H.R. 3950

Improving Mathematics and Science Teacher Quality Act

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I

111th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3950

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 28, 2009

Mr. Ehlers (for himself, Ms. Matsui, and Mr. Bartlett) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor

A BILL

To amend provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 relating to mathematics and science instruction.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Improving Mathematics and Science Teacher Quality Act.

2.

Partnerships for Mathematics and Science Teacher Quality Improvement

(a)

Subpart heading

The heading for part B of title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 is amended to read as follows:

B

Partnerships for Mathematics and Science Teacher Quality Improvement

.

(b)

Purpose; definitions

(1)

Purpose

Subsection (a) of section 2201 such Act (20 U.S.C. 2201(a)) is amended—

(A)

in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting businesses, informal science education centers, after higher education,;

(B)

in paragraph (3), by inserting and informal science education centers after higher education;

(C)

at the end of paragraph (4), by striking and;

(D)

at the end of paragraph (5), by striking the period and inserting ; and; and

(E)

by adding at the end the following:

(6)

replicate and apply the effectiveness of model mathematics and science professional development programs on a broader level.

.

(2)

Definitions

Subsection (b) of such section is amended—

(A)

in paragraph (1)(A)—

(i)

in clause (ii), by striking and at the end;

(ii)

by striking clause (i) and redesignating clause (ii) as clause (i);

(iii)

by inserting after clause (i) (as so redesignated) the following:

(ii)

a teacher training department of an institution of higher education; and

.

(B)

in paragraph (1)(B)(i), by striking science, or teacher training and inserting or science;

(C)

in paragraph (1)(B)(iii), before the semicolon insert or a consortium of businesses;

(D)

in paragraph (1)(B)(iv), after organization insert , including an informal science education center,; and

(E)

by adding at the end the following:

(3)

Mathematics and science teacher

The term ‘mathematics and science teacher’ means a mathematics, science, or technology teacher at the elementary school or secondary school level.

(4)

Science

The term ‘science’, in the context of elementary and secondary education, includes technology and pre-engineering.

.

3.

Grants for partnerships for mathematics and science teacher quality improvement

(a)

Section heading

The section heading for section 2202 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6662) is amended to read as follows:

2202.

Grants for partnerships for mathematics and science teacher quality improvement

.

(b)

Grants

Subsection (a) of such section is amended—

(1)

by striking paragraph (1) and redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) as paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), respectively; and

(2)

in paragraph (1) (as so redesignated)—

(A)

by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows:

(A)

In general

The Secretary is authorized to award grants to State educational agencies to enable such agencies to award subgrants, on a competitive basis, to eligible partnerships to carry out the authorized activities described in subsection (d).

; and

(B)

by striking subparagraph (A)(i) in subparagraph (B) and inserting subsection (f)(3).

(c)

Application requirements

Subsection (b) of such section is amended—

(1)

by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:

(1)

In general

Each eligible partnership desiring a subgrant under this part shall submit an application to the State educational agency, at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the State educational agency may require.

;

(2)

by amending paragraph (2)(C) to read as follows:

(C)

a description of how the activities to be carried out by the eligible partnership will be based on a review of scientifically based research or modeled after programs identified by the Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the National Science Foundation, to be replicated on a more expansive basis, and an explanation of how the activities are expected to improve student academic achievement and strengthen the quality of mathematics and science instruction;

; and

(3)

in paragraph (2)(D)—

(A)

by striking subsection (c) in clause (i) and inserting subsection (d); and

(B)

by striking subsection (e) in clause (ii) and inserting subsection (f).

(d)

Priority

Such section 2202 is amended by redesignating subsections (c), (d), (e), and (f) as subsections (d), (e), (f), and (g), respectively, and by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection:

(c)

Priority

In awarding grants under this part, a State educational agency shall give priority to eligible partnerships that carry out activities modeled after programs identified by the Secretary, in consultation and coordination with the Director of the National Science Foundation, to be replicated on a more expansive basis.

.

(e)

Authorized activities

Subsection (d) of such section (as so redesignated) is amended—

(1)

by inserting before the period at the end of paragraph (1) the following: , including activities to replicate model math and science professional development programs;

(2)

by striking paragraphs (4), (5), and (10) and redesignating paragraphs (6), (7), (8), and (9) as paragraphs (4), (5), (6), and (7), respectively; and

(3)

in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated), by inserting , such as an exemplary teacher (as defined in section 9109) or a building leader after teacher .

(f)

National Science Foundation

Subsection (e)(2) of such section (as so redesignated) is amended to read as follows:

(2)

National Science Foundation

In carrying out the activities authorized by this part, the Secretary shall—

(A)

consult and coordinate with the Director of the National Science Foundation, particularly with respect to the appropriate roles for the Department and the Foundation in the conduct of summer workshops, institutes, or partnerships to improve mathematics and science teaching in elementary schools and secondary schools;

(B)

collaborate with the Director of the National Science Foundation to make widely available, including through dissemination on the Internet and to all State educational agencies and other recipients of funds under this part, information on model programs identified by the Director of the National Science Foundation to be replicated on a more expansive basis; and

(C)

in collaboration with the Director of the National Science Foundation, hold an annual summit with partnership grantees from this part and from the National Science Foundation’s Mathematics and Science Partnership program to review the progress and results of awarded grants.

.

(g)

Evaluation and accountability plan

Subsection (f) of such section (as so redesignated) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1), by striking an evaluation and inserting a scientifically valid and rigorous evaluation; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

(3)

Training and technical assistance

The Secretary shall reserve one-half of one percent of the funding authorized under this part to provide training and technical assistance to eligible partnerships in conducting a scientifically valid and rigorous evaluation to measure the impact of activities funded under this part.

.

(h)

Report

Subsection (g) of such section (as so redesignated) is amended—

(1)

by striking subsection (e) and inserting subsection (f); and

(2)

by adding at the end the following: The Secretary shall place this report on the Department’s Web site..

4.

Authorization of appropriations

(a)

Grants to States, local educational agencies, and eligible partnerships

Subsection (a) of section 2103 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6603) is amended to read as follows:

(a)

Grants to States, local educational agencies, and eligible partnerships

(1)

In general

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part (other than subpart 5) and part B such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2010 and for each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years.

(2)

Reservation

From the funds appropriated under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall reserve not less than 15 nor more than 20 percent to carry out part B.

.

(b)

National programs

Subsection (b) of such section is amended by striking 2002 and inserting 2010.

(c)

Conforming amendment

Section 2203 of such Act is repealed.