INSPIRES Act

Bill: 115-s-3589
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2018-10-11
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Congressional oversight

Educational facilities and institutions

Educational technology and distance education

Elementary and secondary education

Energy efficiency and conservation

Indian social and development programs

Rural conditions and development

Science and engineering education

Vocational and technical education
Latest action: action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Summaries:
action_date: 2018-10-11
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Inspiring New STEM Professionals by Investing in Renovation of Education Spaces Act or the INSPIRES Act</b></p> <p>This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Department of Education to establish grant programs: (1) for the modernization, renovation, or repair of career- and technical-education facilities; and (2) to enable secondary schools that are located in rural areas or that serve Native American students to improve facilities that provide science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)&nbsp;education and to&nbsp;support high-speed Internet in STEM facilities.</p>

tv_txt: II 115th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3589 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES October 11, 2018 Mr. Schatz introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 by establishing a program to support the modernization, renovation, or repair of career and technical education facilities, and to enable schools serving grades 6 through 12 that are located in rural areas or that serve Native American students to remodel or build new facilities to provide STEM classrooms and laboratories and support high-speed internet, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Inspiring New STEM Professionals by Investing in Renovation of Education Spaces Act or the INSPIRES Act . 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Technological advancement has increased the types of jobs available now and for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, employers will be looking to fill an estimated 2,600,000 openings for the top 10 occupations in the collective fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (referred to in this section as STEM ). STEM jobs pay well; STEM workers earn an average of $14,000 per year more than non-STEM workers at every education level. However, projections suggest that the United States won’t have enough skilled workers to fill STEM jobs. (2) STEM skills and knowledge are now required in a wide range of occupations, including many that are not traditionally considered to be science or engineering-related, such as sustainable agriculture, management of natural resources, and health care. Because of the growing use of STEM skills across all job sectors, the distinction between a “rural” as compared to an “urban” job is blurring. For instance, renewable energy development and bio-based product manufacturing employ workers in a variety of areas of the United States. Known as the “new collar” economy, the phenomenal growth in job opportunities for those who are prepared will also support the growth of communities; places to raise families and invest in the future. (3) In the middle grades, students begin to demonstrate formal logical operations (critical thinking). Further, middle school students have been shown to be highly susceptible to developing opinions about their competence and interest in STEM learning. Research has also shown that interest in mathematics and science declines during the middle school years. While students in any grade level can benefit from STEM education, the evidence points to ensuring quality STEM education for middle school students. Good STEM experiences in middle school will lead to positive attitudes toward and expectations of STEM experiences in high school. (4) Native American communities, including American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian populations, have a long history of discrimination and poverty and have higher high school drop out rates than other underserved groups. In assessments of mathematics and reading throughout elementary and secondary school grades, American Indian and Alaska Native children score lower in mathematics and reading proficiency as compared to other groups. Only 28 percent of Native Hawaiians students in Hawaii demonstrate mathematics proficiency as compared with 49 percent of non-Native Hawaiian students. In reading, 34.8 percent of Native Hawaiian students tested proficient compared to 54.3 percent of non-Native Hawaiian students. These underserved and socially disadvantaged groups require support and motivation to achieve success in their education. (5) To meet the challenge of educating youth to fulfill the demand for STEM workers, public schools in the United States must be equipped to educate all youth in STEM skills, especially youth who are underserved or socially disadvantaged. (6) The median age of United States schools is 65 years. Nearly 50 percent of school buildings in the United States need significant repairs or upgrades, including clean and safe classrooms and laboratory spaces, up-to-date technology, and broad­band. Moreover, the condition of school facilities has a measurable effect on student achievement. (7) For all of these reasons, the future workforce of the United States needs safe, clean, well-equipped school facilities where, regardless of historic or current disadvantages, students can reach their full potential and learn the knowledge and skills that place students on a secure pathway to enhance the capacity of the United States to compete globally. 3. STEM education facilities; career and technical education facilities (a) Career and technical education facilities Title V of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7241 et seq.) is amended— (1) by redesignating part C as part E; (2) by redesignating sections 5301 and 5302 as sections 5501 and 5502, respectively; and (3) by inserting after part B the following: C STEM education facilities 5301. Definitions In this part: (1) Eligible school The term eligible school means a public school that— (A) serves students in any of grades 6 through 12; and (B) (i) is located— (I) in a rural area, as defined in section 25.503 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations; (II) on or near trust land, as defined in section 3765 of title 38, United States Code; (III) on or near a substantially underserved trust area, as defined in section 306F of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 ( 7 U.S.C. 936f ); or (IV) in an eligible community, as defined in section 1456 of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300j–16 ); or (ii) is determined by an Indian tribe or tribal organization to serve Native American students. (2) Indian tribe The term Indian tribe has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ( 25 U.S.C. 5304 ). (3) Native American The term Native American has the meaning given the term in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3002 ). (4) Qualified project The term qualified project means— (A) the modernization, renovation, or repair of facilities to provide STEM classrooms or laboratories, including updates related to student and faculty health and safety; (B) building new facilities to provide STEM classrooms or laboratories; or (C) supporting the establishment and maintenance of high-speed internet for a STEM classroom or laboratory. (5) STEM The term STEM means the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and related fields. (6) Tribal organization The term tribal organization has the meaning given the term in section 658P of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 9858n ). 5302. STEM education facilities improvement (a) Program authorized (1) In General The Secretary shall carry out a program to improve STEM education facilities by awarding grants to States to enable those States to award subgrants to local educational agencies to carry out qualified projects at eligible schools. (2) Reservation of Funds From amounts made available to carry out this section, the Secretary shall reserve 10 percent for Indian tribes and tribal organizations to enable Indian tribes and tribal organizations to carry out qualified projects at eligible schools. (b) Allocation From amounts appropriated to carry out this part for each fiscal year and not reserved under subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall allot to each State that has an application approved under this section an amount that bears the same relationship as the number of schools in the State that are rural schools designated with a locale code of 41, 42, or 43, as determined by the Secretary, bears to the number of all such schools in the United States for that fiscal year. (c) Application (1) Grant application for States A State that desires to receive a grant under this part shall submit an application to the Secretary at such a time, in such a manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. Such information shall include, at a minimum— (A) a description of the process that the State will use in selecting and awarding subgrants to local educational agencies; and (B) an assurance that such process will meet the requirements described in paragraph (2). (2) Subgrant application for LEAs A State that receives a grant under this section shall require a local educational agency that desires a subgrant to submit an application that contains, at a minimum, the following information: (A) A detailed description of the qualified projects that the local educational agency will carry out with subgrant funds. (B) A description of the need for those qualified projects. (C) A description of how the local educational agency will ensure that the qualified projects will be adequately maintained. (D) An identification of the eligible schools that will benefit from the qualified projects. (E) A description of how the facilities or internet supported by the qualified project will be used for providing educational services in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. (3) Grant application for Indian tribes or tribal organizations An Indian tribe or tribal organization desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require. (d) Environmental standards The Secretary shall encourage, but not require, local educational agencies, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations to ensure that the modernization, renovation, repair, or building supported by the qualified project meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building rating standards, Energy Star standards, Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) criteria, Green Building Initiative environmental design and rating standards (Green Globes), the Living Building Challenge certification standards, or equivalent standards adopted by entities with jurisdiction over or related to the local educational agency or Indian tribe or tribal organization. (e) Matching funds (1) States A state that receives a grant under subsection (a)(1) shall provide, from non-Federal sources, an amount equal to 25 percent of the amount of the grant (which may be provided in cash or in-kind) to carry out activities supported by the grant. (2) L EA s A local educational agency that receives a subgrant under subsection (a)(1) shall provide, from non-Federal sources, an amount equal to 25 percent of the amount of the subgrant (which may be provided in cash or in-kind) to carry out activities supported by the subgrant. (3) Indian tribes and tribal organizations An Indian tribe or tribal organization that receives a grant under subsection (a)(2) shall provide, from Federal or non-Federal sources, an amount equal to 25 percent of the amount of the grant (which may be provided in cash or in-kind) to carry out activities supported by the grant. (4) Suggested sources of matching funds for Indian tribes and tribal organizations An Indian tribe or tribal organization that receives a grant under this section may provide matching funds through any of the following Federal programs, or through another source: (A) The Tribal College and University essential community facilities program established under section 306(a)(25) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act ( 7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(25) ). (B) The Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native serving institutions education grants program established under section 1419B of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 ( 7 U.S.C. 3156 ). (C) The Impact Aid program established under title VII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.). (D) The Bureau of Indian Affairs Facilities Improvement and Repair program. (E) The Bureau of Indian Affairs Replacement School Construction program. (f) Supplement not supplant Funds made available under this part shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, other Federal and State funds available to carry out the activities supported under this part. (g) Technical assistance and administrative costs The Secretary may reserve not more than 3 percent of funds appropriated to carry out this part for the administrative costs of this part and to provide technical assistance to States, local educational agencies, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations concerning best practices in carrying out qualified projects. (h) Reporting requirements Not later than 1 year after funds are appropriated to carry out this part, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the effect of the qualified projects supported under this part on improving academic achievement. (i) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part not less than $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2018 and each succeeding fiscal year. . D Career and technical education facilities 5401. Definitions In this part: (1) Career and technical education The term career and technical education has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 ( 20 U.S.C. 2302 ). (2) Junior or community college The term junior or community college includes— (A) a junior or community college, as that term is defined in section 312(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1058(f) ); (B) an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of such Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 )) that awards a significant number of degrees and certificates, as determined by the Secretary, that are not— (i) baccalaureate degrees (or an equivalent); or (ii) masters, professional, or other advanced degrees; and (C) an institution of higher education described in section 101(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001(b) ) that provides programs that are not more than 2 years. (3) Eligible entity The term eligible entity means— (A) an eligible institution; (B) a junior or community college; (C) a local educational agency; (D) an Indian tribe; (E) a tribal organization; or (F) another entity determined appropriate by the Secretary. (4) Eligible Institution The term eligible institution means any of the following: (A) An Alaska Native-serving institution or a Native Hawaiian-serving institution (as defined in section 317 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1059d )), a Native American-serving, nontribal institution (as defined in section 319 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1059f )), or an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution (as defined in section 320 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1059g )). (B) A Tribal College or University, as defined in section 316 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1059c ). (C) A 1890 Institution, as defined in section 2 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 ( 7 U.S.C. 7601 ). (D) A 1994 Institution, as defined in section 2 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 ( 7 U.S.C. 7601 ). (E) A Hispanic-serving agricultural college or university, as defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 ( 7 U.S.C. 3103 ). (5) Indian tribe The term Indian tribe has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ( 25 U.S.C. 5304 ). (6) Qualified project The term qualified project — (A) means the modernization, renovation, or repair of a facility that will be used to improve the quality and availability of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or career and technical education instruction to students, and that may include— (i) improving the energy efficiency of the facility; (ii) improving the cost-effectiveness of the facility in delivering quality education; (iii) improving student, faculty, and staff health and safety at the facility; (iv) improving, installing, or upgrading educational technology infrastructure; (v) retrofitting an existing building for career and technical education purposes; and (vi) a one-time repair of serviceable equipment at the facility, or replacement of equipment at the facility that is at the end of its serviceable lifespan, that will be used to further educational outcomes; and (B) does not include new construction or the payment of routine maintenance costs. (7) Tribal organization The term tribal organization has the meaning given the term in section 658P of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 9858n ). 5402. Career and technical education facilities improvement (a) Program authorized From amounts appropriated to carry out this part, the Secretary shall carry out a program to improve career and technical education facilities by— (1) awarding grants to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to carry out qualified projects; (2) guaranteeing loans made to eligible entities for qualified projects; or (3) making payments of interest on bonds, loans, or other financial instruments (other than a refinancing) that are issued to eligible entities for qualified projects. (b) Application An eligible entity that desires to receive a grant, loan guarantee, or payment of interest under this part shall submit an application to the Secretary at such a time, in such a manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. The application shall include— (1) a detailed description of the qualified project; (2) in the case of a qualified project described in section 5401(6)(A)(vi), a description of the educational outcomes to be furthered by the one-time repair of serviceable equipment or replacement of equipment; (3) an indication as to whether the eligible entity prefers to receive a grant, loan guarantee, or payment of interest; (4) a description of the need for the qualified project; (5) a description of how the eligible entity will ensure that the qualified project will be adequately maintained; (6) a description of how the qualified project will improve instruction and educational outcomes at the facility, including any opportunities to integrate project activities within the curriculum of a school or institution; (7) a description of how the facility supported by the qualified project will be used for providing educational services in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or career and technical education; (8) a description of how the eligible entity will describe how the modernization, renovation, or repair supported by the qualified project meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building rating standards, Energy Star standards, Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) criteria, Green Building Initiative environmental design and rating standards (Green Globes), the Living Building Challenge certification standards, or equivalent standards adopted by entities with jurisdiction over or related to the eligible entity; (9) a description of the fiscal capacity of the eligible entity; (10) the percentage of students enrolled in the eligible entity or a school or institution served by the eligible entity to be served by the qualified project who are from low-income families; (11) in the case of a qualified project at a facility that is used by students in a secondary school, the secondary school graduation rates; and (12) such additional information and assurances as the Secretary may require. (c) Supplement not supplant Funds made available under this part shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, other Federal and State funds available to carry out the activities supported under this part. (d) Technical assistance and administrative costs The Secretary may reserve not more than 3 percent of funds appropriated under subsection (g) for the administrative costs of this part and to provide technical assistance to eligible entities concerning best practices in school facility renovation, repair, and modernization. (e) Reporting requirements Not later than 1 year after funds are appropriated to carry out this part, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the effect of the qualified projects supported under this part on improving academic achievement. (f) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part not less than $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2018 and each succeeding fiscal year. . (b) Conforming amendments The table of contents in section 2 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 is amended— (1) by redesignating the item relating to part C of title V as part E of title V; (2) by redesignating the items relating to sections 5301 and 5302 as 5501 and 5502, respectively; and (3) by inserting before the item relating to part E of title V, as so redesignated, the following: Part C—STEM Education Facilities Sec. 5301. Definitions. Sec. 5302. STEM education facilities improvement. Part D—Career and Technical Education Facilities Sec. 5401. Definitions. Sec. 5402. Career and technical facilities improvement. .