STEM PREP Act of 2015

To amend the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to provide enhanced academic and career training in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, and for other purposes. 1. Short Title This Act may be cited as the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Professional Readiness Education Preparation Act STEM PREP Act of 2015 2. References Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 ( 20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq. 3. Definitions Section 3 ( 20 U.S.C. 2302 (1) by redesignating paragraphs (31) through (34) as paragraphs (32) through (35), respectively; (2) by inserting after paragraph (30) the following new paragraph: (31) STEM The term STEM ; and (3) in paragraph (33) (as so redesignated), in the paragraph heading, by striking Tech prep STEM prep 4. STEM Prep program (a) Eligible Postsecondary Programs Section 203(a)(1)(B)(i) ( 20 U.S.C. 2373(a)(1)(B)(i) (1) in subclause (I)(aa), by striking 2-year certificate program 1-year or 2-year certificate program (2) in subclause (II), by striking 2-year apprenticeship 1-year or 2-year apprenticeship (b) Duration Section 203(b) ( 20 U.S.C. 2373(b) 4- or 6-year 3-year to 6-year (c) Contents of STEM Prep Program Section 203(c) ( 20 U.S.C. 2373(c) (1) in the subsection heading, by striking Tech Prep STEM Prep (2) in paragraph (2)— (A) in subparagraph (A)(ii)— (i) by striking 2 years 1 year (ii) in subclause (I), by inserting after course of study (which may be completed while a student is concurrently enrolled in a secondary school) (B) by striking subparagraphs (B) through (G) and inserting the following new subparagraphs: (B) focuses on academic and professional training in STEM; (C) provides students with— (i) technical skill proficiency, an industry-recognized credential, a certificate, or a degree in a STEM discipline; or (ii) not less than one semester of academic credits in STEM subjects that may be transferred to an accredited public institution of higher education in the State in which the program is located; (D) gives each student an opportunity to participate in a STEM-related internship or apprenticeship lasting not less than 4 months; (E) builds student competence in technical skills and in core academic subjects (as defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965), as appropriate, through applied, contextual, and integrated instruction, in a coherent sequence of courses; and (F) leads to placement in high skill or high wage employment, or to further education; . (d) Indicators of Performance and Accountability Section 203(e)(1) ( 20 U.S.C. 2373(e)(1) (D) Such other indicators of performance as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. . 5. Consortium Applications (a) Approval of Applications Section 204(c) ( 20 U.S.C. 2374(c) (c) Approval (1) In General The eligible agency shall approve applications under this title based on the potential of the activities described in the application to create an effective STEM prep program. (2) Consultation In selecting applications for approval under paragraph (1), the eligible agency shall seek input from industry experts and educators in STEM fields as appropriate. . (b) Special Consideration Section 204(d) ( 20 U.S.C. 2374(d) (1) in paragraph (5), by striking and (2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (7) showcase curricula that lead to greater critical thinking and problem solving skills in STEM by incorporating fine arts into the STEM prep program. . (c) Matching Requirement Section 204 ( 20 U.S.C. 2374 (g) Matching Requirement (1) In general To be eligible for a grant under this title a consortium shall agree to provide not less than 25 percent in matching funds from non-Federal sources. (2) Limitation Not more than 10 percent of such matching funds may be used to fund stipends for individuals participating in internships or apprenticeships under section 203(c)(2)(D). . 6. Evaluations and Report Section 205 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 ( 20 U.S.C. 2375 205. Evaluations and Report (a) Evaluations Each eligible agency that receives an allotment under this title shall annually prepare and submit to the Secretary a written evaluation of the effectiveness of the STEM prep programs assisted under this title, including a description of how grants were awarded within the State. (b) Report Using the evaluations described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall annually prepare a report comparing the effectiveness of the STEM prep programs assisted under this title and shall publish such report on a publicly accessible website of the Department of Education. . 7. Authorization of appropriations Section 206 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 ( 20 U.S.C. 2376 fiscal year 2007 fiscal year 2016 8. Conforming amendments The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 ( 20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq. tech prep STEM prep

Summary: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Professional Readiness Education Preparation Act or the STEM PREP Act of 2015 This bill amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to replace the TECH prep grant program with a STEM prep grant program for career and technical education programs focused on training students to enter the STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) fields. A grant-receiving consortium may include a nonprofit institution of higher education offering a one-year certificate program or a one-year apprenticeship program. The duration of a STEM program, currently 4- to 6-years, may extend from a 3-year to a 6-year length. Special consideration shall be given to consortium applications showcasing curricula that lead to greater critical thinking and problem solving skills by incorporating fine arts into the STEM prep program. A matching grant requirement is established for program eligibility.