I
106TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 210
To establish a commission to review, and make recommendations with respect
to, leadership in mathematics education.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JANUARY 6, 1999
Mrs. MORELLA introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Science, and in addition to the Committee on Education and
the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speak-
er, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the ju-
risdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To establish a commission to review, and make recommenda-
tions with respect to, leadership in mathematics edu-
cation.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Commission for Amer-
ican Mathematics Leadership Act’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) Students in the United States should be the
world leaders in mathematics achievement within the
next decade.
(2) The Third International Mathematics and
Science Study (hereinafter in this Act referred to as
the ‘‘TIMSS’’), the largest international study ever
undertaken of how students perform in mathematics
and science, demonstrated that the mathematics
skills of students in the United States (including the
top 10 percent of students in the United States) lag
far behind the skills of students in many other na-
tions, even though students in the United States
spend more class time on mathematics and science
and usually are assigned more homework.
(3) Research indicates that the problems of
mathematics and science education in the United
States stem largely from the lack of a coherent and
focused curriculum designed for high-level learning
goals, the lack of assessment instruments aligned
with such curricula, and the lack of a sufficient com-
mitment by colleges and universities in the United
States to high-quality teacher preparation and pro-
fessional development programs.
(4) Core problems exist with the courses of
study and the teaching style on which many schools
in the United States rely to instruct students in
mathematics and science, as reflected in the conclu-
sion of the National Science Foundation that schools
in the United States teach math concepts in super-
ficial, and ultimately ineffective, ways.
(5) A developed framework for mathematics
and science should be coherent, focused, and give
balanced attention to basic skills, conceptual under-
standing, problem solving, reasoning, and commu-
nication skills, and appropriate uses of technology.
(6) The failure of mathematics and science
teaching methods in the United States requires a
systemic retraining of, and an increased emphasis on
the professional development of, teachers in the
United States.
(7) Teachers of mathematics and science should
be well-trained professionals who combine sound
knowledge of subject matter with the necessary skills
and a good understanding of student learning and
assessment.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is hereby established a
commission to be known as the ‘‘Commission for American
Mathematics Leadership’’ (in this Act referred to as the
‘‘Commission’’).
(b) COMPOSITION.—The Commission shall be com-
posed of 12 members as follows:
(1) Four members appointed by the President.
(2) Four members appointed by the Speaker of
the House of Representatives, in consultation with
the minority leader of the House of Representatives.
(3) Four members appointed by the President
pro tempore of the Senate, in consultation with the
minority leader of the Senate.
SEC. 4. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.
The Commission shall, in coordination with the Na-
tional Academy of Sciences—
(1) review the existing research base on mathe-
matics education leadership, including the status of
mathematics education in the United States relative
to international competitors;
(2) propose professional development priorities
to assure that the teaching of mathematics at all
educational levels in the United States is strength-
ened; and
(3) formulate an implementation proposal, in-
cluding specific recommendations which can be im-
plemented by appropriate public and private agen-
cies, for assuring world class achievement of the
United States in mathematics education within a
decade.
SEC. 5. REPORT.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the
Speaker of the House of Representatives and to the Presi-
dent pro tempore of the Senate a report including the find-
ings and recommendations of the Commission under sec-
tion 4.
SEC. 6. POWERS.
The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out
its duties, hold such hearings, sit and act at such times
and places, take such testimony, and receive such evi-
dence, as the Commission considers appropriate.
SEC. 7. COMMISSION PROCEDURES.
(a) CHAIRMAN.—A chairman of the Commission shall
be elected by the members of the Commission.
(b) QUORUM.—Seven members of the Commission
shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting
meetings.
SEC. 8. PERSONNEL MATTERS.
(a) PAY OF MEMBERS.—Members of the Commission
shall not be paid by reason of their service as members.
(b) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—The members of the Com-
mission shall be allowed, while away from their homes or
regular places of business in the performance of services
for the Commission, travel expenses (including per diem
in lieu of subsistence) in the same manner as persons em-
ployed intermittently in Government service are allowed
expenses under section 5703 of title 5, United States
Code.
SEC. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT.
The National Academy of Sciences shall provide the
administrative support services necessary for the Commis-
sion to carry out its duties under this Act.
SEC. 10. FUNDING.
Out of any amounts appropriated for the National
Science Foundation, $750,000 shall be available for activi-
ties of the Commission.
SEC. 11. TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.
The Commission shall terminate 30 days after sub-
mitting the report required under section 5.
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