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Legislation News & Report (TM) TheWeekInCongress.com (TM) Managing America: Education |
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TheWeekInCongress.com (TM) Week Ending April 27, 2006
S.761 A bill to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy.
The bill aims to improve the ability of US business to compete in the world markets. Grants and programs would be made available to improve in the areas of commerce and science, engineering, energy, and education and teacher training. The bill is relevant to recent realizations that other countries are producing more scientists than the US but also reflects the conclusion last year that over 25% of the aerospace workforce will retire in the next decade.
In the areas of science and commerce the President is directed within 180 days of enactment to convene a National Science and Technology Summit to examine the health and direction of the US science and technology enterprises. The Summit will involve industry, small business, labor, academia, States, Federal research and development agencies, non-profit environmental and energy policy groups. Within 90 days after enactment of this bill a President’s Council on Innovation and Competitiveness is ordered as is a report on identifying new forms of risk for businesses beyond operational and financial risks that would slow innovative progress. The President must establish the Innovation Acceleration Research Program and take a close look at US investment in the field.
NASA, in its traditional role of science and technology innovation, is directed to establish the Aeronautics Institute for Research to oversee research, coordinate basic and fundamental research activities related to physical sciences, technology, engineering and math and establish a Basic Research Executive Council that will oversee the distribution and management of programs and resources for basic research. NASA is directed to increase funding for basic research by $160 million by transferring un-obligated, existing appropriations to the effort.
NOAA is directed to establish a program of ocean and atmospheric research and development and develop an ocean, coastal and atmospheric science education plan. Public awareness and understanding of the ocean, coastal and atmospheric science and stewardship would be promoted.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology is funded for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership and is directed to establish the Standards and Technology Acceleration Research Program and reestablish the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology. The Hollings program provides funds and interaction between manufacturers and experts that may improve those businesses through various ways including improved technologies. The bill also provides for evaluating the MEP centers and tracking program improvements and the reverse. The Experimental program would strengthen the technological competitiveness of states that historically receive less Federal research and development funds than other states.
The Department of Energy is directed to appoint a Director of Mathematics, Science and Engineering Education and create a Mathematics, Science and Engineering Education Fund. The Secretary may award grants for establishing specialty schools for mathematics and science that would provide comprehensive mathematics and science education to improve academic achievement. A national laboratories summer internship program for middle and secondary students is ordered to increase hands-on learning as is establishing Centers of Excellence in math and science at schools near national laboratories. The Secretary may establish or expand programs to strengthen math and science teaching skills in public schools and establish a program to expand and enhance higher education nuclear science educational capabilities. He may award grants to 65 outstanding early career researchers and to increase nuclear faculty and students and establish a program to support the appointment of distinguished scientists by institutions of higher education. The Advanced Research Projects Authority is established to look into energy technologies and other things related to fossil energy, carbon sequestration, nuclear energy, renewable energy, energy distribution or energy efficient technologies.
The Secretary of education is authorized to award grants develop and implement programs to provide courses of study in math, sciences, engineering, or critical foreign languages with concurrent teacher certification to enhance teacher skills. The Secretary must also increase the number of teachers and students in advanced placement or international baccalaureate courses. The program would aim to result in adding 700,000 students per year who score 3, 4, or 5 on an Advanced Placement examination. The bill would also help low-income students performing below grade level in math, establish study in critical foreign languages, and promote content knowledge requirements for secondary school graduation. Grants are for five years and require 50% non-Federal matching funds.
The National Science Foundation is required to expand the Graduate Research Fellowship program, establish a clearinghouse and pilot programs relating to creation or improvement of professional science master’s degree programs, establish a program to provide mentors for women interested in science and engineering, math and technology careers and establish a program of basic research in advanced information and communications technologies.
In specific subjects the bill also seeks to improve instruction in math for K through 9 and shoots to align student skills and knowledge, State education standards with the demands of the 21st Century workforce and the Armed Forces.
Sponsor: Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) Vote: Passed Senate 88 to 8 April 25, 2007 (RV 146) Cost to the taxpayers: The bill authorizes grants and programs. Earmark Certification: Not applicable to this bill ## All Rights Reserved. © 2007 TheWeekInCongress.com(TM) No reproduction, language translation or distribution without written permission from TheWeekInCongress.com.(TM)
MORE INFORMATION
AMENDMENTS Amendments For S.7611. S.AMDT.902 to S.761
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase competitiveness
in the United States. 3. S.AMDT.904 to S.761
To strike the NIST working capital fund provision. 4. S.AMDT.905 to S.761
To require
the Director of Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education to
establish a program to recruit and provide mentors for women and
underrepresented minorities who are interested in careers in mathematics,
science, and engineering. . Amendment SA 905 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. 5. S.AMDT.906 to S.761
To strike the provisions regarding the working capital fund and to amend
certain provisions regarding the National Science Foundation. 7. S.AMDT.908 to S.761
To improve the bill. Amendment SA 908 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. 13. S.AMDT.914 to S.761
. To
increase the fee to be paid by employers of H-1B nonimmigrants and to set
aside 25 percent of such fees to improve programs and projects for gifted
and talented students. 14. S.AMDT.915 to S.761
To modify
provisions relating to the advanced placement and international
baccalaureate program. Amendment SA 915 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. 15. S.AMDT.916 to S.761
To modify
provisions relating to the summer institutes program. Amendment SA 916 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. 16. S.AMDT.917 to S.761
To express the sense of the Senate that Congress has a moral obligation to
offset the cost of new Government programs and initiatives. 17. S.AMDT.918 to S.761
To provide a
sunset date. 20. S.AMDT.921 to
To
discontinue the Advanced Technology Program of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology 21. S.AMDT.922 to S.761
To promote
transparency at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 22. S.AMDT.923 to S.761
To expand
the pipeline of individuals entering the science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics fields to support United States innovation and
competitiveness. Amendment SA 923 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. 23. S.AMDT.924 to S.761
To establish
summer term education programs. Amendment SA 924 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. 25. S.AMDT.926 to S.761
To establish
a laboratory science pilot program at the National Science Foundation.
Amendment SA 926 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. 27. S.AMDT.928 to S.761
To amend the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, with respect to smaller public
company options regarding internal controls. 28. S.AMDT.929 to S.761
To require the study on barriers to innovation to include an examination
of the impact of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 on innovation. 29. S.AMDT.930 to S.761
To prohibit
congressional earmarks of funds appropriated pursuant to authorizations in
the bill. 30. S.AMDT.931 to S.761
To provide
for a review by the Comptroller General of the activities, grants, and
programs carried out under the Act, and for other purposes Amendment SA 931 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. 35. S.AMDT.936 to S.761
To increase the competitiveness of American workers through the expansion
of employee ownership, and for other purposes. 37. S.AMDT.938 to S.761
To strike the provisions regarding strengthening the education and human
resources directorate of the National Science Foundation. 39. S.AMDT.940 to S.761
To improve the bill. 40. S.AMDT.941 to S.761
To clarify
the types of expenses available to Regional Centers under the Hollings
Manufacturing Extension Partnership program in meeting their non-Federal
funding commitment, and for other purposes. Amendment SA 941 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. 41. S.AMDT.942 to S.761
To increase
the amounts authorized to be appropriated for the Manufacturing Extension
Partnership Program. Amendment SA 942 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote. 43. S.AMDT.944 to S.761
To provide
for mathematics and science partnership bonus grants. Amendment SA 944 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. 46. S.AMDT.947 to S.761
To express the sense of the Senate with respect to small business growth
and capital markets. 49. S.AMDT.950 to S.761
To provide
that 21st century learning skills are included in the alignment of
education programs Amendment SA 950 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. 50. S.AMDT.951 to S.761
To allow
distance learning projects as an optional activity for the foreign
language partnership program. Amendment SA 951 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. 51. S.AMDT.952 to S.761
To require
the Secretary of Commerce to collect data and conduct a study relating to
export and import of services Amendment SA 952 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. 54. S.AMDT.955 to S.761
To protect
American competitiveness. Amendment SA 955 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. 55. S.AMDT.956 to S.761
To express
the sense of the Senate regarding concerns that United States capital
markets are losing their competitive edge in intensifying global
competition, and to recommend that Congress and the Administration take
the necessary steps to reclaim the preeminent position of the United
States in the global financial services marketplace. Amendment SA 956 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. 56. S.AMDT.957 to S.761
To improve
the provisions relating to eligible recipients in a program designed to
prepare teachers for a competitive tomorrow Amendment SA 957 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. 57. S.AMDT.958 to S.761
To provide
for a feasibility study with regard to a free online college degree
program. Amendment SA 958 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. 59. S.AMDT.960 to S.761
To include
the Great Lakes in research, development, and science education programs
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Amendment SA 960 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. 63. S.AMDT.964 to S.761
Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for
consideration. See Congressional Record for text. 64. S.AMDT.965 to S.761 To improve mathematics instruction. 69. S.AMDT.970 to S.761 To amend the data privacy provisions
regarding statewide P-16 education data systems. 72. S.AMDT.973 to S.761 To include the Administrator of the
Small Business Administration on the President's Council on Innovation and
Competitiveness. 74. S.AMDT.975 to S.761 To require the Secretary of Energy,
acting through the Director of Mathematics, Science, and Engineering
Education, to provide grants to States to assist the States in
establishing or expanding programs to enhance the quality of science
education in elementary schools with respect to conventional and emerging
energy sources and uses. 76. S.AMDT.977 to S.761 To encourage members of the Armed Forces
to participate in programs for master's degrees in mathematics, science,
or critical foreign languages education. 79. S.AMDT.980 to S.761 To express the sense of the Senate
regarding policies related to demand export control. ## All Rights Reserved. © 2007 TheWeekInCongress.com.(TM) No reproduction, language translation or distribution without written permission from TheWeekInCongress.com.(TM)
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