Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science Education Act of 2004

Bill: 108-hr-4030
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Nick [R-MI-7]
Introduced: 2004-03-25 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Academic performance
Advertising
Awards, medals, prizes
Career education
Commemorations
Commerce
Community and school
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Congressional tributes
Corporate philanthropy
Data banks
Disabled
Education
Educational innovations
Elementary and secondary education
Elementary education
Engineering
Engineers
Families
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Infrastructure
Job creation
Labor and Employment
Mathematics
Minorities
Minority education
Parent-school relationships
Public-private partnerships
Scientific education
Scientists
Secondary education
Special education
Standard of living
Technical education
Women
Women's education

Summary:
action_date: 2004-03-25
text: 
Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science Education Act of 2004 - Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to establish a Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science Education program.
 
Requires the Director to name as finalists for medals annually up to: (1) 20 private entities with more than 500 employees; and (2) 20 private entities with 500 or fewer employees.
 
Requires the Director to award medals annually from among such finalists up to: (1) five private entities with more than 500 employees; and (2) five private entities with 500 or fewer employees.
 
Makes eligible for such a medal any private entity that has, whether working alone or in partnership with for-profit or nonprofit entities, for at least two years assisted students, teachers, administrators, or other support staff in at least one elementary or secondary school to improve student achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a school or community.

action_date: 2004-04-20
text: 
Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science Education Act of 2004 - (Sec. 3) Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science Education program.
 
(Sec. 4) Requires the Director to annually name as finalists for medals up to: (1) 20 private entities with more than 500 employees; and (2) 20 private entities with 500 or fewer employees.
 
Requires the Director to annually award medals from among such finalists up to: (1) five private entities with more than 500 employees; and (2) five private entities with 500 or fewer employees.
 
Requires the Director to distribute information about the Medal recipients in a timely and efficient manner (including through the use of a searchable online database) to schools, institutions of higher education, educators, parents, administrators, policy-makers, researchers, public and private entities, and the general public. Allows any entity that is a finalist or receives a medal under this section to use such information for advertising and other publicity purposes.
 
(Sec. 5) Limits eligibility for such a medal to private entities that have: (1) whether alone or in partnership 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) been involved in such activities in a sustained manner for at least two years with at least one elementary or secondary school.
 
(Sec. 6) Requires the Director to establish a system for accepting applications from entities seeking to be considered for a medal under this Act. Directs that applications include at least two letters of support, which: (1) may come from teachers, professional support staff, administrators, professional or business organizations, local, county, or State Departments of Education, or any other category of persons as designated by the Director; and (2) shall describe the reasons the entity deserves the medal.
 
(Sec. 7) Requires the Director, in selecting entities to receive medals under this Act, to give priority consideration to evidence of improved achievement in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics by students, including improved achievement by women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.
 
Directs the Director to also consider evidence of: (1) innovative approaches to increase interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by students, including women, minorities, and persons with disabilities, one measure of which may be an increase in the number of students enrolled in advanced courses related to such fields; (2) employee interaction with students or teachers to support and improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics learning; (3) success in positively influencing student attitudes and promoting education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; (4) successful outreach to students, parents, and the community regarding the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education to the Nation's prosperity, job creation, and standard of living, as well as future earning potential for the individual; and (5) strong and sustained commitment to the students and schools.
 
(Sec. 8) Amends the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act to change the deadline for submission to Congress of the NSF report on women and minorities in science and engineering from even-numbered to odd-numbered years.
 
(Sec. 9) Authorizes appropriations to NSF.

action_date: 2004-04-21
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on April 20, 2004. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science Education Act of 2004 - (Sec. 3) Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science Education program.
 
(Sec. 4) Requires the Director to annually name as finalists for medals up to: (1) 20 private entities with more than 500 employees; and (2) 20 private entities with 500 or fewer employees.
 
Requires the Director to annually award medals from among such finalists up to: (1) five private entities with more than 500 employees; and (2) five private entities with 500 or fewer employees.
 
Requires the Director to distribute information about the Medal recipients in a timely and efficient manner (including through the use of a searchable online database) to schools, institutions of higher education, educators, parents, administrators, policy-makers, researchers, public and private entities, and the general public. Allows any entity that is a finalist or receives a medal under this section to use such information for advertising and other publicity purposes.
 
(Sec. 5) Limits eligibility for such a medal to private entities that have: (1) whether alone or in partnership 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) been involved in such activities in a sustained manner for at least two years with at least one elementary or secondary school.
 
(Sec. 6) Requires the Director to establish a system for accepting applications from entities seeking to be considered for a medal under this Act. Directs that applications include at least two letters of support, which: (1) may come from teachers, professional support staff, administrators, professional or business organizations, local, county, or State Departments of Education, or any other category of persons as designated by the Director; and (2) shall describe the reasons the entity deserves the medal.
 
(Sec. 7) Requires the Director, in selecting entities to receive medals under this Act, to give priority consideration to evidence of improved achievement in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics by students, including improved achievement by women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.
 
Directs the Director to also consider evidence of: (1) innovative approaches to increase interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by students, including women, minorities, and persons with disabilities, one measure of which may be an increase in the number of students enrolled in advanced courses related to such fields; (2) employee interaction with students or teachers to support and improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics learning; (3) success in positively influencing student attitudes and promoting education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; (4) successful outreach to students, parents, and the community regarding the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education to the Nation's prosperity, job creation, and standard of living, as well as future earning potential for the individual; and (5) strong and sustained commitment to the students and schools.
 
(Sec. 8) Amends the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act to change the deadline for submission to Congress of the NSF report on women and minorities in science and engineering from even-numbered to odd-numbered years.
 
(Sec. 9) Authorizes appropriations to NSF.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-04-22
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2004-04-21
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2004-04-21
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 411 - 7 (Roll no. 122). (text: CR H2209)
action_date: 2004-04-21
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 411 - 7 (Roll no. 122).(text: CR H2209)
action_date: 2004-04-21
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2224-2225)
action_date: 2004-04-21
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2004-04-21
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4030.
action_date: 2004-04-21
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2209-2211)
action_date: 2004-04-21
text: Mr. Smith (MI) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2004-04-20
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 269.
action_date: 2004-04-20
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science. H. Rept. 108-465.
action_date: 2004-04-20
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science. H. Rept. 108-465.
action_date: 2004-04-01
text: Mr. Boehlert asked unanimous consent that the Committee on Science, Space and Technology have until 5:00 p.m. on April 14 to file a report on H.R. 4030. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2004-03-31
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2004-03-31
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2004-03-30
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2004-03-30
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2004-03-30
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2004-03-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Research.
action_date: 2004-03-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science.
action_date: 2004-03-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-03-25
text: Introduced in House