U.S. Code > Title 42 The Public Health and Welfare > CHAPTER 84—DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY > SUBCHAPTER XIII—DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY SCIENCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS > Part B—Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Programs > subpart 1—pilot program of grants to specialty schools for science and mathematics > § 7381h. Pilot program of grants to specialty schools for science and mathematics

§ 7381h. Pilot program of grants to specialty schools for science and mathematics

(a) Purpose
The purpose of this section is to establish a pilot program of grants to States to help establish or expand public, statewide specialty secondary schools that provide comprehensive science and mathematics (including technology and engineering) education to improve the academic achievement of students in science and mathematics.
(b) Definition of specialty school for science and mathematics
In this subpart, the term “specialty school for science and mathematics” means a public secondary school (including a school that provides residential services to students) that—
(1) serves students residing in the State in which the school is located; and
(2) offers to those students a high-quality, comprehensive science and mathematics (including technology and engineering) curriculum designed to improve the academic achievement of students in science and mathematics.
(c) Pilot program authorized
(1) In general
From the amounts authorized under subsection (i), the Secretary, acting through the Director and in consultation with the Director of the National Science Foundation, shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to States in order to provide assistance to the States for the costs of establishing or expanding public, statewide specialty schools for science and mathematics.
(2) Resources
The Director shall ensure that appropriate resources of the Department, including the National Laboratories, are available to schools funded under this section in order to—
(A) increase experiential, hands-on learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for students attending such schools; and
(B) provide ongoing professional development opportunities for teachers employed at such schools.
(3) Assistance
Consistent with sections 7381b and 7381c of this title, the Director shall make available from [1] funds authorized in this section to carry out a program using scientific and engineering staff of the National Laboratories, during which the staff—
(A) assists teachers in teaching courses at the schools funded under this section;
(B) uses National Laboratory scientific equipment in teaching the courses; and
(C) uses distance education and other technologies to provide assistance described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) to schools funded under this section that are not located near the National Laboratories.
(4) Restrictions
(A) Maximum number of funded specialty schools per State
No State shall receive funding for more than 1 specialty school for science and mathematics for a fiscal year.
(B) Maximum amount and duration of grants
A grant awarded to a State for a specialty school for science and mathematics under this section—
(i) shall not exceed $2,000,000 for a fiscal year; and
(ii) shall not be provided for more than 3 fiscal years.
(d) Federal and non-Federal shares
(1) Federal share
The Federal share of the costs described in subsection (c)(1) shall not exceed 33 percent.
(2) Non-Federal share
The non-Federal share of the costs described in subsection (c)(1) shall be—
(A) not less than 67 percent; and
(B) provided from non-Federal sources, in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including services.
(e) Application
To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a State shall submit to the Director an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may require that describes—
(1) the process by which and selection criteria with which the State will select and designate a school as a specialty school for science and mathematics in accordance with this section;
(2) how the State will ensure that funds made available under this section are used to establish or expand a specialty school for science and mathematics—
(A) in accordance with the activities described in subsection (g); and
(B) that has the capacity to improve the academic achievement of all students in all core academic subjects, and particularly in science and mathematics;
(3) how the State will measure the extent to which the school increases student academic achievement on State academic achievement standards in science, mathematics, and, to the maximum extent applicable, technology and engineering;
(4) the curricula and materials to be used in the school;
(5) the availability of funds from non-Federal sources for the costs of the activities authorized under this section; and
(6) how the State will use technical assistance and support from the Department, including the National Laboratories, and other entities with experience and expertise in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, including institutions of higher education.
(f) Distribution
In awarding grants under this section, the Director shall—
(1) ensure a wide, equitable distribution among States that propose to serve students from urban and rural areas; and
(2) provide equal consideration to States without National Laboratories.
(g) Uses of funds
(1) Requirement
A State that receives a grant under this section shall use the funds made available through the grant to—
(A) employ proven strategies and methods for improving student learning and teaching in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics;
(B) integrate into the curriculum of the school comprehensive science and mathematics education, including instruction and assessments in science, mathematics, and to the extent applicable, technology and engineering that are aligned with the academic content and student academic achievement standards of the State, within the meaning of section 6311 of title 20;
(C) create opportunities for enhanced and ongoing professional development for teachers that improves the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics content knowledge of the teachers; and
(D) design and implement hands-on laboratory experiences to help prepare students to pursue postsecondary studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.
(2) Special rule
Grant funds under this section may be used for activities described in paragraph (1) only if the activities are directly relating to improving student academic achievement in science, mathematics, and to the extent applicable, technology and engineering.
(h) Evaluation and report
(1) State evaluation and report
(A) Evaluation
Each State that receives a grant under this section shall develop and carry out an evaluation and accountability plan for the activities funded through the grant that measures the impact of the activities, including measurable objectives for improved student academic achievement on State science, mathematics, and, to the maximum extent applicable, technology and engineering assessments.
(B) Report
The State shall submit to the Director a report containing the results of the evaluation and accountability plan.
(2) Report to Congress
Not later than 2 years after August 9, 2007, the Director shall submit a report detailing the impact of the activities assisted with funds made available under this section to—
(A) the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives;
(B) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate; and
(C) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.
(i) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—
(1) $14,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(2) $22,500,000 for fiscal year 2009; and
(3) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.

[1] So in original. The word “from” probably should not appear.