I
105TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 3496
To develop a demonstration project through the National Science Foundation
to encourage interest in the fields of mathematics, science, and informa-
tion technology.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 18, 1998
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas introduced the following bill; which
was referred to the Committee on Science, and in addition to the Com-
mittee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provi-
sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To develop a demonstration project through the National
Science Foundation to encourage interest in the fields
of mathematics, science, and information technology.
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 ‘‘Information Tech-
nology Partnership Act’’.
SEC. 2. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.
(a) GENERAL AUTHORITY.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—
(A) GRANT
PROGRAM.—The Director of
the National Science Foundation shall, subject
to appropriations, carry out a demonstration
project under which the Director awards grants
in accordance with this Act to 5 eligible local
educational agencies.
(B) USES OF FUNDS.—A local educational
agency that receives a grant under this Act may
use such grant funds to develop an information
technology program that builds or expands
mathematics, science, and information tech-
nology curricula, to purchase equipment nec-
essary to establish such program, and to pro-
vide teacher training in such fields.
(2) PROGRAM
REQUIREMENTS.—The program
described in paragraph (1) shall—
(A) train teachers specifically in informa-
tion technology, mathematics, 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 Act, a local educational agency is eligible
to receive a grant under this Act if the agency—
(1) is located in one of the cities which has re-
ceived an award from the National Science Founda-
tion under the Urban Systemic Initiative program;
(2) 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
(3) agrees to enter into an agreement with the
Director to comply with the requirements of this
Act.
(c) PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION.—The condi-
tional agreement referred to in subsection (b)(2) shall de-
scribe participation by the private sector, including—
(1) the donation of computer hardware and
software;
(2) the establishment of internship and mentor-
ing opportunities for students who participate in the
information technology program; and
(3) the donation of scholarship funds for eligi-
ble students who have participated in the informa-
tion 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 scholarship
program, including criteria for selection,
duration of scholarship, number of scholar-
ships to be awarded each year, and fund-
ing 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 Act 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 prior-
ity in awarding grants under this Act to eligible local edu-
cational agencies that demonstrate the greatest ability to
obtain commitments from representatives of the private
sector to provide services and funds described under sub-
section (c).
SEC. 3. ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING.
(a) ASSESSMENT.—The Director shall assess the ef-
fectiveness of activities carried out under this Act. Such
assessment shall be included as part of the assessment and
reporting process used for the Urban Systemic Initiatives
program.
(b) STUDY.—The Director shall initiate a longitu-
dinal study of eligible students selected for scholarships
pursuant to this Act and shall report such findings to Con-
gress not later than 4 years after the award of the first
scholarship. Such report shall include the number of stu-
dents graduating from an institution of higher education
with a major in mathematics, science, or information tech-
nology and the number of students who find employment
in such fields.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
Except as otherwise provided, for purposes of this
Act—
(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) would be a first-generation college stu-
dent;
(B) has participated in an information
technology program established pursuant to this
Act;
(C) has demonstrated a commitment to
pursue a career in information technology,
mathematics, science, or engineering; and
(D) 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);
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to the National Science Foundation to carry out
this Act, $1,500,000.
(b) MAXIMUM GRANT AWARD.—An award made to
an eligible local educational agency under this Act may
not exceed $300,000.
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