I
106TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4271
To establish and expand programs relating to science, mathematics,
engineering, and technology education, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
APRIL 13, 2000
Mr. EHLERS (for himself, Mrs. BIGGERT, Mr. BOEHLERT, Mr. BRADY of
Texas, Mr. COOK, Mr. GILCHREST, Mr. GILMAN, Mr. HOLT, Mr. JEN-
KINS, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. KUYKENDALL, Mr.
PORTER, Mrs. ROUKEMA, Mr. SMITH of Michigan, Mr. SWEENEY. Mr.
UPTON, and Mrs. WILSON) introduced the following bill; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committee
on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently deter-
mined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions
as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To establish and expand programs relating to science, mathe-
matics, engineering, and technology education, and for
other purposes.
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 ‘‘National Science Edu-
cation Act’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) As concluded in the report of the Com-
mittee on Science of the House of Representatives,
‘‘Unlocking Our Future Toward a New National
Science Policy,’’ which was adopted by the House of
Representatives, the United States must maintain
and improve its preeminent position in science and
technology in order to advance human under-
standing of the universe and all it contains, and to
improve the lives, health, and freedoms of all people.
(2) It is estimated that more than half of the
economic growth of the United States today results
directly from research and development in science
and technology. The most fundamental research is
responsible for investigating our perceived universe,
to extend our observations to the outer limits of
what our minds and methods can achieve, and to
seek answers to questions that have never been
asked before. Applied research continues the process
by applying the answers from basic science to the
problems faced by individuals, organizations, and
governments in the everyday activities that make our
lives more livable. The scientific-technological sector
of our economy, which has driven our recent eco-
nomic boom and led the United States to the longest
period of prosperity in history, is fueled by the work
and discoveries of the scientific community.
(3) The effectiveness of the United States in
maintaining this economic growth will be largely de-
termined by the intellectual capital of the United
States. Education is critical to developing this re-
source.
(4) The education program of the United States
needs to provide for 3 different kinds of intellectual
capital. First, it needs scientists and engineers to
continue the research and development that is cen-
tral to the economic growth of the United States.
Second, it needs technologically proficient workers
who are comfortable and capable dealing with the
demands of a science-based, high-technology work-
place. Last, it needs scientifically literate voters and
consumers to make intelligent decisions about public
policy.
(5) Student performance on the recent Third
International Math and Science Study highlights the
shortcomings of current K–12 science and mathe-
matics education in the United States, particularly
when compared to other countries. We must expect
more from our Nation’s educators and students if
we are to build on the accomplishments of previous
generations. New methods of teaching mathematics
and science are required, as well as better curricula
and improved training of teachers.
(6) Science is more than a collection of facts,
theories, and results. It is a process of inquiry built
upon observations and data that leads to a way of
knowing and explaining in logically derived concepts
and theories.
(7) Students should learn science primarily by
doing science. Science education ought to reflect the
scientific process and be object-oriented, experiment-
centered, and concept-based.
(8) Children are naturally curious and inquisi-
tive. To successfully tap into these innate qualities,
education in science must begin at an early age and
continue throughout the entire school experience.
(9) Teachers provide the essential connection
between students and the content they are learning.
High-quality prospective teachers need to be identi-
fied and recruited by presenting to them a career
that is respected by their peers, is financially and in-
tellectually rewarding, and contains sufficient oppor-
tunities for advancement.
(10) Teachers need to have incentives to remain
in the classroom and improve their practice, and
training of teachers is essential if the results are to
be good. Teachers need to be knowledgeable of their
content area, of their curriculum, of up-to-date re-
search in teaching and learning, and of techniques
that can be used to connect that information to their
students in their classroom.
SEC. 3. ASSURANCE OF CONTINUED LOCAL CONTROL.
Nothing in this Act may be construed to authorize
any department, agency, officer, or employee of the United
States to exercise any direction, supervision, or control
over the curriculum, program of instruction, administra-
tion, or personnel of any educational institution or school
system.
SEC. 4. MASTER TEACHER GRANT PROGRAM.
The National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42
U.S.C. 1861 et seq.) is amended—
(1) by redesignating section 16 as section 18;
and
(2) by inserting after section 15 the following
new section:
‘‘§ 16. Grants and awards
‘‘(a)(1) The Director of the National Science Foun-
dation shall conduct a grant program to make grants to
a State or local educational agency or to a private elemen-
tary or middle school for the purpose of hiring a master
teacher described in paragraph (3).
‘‘(2) In order to be eligible to receive a grant under
this subsection, a State or local educational agency or pri-
vate elementary or middle school shall submit to the Direc-
tor a description of the requirements for a master teacher
of the State or local educational agency or school, includ-
ing certification requirements and job responsibilities of
the master teacher, and a description of how professional
development will be integrated with the math or science
program of the State educational agency or local edu-
cational agency or school including a master teacher.
‘‘(3) A master teacher referred to in paragraph (1)—
‘‘(A) shall provide support for not more than 10
teachers at public and private schools in math,
science, engineering or technology programs for stu-
dents in grades kindergarten through the eighth
grade; and
‘‘(B) shall be responsible for in-classroom as-
sistance and oversight of hands-on inquiry materials,
equipment, and supplies, including supplying and re-
pairing such materials.
‘‘(4) Grants shall be made under this section out of
funds available for the National Science Foundation for
Education and Human Resources Activities.
‘‘(b) In this section, the terms ‘State educational
agency’ and ‘local educational agency’ have the meaning
given those terms in section 14101 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965.’’.
SEC. 5. HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE FOR ALL
SCHOOLS.
The National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42
U.S.C. 1861 et seq.) is further amended in section 16 (as
added by section 4) by adding at the end the following
new subsection:
‘‘(c)(1) The Director is authorized to award grants,
on a competitive basis, to secondary school and college stu-
dents working with university faculty, software developers,
and experts in educational technology, or to university fac-
ulty, software developers, and experts in educational tech-
nology working with secondary school or college students,
for the development of high-quality educational software
and Internet web sites by such students, faculty, devel-
opers, and experts.
‘‘(2)(A) The Director shall recognize outstanding
educational software and Internet web sites developed with
assistance provided under this subsection.
‘‘(B) The President is requested to, and the Director
shall, issue an official certificate signed by the President
and Director, to each student and faculty member who
develops outstanding educational software or Internet web
sites recognized under this subsection.
‘‘(3) The educational software or Internet web sites
that are recognized under this subsection shall focus on
core curriculum areas.
‘‘(4) The Director shall give priority to awarding
grants for the development of educational software or
Internet web sites in the areas of mathematics, science,
engineering, and technology.
‘‘(5) The Director shall designate official judges to
recognize outstanding educational software or Internet
web sites assisted under this section.’’.
SEC. 6. ESTABLISHMENT OF WORKING GROUP ON SCIENCE,
MATHEMATICS, ENGINEERING, AND TECH-
NOLOGY EDUCATION.
The National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42
U.S.C. 1861 et seq.) is further amended by inserting after
section 16 (as added by section 4) the following new sec-
tion:
‘‘§ 17. Establishment of working group on science,
mathematics, 
engineering, 
and 
tech-
nology education
‘‘(a) There is established in the National Science
Foundation a working group to review and coordinate reg-
ular and supplemental curricula in kindergarten through
the twelfth grade for science, mathematics, engineering,
and technology, taking into account—
‘‘(1) the content, scope, and sequence of such
curricula;
‘‘(2) the research basis for such curricula; and
‘‘(3) the demonstrated results of such curricula.
‘‘(b) There shall be 15 members of the working group
established by subsection (a), who shall have experience
in the fields of life science, physical science, earth science,
chemistry, technology, math, or engineering, and who shall
be appointed by the Director for a three-year term that
may be extended once for an additional three years. The
members shall be appointed as follows:
‘‘(1) 4 members appointed from among rep-
resentatives from appropriate professional societies
representing the scientific disciplines.
‘‘(2) 3 members appointed from among business
leaders who are active in education.
‘‘(3) 2 members appointed from among rep-
resentatives of institutions of higher education.
‘‘(4) 2 members appointed from among rep-
resentatives of schools of education within such in-
stitutions.
‘‘(5) 4 members appointed from among rep-
resentatives of professional societies that represent
science teaching.
‘‘(c)(1) The working group established by subsection
(a)—
‘‘(A) shall, beginning not later than three years
after the date of the enactment of this Act, award
recognition annually in predetermined categories;
‘‘(B) shall publish all criteria upon which a re-
view by the working group under this section is
based; and
‘‘(C) shall disseminate information on award-
winning programs for the purpose of acting as a re-
source for State and local educational agencies—
‘‘(i) for determining the best methods for
teachers to present science, mathematics, engi-
neering, and technology subject areas to stu-
dents; and
‘‘(ii) for organizing science, mathematics,
engineering, and technology disciplines.
‘‘(2) The information required to be disseminated by
paragraph (1)(C) shall include information describing the
activities of the award-winning programs and the awards
made in each category.’’.
SEC. 7. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.
(a) GENERAL AUTHORITY.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—
(A) GRANT PROGRAM.—The Director shall,
subject to appropriations, carry out a dem-
onstration project under which the Director
awards grants in accordance with this section to
eligible local educational agencies.
(B) USES OF FUNDS.—A local educational
agency that receives a grant under this section
may use such grant funds to develop an infor-
mation technology program that builds or ex-
pands mathematics, science, and information
technology curricula, to purchase equipment
necessary to establish such program, and to
provide professional development in such fields.
(2) PROGRAM
REQUIREMENTS.—The program
described in paragraph (1) shall—
(A) provide professional development spe-
cifically in information technology, mathe-
matics, and science; and
(B) provide students with specialized train-
ing in mathematics, science, and information
technology.
(b) ELIGIBLE LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY.—For
purposes of this section, a local educational agency is eligi-
ble to receive a grant under this section 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 sec-
tion.
(c) PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION.—The condi-
tional agreement referred to in subsection (b)(1) shall de-
scribe participation by the private sector, including—
(1) the donation of computer hardware and
software;
(2) the establishment of internship and men-
toring opportunities for students who participate in
the information technology program; and
(3) the donation of higher education scholarship
funds for eligible students who have participated in
the information technology program.
(d) APPLICATION.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Each eligible local edu-
cational agency desiring a grant under this section
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 (a)(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 to establish
an internship, mentoring, and scholarship
program.
(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 section 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);
(2) demonstrate the greatest economic need;
and
(3) use a curriculum recognized by the working
group established by section 17 of the National
Science Foundation Act of 1950 (as added by sec-
tion 6).
(f) ASSESSMENT.—The Director shall assess the ef-
fectiveness of activities carried out under this section.
(g) STUDY AND REPORT.—The Director—
(1) shall initiate an evaluative study of eligible
students selected for scholarships pursuant to this
section in order to measure the effectiveness of the
demonstration program; and
(2) 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 graduating from an institution
of higher education with a major in mathematics,
science, or information technology and the number
of students who find employment in such fields.
(g) DEFINITIONS.—Except as otherwise provided, for
purposes of this section—
(1) the term ‘‘Director’’ means the Director of
the National Science Foundation;
(2) the term ‘‘eligible student’’ means a student
enrolled in the 12th grade who—
(A) has participated in an information
technology program established pursuant to this
section;
(B) has demonstrated a commitment to
pursue a career in information technology,
mathematics, science, or engineering; and
(C) has attained high academic standing
and maintains a grade point average of not less
than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the last 2 years of
secondary school (11th and 12th grades); and
(3) the term ‘‘local educational agency’’ has the
same meaning given such term in section 14101 of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 8801).
(h) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There
are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science
Foundation to carry out this section, $3,000,000.
(i) MAXIMUM GRANT AWARD.—An award made to an
eligible local educational agency under this section may
not exceed $300,000.
SEC. 8. DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION ON REQUIRED
COURSE 
OF 
STUDY 
FOR 
CAREERS 
IN
SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, ENGINEERING, AND
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION.
The Director of the National Science Foundation
shall, jointly with the Secretary of Education, compile and
disseminate information (including, but not limited to,
through outreach, school counselor education, and visiting
speakers) regarding—
(1) standard prerequisites for middle school and
high school students who seek to enter a course of
study at an institution of higher education in
science, mathematics, engineering, or technology
education for purposes of teaching in an elementary
or secondary school; and
(2) the licensing requirements in each State for
science, mathematics, engineering, or technology ele-
mentary or secondary school teachers.
SEC. 9. REQUIREMENT TO CONDUCT STUDY EVALUATION.
(a) STUDY REQUIRED.—The Director of the National
Science Foundation shall enter into an agreement with the
National Academy of Sciences under which the Academy
shall compile and evaluate studies on the effectiveness of
technology in the classroom on learning and student per-
formance, as measured by State standardized tests. The
study evaluation shall include, to the extent available, in-
formation on the type of technology used in each class-
room, the reason that such technology works, and the
teacher training that is conducted in conjunction with the
technology.
(b) DEADLINE FOR COMPLETION.—The study eval-
uation required by subsection (a) shall be completed not
later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
(c) DEFINITION OF TECHNOLOGY.—In this section,
the term ‘‘technology’’ has the meaning given that term
in section 3113(11) of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6813(11)).
(d) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There
are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science
Foundation $600,000 for the purpose of conducting the
study evaluation required by subsection (a).
SEC. 10. TEACHER TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP-
MENT.
The National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42
U.S.C. 1861 et seq.) is further amended in section 16 (as
added by section 4) by adding at the end the following
new subsection:
‘‘(d) The Director shall establish a grant program
under which grants may be made for instruction of teach-
ers for grades kindergarten through the twelfth grade on
the use of technology in the classroom.’’.
SEC. 11. MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPUTER LITERACY ASSIST-
ANCE.
The National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42
U.S.C. 1861 et seq.) is further amended in section 16 (as
added by section 4) by adding at the end the following
new subsection:
‘‘(e)(1) The Director is authorized to award grants
to assist States in reaching the goal of making all middle
school graduates in the State technology literate.
‘‘(2) Grants awarded under this subsection shall be
used for teacher training in technology, with an emphasis
on programs that prepare 1 or more teachers in each mid-
dle school in the State to become technology leaders who
then serve as experts and train other teachers.
‘‘(3) Each State shall encourage schools that receive
assistance under this subsection to provide matching
funds, with respect to the cost of teacher training in tech-
nology to be assisted under this subsection, in order to
enhance the impact of the teacher training and to help
ensure that all middle school graduates in the State are
computer literate.’’.
SEC. 12. SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, ENGINEERING, AND
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION CONFERENCE.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Within 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the National
Science Foundation shall convene a conference of rep-
resentatives from Federal, State, and local governments,
private industries, professional organizations, educators,
science, mathematics, engineering, and technology edu-
cational resource providers, students, and any other stake-
holders the Director decides would provide useful partici-
pation in the conference. Such conference shall be known
as the National Science Education Forum.
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the conference con-
vened under subsection (a) shall be to—
(1) identify existing science, mathematics, engi-
neering, and technology education programs and re-
source providers;
(2) examine how well existing programs are co-
ordinated and how much collaboration exists among
them;
(3) examine the common goals and differences
among the participants at the conference; and
(4) develop strategies that will support partner-
ships and leverage resources.
(c) REPORT AND PUBLICATION.—At the conclusion
of the conference the Director of the National Science
Foundation shall—
(1) transmit to the Committee on Science of the
House of Representatives and to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Sen-
ate a report on the outcome and conclusions of the
conference; and
(2) ensure that a similar report is published
and distributed as widely as possible to stakeholders
in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology
education.
SEC. 13. GRANTS FOR DISTANCE LEARNING.
The National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42
U.S.C. 1861 et seq.) is further amended in section 16 (as
added by section 4) by adding at the end the following
new subsection:
‘‘(f) The Director may make grants to a State or local
educational agency or to a private elementary, middle, or
secondary school, under any grant program administered
by the Director using funds appropriated for the National
Science Foundation for Education and Human Resources
Activities, for activities in which distance learning is inte-
grated into the education process in grades kindergarten
through the twelfth grade.’’.
SEC. 
14. 
AVAILABILITY 
OF 
CURRICULAR 
PROGRAMS
THROUGH THE INTERNET.
The Director of the National Science Foundation
shall make available through the Internet at no cost a
complete field-test version (including text and graphics)
of any curricular program, the development for which the
National Science Foundation provided funds.
SEC. 15. SCHOLARSHIPS TO PARTICIPATE IN CERTAIN RE-
SEARCH ACTIVITIES.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The President, acting through the
National Science Foundation, shall provide scholarships to
teachers at public and private schools in grades kinder-
garten through the twelfth grade in order that such teach-
ers may participate in research programs conducted at
private entities or Federal or State Government agencies.
The purpose of such scholarships shall be to provide teach-
ers with an opportunity to expand their knowledge of
science and research techniques and encourage incorpora-
tion of such techniques into the classroom.
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—In order to be eligible to re-
ceive a scholarship under this section, a teacher described
in subsection (a) shall be required to develop, in conjunc-
tion with the private entity or Government agency at
which the teacher will be participating in a research pro-
gram, a proposal to be submitted to the President describ-
ing the types of research activities involved, and how tech-
niques with respect to such research may be incorporated
into the educational process.
(c) PERIOD OF PROGRAM.—Participation in a re-
search program in accordance with this section may be
for a period of one academic year or 2 sequential sum-
mers.
(d) INTERNET SITE.—The Director of the National
Science Foundation shall establish an Internet web site
which may be used by students and teachers participating
in the program under this section to incorporate research
knowledge and techniques into the educational process.
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