II
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 639
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 15, 2007
Mr. Pryor introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
A BILL
To establish digital and wireless networks to advance online higher education opportunities for minority students.
Short title
This Act may be cited as
the ED 1.0
Act
.
Findings
Congress makes the following findings:
Access to technology can improve grade and test averages, graduation rates, and retention rates, in addition to increasing the number of graduates in science and technology disciplines.
Minority-serving institutions historically have an important role in reaching an underserved population, and minority-serving institutions in economically disadvantaged areas face particular hardships in acquiring funds to sustain and expand their technological resources.
Low-income areas are technologically underserved.
Congress and the technological community should do all they can to find new and creative ways to bridge the current technology gap.
Definitions
In this Act:
Administrator
The term Administrator means the Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
Eligible educational institution
The term eligible educational institution means an institution that is—
a historically Black college or university;
a Hispanic-serving institution as that term is defined in section 502(a)(5) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)(5));
a tribally controlled college or university as that term is defined in section 2(a)(4) of the Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 1801(a)(4));
an Alaska Native-serving institution as that term is defined in section 317(b)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059d(b)(2)); or
a Native Hawaiian-serving institution as that term is defined in section 317(b)(4) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059d(b)(4)).
Historically Black college or university
The term historically Black college or university means a part B institution as that term is defined in section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)).
Minority online degree pilot program
Pilot program established
In general
There is established within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration a pilot program under which the Administrator shall award 4 grants to eligible educational institutions to enable the eligible educational institutions to develop digital and wireless networks for online educational programs of study within the eligible educational institutions.
Grant number, duration, and amount
Number
The Administrator shall award a total of 4 grants under this section.
Duration
Each grant under this section shall be awarded for a period of 6 years.
Annual grant payment amounts
The Administrator shall make grant payments under this section in the amount of—
$1,000,000 for the first fiscal year of a grant awarded under this section;
$600,000 for each of the second through fifth such fiscal years; and
$100,000 for the sixth such fiscal year.
Priority
In general
In awarding grants under this section the Administrator shall give priority to an eligible educational institution that, according to the most recent data available (including data available from the Bureau of the Census), serves a county—
in which 50 percent of the residents of the county are members of a racial or ethnic minority;
in which less than 18 percent of the residents of the county have obtained a baccalaureate degree or a higher education;
that has an unemployment rate of 7 percent or greater;
in which 19 percent or more of the residents of the county live in poverty;
that has a negative population growth rate; or
that has a median family income of $32,000.
Highest priority
In awarding grants under this section the Administrator shall give the highest priority to an eligible educational institution that meets the greatest number of requirements described in subparagraphs (A) through (F) of paragraph (1).
Use of funds
An eligible educational institution receiving a grant under this section may use the grant funds—
to acquire equipment, instrumentation, networking capability, hardware, software, digital network technology, wireless technology, or wireless infrastructure;
to develop and provide educational services, including faculty development; or
to develop strategic plans for information technology investments.
Matching Not required
The Administrator shall not require an eligible educational institution to provide matching funds for a grant awarded under this section.
Report
Not later than November 1 of each year, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, a report evaluating the progress, during the preceding fiscal year, of the pilot program assisted under this section.
Authorization of appropriations
In general
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—
$4,500,000 for fiscal year 2008;
$2,400,000 for each of the fiscal years 2009 through 2012; and
$500,000 for fiscal year 2013.
Availability
Funds appropriated under paragraph (1) shall remain available until expended.
Limitation on use of other funds
The Administrator shall carry out this section only with amounts appropriated in advance specifically to carry out this section.