Bills Introduced to Strengthen Science, Math, Engineering, and Technology Education

Three bills have been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Vernon Ehlers (R-Michigan) to help reform science, math, engineering, and technology education in grades K-12. These bills, known as the National Science Education Acts of 2000, are designed to re-focus interest and training for those in grades K-12 in all fields of science and technology.

The National Science Education Act (NSEA), the largest of the three bills, focuses on the improvement and expansion of National Science Foundation (NSF) activities. The bill would provide grants for schools to:

• Hire teachers with backgrounds in math and science to assist in professional development and support;
• Provide technology use and integration training to staff;
• Create a national scholarship to recognize those teachers involved in math and science research; and
• Design systems to inform high school students of the prerequisites needed to pursue the math and science educators tracks in college

In addition, NSEA would provide plans to create working groups to identify effective science and math curriculum throughout the nation, study technology use in the classroom, link members of the private sector technology community to the education community, and focus on technology curriculum development in rural and disadvantaged areas.

The National Science Education Enhancement Act (NSEEA) focuses on expansion of the Department of Education’s math and science programs and activities. It calls for experienced mentors to guide new teachers and peer-reviewed professional development institutes to assist with technology and curriculum training. It also encourages after-school science day care programs to encourage student interest in math and science.

The National Science Education Incentive Act (NSEIA) would allow for tax benefits to encourage activities relevant to science, math, engineering, and technology education. This bill provides a 10 percent tax credit up to $1,000 per year for 10 years of total college tuition bills. Teachers graduating from math and science programs would be eligible. In addition, NSEIA provides for externships to allow teachers to participate in their fields of expertise. NSEIA would extend tax credits to private sector companies that donate technology equipment to schools, contribute instructors and/or curriculum to math and science classes, and include teachers in professional development programs.

With the support of 30 co-sponsors as of May 15, 2000, the bills are awaiting hearings in committee. Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas has introduced companion legislation in the Senate. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers International (ASME) has endorsed all three bills and is working toward their passage. More information and the complete bills can be viewed at : http://www.house.gov/ehlers/issues/science/