I
105TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 3338
To ensure excellent recruitment and training of math and science teachers
at institutions of higher education.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 5, 1998
Mr. ALLEN (for himself, Mr. OLVER, Mr. FROST, Mr. BALDACCI, Mr. REYES,
Mr. WAXMAN, Mr. ADAM SMITH of Washington, Mr. DEFAZIO, Mr.
MCGOVERN, Ms. DEGETTE, Mr. DAVIS of Florida, Ms. HOOLEY of Or-
egon, Ms. STABENOW, Mrs. THURMAN, Mr. DELAHUNT, Mr. RUSH, Mr.
MEEHAN, Mr. VENTO, and Mr. DOOLEY of California) introduced the fol-
lowing bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the
Workforce
A BILL
To ensure excellent recruitment and training of math and
science teachers at institutions of higher education.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. TEACHER RECRUITMENT.
(a) FUTURE MATH
AND SCIENCE TEACHER RE-
CRUITMENT.—Title V of the Higher Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1102 et seq.) is amended by adding at
the end the following new part:
‘‘PART G—FUTURE MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHER
RECRUITMENT
‘‘SEC. 599A. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS.
‘‘(a) SHORT TITLE.—This part may be cited as the
‘Recruit and Reward Future Math and Science Teachers
of America Act of 1998’.
‘‘(b) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following:
‘‘(1) United States high school students rank
12th and 19th, respectively, in science and math out
of 25 countries.
‘‘(2) Of United States high school students who
take physical science and math courses, 48 percent
and 49 percent, respectively, are taught by teachers
who did not prepare in that field.
‘‘(3) Teachers’ knowledge and skills powerfully
influence student learning.
‘‘(4) More than 2,000,000 teachers will need to
be hired over the next decade.
‘‘(5) The ability of the United States to place
highly qualified math and science teachers specializ-
ing in their field of instruction will depend on
proactive policies that increase funding for teacher
training, recruitment, and induction.
‘‘SEC. 599B. PURPOSE; APPROPRIATIONS AUTHORIZED.
‘‘(a) PURPOSE.—It is the purpose of this part to
make available, through a pilot program, 500 scholarship
grants and stipends to outstanding students enrolled in
a nationally accredited teacher training graduate program
who are committed to pursuing careers teaching math and
science at an urban or rural secondary level classroom.
‘‘(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There
are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part
$5,000,000 in each of the fiscal years 1999, 2000, and
2001.
‘‘SEC. 599C. SCHOLARSHIP DESIGNATION AND SELECTION
CRITERIA.
‘‘(a) SCHOLARSHIP
DESIGNATION.—Funds made
available under this part shall be designated as the ‘Na-
tional Math and Science Teacher Scholarships’.
‘‘(b) SELECTION CRITERIA.—The Secretary of Edu-
cation may award funds for National Math and Science
Teacher Scholarships on a competitive basis to qualifying
higher education institutions with graduate programs in
teacher training. The Secretary may not provide any indi-
vidual higher education institution more than $100,000
per academic year for the purpose of the National Math
and Science Teacher Scholarships. An institution applying
for such Scholarships may only be eligible to receive funds
if such institution—
‘‘(1) meets nationally accredited teacher train-
ing graduate program standards; or
‘‘(2) demonstrates to the Secretary that at least
90 percent of the graduates of such a graduate
teacher training program take, and on their first at-
tempt pass, the State teacher qualification assess-
ments for new teachers.
‘‘SEC. 599D. INDIVIDUAL SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY.
‘‘An individual may be eligible for a National Math
and Science Teacher Scholarship only if such individual—
‘‘(1) is a citizen or national of the United
States or an alien lawfully admitted to the United
States for permanent residence;
‘‘(2) is majoring in a physical or life science or
mathematics graduate teacher training program;
‘‘(3) is enrolled in a higher education institution
that—
‘‘(A) meets nationally accredited teacher
training graduate program standards; or
‘‘(B) demonstrates to the Secretary that at
least 90 percent of the graduates of such a
graduate teacher training program who enter
the field of teaching take, and on their first at-
tempt pass, the State teacher qualification as-
sessments for new teachers; and
‘‘(4) is willing to be teacher certified or licensed
and commit themselves to teaching math or science
entered into under subsection (a) of this section shall be
required to repay a pro rata amount of the scholarship
awards received, plus interest and, where applicable, rea-
sonable collection fees, on a schedule and at a rate of in-
terest prescribed by the Secretary by regulations.
‘‘SEC. 599G. EXCEPTIONS TO REPAYMENT PROVISIONS.
‘‘An individual recipient of a Scholarship under this
part shall not be considered in violation of the agreement
entered into pursuant to section 599F during any period
in which the recipient—
‘‘(1) is pursuing a full-time course of study in
math and science at an accredited institution;
‘‘(2) is serving, not in excess of 3 years, as a
member of the armed services of the United States;
‘‘(3) is totally disabled for a period of time not
to exceed 3 years as established by sworn affidavit
of a qualified physician;
‘‘(4) is seeking and unable to find full-time em-
ployment for a single period not to exceed 12
months;
‘‘(5) is seeking and unable to find full-time em-
ployment as a math and science teacher in a public
or private nonprofit elementary or secondary school
or education program for a single period not to ex-
ceed 27 months; or
‘‘(6) satisfies the provision of additional repay-
ment exceptions that may be prescribed by the Sec-
retary in regulations issued pursuant to this section.
‘‘SEC. 599H. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
‘‘On or before January 29, 2002, the Secretary of
Education shall submit a report to Congress evaluating
the success of the National Math and Science Teacher
Scholarships pilot program in recruiting math and science
teachers to teach in America’s public secondary schools.’’.
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