STEM 2 Act

To assist coordination among science, technology, engineering, and mathematics efforts in the States, to strengthen the capacity of elementary schools, middle schools, and secondary schools to prepare students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the STEM Support for Teachers in Education and Mentoring (STEM) Act STEM² Act 2. STEM education planning and training (a) In general Title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6601 et seq. E STEM education planning and training 2501. Definitions In this part: (1) Indian tribe; tribal organization The terms Indian tribe tribal organization (2) STEM The term STEM 2502. Planning grants (a) Purpose The purpose of this section is to address the lack of coordination among STEM education efforts in the States. (b) Definition of eligible entity In this section, the term eligible entity (c) Grants authorized (1) In general From amounts made available to carry out this section, the Secretary shall carry out a program of awarding, on a competitive basis, planning grants to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to— (A) develop effective State or tribal STEM networks for communication and collaboration that include school teachers, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, businesses, Federal, State, and local governments, and any other relevant entities; and (B) through such State STEM networks, identify future STEM skills needed for STEM and non-STEM occupations. (2) Proportionality In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, ensure a distribution of grant funds focused on high-need and high-poverty eligible entities. (d) Application An 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 require. (e) Reports (1) Reports to the Secretary An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an annual report describing the progress made on the grant. (2) Reports to Congress Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of the STEM Support for Teachers in Education and Mentoring (STEM) Act 2503. Training program grants (a) Purpose The purpose of this section is to strengthen the capacity of preservice and existing teachers, elementary schools, middle schools, and secondary schools to use proven methods, including inquiry or project-based learning, to inspire and prepare students for STEM careers and build STEM literacy. (b) Definition of eligible entity In this section, the term eligible entity (c) Grants authorized (1) In general From amounts made available to carry out this section, the Secretary shall carry out a program of awarding grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to develop, carry out, and evaluate training programs for STEM education— (A) in elementary schools, middle schools, and secondary schools for existing teachers; and (B) in postsecondary schools for pre­ser­vice teachers. (2) Proportionality In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, ensure an equitable distribution— (A) between eligible entities serving urban areas and eligible entities serving rural areas; and (B) of grant funds focused on high-need and high-poverty eligible entities. (d) Application An 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 require. Such application shall include— (1) a description of how the eligible entity will monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the training program, including how the eligible entity plans to measure the impact of the training on— (A) teachers who attended the training after the teachers return to the classroom; or (B) preservice teachers; and (2) any other information the Secretary determines appropriate. (e) Use of funds An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall use grant funds to carry out a training program, using best practice models (including inquiry and project-based models) and through summer institutes or other professional development enrichment programs, that provides professional development regarding STEM education to existing and preservice STEM teachers (including STEM teachers who are master teachers or have otherwise demonstrated mastery of STEM teaching) and administrators who are employed as teachers and administrators, respectively, as of the time of the program. (f) Reports (1) Reports to the Secretary An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an annual report that describes the progress made on the grant and includes the results from the evaluation described in the application under subsection (d). (2) Reports to Congress Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this part, and every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress regarding the program supported under this section. 2504. Academic standards grants (a) Purpose The purpose of this section is to strengthen the capacity of States to implement new mathematics and science academic standards. (b) Definition of eligible entity In this section, the term eligible entity (c) Grants authorized (1) In general From amounts made available to carry out this section, the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to support curriculum development, assessments, or related activities that would enable States to adopt new mathematics and science academic standards. (2) Proportionality In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, ensure a distribution of grant funds focused on high-need and high-poverty eligible entities. (d) Application An 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 require. Such application shall include— (1) a description of how the eligible entity will monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum development, assessments, or related activities that would enable States to adopt new mathematics and science academic standards; and (2) any other information the Secretary determines appropriate. (e) Use of funds An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall use grant funds to carry out curriculum development, assessments, or related activities that would enable States to adopt new mathematics and science academic standards and provide professional development regarding STEM education standards and national tests for administrators who are employed as teachers and administrators, respectively, as of the time of the program. (f) Reports to the Secretary An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an annual report that describes the progress made on the grant and includes the results from the evaluation described in the application under subsection (d). 2505. National panel (a) In general The Secretary shall establish a national panel to review, evaluate, and identify— (1) rigorous kindergarten through grade 12 STEM curricula models, including computer or web-based simulation education programs, kinesthetic learning, and inquiry- or project-based learning techniques; and (2) best practices with respect to STEM curricula. (b) Members The Secretary shall determine the membership of the national panel described in subsection (a), which shall be comprised of individuals who have the wisdom and experience to identify and recommend the most effective STEM curricula models, such as— (1) representatives of technology industries and business; (2) teachers and school administrators; (3) representatives of nonprofit organizations and community organizations; (4) faculty members of institutions of higher education; (5) research specialists and curricula specialists; (6) at least 1 rural education expert; (7) at least 1 high school or college student to provide a youth perspective; and (8) other individuals, as determined appropriate by the Secretary. (c) Reports The panel shall prepare reports and recommendations regarding the panel's findings as requested by the Secretary. 2506. Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016 and each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years. . (b) Table of contents The table of contents in section 2 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2441 the following: Part E. STEM education planning and training Sec. 2501. Definitions. Sec. 2502. Planning grants. Sec. 2503. Training program grants. Sec. 2504. Academic standards grants. Sec. 2505. National panel. Sec. 2506. Authorization of appropriations. .

Summary: STEM Support for Teachers in Education and Mentoring (STEM) Act or the STEM 2 Act Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to award competitive planning grants to states, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations, or institutions of higher education (IHEs) to develop effective state or tribal science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) networks that coordinate STEM education efforts by: (1) facilitating communication and collaboration among public and private STEM stakeholders, and (2) identifying STEM occupational skills needed in the future. Directs the Secretary to award competitive grants to states, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, local educational agencies (LEAs), IHEs, or nonprofit organizations to develop, implement, and evaluate STEM education training programs for teachers and administrators in elementary, middle, and secondary schools and for preservice teachers in postsecondary schools. Requires the Secretary to award competitive grants to states, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, LEAs, public charter schools, IHEs, or nonprofit organizations to support curriculum development, assessments, or related activities that enable states to adopt new mathematics and science academic standards. Requires the Secretary to establish a national panel to identify and recommend the most effective STEM curricula models for kindergarten through grade 12.