I
107TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 932
To provide scholarships for scientists and engineers to become certified as
science, mathematics, and technology teachers in elementary and sec-
ondary schools.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 7, 2001
Mr. UDALL of Colorado (for himself and Mr. WU) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science
A BILL
To provide scholarships for scientists and engineers to be-
come certified as science, mathematics, and technology
teachers in elementary and secondary schools.
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 ‘‘Science Teacher Schol-
arships for Scientists and Engineers Act’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that—
(1) the quality of education in science, mathe-
matics, and engineering is the foundation of the Na-
tion’s future security and prosperity;
(2) there is evidence that the Nation’s schools
are not ready to meet this challenge due to inad-
equate numbers of qualified science, mathematics,
and technology teachers;
(3) the Department of Education has estimated
that more than 240,000 new science and mathe-
matics elementary and secondary school teachers are
needed over the next decade;
(4) at present, 34 percent of public school
mathematics teachers and nearly 40 percent of
science teachers lack even a minor in their primary
teaching fields; and
(5) new incentives are required to attract stu-
dents from science and engineering fields to pursue
careers as science, mathematics, and technology
teachers in elementary and secondary schools.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act—
(1) the term ‘‘science teacher’’ means a science,
mathematics, or technology teacher at the elemen-
tary or secondary school level;
(2) the term ‘‘Director’’ means the Director of
the National Science Foundation; and
(3) the term ‘‘institution of higher education’’
has the meaning given such term in section 101 of
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001).
SEC. 4. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.
The Director is authorized to make awards to institu-
tions of higher education to provide scholarships to assist
graduates of baccalaureate degree programs in science,
mathematics, or engineering, or individuals pursuing de-
grees in those fields, to fulfill the academic requirements
necessary to become certified as science teachers. Such
awards shall be made through competitive, merit-based
procedures.
SEC. 5. SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT AND DURATION.
Each scholarship provided through awards under sec-
tion 4 shall be in the amount of $7,500 and shall cover
a period of 1 year.
SEC. 6. REQUIREMENTS.
(a) ELIGIBILITY.—Institutions of higher education
offering baccalaureate degrees in science, mathematics,
and engineering and coursework toward teacher certifi-
cation are eligible to apply for awards under the program
established by section 4. Individuals provided scholarships
under the program shall be—
(1) undergraduate students majoring in science,
mathematics, or engineering who are within 1 aca-
demic year of completion of degree requirements; or
(2) graduates of baccalaureate or advanced de-
gree programs in science, mathematics, or engineer-
ing.
(b) GUIDELINES, PROCEDURES, AND CRITERIA.—
The Director shall establish and publish application and
selection guidelines, procedures, and criteria for the pro-
gram established by section 4.
(c) REQUIREMENTS
FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICA-
TIONS.—Each application for a scholarship shall include
a plan specifying the course of study that will allow the
applicant to fulfill the academic requirements for obtain-
ing a teaching certificate during the scholarship period.
(d) WORK REQUIREMENT.—As a condition of accept-
ance of a scholarship under this Act, a recipient shall
agree to work as a science teacher for a minimum of 2
years following certification as such a teacher or to repay
the amount of the scholarship to the National Science
Foundation.
SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Na-
tional Science Foundation to carry out this Act
$20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2002, 2003, and
2004.
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