S 619
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 619
To assist coordination among science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics efforts in the States, to strengthen the capacity of
elementary schools, middle schools, and secondary schools to prepare
students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and for
other purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 17, 2011
Mr. UDALL of New Mexico introduced the following bill; which was read
twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions
A BILL
To assist coordination among science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics efforts in the States, to strengthen the capacity of
elementary schools, middle schools, and secondary schools to prepare
students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `STEM Support for Teachers in Education
and Mentoring (STEM) Act' or the `STEM 2 Act'.
SEC. 2. STEM EDUCATION PLANNING AND TRAINING.
(a) In General- Title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6601 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
`PART E--STEM EDUCATION PLANNING AND TRAINING
`SEC. 2501. DEFINITIONS.
`(1) INDIAN TRIBE; TRIBAL ORGANIZATION- The terms `Indian tribe' and
`tribal organization' have the meanings given those terms in section
4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.
`(2) STEM- The term `STEM' means science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics.
`SEC. 2502. PLANNING GRANTS.
`(a) Purpose- The purpose of this section is to address the lack of
coordination among STEM education efforts in the States.
`(b) Definition of Eligible Entity- In this section, the term `eligible
entity' means a State, Indian tribe, tribal organization, nonprofit
organization, or institution of higher education.
`(c) Grants Authorized- From amounts made available to carry out this
section, the Secretary shall carry out a program of awarding, on a competitive
basis, planning grants to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities
to--
`(1) develop effective State or tribal STEM networks for communication
and collaboration that include school teachers, institutions of higher
education, nonprofit organizations, businesses, Federal, State, and
local governments, and any other relevant entities; and
`(2) through such State STEM networks, identify future STEM skills
needed for STEM and non-STEM occupations.
`(d) Application- An eligible entity desiring a grant under this section
shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner,
and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
`(1) REPORTS TO THE SECRETARY- An eligible entity receiving a grant
under this section shall submit to the Secretary an annual report
describing the progress made on the grant.
`(2) REPORTS TO CONGRESS- Not later than 3 years after the date of
enactment of the STEM Support for Teachers in Education and Mentoring
(STEM) Act, and every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit
a report to Congress regarding the program supported under this section.
`SEC. 2503. TRAINING PROGRAM GRANTS.
`(a) Purpose- The purpose of this section is to strengthen the capacity
of teachers, elementary schools, middle schools, and secondary schools
to inspire and prepare students for STEM careers and build STEM literacy.
`(b) Definition of Eligible Entity- In this section, the term `eligible
entity' means a State, Indian tribe, tribal organization, local educational
agency, institution of higher education, or nonprofit organization.
`(1) IN GENERAL- From amounts made available to carry out this section,
the Secretary shall carry out a program of awarding grants, on a competitive
basis, to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to develop,
carry out, and evaluate training programs for STEM education in elementary
schools, middle schools, and secondary schools.
`(2) PROPORTIONALITY- To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall,
in awarding grants under this section, ensure an equitable distribution
between eligible entities serving urban areas and eligible entities
serving rural areas.
`(d) Application- An eligible entity desiring a grant under this section
shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner,
and containing such information as the Secretary may require. Such application
shall include--
`(1) a description of how the eligible entity will monitor and evaluate
the effectiveness of the training program, including how the eligible
entity plans to measure the impact of the training on teachers who
attended the training after the teachers return to the classroom;
and
`(2) any other information the Secretary determines appropriate.
`(e) Use of Funds- An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section
shall use grant funds to carry out a training program, using best practice
models and through summer institutes or other professional development
enrichment programs, that provides professional development regarding
STEM education to STEM teachers (including STEM teachers who are master
teachers or have otherwise demonstrated mastery of STEM teaching) and
administrators who are currently employed as teachers and administrators,
respectively, as of the time of the program.
`(1) REPORTS TO THE SECRETARY- An eligible entity receiving a grant
under this section shall submit to the Secretary an annual report
that describes the progress made on the grant and includes the results
from the evaluation described in the application under subsection
(d).
`(2) REPORTS TO CONGRESS- Not later than 3 years after the date of
enactment of this part, and every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary
shall submit a report to Congress regarding the program supported
under this section.
`SEC. 2504. NATIONAL PANEL.
`(a) In General- The Secretary shall establish a national panel to review,
evaluate, and identify--
`(1) rigorous kindergarten through grade 12 STEM curricula models,
including computer or web-based simulation education programs and
kinesthetic learning; and
`(2) best practices with respect to STEM curricula.
`(b) Members- The Secretary shall determine the membership of the national
panel described in subsection (a), which shall be comprised of individuals
who have the wisdom and experience to identify and recommend the most
effective STEM curricula models, such as--
`(1) representatives of technology industries and business;
`(2) teachers and school administrators;
`(3) representatives of nonprofit organizations and community organizations;
`(4) faculty members of institutions of higher education;
`(5) research specialists and curricula specialists;
`(6) at least 1 rural education expert; and
`(7) other individuals, as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
`(c) Reports- The panel shall prepare reports and recommendations regarding
the panel's findings as requested by the Secretary.
`SEC. 2505. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
`There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part such
sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2011 and each of the 5 succeeding
fiscal years.'.
(b) Table of Contents- The table of contents in section 2 of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 2441 the following:
`Part E--STEM Education Planning and Training
`Sec. 2502. Planning grants.
`Sec. 2503. Training program grants.
`Sec. 2504. National panel.
`Sec. 2505. Authorization of appropriations.'.
END
