§ 6662. Grants for mathematics and science partnerships
(a)
Grants authorized
(1)
Grants to partnerships
For any fiscal year for which the funds appropriated under section
6663 of this title are less than $100,000,000, the Secretary is authorized to award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible partnerships to carry out the authorized activities described in subsection (c) of this section.
(2)
Grants to State educational agencies
(A)
In general
For any fiscal year for which the funds appropriated under section
6663 of this title equal or exceed $100,000,000—
(B)
Allotment
The Secretary shall allot the amount made available under this part for a fiscal year and not reserved under subparagraph (A)(i) among the State educational agencies in proportion to the number of children, aged 5 to 17, who are from families with incomes below the poverty line and reside in a State for the most recent fiscal year for which satisfactory data are available, as compared to the number of such children who reside in all such States for such year.
(b)
Application requirements
(1)
In general
Each eligible partnership desiring a grant or subgrant under this part shall submit an application—
(2)
Contents
Each application submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include—
(A)
the results of a comprehensive assessment of the teacher quality and professional development needs of any schools, local educational agencies, and State educational agencies that comprise the eligible partnership with respect to the teaching and learning of mathematics and science;
(B)
a description of how the activities to be carried out by the eligible partnership will be aligned with challenging State academic content and student academic achievement standards in mathematics and science and with other educational reform activities that promote student academic achievement in mathematics and science;
(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, and an explanation of how the activities are expected to improve student academic achievement and strengthen the quality of mathematics and science instruction;
(c)
Authorized activities
An eligible partnership shall use funds provided under this part for one or more of the following activities related to elementary schools or secondary schools:
(1)
Creating opportunities for enhanced and ongoing professional development of mathematics and science teachers that improves the subject matter knowledge of such teachers.
(2)
Promoting strong teaching skills for mathematics and science teachers and teacher educators, including integrating reliable scientifically based research teaching methods and technology-based teaching methods into the curriculum.
(3)
Establishing and operating mathematics and science summer workshops or institutes, including followup training, for elementary school and secondary school mathematics and science teachers that—
(A)
shall—
(i)
directly relate to the curriculum and academic areas in which the teacher provides instruction, and focus only secondarily on pedagogy;
(4)
Recruiting mathematics, engineering, and science majors to teaching through the use of—
(A)
signing and performance incentives that are linked to activities proven effective in retaining teachers, for individuals with demonstrated professional experience in mathematics, engineering, or science;
(B)
stipends provided to mathematics and science teachers for certification through alternative routes;
(5)
Developing or redesigning more rigorous mathematics and science curricula that are aligned with challenging State and local academic content standards and with the standards expected for postsecondary study in mathematics and science.
(6)
Establishing distance learning programs for mathematics and science teachers using curricula that are innovative, content-based, and based on scientifically based research that is current as of the date of the program involved.
(7)
Designing programs to prepare a mathematics or science teacher at a school to provide professional development to other mathematics or science teachers at the school and to assist beginning and other teachers at the school, including (if applicable) a mechanism to integrate the teacher’s experiences from a summer workshop or institute into the provision of professional development and assistance.
(8)
Establishing and operating programs to bring mathematics and science teachers into contact with working scientists, mathematicians, and engineers, to expand such teachers’ subject matter knowledge of and research in science and mathematics.
(d)
Coordination and consultation
(1)
Partnership grants
An eligible partnership receiving a grant under section
1023 [1] of this title shall coordinate the use of such funds with any related activities carried out by such partnership with funds made available under this part.
(2)
National Science Foundation
In carrying out the activities authorized by this part, the Secretary shall 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.
(e)
Evaluation and accountability plan
(1)
In general
Each eligible partnership receiving a grant or subgrant under this part shall develop an evaluation and accountability plan for activities assisted under this part that includes rigorous objectives that measure the impact of activities funded under this part.
(2)
Contents
The plan developed pursuant to paragraph (1)—
(A)
shall include measurable objectives to increase the number of mathematics and science teachers who participate in content-based professional development activities;
(B)
shall include measurable objectives for improved student academic achievement on State mathematics and science assessments or, where applicable, an International Mathematics and Science Study assessment; and
(f)
Report
Each eligible partnership receiving a grant or subgrant under this part shall report annually to the Secretary regarding the eligible partnership’s progress in meeting the objectives described in the accountability plan of the partnership under subsection (e) of this section.
[1] See References in Text note below.