SEEK Math and Science Act

Bill: 109-s-2423
Sponsor: Sen. Santorum, Rick [R-PA]
Introduced: 2006-03-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance
Commerce
Congress
Congressional investigations
Congressional reporting requirements
Curricula
Distance education
Economics and Public Finance
Elementary and secondary education
Employee training
Engineering
Engineers
Federal aid to education
Finance and Financial Sector
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Graduate education
High technology
Higher education
Income tax
Infrastructure
Interest
Labor and Employment
Life sciences
Mathematics
Scholarships
Science, Technology, Communications
Scientific education
Student loan funds
Tax credits
Taxation
Teacher education
Teacher salaries
Teacher supply and demand
Technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2006-03-15
text: 
Securing Excellence in Education for Our Kids in Math and Science Act of 2006, or the SEEK Math and Science Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to institutions of higher education for the development and implementation of part-time master's degree scholarship programs for middle and secondary school science or mathematics teachers which can be completed within two years.
 
Authorizes the Secretary also to award competitive grants to states for scholarships to students pursuing undergraduate degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics while earning certification, and agreeing, to teach elementary or secondary science or mathematics at a public school for five years.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to award signing and retention bonuses to individuals who have science or mathematics degrees and agree to teach such subjects at needy public elementary or secondary schools for five years, or who agree to an additional five years of such service.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive grants to: (1) state and local educational agencies (LEAs) to increase the enrollment of secondary school students in science and mathematics Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and facilitate AP distance learning in such courses for rural students; and (2) up to five LEAs and up to 10 states for pilot programs establishing a differentiated compensation system for middle and secondary school science and mathematics teachers that is based primarily on improvements in student performance.
 
Directs the Comptroller General to report to the Congress on the effectiveness of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education programs.
 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide income tax credits to employers for: (1) the postsecondary training of employees to maintain or improve required mathematics, science, and technology skills; and (2) the costs of allowing teacher employees to teach elementary or secondary school mathematics or science.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a public awareness campaign encouraging elementary and secondary school students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers.
 
Directs the Secretary to assume the student loan interest obligations of selected elementary or secondary school science or mathematics teachers, or mathematics, science, or engineering professionals who agree to serve in such positions for five years.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-03-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2006-03-15
text: Introduced in Senate