The NSF Reauthorization bill (H.R. 4664) just passed by Congress
contains a number of provisions dealing with science, math, engineering
and technology (SMET) education, both at the K-12 and at the
undergraduate level. The bill authorizes, within NSF, a program of
Mathematics and Science Education Partnerships to improve K-12 science
and math education, as well as a Noyce Scholarship program to encourage
SMET majors to pursue teaching careers, a Talent Expansion program to
encourage college students to pursue SMET careers, Centers for Research
on Learning and Education Improvement, and other programs to improve
secondary and undergraduate SMET instruction. While an earlier version
of the bill attempted to terminate the Education Department's Math and
Science Partnership program and consolidate all such partnerships within
NSF (see FYI
#105), the final version of the bill preserves the separate
partnership programs within NSF and the Education Department.
Keep in mind that, as pointed out in FYI #129, an
authorization bill approves programs and sets funding limits, but does
not provide the actual money. When available, the authorization levels
are given below, along with highlights from the bill authorizing
specific education programs. (The bill does not include language on all
of NSF's pre-existing education programs.)
MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS: The NSF
Director is authorized to award competitive, merit-reviewed grants to
institutions of higher education, eligible nonprofit organizations, or
consortia thereof, working with science, math or engineering
departments, at least one local educational agency, and possibly
businesses and a State educational agency, "to establish mathematics and
science education partnership programs to improve elementary and
secondary mathematics and science instruction." Approved programs and
activities include those to recruit, prepare and retain K-12 science and
math teachers; teacher professional development and research
opportunities; distance learning programs; Master teacher programs; and
alternative certification programs for SMET professionals. Activities
should be based on contemporary educational research and aligned with
State academic achievement standards. The Director should "give priority
to applications in which the partnership includes a high-need local
educational agency." The Director, in consultation with the Secretary of
Education, is directed to report annually on how this program is being
coordinated with the Math and Science Partnership program within the
Education Department. The bill authorizes the Math and Science
Partnerships at the following levels: FY03: $200 million; FY04: $300
million; FY05: $400 million.
ROBERT NOYCE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: In this program,
competitive, merit-reviewed grants would be awarded to institutions of
higher education or consortia thereof, to provide scholarships,
stipends, and other programs to students majoring in science, math or
engineering, to encourage them to pursue careers in K-12 science and
math teaching. Institutions may continue aid and support to stipend
recipients after they have received their degrees. Within six years
after graduation, recipients are required to complete a two-year service
obligation, as a science or math teacher in a high-need local education
agency, for each year of the scholarship or stipend. The bill authorizes
the Noyce Scholarships at the following levels: FY03: $20 million;
FY04: $20 million; FY05: $20 million.
SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY TALENT EXPANSION
PROGRAM: This program would award "competitive, merit-based,
multi-year grants" to higher education institutions or consortia "to
increase the number of students studying toward and completing
associate's or bachelor's degrees" in SMET fields, "particularly in
fields that have faced declining enrollment in recent years." Projects
can promote such activities as undergraduate-conducted research;
interdisciplinary teaching; mentor relationships for students; bridge
programs for community college students; internship partnerships with
industry; or innovative uses of digital technologies. Applicants are
expected to "establish targets to increase the number of students"
pursuing SMET degrees. The Talent Expansion Program is authorized at the
following levels: FY03: $25 million; FY04: $30 million; FY05: $35
million.
CENTERS FOR RESEARCH ON LEARNING AND EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT:
The bill authorizes competitive, merit-reviewed grants to institutions
of higher education or consortia, to establish multidisciplinary centers
"to conduct and evaluate research in cognitive science, education, and
related fields and to develop ways in which the results of such research
can be applied in elementary school and secondary school classrooms to
improve the teaching of mathematics and science."
SECONDARY SCHOOL SYSTEMIC INITIATIVE: This program would award
competitive, merit-based grants for State or local educational agencies
to support "the planning and implementation of agency-wide secondary
school reform initiatives designed to promote scientific and
technological literacy, meet the mathematics and science education needs
of students at risk of not achieving State student academic achievement
standards, reduce the need for basic skill training by employers, and
heighten college completion rates" through a number of approved
activities.
UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION REFORM: The NSF Director is authorized
to award competitive, merit-based grants "to institutions of higher
education to expand previously implemented reforms of undergraduate
science, mathematics, engineering, or technology education that have
been demonstrated to have been successful in increasing the number and
quality of students studying toward and completing associate's or
baccalaureate degrees in science, mathematics, engineering, or
technology."
MINORITY-SERVING INSTITUTIONS UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM: The NSF
Director "is authorized to establish a new program to award grants on a
competitive, merit-reviewed basis to Hispanic-serving institutions,
Alaska Native-serving institutions, Native Hawaiian-serving
institutions, and other institutions of higher education serving a
substantial number of minority students to enhance the quality of
undergraduate science, mathematics, and engineering education at such
institutions and to increase the retention and graduation rates of
students pursuing associate's or baccalaureate degrees" in SMET
fields.
