I
106TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 2387
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide
grants to local educational agencies to encourage girls to pursue studies
and careers in science, mathematics, and technology.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JUNE 29, 1999
Ms. WOOLSEY 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 provide grants to local educational agencies
to encourage girls to pursue studies and careers in
science, mathematics, and technology.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. GO GIRL GRANTS.
Part A of title III of the Elementary and Secondary
Act of 1965 is amended by adding at the end the following
new subpart:
‘‘Subpart 5—Grants to Schools
‘‘SEC. 3161. SHORT TITLE.
‘‘This subpart may be cited as the ‘Getting Our Girls
Ready for the 21st Century Act (Go Girl Act)’.
‘‘SEC. 3162. FINDINGS.
‘‘Congress finds the following:
‘‘(1) Women have historically been underrep-
resented in mathematics, science, and technology oc-
cupations.
‘‘(2) Female students take fewer high-level
mathematics and science courses in high school than
male students.
‘‘(3) Female students take far fewer advanced
computer classes and tend to take only the basic
data entry and word processing classes compared to
courses that male students take.
‘‘(4) Female students earn fewer bachelors,
masters, and doctoral degrees in mathematics,
science, and technology than male students.
‘‘(5) Early career exploration is key to choosing
a career.
‘‘(6) Teachers’ attitudes, methods of teaching,
and classroom atmosphere affect females’ interest in
nontraditional fields.
‘‘(7) Stereotypes about appropriate careers for
females, a lack of female role models, and a lack of
basic career information significantly deters girls’ in-
terest in mathematics, science, and technology ca-
reers.
‘‘(8) Females consistently rate themselves sig-
nificantly lower than males in computer ability.
‘‘(9) By the year 2000, 65 percent of all jobs
will require technological skills.
‘‘(10) Limited access is a hurdle faced by fe-
males seeking jobs in mathematics, science, and
technology.
‘‘(11) Common recruitment and hiring practices
make extensive use of traditional networks that
often overlook females.
‘‘SEC. 3163. PROGRAM AUTHORITY.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary is authorized to
provide grants to and enter into contracts or cooperative
agreements with local educational agencies to provide sub-
grants to elementary and secondary schools to encourage
the ongoing interest of girls in science, mathematics, and
technology and to prepare girls to pursue undergraduate
and graduate degrees and careers in science, mathematics,
or technology.
‘‘(b) APPLICATION.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—To be eligible to receive a
grant under this subpart, a local educational agency
shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
time, in such form, and containing such information
as the Secretary may reasonably require.
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—The application referred to
in paragraph (1) shall contain, at a minimum, the
following:
‘‘(A) A specific program description, in-
cluding the content of the program and the re-
search and models used to design the program.
‘‘(B) A description of the collaboration be-
tween elementary and secondary schools to ful-
fill goals of the program.
‘‘(C) An explanation regarding the recruit-
ment and selection of participants.
‘‘(D) A description of the instructional and
motivational activities planned to be used.
‘‘(E) An evaluation plan.
‘‘SEC. 3164. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROGRAM.
‘‘(a) SELECTION.—Local educational agencies shall
select elementary schools to provide services that—
‘‘(1) encourage girls in grades 4 and higher to
enjoy and pursue studies in science, mathematics,
and technology;
‘‘(2) acquaint girls in grades 4 and higher with
careers in science, mathematics, and technology; and
‘‘(3) educate the parents of girls in grades 4
and higher about the difficulties faced by girls to
maintain an interest and desire to achieve in science,
mathematics, and technology and enlist the help of
the parents in overcoming these difficulties.
‘‘(b) USES OF FUNDS.—An elementary school that re-
ceives a subgrant under this subpart may use such funds
for the following:
‘‘(1) Tutoring in reading, science, mathematics,
and technology.
‘‘(2) Mentoring relationships, both in-person
and through the Internet.
‘‘(3) To pay the costs of attending events and
academic programs in science, mathematics, and
technology.
‘‘(4) After-school activities designed to encour-
age the interest of girls in grades 4 and higher in
science, mathematics, and technology.
‘‘(5) Summer programs designed to encourage
interest in and develop skills in science, mathe-
matics, and technology.
‘‘(6) Purchasing software designed for girls, or
designed to encourage girls’ interest in science,
mathematics, and technology.