I 
112TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4366 
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct 
the Secretary of Education to award grants for science, technology, 
engineering, and math education programs. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 17, 2012 
Ms. FUDGE (for herself, Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania, Mr. GENE GREEN of 
Texas, Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas, Ms. BROWN of Florida, Ms. RICH-
ARDSON, Ms. SEWELL, and Mr. FILNER) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce 
A BILL 
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to award 
grants for science, technology, engineering, and math 
education programs. 
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 ‘‘Project Ready STEM 
Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:56 Apr 18, 2012
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4366.IH
H4366
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(1) Minorities are seriously underrepresented in 
the science and engineering workforce in the United 
States, with only 4 percent of the Black population 
and slightly over 4 percent of the Hispanic popu-
lation participating in the STEM workforce. 
(2) The number of degrees awarded in the 
fields of science, technology, engineering, and math 
(referred to in this Act as ‘‘STEM’’) in the United 
States is stagnant even though employment projec-
tions forecast a 17-percent growth in STEM fields 
over the next decade. 
(3) Twenty percent of Black college students 
enter college with STEM majors, but only 15 per-
cent actually receive a bachelor’s degree in a STEM 
major. 
(4) Nearly 1⁄4 of Black public school students 
are interested in STEM, but are not proficient in 
math. 
(5) Since 1990, mathematic scores on the as-
sessments conducted by the National Assessment of 
Education Progress have increased for all students, 
but White students have average scores 26 points 
higher than Black and Hispanic students. 
(6) After school programs play an important 
role in addressing the achievement gap in under-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:56 Apr 18, 2012
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4366.IH
H4366
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
served 
communities. 
Studies 
demonstrate 
that 
STEM learning during the school day is necessary 
but not sufficient for life-long STEM literacy. 
(7) As many as 8,400,000 students are enrolled 
in after school programs. Ethnic minority children 
are more likely than non-minority children to partici-
pate in after school programs. While 15 percent of 
all students are enrolled in after school programs, 
24 percent of Black students and 21 percent of His-
panic students are enrolled in such programs. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this Act is to prepare 
middle school and secondary school students to be ready 
for opportunities in the STEM fields in college and in ca-
reers through strong after school, summer, and weekend 
programs that focus on STEM education. 
SEC. 3. AMENDMENT TO ESEA FOR STEM GRANTS. 
Title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act of 1964 (20 U.S.C. 6601 et seq.) is amended— 
(1) in the heading, by inserting ‘‘AND STEM 
GRANTS’’ after ‘‘PARTNERSHIPS’’; 
(2) by inserting after the heading of part B the 
following: 
‘‘Subpart 1—Math and Science Partnerships’’; 
and 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:56 Apr 18, 2012
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4366.IH
H4366
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(3) by inserting after section 2203 the following 
new subpart: 
‘‘Subpart 2—STEM Grants 
‘‘SEC. 2211. PROJECT READY STEM GRANT PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) AUTHORIZATION.—The Secretary is authorized 
to award grants, to be known as ‘Project Ready STEM 
Program’ grants, to national intermediaries to establish 
after school, summer, and weekend programs that focus 
on science, technology, engineering, and math (referred to 
in this section as ‘STEM’) education. 
‘‘(b) APPLICATION.—A national intermediary seeking 
a grant under this section shall submit an application to 
the Secretary at such time, in such form, and containing 
such information as the Secretary may reasonably require, 
including the following: 
‘‘(1) The amount requested and the proposed 
use of the funds. 
‘‘(2) A description of how the national inter-
mediary will require a community-based affiliate op-
erating a Project Ready STEM Program to provide 
the following: 
‘‘(A) A program description, including a 
description of— 
‘‘(i) the project-based learning that 
the program will use and the applicability 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:56 Apr 18, 2012
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4366.IH
H4366
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
of such projects to students’ lives after 
graduation from secondary school; 
‘‘(ii) the academic instruction, re-
search model, or curriculum that the pro-
gram will use; and 
‘‘(iii) any service-learning opportuni-
ties that will be available to students. 
‘‘(B) Evidence that the Project Ready 
STEM Program will primarily serve students 
who are traditionally underrepresented in 
STEM field careers. 
‘‘(C) A description of the student recruit-
ment plan, student retention plan, and parental 
engagement plan. 
‘‘(D) A description of the professional de-
velopment and training that the community- 
based affiliate will provide to its Project Ready 
STEM Program staff. 
‘‘(E) A description of the community-based 
affiliate’s collaboration with an institution of 
higher education (as defined in section 101 of 
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
10001)). 
‘‘(F) A description of how the community- 
based affiliate will enable students who partici-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:56 Apr 18, 2012
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4366.IH
H4366
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
pate in the program to achieve the goals in sub-
section (c). 
‘‘(c) GOALS.—The goals of the Project Ready STEM 
Programs are the following: 
‘‘(1) To increase awareness of and exposure to 
current science content, scientific processes, and 
tools for students who are traditionally underrep-
resented in STEM field careers. 
‘‘(2) To provide STEM learning that is con-
nected to workforce skills that are essential in the 
21st century. 
‘‘(3) To increase on time grade promotion, the 
number of students who graduate high school, and 
the number of students who pursue opportunities in 
STEM fields. 
‘‘(4) To increase enrollment in and completion 
of more STEM related coursework in school for stu-
dents who are traditionally underrepresented in 
STEM field careers. 
‘‘(5) To increase awareness of students who are 
traditionally underrepresented in STEM field ca-
reers of the opportunities after graduation from sec-
ondary school in STEM fields, including college ma-
jors in STEM and careers in STEM. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:56 Apr 18, 2012
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4366.IH
H4366
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(6) For students to have the experience of 
interacting with staff who demonstrate a positive at-
titude toward STEM fields. 
‘‘(7) To facilitate project-based learning and 
service-learning. 
‘‘(d) ALLOCATION.—A national intermediary that re-
ceives a grant under this section shall reserve— 
‘‘(1) not more than 25 percent to provide tech-
nical and administrative assistance to and collect 
data from its community-based affiliates to which it 
makes subgrants; 
‘‘(2) not less than 50 percent for subgrants to 
community-based affiliates that have demonstrated 
effectiveness in operating STEM programs in order 
for such affiliates to expand such STEM programs 
to reach more students who are traditionally under-
represented in STEM field careers; and 
‘‘(3) not less than 25 percent for subgrants to 
community-based affiliates that do not operate 
STEM programs in order for such affiliates that 
seek to develop new STEM programs that are con-
sistent with the goals of this section to develop and 
establish such new STEM programs. 
‘‘(e) SUBGRANTS
TO COMMUNITY-BASED AFFILI-
ATES.— 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:56 Apr 18, 2012
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4366.IH
H4366
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(1) APPLICATION.—A community-based affil-
iate seeking a subgrant shall submit an application 
to its national intermediary at such time, in such 
form, and containing such information as the na-
tional intermediary may reasonably require. 
‘‘(2) USES OF FUNDS.—A community-based af-
filiate that receives a subgrant under this section to 
operate a Project Ready STEM Program shall oper-
ate an after school, summer, or weekend program 
that focuses on STEM education and primarily 
serves students who are traditionally underrep-
resented in STEM field careers. Such program shall 
include the following: 
‘‘(A) Educational services that include— 
‘‘(i) an initial assessment of students’ 
progress in math, science, and reading; 
‘‘(ii) remediation and educational en-
richment services; and 
‘‘(iii) helping students to improve 
their study skills. 
‘‘(B) Project-based learning opportunities. 
‘‘(C) Individualized instruction and track-
ing of student progress that is aligned with in- 
school performance. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:56 Apr 18, 2012
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4366.IH
H4366
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(3) COLLABORATION.—A community-based af-
filiate that receives a subgrant under this section 
shall collaborate with an institution of higher edu-
cation to provide the services described in paragraph 
(2). 
‘‘(f) REPORTS.— 
‘‘(1) SECRETARY REPORT TO CONGRESS.—The 
Secretary shall submit a report annually to the Com-
mittee on Education and the Workforce in the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions in the Sen-
ate on the progress that national intermediaries and 
their community-based affiliates operating Project 
Ready STEM Programs have made toward achieving 
the goals in subsection (c). 
‘‘(2) NATIONAL
AFFILIATE
REPORT
TO
THE 
SECRETARY.—A national intermediary receiving a 
grant under this section shall submit a report annu-
ally to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, 
and containing such information as the Secretary 
may require, including the progress that its commu-
nity-based affiliates operating Project Ready STEM 
Programs have made toward achieving the goals in 
subsection (c). 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:56 Apr 18, 2012
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4366.IH
H4366
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(3) COMMUNITY-BASED AFFILIATE REPORT TO 
ITS NATIONAL INTERMEDIARY.—A community-based 
affiliate that receives a subgrant under this section 
shall submit a report annually to the national inter-
mediary that awarded such subgrant at such time, 
in such manner, and containing such information as 
the national intermediary may require, including the 
progress its Project Ready STEM Program has 
made toward achieving the goals in subsection (c). 
‘‘(g) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) COMMUNITY-BASED AFFILIATE.—The term 
‘community-based affiliate’ means a community- 
based organization (as defined in section 9101) that 
is an affiliate of a national intermediary. 
‘‘(2) NATIONAL
INTERMEDIARY.—The term 
‘national intermediary’ means a national private 
nonprofit organization that— 
‘‘(A) has a network comprised of commu-
nity-based affiliates in not less than 50 urban 
communities; 
‘‘(B) has demonstrated expertise and effec-
tiveness in overseeing programs to help middle 
school and secondary school students succeed, 
including programs to help such students be-
come college-ready and career-ready; and 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:56 Apr 18, 2012
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4366.IH
H4366
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS