(14) In order to achieve this, it is important
that we show interest in economically disadvantaged
students who have not been provided with opportuni-
ties that will improve their knowledge of mathe-
matics, science, and information technology.
(15) Many economically disadvantaged students
in urban and rural America share a common need
to receive a quality education, but often their schools
lack the needed resources to prepare them for the
21st century global community.
(16) The schools and businesses serving these
communities are strategically positioned to form a
unique partnership with urban and rural students
that will increase their mathematics, science, and in-
formation technology proficiency for the benefit of
the Nation.
(17) If our Nation continues failing to prepare
citizens from all population groups for participation
in the new, technology-driven economy, our Nation
will risk losing its economic and intellectual pre-
eminence.
(18) America’s students must improve their
performance in mathematics and science if they are
to succeed in today’s world and if the United States
is to stay competitive in an integrated global econ-
omy.
(19) It is clear that the most direct route to im-
proving mathematics and science achievement for all
students is better mathematics and science teaching.
SEC. 3. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.
(a) GENERAL AUTHORITY.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—
(A) GRANT PROGRAM.—The Director shall
establish a demonstration program under which
the Director awards grants in accordance with
this Act to eligible local educational agencies.
(B) USES OF FUNDS.—A local educational
agency that receives a grant under this Act may
use such grant funds to develop a program that
builds or expands mathematics, science, and in-
formation technology curricula, to purchase
equipment necessary to establish such program,
and to provide professional development to en-
hance teacher quality in those subject areas.
(2) PROGRAM
REQUIREMENTS.—The program
described in paragraph (1) shall—
(A) train teachers specifically in informa-
tion technology, mathematics, and science; and
(B) provide students with a rich standards-
based course of study in mathematics, science,
and information technology.
(b) ELIGIBLE LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY.—A
local educational agency is eligible to receive a grant under
this Act if the agency—
(1) provides assurances that it has executed
conditional agreements with representatives of the
private sector to provide services and funds de-
scribed in subsection (c); and
(2) agrees to enter into an agreement with the
Director to comply with the requirements of this
Act.
(c) PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION.—The condi-
tional agreements referred to in subsection (b)(1) shall de-
scribe participation by the private sector, including—
(1) the donation of technology tools;
(2) the establishment of internship and men-
toring opportunities for students who participate in
the mathematics, science, and information tech-
nology program; and
(3) the donation of scholarship funds for se-
lected students to continue their study of mathe-
matics, science, and information technology.
(d) APPLICATION.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—To apply for a grant under
this section, each eligible local educational agency
shall submit an application to the Director in ac-
cordance with guidelines established by the Director
pursuant to paragraph (2).
(2) GUIDELINES.—
(A) REQUIREMENTS.—The guidelines re-
ferred to in paragraph (1) shall require, at a
minimum, that the application include—
(i) a description of proposed activities
consistent with the uses of funds and pro-
gram 
requirements 
under 
subsection
(a)(1)(B) and (2);
(ii) a description of the higher edu-
cation scholarship program, including cri-
teria for selection, duration of scholarship,
number of scholarships to be awarded each
year, and funding levels for scholarships;
and
(iii) evidence of private sector partici-
pation and financial support described in
subsection (c).
(B) GUIDELINE
PUBLICATION.—The Di-
rector shall issue and publish such guidelines
not later than 6 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(3) SELECTION.—The Director shall select a
local educational agency to receive an award under
this section in accordance with subsection (e) and on
the basis of merit to be determined after conducting
a comprehensive review.
(e) PRIORITY.—The Director shall give special pri-
ority in awarding grants under this Act to eligible local
educational agencies that—
(1) demonstrate the greatest ability to obtain
commitments from representatives of the private sec-
tor to provide services and funds described under
subsection (c); and
(2) demonstrate the greatest economic need.
(f) MAXIMUM GRANT AWARD.—An award made to an
eligible local educational agency under this Act may not
exceed $300,000.
SEC. 4. STUDY AND REPORT.
(a) STUDY.—The Director shall initiate an evaluative
study of the effectiveness of the activities carried out
under this Act in improving student performance in math-
ematics, science, and information technology at the
precollege level and in stimulating student interest in pur-
suing undergraduate studies in these fields.
(b) REPORT.—The Director shall report the findings
of the study to Congress not later than 4 years after the
award of the first scholarship. Such report shall include
the number of students receiving assistance under this Act
who graduate from an institution of higher education with
a major in mathematics, science, or information tech-
nology, and the number of students receiving assistance
under this Act who find employment in such fields.
SEC. 5. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act—
(1) the term ‘‘conditional agreement’’ means an
arrangement between representatives of the private
sector and local educational agencies to provide cer-
tain services and funds, such as, but not limited to,
the donation of computer hardware and software,
the establishment of internship and mentoring op-
portunities for students who participate in mathe-
matics, science, and information technology pro-
grams, and the donation of scholarship funds for use
at institutions of higher education by eligible stu-
dents who have participated in the mathematics,
science, and information technology programs;
(2) the term ‘‘Director’’ means the Director of
the National Science Foundation;