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 ‘‘Congressional Medal
for Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science Edu-
cation Act of 2004’’.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘‘Director’’ means
the Director of the National Science Foundation.
(2) ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
AND
SECONDARY
SCHOOL.—The terms ‘‘elementary school’’ and ‘‘sec-
ondary school’’ have the meaning given those terms
in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.
The Director shall establish a Congressional Medal
for Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science Edu-
cation program, which shall be designed to—
(1) recognize private entities for outstanding ef-
forts supporting elementary and secondary schools
in improving student achievement in science, tech-
nology, engineering, and mathematics;
(2) encourage private entities to support ele-
mentary and secondary schools to improve and un-
derscore the importance of science, technology, engi-
neering, and mathematics education; and
(3) make information about medal recipients
available to schools, institutions of higher education,
educators, parents, administrators, policymakers, re-
searchers, public and private entities, and the gen-
eral public.
SEC. 4. MEDALS.
(a) FINALISTS.—Beginning not later than 2 years
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall
annually name as finalists for medals under this Act—
(1) not more than 20 private entities with more
than 500 employees; and
(2) not more than 20 private entities with 500
or fewer employees.
Each finalist shall receive a citation describing the basis
for the entity achieving status as a finalist.
(b) MEDAL WINNERS.—Beginning not later than 2
years after the date of enactment of this Act, from among
finalists named under subsection (a), the Director shall
annually award medals under this Act to—
(1) not more than 5 private entities with more
than 500 employees; and
(2) not more than 5 private entities with 500
or fewer employees.
(c) DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION.—(1) The Di-
rector shall distribute information about the Congressional
Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science
Education recipients in a timely and efficient manner (in-
cluding through the use of a searchable online database)
to schools, institutions of higher education, educators, par-
ents, administrators, policymakers, researchers, public
and private entities, and the general public.
(2) Any entity that is a finalist or receives a medal
under this section may use such information for adver-
tising and other publicity purposes.
SEC. 5. ELIGIBILITY.
Eligibility to receive medals under section 4 of this
Act shall be limited to private entities that—
(1) have, whether working alone or in partner-
ship with for-profit or nonprofit entities, assisted
students, teachers, administrators, or other support
staff to improve student achievement in science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics in a
school or community; and
(2) have been involved in such activities in a
sustained manner for at least 2 years with at least
one elementary or secondary school.
SEC. 6. APPLICATION.
The Director shall establish a system for accepting
applications from entities seeking to be considered for a
medal under this Act. Applications shall include at least
two letters of support, which may come from teachers,
professional support staff, administrators, professional or
business organizations, local, county, or State Depart-
ments of Education, or any other category of persons as
designated by the Director. Letters of support shall de-
scribe the reasons the entity deserves the medal.
SEC. 7. SELECTION.
In selecting entities to receive medals under this Act,
the Director shall give priority consideration to evidence
of improved achievement in science, technology, engineer-
ing, or mathematics by students, including improved
achievement by individuals identified in section 33 or 34
of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act
(42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b). In addition to any other cri-
teria the Director may establish, the Director shall also
consider the following:
(1) Evidence of innovative approaches to in-
crease interest in science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics by students, including individuals
identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and En-
gineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a
or 1885b). One measure of such evidence may be an
increase in the number of students enrolled in ad-
vanced courses related to such fields.
(2) Evidence of employee interaction with stu-
dents or teachers to support and improve science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics learning.
(3) Evidence of success in positively influencing
student attitudes and promoting education and ca-
reer opportunities in science, technology, engineer-
ing, and mathematics.
(4) Evidence of successful outreach to students,
parents, and the community regarding the impor-
tance of science, technology, engineering, and mathe-
matics education to the Nation’s prosperity, job cre-
ation, and standard of living, as well as future earn-
ing potential for the individual.
(5) Evidence of a strong and sustained commit-
ment to the students and schools.
SEC. 8. BIENNIAL REPORT.
Section 37(a) of the Science and Engineering Equal
Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885d(a)) is amended by
striking ‘‘By January 30, 1982, and biennially thereafter’’
and inserting ‘‘By January 30 of each odd-numbered
year’’.
SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
For each of fiscal years 2005 through 2007, there
are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science
Foundation such sums as may be necessary for carrying
out this Act, to be derived from amounts authorized by
the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of
2002.
Passed the House of Representatives April 21, 2004.
Attest:
Clerk.