I
106TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 5504
To improve the quality and scope of science and mathematics education.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
OCTOBER 19, 2000
Mr. HOLT (for himself and Mrs. MORELLA) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce,
and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to
be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consider-
ation of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
concerned
A BILL
To improve the quality and scope of science and mathematics
education.
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 Improvement
in Mathematics and Science Teaching Act of 2000’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The impact of mathematics, science, and
technology on our lives is greater than ever before.
We have seen an explosion in the use of computer
technologies; scientists are manipulating basic bio-
logical processes, and our economy is swelling with
the birth of thousands of new dot-com companies.
(2) In the next 5 years, high-tech employment
will grow more than twice as fast as employment as
a whole. Yet, many companies are unable to find
skilled American workers. It is estimated that the
shortage of high-tech professionals currently costs
the United States economy $105,000,000,000 a
year.
(3) As a nation, the students of the United
States are not performing as well as we would like.
According to tests by the National Assessment of
Educational Progress, nearly 36 percent of 4th
graders, 38 percent of 8th graders, and 31 percent
of 12th graders perform below the basic level in
mathematics. Moreover, approximately 30 percent of
4th graders and nearly 40 percent of 8th and 12th
graders failed to reach the basic level in science.
(4) Students in many other countries signifi-
cantly outperform United States students in science
and mathematics. In fact, our high school students
performed among the lowest of the 21 countries par-
ticipating in the Third International Mathematics
and Science Study (TIMSS). In mathematics, our
students were outperformed by 14 of the countries
in the study and outperformed only 2 countries. In
science, our students tested lower than 11 of the
countries and once again outperformed only 2 of the
countries in the study.
(5) The Federal Coordinating Council for
Science, Engineering, and Technology estimated that
the Federal Government spent $2,200,000,000 in
1993 on education programs specifically targeted for
science, mathematics, engineering, and technology
while 
total 
Federal 
education 
spending 
was
$24,000,000,000—only 9 percent of the total Fed-
eral spending on education.
(6) According to statistics by the National Cen-
ter for Education Statistics, 11 percent of teachers
have no license to teach, 16 percent have emergency
licenses, and 10 percent have probationary licenses.
Nearly 21 percent of high school teachers teach out
of field (have neither a major nor minor in their
main teaching subject). For mathematics, nearly 28
percent of high school mathematics teachers do not
have a major or minor in mathematics. For science,
18 percent of the teachers do not have a major or
minor in science.
(7) A significant achievement gap exists with
minorities. Indeed, the gap that separates minority
students from white students is larger today than it
was in 1990. By the conclusion of 8th grade nearly
half of African American and Latino students score
below the basic level in mathematics.
(8) Science and mathematics education can pro-
vide humanity with the knowledge to develop effec-
tive solutions to its global and local problems.
SEC. 3. IMPROVEMENT OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS
EDUCATION.
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
‘‘TITLE XV—IMPROVEMENT OF
SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS
EDUCATION
‘‘PART A—RECRUITMENT OF QUALITY TEACHERS
IN SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION
‘‘SEC. 15101. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.
‘‘The purpose of this part is to assist States in re-
cruiting quality mathematics and science public education
teachers.
‘‘SEC. 15102. STATE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM.
‘‘(a) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall award
grants, subject to the availability of appropriations, to
States to improve the quality of our science and mathe-
matics teachers in public schools and to recruit new, quali-
fied public school teachers into those fields.
‘‘(b) ELIGIBILITY.—In order to receive funding,
under this part, a State shall submit an application in ac-
cordance with section 15103.
‘‘SEC. 15103. APPLICATION.
‘‘The State shall submit the application to the Sec-
retary at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary may reasonably require.
Each application under this section shall include, at a min-
imum, the following:
‘‘(1) A description of how the State will comply
with the requirements of this part.
‘‘(2) A description of the plan to be used by the
State to improve the quality of science, technology,
and mathematics teachers and to recruit new, quali-
fied teachers in science, technology, and mathe-
matics education.
‘‘(3) A description of how the State will partner
with industry or with institutions of higher edu-
cation to achieve the goals of its plan to improve the
quality of science, technology, and mathematics
teachers and to recruit new, qualified teachers in
mathematics, science, and technology, education.
‘‘SEC. 15104. APPLICATION SUBMISSION.
‘‘A State application submitted to the Secretary
under this section shall be approved by the Secretary un-
less the Secretary makes a written determination, within
90 days after receiving the application, that the applica-
tion violates provisions of this part.
‘‘SEC. 15105. ALLOCATION.
From the funds made available under section 15108,
the Secretary shall allot to each State an amount which
bears the same ratio to the amount of such made available
as the school-age population of the State bears to the
school-age population of all States.
‘‘SEC. 15106. MATCHING FUND BY STATE.
‘‘In order to receive funding under this part, a State
shall provide assurances that it will provide non-Federal
funds of not less than 50 percent of the cost of providing
a program under this part.
‘‘SEC. 15107. AUTHORIZED USES OF FUNDS.
‘‘Grant funds made available under this part may be
used by the State for—
‘‘(1) establishing a loan forgiveness program for
teachers who major in mathematics or science and
commit to teach the subject for at least 5 consecu-
tive years in a public school within the State;
‘‘(2) establishing a program to provide a salary
increase for mathematics and science teachers who
pass an advanced competency test as determined by
the State;
‘‘(3) providing signing bonuses or other finan-
cial incentives, for mathematics and science teachers
who are fully qualified to teach in these academic
subject areas in locations in which there is a short-
age of such fully qualified teachers within a school
or the local educational agency;
‘‘(4) establishing a high standards program to
recruit professionals from mathematics, science, or
technology fields and provide such professionals with
alternative routes to teacher certification;
‘‘(5) establishing a program to provide in-
creased opportunities for minorities, individuals with
disabilities, and other individuals underrepresented
in the mathematics and science teaching profession;
and
‘‘(6) programs and activities that are designed
to improve the quality of teaching in mathematics
and science, such as—
‘‘(A) testing of elementary and secondary
school mathematics and science teachers in the
subject areas taught by such teachers;
‘‘(B) creating a career ladder, with appro-
priate financial incentives, and intellectual ad-
vancement for mathematics and science teach-
ers; and
‘‘(C) strengthening the clinical experience
for students preparing to be mathematics and
science teachers.
‘‘SEC. 15108. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
‘‘There 
are 
authorized 
to 
be 
appropriated
$1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2001 and such sums as
may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years
to carry out the provisions of this part.
‘‘PART B—PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF
MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE TEACHERS
‘‘SEC. 15201. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.
‘‘The purpose of this part is to assist the States in
improving the professional development opportunities for
mathematics and science teachers in public schools.
‘‘SEC. 15202. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT PRO-
GRAM.
‘‘(a) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall award
grants, subject to the availability of appropriations, to
may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years
to carry out the provisions of this part.
‘‘PART C—JOHN GLENN ACADEMIES
‘‘SEC. 15301. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.
‘‘The purpose of this part is to establish 15 John
Glenn Academies, 1 in each of the 10 Federal regions des-
ignated by the Department of Education, with 5 more
strategically located, as determined by the Secretary, to
facilitate summer workshops for mathematics and science
education teachers and to provide intensive, year-long fel-
lowships for 3,000 individuals to prepare them to meet
State certification requirements for teaching mathematics
or science in grades 7 through 12.
‘‘SEC. 15302. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.
‘‘The Secretary, in cooperation with the Director of
the National Science Foundation, shall provide assistance
for the creation and support of regional centers for the
improvement of teaching in mathematics and science edu-
cation (hereinafter in this title referred to as ‘John Glenn
Academies’).
‘‘SEC. 15303. ESTABLISHMENT AND SELECTION.
‘‘(a) PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION.—
‘‘(1) PROPOSED RULES.—The Secretary, after
consultation with the Director of the National
Science Foundation, shall publish in the Federal
Register, not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of the National Improvement in Mathe-
matics and Science Teaching Act of 2000, proposed
rules for the program to establish John Glenn Acad-
emies, including—
‘‘(A) a description of the program, includ-
ing the summer workshops and John Glenn
Academy Fellowships;
‘‘(B) the procedure to be followed by appli-
cants; and
‘‘(C) the criteria for determining qualified
applicants.
‘‘(2) FINAL RULES.—The Secretary shall pub-
lish final rules in the Federal Register for the pro-
gram under this part after the expiration of a 30-
day comment period on such proposed rules.
‘‘(b) SELECTION.—
‘‘(1) APPLICATIONS REQUIRED.—
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Any undergraduate
institution of higher education, consortia of
such institutions, nonprofit organizations, or
groups thereof may submit an application to re-
ceive funding to establish a John Glenn Acad-
emy under this part in accordance with the pro-
cedures established by the Secretary, in con-
sultation with the Director of the National
Science Foundation.
‘‘(B) ASSURANCES.—In order to receive
funding under this part, an applicant shall pro-
vide adequate assurances that it will contribute
not less than 25 percent of the proposed Acad-
emy’s capital and annual operating and mainte-
nance costs.
‘‘(2) SELECTION.—The Secretary, in conjunc-
tion with the Director of the National Science Foun-
dation, shall subject each application to competitive,
merit review. In making a decision regarding wheth-
er to approve such application and provide funding
under this part, the Secretary shall consider, at a
minimum—
‘‘(A) the merits of the application, particu-
larly those portions of the application regarding
the ability to adapt teacher training in mathe-
matics and science education to the needs of
particular regions;
‘‘(B) the quality of service to be provided;
‘‘(C) the makeup of the groups or institu-
tions applying for such funding;
‘‘(D) the geographical diversity and extent
of the area to be served; and
‘‘(E) the percentage of funding and
amount of in-kind commitment from other
sources.
‘‘(3) EVALUATION.—Each John Glenn Academy
which receives financial assistance under this part
shall be evaluated during its third year of operation
by an evaluation panel appointed by the Secretary.
Each evaluation panel shall measure each Academy’s
performance against the objectives specified in this
section. The panel shall recommend to the Secretary
whether funding should be renewed based on such
evaluation.
‘‘SEC. 15304. FUNCTIONS OF ACADEMIES.
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—John Glenn Academies may
be developed by an institution of higher education in ac-
cordance with this part, and shall be comprised of a con-
sortium of at least 1 institution of higher education, 1
community college, neighboring school districts, business
partners, members of the Eisenhower Math and Science
Consortia, and may include the participation of nonprofit
entities, organizations, or groups thereof.
‘‘(b) OBJECTIVES OF ACADEMIES.—The objective of
the John Glenn Academies is to enhance the teaching of
mathematics and science education through—
‘‘(1) advising elementary and secondary school
administrators, school boards, and teachers regard-
ing professional development opportunities for math-
ematics and science teachers;
‘‘(2) participation of individuals from the pri-
vate sector, institutions of higher education, State
and local governments, and other Federal agencies;
‘‘(3) dissemination of information about profes-
sional development programs for mathematics and
science teachers;
‘‘(4) summer workshops for mathematics and
science teachers as described in subpart 1; and
‘‘(5) intensive training of John Glenn Academy
Fellows, as described in subpart 2, in effective teach-
ing methods in mathematics or science.
‘‘(c) ACTIVITIES OF ACADEMIES.—The activities of
the John Glenn Academies shall include the following:
‘‘(1) INFORMATION
SHARING.—The transfer
and dissemination of research findings and expertise
of participants of John Glenn Academies to local
school authorities, including school administrators,
school boards, and teachers on mathematics and
science education professional development.
‘‘(2) TRAINING.—The ongoing training of
mathematics and science teachers in public elemen-
tary and secondary schools.
‘‘(3) WORKSHOPS.—Summer workshops as de-
scribed in subpart 1.
‘‘(4) ADDITIONAL TRAINING.—The training of
John Glenn fellows as described in subpart 2.
‘‘(5) SUPPORT SERVICES.—Support services to
teachers, administrators, and school board members
as agreed upon by John Glenn Academies represent-
atives and local school authorities.
‘‘(6) SKILL
STANDARDS.—The advising of
teachers, administrators, and school board members
on current skill standards employed by private in-
dustry.
‘‘SEC. 15305. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
‘‘There are authorized to be appropriated such sums
as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001 and for each of
the 4 succeeding fiscal years to carry out the provisions
of this part.
‘‘Subpart 1—John Glenn Academy Summer
Workshops
‘‘SEC. 15311. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.
‘‘From amounts made available to carry out this sub-
part, the Secretary is authorized to make grants to the
15 John Glenn Academies for summer workshops de-
scribed in section 15312.
‘‘SEC. 15312. ALLOWABLE ACTIVITIES.
‘‘Each recipient of funds under section 15311 shall
use the funds for the following:
‘‘(1) The establishment and operation of mathe-
matics and science summer workshops within the
John Glenn Academies that provide professional de-
velopment to elementary and secondary school teach-
ers. Such workshops shall be content-based, based
on school year curricula, and focus only secondarily
on pedagogy.
‘‘(2) To provide teachers with travel expense re-
imbursement, a stipend, or classroom materials re-
lated to attending such a workshop.
‘‘(3) The establishment of a mechanism to pro-
vide supplemental assistance and followup training
during the school year for summer workshop grad-
uates.
‘‘SEC. 15313. REQUIREMENTS FOR JOHN GLENN ACADEMY
SUMMER WORKSHOPS.
‘‘The summer workshops—
‘‘(1) shall use curricula that are object-cen-
tered, 
experiment-oriented, 
content-based, 
and
grounded in current research;
‘‘(2) shall be conducted during a period of a
minimum of 2 weeks;
‘‘(3) shall provide for direct interaction between
students and faculty; and
‘‘(4) shall provide for followup training in the
classroom during the academic year for a period of
a minimum of 3 days, which shall not be required
to be consecutive, except that—
‘‘(A) if the summer workshop is for a pe-
riod of only 2 weeks, the followup training shall
be for a period of more than 3 days; and
‘‘(B) for teachers in rural school districts,
followup training through the Internet may be
used.
‘‘SEC. 15314. CREDIT FOR PARTICIPATION.
‘‘Participation in a John Glenn Academy Summer
Workshop supported under this subpart shall earn credit
toward—
‘‘(1) State continuing education requirements
for teachers; or
‘‘(2) a postbaccalaureate degree program at an
institution of higher education.
‘‘SEC. 15315. APPROPRIATIONS.
‘‘There 
are 
authorized 
to 
be 
appropriated
$1,214,000,000 for fiscal year 2001 and such sums as
may be necessary for the 4 succeeding fiscal years to carry
out the provisions of this subpart.
‘‘Subpart 2—The John Glenn Fellowship Program
‘‘SEC. 15321. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.
‘‘From amounts made available to carry out this sub-
part, the Secretary is authorized to make grants to the
15 John Glenn Academies for a fellowship program de-
signed to train 3,000 mid-career professionals in the effec-
tive teaching of mathematics or science in grades 7
through 12 of public elementary and secondary schools.
‘‘SEC. 15322. ALLOWABLE ACTIVITIES.
‘‘Each recipient of funds under section 15321 shall
use the funds for the following:
‘‘(1) The establishment and operation of an in-
tensive, year-long fellowship program in mathematics
or science within the John Glenn Academies that
provide training and development to become mathe-
matics or science teachers in grades 7 through 12 of
public elementary and secondary schools. Such fel-
lowships shall be content-based and be designed in
a way to get the fellowship graduate certification by
the State for teaching.
‘‘(2) To provide fellowship recipients with a sti-
pend of $30,000, living arrangements for the year,
and classroom materials related to such a program.
‘‘(3) The establishment of a mechanism to pro-
vide supplemental assistance and followup training
during the school year for John Glenn Academy Fel-
lowship graduates.
‘‘SEC. 15323. REQUIREMENTS FOR JOHN GLENN ACADEMY
FELLOWSHIPS.
‘‘The John Glenn Fellowship program—
‘‘(1) shall be conducted during a period of a
minimum of 1 year;
‘‘(2) shall provide for direct interaction between
John Glenn Fellows and current mathematics and
science teachers;
‘‘(3) shall include school-based internships and
supervised teaching; and
‘‘(4) shall provide for followup training in the
classroom during the next 2 academic years for a pe-
riod of a minimum of 2 weeks.
‘‘SEC. 15324. DISTRICT HIRING OF GLENN FELLOWS.
‘‘A school district that hires a John Glenn fellow who
has successfully completed the John Glenn Academy Fel-
lowship program supported under this subpart shall re-
ceive $10,000 in Federal funds to assist in the hiring of
such fellow for a period of 3 academic years.
‘‘SEC. 15325. APPROPRIATIONS.
‘‘There 
are 
authorized 
to 
be 
appropriated
$120,000,000 for fiscal year 2001 and such sums as may
be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years to
carry out the provisions of this subpart.
‘‘PART D—NATIONAL CLEARINGHOUSE OF BEST
PRACTICES
‘‘SEC. 15401. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.
‘‘The Secretary shall establish and operate a National
Clearinghouse of Best Practices to coordinate successful
and proven professional development opportunities for
teachers, collect and disseminate curricular materials, and
undertake other activities to encourage teacher interest
and involvement in professional development, particularly
for mathematics and science teachers of grades 7 through
12.
‘‘SEC. 15402. APPROPRIATIONS.
‘‘There are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000
for fiscal year 2001 and such sums as may be necessary
for each of the 4 succeeding 4 years to carry out the provi-
sions of this part.
‘‘PART E—PROGRAM TO IMPROVE SCIENCE AND
MATHEMATICS EDUCATION
‘‘SEC. 15501. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.
‘‘The purpose of this part is to improve the quality
and focus placed on mathematics and science education,
to help all students increase achievement in these subjects,
and to encourage more students to enter into the fields
of mathematics, science, and technology.
‘‘SEC. 15502. STATE IMPROVEMENT GRANTS.
‘‘The Secretary shall award grants, subject to the
availability of appropriations, to States submitting an ap-
plication in accordance with section 15505 to reform and
improve the quality of mathematics and science education
and to encourage more students to focus their studies on
these areas of education.
‘‘SEC. 15503. ALLOCATION.
From the funds made available under section 15510,
the Secretary shall allot to each State an amount which
bears the same ratio to the amount of such made available
as the school-age population of the State bears to the
school-age population of all States.
‘‘SEC. 15504. MATCHING FUND BY STATE.
‘‘In order to receive funding under this part, a State
shall provide assurances that it will provide non-Federal
funds of not less than 50 percent of the cost of providing
a program under this part.
‘‘SEC. 15505. APPLICATION.
‘‘The State shall submit the application to the Sec-
retary at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary may reasonably require.