I
103D CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4652
To establish a Science Start Grant program, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JUNE 27, 1994
Ms. FURSE introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee
on Education and Labor
A BILL
To establish a Science Start Grant program, 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 ‘‘Science Start Grant
Program Act of 1994’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds that—
(1) preschoolers from low-income families have
very limited opportunities to be exposed to science
activities;
(2) preschoolers from low-income families need
basic, age-appropriate science experiences in order to
develop educationally at a normal rate;
(3) most preschool teachers have little experi-
ence with simple science activities;
(4) attainment of the National Education Goal
that calls for United States students to be first in
the world in mathematics and science achievement
will require a comprehensive, age-appropriate science
program for preschoolers from low-income families;
(5) long-term efforts to train preschool teachers
to use science activities have been limited in number;
and
(6) the long-term efforts to train preschool
teachers to use science activities that have been im-
plemented have shown significant positive results.
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this Act is to provide
Head Start teachers with training programs directed to-
ward the use of age-appropriate science activities in order
to increase their students’ interest in and familiarity with
science. All students should have a basic exposure to
science activities in order to move the Nation toward the
National Goal that United States students will be first in
the world in mathematics and science achievement.
SEC. 3. MODEL SCIENCE START PROGRAMS FOR THE IN-
TRODUCTION OF SCIENCE IN EARLY CHILD-
HOOD EDUCATION.
(a) GRANTS AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary of Health
and Human Services (in this section referred to as the
‘‘Secretary’’) may award grants, to be known as Science
Start Grants, to organizations to enable such organiza-
tions to support model programs that provide instruction
to Head Start teachers regarding the introduction of
science activities to children enrolled in Head Start pro-
grams.
(b) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under this sec-
tion, the Secretary shall give priority to applicants that
demonstrate the ability to—
(1) provide teacher training programs that in-
volve participants in hands-on activities similar to
activities that are intended for students;
(2) attract broad teacher participation;
(3) use experienced teachers as instructors;
(4) provide the materials required by the activi-
ties described in paragraph (1), but not commonly
found in Head Start classrooms, except that not
more than 25 percent of the funds awarded for each
fiscal year to any organization for a model program
shall be used to carry out this paragraph; and
(5) provide for periodic followup activities con-
ducted, at minimum, during a 6-month period.
(c) DISSEMINATION.—Each recipient of a grant
under this section shall report the results of the model
program to the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for
Mathematics and Science Education in an appropriate for-
mat for dissemination.
(d) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There
are authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000 for fiscal
year 1995, and such sums as may be necessary for each
succeeding fiscal year, to carry out this section.
(e) EVALUATION AND REPORT.—The Secretary shall
evaluate, and report to the Congress every 2 years (begin-
ning 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act) re-
garding, the activities assisted under this section.
Æ