserted by paragraph (2))--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in subclause (III) (as redesignated by paragraph (1)), by striking `for students;' and inserting `for students, especially underrepresented minority and female mathematics, science, engineering, and technology students;';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in subclause (V) (as redesignated by paragraph (1)), by striking `and' after the semicolon;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) in subclause (VI) (as redesignated by paragraph (1)), by striking `students.' and inserting `students; and'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





`(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;'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





`(ii) finance summer internships for mathematics, science, engineering, and technology undergraduate students;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) facilitate the hiring of additional mathematics, science, engineering, and technology faculty; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4006. 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, the physical and natural sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Priority Treatment- The Director shall give priority in the selection of awards and the allocation of National Science 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, or mathematics, or that enhance competitiveness or innovation in the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Limitation- Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict or biasinhibit the grant selection process against funding other for 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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) alter or modify its merit-review system or peer-review process; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) exclude the awarding of any proposal by means of the merit-review or peer-review process.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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 each of fiscal years 2008fiscal 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 20078.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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 of study in secondary school, community college, undergraduate or graduate school with mentors who are working in industry.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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 Congress.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4010. 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, within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, shall develop and publish a plan that describes the current status of broadband access for scientific research purposes in States located in EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions and outlines actions which can be taken to ensure that such connections are available to enable participation in those National Science Foundation programs which 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 Research-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) 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 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 under paragraph (2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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 `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 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 Department of Defense, and representatives from industry and educational institutions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) GRANT PROGRAM- The Director of the National Science Foundation, in consultation with the Board, shall award grants for basic research into advanced information and communications technologies that will contribute to enhancing or facilitating the availability and affordability of advanced communications services to all people of the United States. Areas of research to be supported through the grants include--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





(4) 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)), nonprofit research institutions affiliated with institutions of higher education, or consortia thereof 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 research areas described in paragraph (3). 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 a merit-reviewed competitive basis. The Director shall give priority to grants that offer the potential for revolutionary rather than evolutionary breakthroughs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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 technologies 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 Institute's responsibilities under section 2(c)(12) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 272(c)(12)). The Director shall support intramural research and cooperative research with institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)) and industry.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4012. 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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in the section heading, by inserting `teacher' after `noycestriking `scholarship' and inserting `teacher';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in subsection (a)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in paragraph (1)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) by striking `(or consortia of such institutions)' and inserting `, consortia of such institutions, or partnerships';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) by striking `to provide scholarships, stipends, and programming designed';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) by inserting `and to provide scholarships and stipends to student, stipends, or fellowships to individuals participating in the program' after `science teachers'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) by inserting `Teacher' after `Noycev) by striking `Scholarship' and inserting `Teacher';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in paragraph (3)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking `or consortia' and inserting `consortia, or partnerships';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) in subparagraph (A)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) in the matter preceding clause (i)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(aa) by striking `encourage top college juniors and seniors majoring in' and inserting `recruit and prepare undergraduate students to pursue degrees in'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(bb) by striking `to become' and inserting `and become qualified as';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(II) in clause (ii)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(aa) by striking `programs to help scholarship recipients' and inserting `academic courses and clinical teaching experiences designed to prepare students participating in the program';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(bb) by striking `programs that will result in' and inserting `such preparation as is necessary to meet requirements for'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(cc) by striking `licensing; and' and inserting `licensing;';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(III) in clause (iii)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(aa) by striking `scholarship recipients' and inserting `students participating in the program';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(bb) by striking `enable the recipients' and inserting `enable the students'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(cc) by striking `; or' and inserting `; and'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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





`(iv) providing summer internships for freshman and sophomore students participating in the program; or'; and(';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) in subparagraph (B)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) in the matter preceding clause (i)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(aa) by striking `encourage' and inserting `recruit and prepare'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(bb) by inserting `qualified as' after `to become';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(II) by striking clause (ii) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the end and inserting `; or'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





`(C) to develop and implement a program to recruit and prepare mathematics, science, or engineering professionals to become NSF Teaching Fellows, and to recruit existing teachers to become NSF Master Teaching Fellows, through--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) administering fellowships in accordance with subsection (e);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 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.'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





`(4) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT- To be eligible for an award under this section, an institution of higher education (or, a consortium of such institutions), or a partnership 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) and specific education faculty members of the institution (or such participating institution) are designated to carry out the development and implementation of the program. An institution of higher education (or consortium)and consortium may also include teachers to participate in developing the pedagogical content of the program and to supervise students participating in the program in their students' field teaching experiences. No institution of higher education (or consortium), consortium, or partnership shall be eligible for an award unless faculty from the institution's mathematics, science, or engineering departmentmathematics, science, or engineering department of the institution (or such participating institution) 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 grant.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)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in paragraph (1)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) in subparagraph (A)--(I) by striking `scholarship or stipend';(II) by inserting `and summer internships' after `number of scholarships'; and(III) by inserting `the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking `or consortium' and inserting `consortium, or partnership';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) a description of the program that the applicant intends to operate, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) the number of scholarships and summer internships or the size and number of stipends or fellowships the applicant intends to award;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) the type of activities proposed for the recruitment of students to the program,' after `intends to award,';(; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) the selection process that will be used in awarding the scholarships, stipends, or fellowships;';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) in subparagraph (B)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) by striking `scholarship or stipend'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) by striking `; and' and inserting `, which may include a description of any existing programs at the applicant's institution that are targeted to the education of science and mathematicsmathematics and science teachers and the number of teachers graduated annually from such programs;'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iiiv) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) a description of the academic courses and clinical teaching experiences required under subparagraph (A)(ii) or B)(ii) of subsection (a)(3), including--`(i, (B)(ii), or (C)(ii) of subsection (a)(3), as applicable, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i)(I) a description of the undergraduate program under subsection (a)(3)(A)(ii) that will enable a student to graduate in 4 years with a major in mathematics, science, or engineering and to obtain teacher certification or licensing; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(II) a description of the master's degree programs offered under subsection (a)(3)(C)(ii);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) a description of clinical teaching experiences proposed; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) evidence of agreements between the applicant and the schools or school districts 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) or (B)(iii) of subsection (a)(3), (B)(iii), or (C)(iii) of subsection (a)(3), as applicable, including activities to assist new teachers in fulfilling their service requirements under this section; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) an identification of the applicant's mathematics, science, or engineering faculty and its education faculty who will carry out the development and implementation of the program as required under subsection (a)(4).'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in paragraph (2)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (E) as subparagraphs (C) through (F), respectively;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





and(ii) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:`(B) the extent to which the (ii) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) the extent to which the applicant's mathematics, science, or engineering faculty and its education faculty have worked or will work collaboratively to design new or revised curricula that recognize the specialized pedagogy required to teach mathematics and science effectively in elementary schools and secondary schools;'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) in subparagraph (D) (as redesignated by clause (i)), by striking `or stipend' and inserting `, stipend, or fellowship';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) in subsection (c)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in paragraph (3)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) by striking `$7,500' and inserting `$10,000'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in paragraph (4), by inserting `, with a maximum service requirement of 4 years' after `scholarship was received';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) in subsection (d)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in paragraph (2), by inserting `and professional achievement' after `academic meriby striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- Stipends under this section shall be available only to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) teachers enrolled in a master's degree program in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) mathematics, science, or engineering professionals who, while receiving the stipend, are enrolled in a program to receive certification or licensing to teach.';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(BC) in paragraph (4), by striking `for each year a stipend was received';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) in subsection (g)--(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting `or stipend' after scholarship; and(B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:by redesignating subsections (e) through (h) and subsection (i) as subsections (f) through (i) and subsection (l), respectively;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(e) National Science Foundation Teaching Fellowships-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) PURPOSE- The purpose of the fellowships under this subsection is to promote and recognize high-level achievement in advanced mathematics and science teaching.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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) GENERAL CRITERIA- A partnership receiving a grant to carry out a fellowship program under this subsection shall award such fellowships only to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) SELECTION- Individuals shall be selected to receive fellowships under this section primarily on the basis of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) professional achievement;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) academic merit;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) demonstrated advanced content knowledge; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) in the case of NSF Master Teaching Fellows, demonstrated success in improving student academic achievement in mathematics, science, technology, or engineering.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(5) USE OF FUNDS- Each partnership receiving a grant under this section to award fellowships under this subsection shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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 cost of tuition, fees, and living expenses; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) provide salary supplements to each NSF Teaching Fellow and NSF Master Teaching Fellow during the period of the Fellow's service obligation under paragraph (4).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(6) SERVICE OBLIGATION- If an individual is awarded a fellowship under this subsection, that individual shall be required to serve in a high-need local educational agency for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) in the case of a NSF Teaching Fellow, 4 years; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) in the case of a NSF Master Teaching Fellow, 5 years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(7) DUTIES- 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.';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) in subsection (f) (as redesignated by paragraph (6))--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) accepting--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) the terms of the scholarship pursuant to subsection (c), the stipend pursuant to subsection (d), or the fellowship pursuant to subsection (e); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) the terms regarding the failure to complete a service obligation required for the scholarship, stipend, or fellowship pursuant to subsection (h);'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in paragraph (3)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) by striking `scholarship' and inserting `scholarship, stipend, or fellowship'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) by striking `subsection (g)' and inserting `subsection (h)';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) in subsection (g)(1) (as redesignated by paragraph (6))--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking `(or consortium thereof)' and inserting `, consortium, or partnership'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking `scholarship and stipend' and inserting `scholarship, stipend, and fellowship';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) in subsection (h) (as redesignated by paragraph (6))--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in paragraph (1)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting `, stipend, or fellowship' after `scholarship'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking `baccalaureate degree'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) REPAYMENT FOR FAILURE TO COMPLETE SERVICE-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) LESS THAN 1 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 section 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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) 1 YEAR OR MORE 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 the total amount of awards received by the individual under this section 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.';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) by redesignating subsection (i) as subsection (k);(8) by inserting after11) in subsection (i) (as redesignated by paragraph (6))--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking `or consortia' and inserting `, consortia, or partnerships';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking `scholarship recipients and stipend recipients' and inserting `scholarship, stipend, and fellowship recipients'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by striking `subsection (e)' and inserting `subsection (h) the following:`(if)';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(12) by inserting after subsection (i) (as redesignated by paragraph (6)) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(j) Science and Mathematics Scholarship Gift Fund- In accordance with section 11(f) of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, the Director is authorized to accept donations from the private sector to supplement, but not supplant, scholarships, stipends, or interninternships, or fellowships associated with the programs under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(jk) Assessment of Teacher 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 program carried out under this section regarding the retention of participants in the teaching profession beyond the service obligation required under this section.';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) in subsection (k13) in subsection (l) (as redesignated by paragraph (76))--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through1), (2), (3), (4), and (5) as paragraphs (3) through (62), (5), (7), (9), and (10), respectively;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:`(2before paragraph (2) (as redesignated by subparagraph (A)) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) the term `advanced content knowledge' means demonstrated mathematics or science content knowledge as measured by a rigorous, valid assessment tool that has been approved by the Director;';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by inserting after paragraph (2) (as redesignated by subparagraph (A)) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) the term `fellowship' means an award under subsection (e);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A)(i) that serves not less 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 8, as determined by the Secretary of Education; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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; 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





and(C) in paragraph (4 (D) in paragraph (5) (as redesignated by subparagraph (A)), by inserting `engineering,' after `mathematics, science,'; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) by inserting after paragraph (5) (as redesignated by subparagraph (A)) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(6) the term `mathematics and science teaching' means mathematics, science, engineering, or technology teaching at the elementary or secondary school level;';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) in paragraph (7) (as redesignated by subparagraph (A)) by inserting `or had a career' after `is working'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10G) by inserting after paragraph (7) (as redesignated by subparagraph (A)) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(8) the term `partnership' means a partnership that shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) an institution of higher education or a consortium of such institutions;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) 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)(i) a school or department within an institution of higher education participating in the partnership that provides a master teacher's preparation program; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) 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-need local educational agency and a public school or a consortium of public schools served by the agency; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) 1 or more nonprofit organizations that have the capacity to provide expertise or support to meet the purposes of this section;'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





`(lm) Authorization of Appropriations-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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 Scholarship Program under this section--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) and, clauses (ii) and (iii) of subsection (a)(3)(B), and clauses (ii) and (iii) of subsection (a)(3)(C);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) $130,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, of which at least $21,000,000 shall be used for such capacity building activities;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; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, of which at least $27,000,000 shall be used for such capacity building activities.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 funds.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Conforming Amendments-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) SECTION 4- Section 4 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (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:'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) SECTION 8- Section 8(6) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-368) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in the paragraph heading, by inserting `TEACHER' after `NOYCE'; and(B) by inserting `Teacher' after `Noycestriking `SCHOLARSHIP' and inserting `TEACHER'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking `Scholarship' and inserting `Teacher'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4013. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING THE MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION.

It is the sense of the Senate that--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;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) the Director of the National Science Foundation and the Secretary of Education should have ongoing collaboration to ensure that 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 nationwide.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)) (42 U.S.C. 1862n(a))--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) $84,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) $94,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) $106,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) $140,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Teacher Institutes for the 21st Century- Section 9(a) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n(a)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking `summer or' and inserting `teacher institutes for the 21st century, as described in paragraph (7),';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(7) TEACHER INSTITUTES FOR THE 21ST CENTURY-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) IN GENERAL- Teacher institutes for the 21st century carried out in accordance with paragraph (3)(B) shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) be carried out in conjunction with a school served by the local educational agency in the partnership;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) be science, technology, engineering, and mathematics focused institutes that provide professional development to elementary school and secondary school teachers during the summer;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iv) focus on the theme and structure developed by the Director under subparagraph (C);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(v) be content-based and build on school year curricula that are experiment-oriented, content-based, and grounded in current research;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(vii) be a multiyear program that is conducted for a period of not less than 2 weeks per year;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(viii) provide for direct interaction between participants in and faculty of the teacher institute;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ix) have a component that includes the use of the Internet;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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.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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) THEME AND STRUCTURE- Each year, 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).'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

110th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 761 A BILLN ACT

To invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy.

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March 6, 2007Read the second time and placed on the calendarCommentsClose CommentsPermalink