[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3242 Introduced in House (IH)]
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3242
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and the
Higher Education Act of 1965 to improve the ability of the United
States to be competitive in a global economy, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 31, 2007
Mrs. McMorris Rodgers (for herself and Mr. McKeon) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and
Labor
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and the
Higher Education Act of 1965 to improve the ability of the United
States to be competitive in a global economy, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Strengthening America's Innovation
and Competitiveness Act''.
SEC. 2. ADJUNCT TEACHER CORPS.
Subpart 1 of part C of title II of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6671 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by redesignating chapter C as chapter D; and
(2) by inserting after chapter B the following:
``CHAPTER C--GRANTS FOR ADJUNCT TEACHER CORPS
``SEC. 2315. PURPOSE.
``The purpose of this chapter is to create opportunities for
professionals and other individuals with subject-matter expertise to
teach secondary school courses in the core academic subjects,
particularly mathematics, science, and critical foreign languages, on
an adjunct basis.
``SEC. 2316. GRANTS AUTHORIZED.
``The Secretary is authorized to award grants on a competitive
basis to eligible entities to recruit, train, and place well-qualified
individuals to serve as adjunct teachers in secondary school courses in
core academic subjects, particularly mathematics, science, and critical
foreign languages.
``SEC. 2317. DURATION OF GRANTS.
``The Secretary may award grants under this chapter for a period of
not more than 5 years.
``SEC. 2318. PRIORITIES.
``In awarding grants under this chapter, the Secretary shall give
priority to eligible entities that propose to--
``(1) serve high-need local educational agencies that have
a large number or percentage of students performing below grade
level, including local educational agencies that are not making
adequate yearly progress under section 1111(b)(2);
``(2) serve local educational agencies or educational
service agencies all of whose schools are designated with a
school locale code of 41, 42, or 43, as determined by the
Secretary;
``(3) recruit, train, and provide schools adjunct teachers
of mathematics, science or critical foreign languages; and
``(4) recruit adjunct faculty to serve in schools that have
an insufficient number of teachers with demonstrated expertise
in the subjects the adjunct faculty will teach.
``SEC. 2319. APPLICATION.
``(a) In General.--To be considered for a grant under this chapter,
an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
a time, in such manner, and containing such information as the
Secretary may reasonably require.
``(b) Contents.--The application shall, at a minimum, include a
description of--
``(1) the need for, and expected benefits of using, adjunct
teachers in the participating schools, which may include
information on the difficulty participating schools face in
recruiting qualified faculty and the achievement levels of
students in those schools;
``(2) the goals and objectives for the project, including
the number of adjunct teachers the eligible entity intends to
place in classrooms and the specific gains in academic
achievement intended to be achieved;
``(3) how the eligible entity will recruit qualified
individuals and appropriate public and private institutions to
participate in the program;
``(4) how the eligible entity will generate support among
appropriate constituencies, such as businesses, state and local
government, and teachers;
``(5) the participating schools and grade levels at which,
and the subjects in which the eligible entity proposes to have
the adjunct faculty teach;
``(6) how the eligible entity will use funds received under
this section, including how the eligible entity will evaluate
the success of the program;
``(7) how the eligible entity will ensure that low-income
students in participating schools and local educational
agencies will, during the period of the grant, receive
instruction in the core academic subjects, particularly
mathematics, science and critical foreign languages, from a
teacher with demonstrated subject-matter expertise in the
subject taught;
``(8) the eligible entity's commitment, after the project
period ends, to continue to hire and employ adjunct teachers,
as needed, to teach secondary school courses in the core
academic subjects, particularly in mathematics, science and
critical foreign languages; and
``(9) how the eligible entity will overcome legal,
contractual, or administrative barriers to employment of
adjunct faculty in the participating State or local educational
agency or agencies.
``SEC. 2320. USES OF FUNDS.
``(a) Required Uses.--Each eligible entity that receives a grant
under this chapter shall use the grant funds--
``(1) to develop the capacity of the local educational
agency or the State educational agency, or both, to identify,
recruit, and train qualified individuals outside of the
elementary and secondary education system (including
individuals in business and government, and individuals who
would participate through distance-learning arrangements) to
become adjunct teachers in secondary schools in the core
academic subject areas, particularly mathematics, science, and
critical foreign language courses; and
``(2) to collect and report such performance information as
the Secretary may require, including information needed for the
national evaluation conducted under section 2320B.
``(b) Optional Uses.--Each eligible entity that receives a grant
under this chapter may use the grant funds for one or more of the
following:
``(1) To provide signing bonuses and other financial
incentives to encourage individuals to become adjunct teachers
in mathematics, science and critical foreign language courses.
``(2) To reimburse outside entities for the costs
associated with allowing an employee to serve as an adjunct
teacher, except that these costs shall not exceed the total
cost of salary and benefits for teachers with comparable
experience or expertise in the local educational agency.
``(3) To provide pre-service training to adjunct teachers,
including the on-going mentoring of such teachers by highly
qualified teachers.
``SEC. 2320A. MATCHING REQUIREMENT.
``Each eligible entity that receives a grant under this chapter
shall provide, from non-Federal sources, an amount equal to 100 percent
of the amount of the grant (in cash or in kind) to carry out the
activities supported by the grant.
``SEC. 2320B. NATIONAL EVALUATION.
``From the amount reserved for this chapter for any fiscal year,
the Secretary may reserve not more than 5 percent to conduct an
independent evaluation, by grant or by contract, of the adjunct teacher
corps program carried out under this chapter, which shall include an
assessment of the impact of the program on student academic
achievement. The Secretary shall report the results of this evaluation
to the appropriate committees of Congress.
``SEC. 2320C. PROGRAM PERFORMANCE.
``(a) Report.--Each eligible entity receiving a grant under this
chapter shall prepare and submit to the Secretary a final report on the
results of the project that contains such information as the Secretary
may require. At a minimum, the report shall include information on the
academic achievement of students receiving instruction from an adjunct
teacher.
``(b) Methods.--The information required under this section shall
be--
``(1) reported in a manner that provides for a comparison
of student achievement data prior to, during, and after
implementation of the adjunct teacher corps program; and
``(2) disaggregated by race, ethnicity, disability status,
English proficiency, and status as economically disadvantaged,
except that such disaggregation shall not be required in a case
in which the number of students in a category is insufficient
to yield statistically reliable information or the result would
reveal personally identifiable information about an individual
student.
``SEC. 2320D. DEFINITIONS.
``For purposes of this chapter:
``(1) Adjunct teacher.--The term `adjunct teacher' means a
teacher who--
``(A) possesses, at a minimum, a bachelor's degree;
and
``(B) has demonstrated expertise in the subject
matter the teacher teaches by--
``(i) having met the requirements of
section 9101(23)(B)(ii); or
``(ii) having met an alternative measure of
subject-matter expertise, as determined by the
Secretary.
``(2) Critical foreign language.--The term `critical
foreign language' means a foreign language considered most
critical to ensure future United States national security and
economic prosperity, as determined by the Secretary.
``(3) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
``(A) a local educational agency;
``(B) a public or private entity (which may be a
State educational agency); or
``(C) a partnership consisting of a local
educational agency and a public or private entity.
``(4) High need local educational agency.--The term `high-
need local educational agency' has the meaning given to the
term in section 2102(3).''.
SEC. 3. ADVANCED PLACEMENT AMENDMENTS.
(a) Purposes.--Section 1702 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6532) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (8), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(10) to increase the number of students who complete
advanced placement courses and pass advanced placement tests in
mathematics, science, and critical foreign languages, and to
increase the number of teachers who are prepared to teach those
courses;
``(11) to encourage States and the private sector to
increase their support for advanced placement and pre-advanced
placement programs, in order to leverage the Federal investment
in this important area;
``(12) to encourage State and local educational agencies to
provide additional compensation for teachers who become
qualified to teach advanced placement courses in mathematics,
science, and critical foreign languages and whose students pass
advanced placement tests in those subjects; and
``(13) to support State-wide efforts to increase the
availability of, and enrollment in, advanced placement and pre-
advanced placement programs, particularly for low-income
students.''.
(b) Advanced Placement Test Fee Program.--Section 1704 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6534) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph
(1)--
(A) by striking ``reimburse low-income individuals
to cover'' and inserting ``pay''; and
(B) by striking ``fees, if the low-income
individuals,'' and inserting ``fees for low-income
individuals, if those individuals'';
(2) in subsection (d)(3), by striking ``required under
chapter 1 of subpart 2 of part A of title IV of the Higher
Education Act of 1965.'' and inserting ``that the student is
low-income (as defined in section 1707(3)).''; and
(3) in subsection (f)(1)(D), by striking ``socioeconomic
status.'' and inserting ``whether the student is low-income (as
defined in section 1707(3)).''.
(c) Advanced Placement Incentive Program Grants.--Section 1705 of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6535) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(3), by striking `` local educational
agency, or national nonprofit educational entity'' through the
period at the end and inserting ``a local educational agency,
or a nonprofit educational entity that applies in partnership
with a State or local educational agency.'';
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) by amending paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) to
read as follows:
``(3) develops or expands advanced placement or pre-
advanced placement programs in mathematics, science, or
critical foreign languages;
``(4) demonstrates an intent to carry out activities that
target schools with a high concentration of low-income
students;
``(5) are part of a State-wide strategy for increasing the
availability of advanced placement courses in mathematics,
science, and critical foreign languages, particularly for low-
income students; or
``(6) demonstrates an intent to carry out activities that
target local educational agencies whose schools are designated
with a school locale code of 41, 42, or 43, as determined by
the Secretary.''; and
(B) by striking paragraphs (6) and (7);
(3) by amending subsection (d)(1)(B) to read as follows:
``(B) activities to increase the number of students
who have the rigorous academic preparation and skills
needed to succeed in advanced placement courses;'';
(4) in subsection (f)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(E) the number of teachers served through the
grant who become qualified to teach advanced placement
courses.'';
(5) by redesignating subsections (d), (e), and (f) as (e),
(g), and (h), respectively;
(6) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
``(d) Equitable Distribution.--The Secretary shall, to the extent
practicable--
``(1) ensure an equitable geographic distribution of grants
under this program among the States; and
``(2) promote an increase in participation in advanced
placement courses and tests in all States.''; and
(7) by inserting after subsection (e) (as so redesignated)
the following:
``(f) Program Requirements.--Each eligible entity that receives a
grant under this section shall--
``(1) shall provide, from State, local, or other sources,
funds sufficient to cover at least two-thirds of the cost of
activities to be carried out under the grant; and
``(2) shall, with respect to the State or local educational
agency or agencies participating in the project, not later than
the first year of the period for which the grant is awarded,
establish and implement a policy of providing salary increases
or bonuses--
``(A) to teachers who become qualified to teach
advanced placement courses in mathematics, science, or
a critical foreign language; and
``(B) to teachers whose students successfully pass
advanced placement examinations in mathematics,
science, or a critical foreign language.''.
(d) Definitions.--Section 1707 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6537) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``data on children in
families receiving assistance under part A of title IV of the
Social Security Act'' through the period at the end, and
inserting ``or through an alternate method that extrapolates
from that data.''; and
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs
(3) and (4), respectively; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Critical foreign languages.--The term `critical
foreign languages' refers to languages designated by the
Secretary as those most critical to help ensure the future
national security and economic prosperity of the United
States.''.
(e) Advanced Placement Programs.--Part G of title I of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6531 et seq.)
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 1708. NATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
``The Secretary may reserve up to 5 percent of the amount
appropriated for a fiscal year under section 1002(g) for this part, to
be used for peer review of applications for grants under this part, as
well as for research, evaluation, and technical assistance.''.
SEC. 4. MATH NOW.
Part F of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (20
U.S.C. 6511 et seq.) is amended to read as follows:
``Part F--Math Now
``Subpart 1--Math Now for Elementary School Students
``SEC. 1601. MATH NOW FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS PROGRAM.
``(a) Purpose; Definition.--
``(1) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to improve
instruction in mathematics for students in kindergarten through
sixth grade by implementing mathematics programs that reflect
the best available evidence on mathematics instruction, in
order to enable all students to reach grade-level achievement
standards and prepare them to enroll in and pass algebra
courses.
``(2) Definition.--As used in this section, the term
`eligible entity' means
``(A) A local educational agency with one or more
elementary or middle schools--
``(i) with significant numbers or
percentages of students whose mathematics
skills are below grade level;
``(ii) that are not making adequate yearly
progress in mathematics under section
1111(b)(2); or
``(iii) in which students are receiving
instruction in mathematics from teachers who do
not have expertise in mathematics;
``(B) a State educational agency;
``(C) educational service agencies that serve areas
whose schools are designated with a school locale code
of 41, 42, or 43, as determined by the Secretary; or
``(D) a partnership of one more agencies described
in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C), which may also
include one or more institutions of higher education,
nonprofit organizations, and for-profit organizations.
``(b) Program Authorized.--
``(1) General.--From the amounts appropriated to carry out
this section for any fiscal year, the Secretary is authorized
to award competitive grants of up to five years to eligible
entities to carry out activities consistent with the purpose of
this program in local educational agencies that meet the
criteria described in subsection (a)(2)(A).
``(2) Priority.--In making grants under this section, the
Secretary may give priority to applications for projects that--
``(A) will implement Statewide strategies for
improving elementary school mathematics instruction and
raising mathematics achievement in kindergarten through
sixth grade; or
``(B) schools designated with a school local code
of 41, 42, or 43, as determined by the Secretary.
``(c) Uses of Funds.--
``(1) Mandatory uses.--A grantee shall use grant funds
under this section for each of the following:
``(A) To implement mathematics instructional
materials, for students in kindergarten through the
final grade of a participating elementary school, which
involve intensive and systematic instruction and are
based on the best available evidence on mathematics
instruction.
``(B) To provide professional development for
teachers and, if appropriate, administrators and other
personnel, on the implementation of the new materials
(and on the content of those materials).
``(C) To conduct continuous progress monitoring,
which may include the adoption and use of assessments
that--
``(i) measure student progress and identify
areas in which students need help learning
mathematics; and
``(ii) reflect mathematics content that is
consistent with state academic achievement
standards in mathematics described in section
1111(b).
``(D) To carry out activities, if requested by the
Secretary, to assist the Secretary in completing the
evaluation required under subsection (f).
``(2) Optional uses.--A grantee may use grant funds under
this section to collect and report the performance data
required under subsection (g).
``(d) Applications.--To be considered for a grant under this
section, an eligible entity shall submit an application at such time
and in such manner as the secretary may require. Each application shall
include--
``(1) information, on an aggregate basis, on the school or
schools to be served by the project, including such
demographic, socioeconomic, and mathematics achievement data as
the Secretary may request;
``(2) a description of the mathematics instructional
materials that will be used for the proposed project, including
information on how those materials reflect the best available
evidence on mathematics instruction;
``(3) a description of the activities that will be carried
out under the grant, including a description of the
professional development that will be provided to teachers,
and, if appropriate, administrators and other personnel, and of
how those activities will support achievement of the purposes
of the grant; and
``(4) any other information the Secretary may reasonably
require.
``(e) Equitable Participation.--Title IX, part E, subpart 1 shall
apply to this program. For the purpose of determining equitable
participation, the term `eligible children' (as used in section
9501(a)) means children from low-income families (using the measures
described in section 1113(a)(5)) in the area served by the
participating local educational agency or school.
``(f) Evaluation.--
``(1) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall conduct an
independent evaluation of the program under this section, which
shall include an assessment of the impact of the program on
student achievement, and may use funds available under this
section to conduct the evaluation.
``(2) Limitation.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that
the organization selected to carry out the independent
evaluation under paragraph (1) does not hold a contract
or subcontract to implement any aspect of the program
under this section.
``(B) Subcontractors.--Any contract entered into
under paragraph (1) shall prohibit the independent
organization conducting the evaluation from
subcontracting with any entity that holds a contract or
subcontract for any aspect of the implementation of
this section.
``(g) Technical Assistance.--
``(1) Technical assistance.--The Secretary may use funds
available under this section to provide technical assistance to
prospective applicants and grantees.
``(2) Conflicts of interest.--If the Secretary carries out
paragraph (1) through any contracts, the Secretary shall ensure
that each contract requires the contractor to--
``(A) screen for conflicts of interest when hiring
individuals to carry out the responsibilities under the
contract;
``(B) include the requirement in subparagraph (A)
in any subcontracts the contractor enters into under
the contract; and
``(C) establish and follow a schedule for carrying
out subparagraph (A) and paragraph (3) and reporting to
the Secretary on its actions under those provisions.
``(3) Screening process.--The screening process described
in paragraph (2)(A) shall--
``(A) include, at a minimum, a review of--
``(i) each individual performing duties
under the contract or subcontract for
connections to any State's program under this
section;
``(ii) potential financial interests in, or
other connection to, products that might be
purchased by a State educational agency or
local educational agency in the course of the
agency's implementation of the program under
this section; and
``(iii) connections to teaching
methodologies that might require the use of
specific products; and
``(B) be designed to prevent, to the extent
possible, bias or the appearance of bias in the
performance of the responsibilities outlined in the
contract or subcontract.
``(4) Information dissemination.--
``(A) In general.--If the Secretary enters into
contracts to provide technical assistance under
paragraph (1), and if a contractor enters into
subcontracts for that purpose, each such contract and
subcontract shall require the provider of technical
assistance to clearly separate technical assistance
provided under the contract or subcontract from
information provided, or activities engaged in, as part
of the normal operations of the contractor or
subcontractor.
``(B) Separate internet web pages.--Efforts to
comply with subparagraph (A) may include, but are not
limited to, the creation of separate Internet web pages
for the purpose of fulfilling a contract or subcontract
entered into under paragraph (1).
``(h) Program Performance and Accountability.--
``(1) In general.--Each grantee shall collect and report to
the Secretary such information on the results of the grant as
the Secretary may reasonably require, including information
on--
``(A) the mathematics test scores on State or
district-wide assessments for all elementary schools in
the local educational agency or agencies, including
both those in schools participating in the program
under this section and those in schools not
participating in the program under this section; and
``(B) the percentage of students in the schools of
the local educational agency who enroll in algebra
courses and the percentage of those enrollees who pass
algebra courses.
``(2) Method.--The information required under paragraph (1)
shall be--
``(A) reported in a manner that allows for a
comparison of student achievement before (to the extent
feasible), during, and after implementation of this
section; and
``(B) disaggregated by race, ethnicity, disability
status, English proficiency, and status as economically
disadvantaged, except that such disaggregation shall
not be required in a case in which the number of
students in a category is insufficient to yield
statistically reliable information or the result would
reveal personally identifiable information about an
individual student.
``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $125,000,000 for fiscal year
2008 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 5 succeeding
fiscal years.
``Subpart 2--Math Now for Middle School Students
``SEC. 1611. MATH NOW FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS PROGRAM.
``(a) Purpose; Definitions.--
``(1) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to improve
the mathematics achievement of middle-school students whose
achievement is significantly below grade level and to enable
them to reach challenging State achievement standards, by
supporting comprehensive mathematics initiatives that are based
on the best available evidence on mathematics instruction for
middle-school students, and that improve the quality of
mathematics instruction, provide intensive interventions to
middle-school students whose achievement is significantly below
grade level, and help build a strong, scientific research base
for identifying and replicating strategies that improve
adolescent mathematics skills.
``(2) Definitions.--As used in this section--
``(A) the term `eligible entity' means--
``(i) a local educational agency that has
one or more schools;
``(I) with significant numbers or
percentages of middle-school students
whose mathematics skills are below
grade level;
``(II) that are not making adequate
yearly progress in mathematics for
middle-school students under section
1111(b)(2); or
``(III) that have mathematics
classes that are not taught by teachers
with expertise in mathematics;
``(ii) a State educational agency;
``(iii) educational service agencies that
serve areas whose schools are designated with a
school locale code of 41, 42, or 43, as
determined by the Secretary; or
``(iv) a partnership of one or more
agencies described in clause (i), (ii), or
(iii), which may also include one or more
institutions of higher education, non-profit
organizations, and for-profit organizations;
and
``(B) the term `middle-school students' means
students in any of the grades six through nine.
``(b) Program Authorized.--
``(1) In general.--From the amounts appropriated to carry
out this section for any fiscal year, the Secretary is
authorized to award competitive grants of up to five years to
eligible entities to carry out activities, consistent with the
purpose of this section, in local educational agencies that
meet the criteria described in subsection (a)(2)(A)(i).
``(2) Priority.--In making awards under this section, the
Secretary shall give priority to applications for projects
that--
``(A) will implement Statewide strategies for
improving mathematics instruction for middle-school
students and raising the mathematics achievement of
middle-school students who are below grade level in
mathematics; or
``(B) schools designated with a school locale code
of 41, 42, or 43, as determined by the Secretary.
``(c) Uses of Funds.--
``(1) Mandatory uses.--A grantee shall use grant funds
under this section for each of the following:
``(A) To implement interventions that reflect the
best available evidence on teaching middle school
mathematics and that involve intensive and systematic
instruction either specifically for middle-school
students who are not achieving grade-level proficiency
in mathematics or to increase the mathematics
achievement of all of the middle-school students in a
school, or both.
``(B) To conduct continuous progress monitoring,
including by adopting and using assessments in order to
measure middle-school students' progress and identify
areas in which they need help in learning mathematics.
``(C) To provide professional development for
teachers of middle-school students and, as appropriate,
administrators and other personnel that targets
important mathematics content knowledge and effective
practices and reflects the best available evidence on
mathematics education for middle-school students.
``(D) To carry out activities, if requested by the
Secretary, to assist the Secretary in completing the
evaluation required under subsection (f).
``(2) Optional uses.--A grantee may use grant funds under
this section to collect and report the performance data
required under subsection (g).
``(d) Applications.--To be considered for a grant under this
section, an eligible entity shall submit an application at such time
and in such manner as the Secretary may require. Each application shall
include--
``(1) information, on an aggregate basis, on the school or
schools to be served by the project, including such
demographic, socioeconomic, and mathematics achievement data
for middle-school students as the Secretary may request;
``(2) a description of the activities to be carried out
under the grant, including a description of--
``(A) how, and the extent to which, the proposed
activities reflect the best available evidence on
mathematics instruction for middle-school students; and
``(B) the professional development to be provided
to teachers and, if appropriate, administrators and
other personnel and how that professional development
will support achievement of the purposes of the
project; and
``(3) any other information the Secretary may reasonably
require.
``(e) Equitable Participation.--Title IX, part E, subpart 1 shall
apply to this program. For the purpose of determining equitable
participation, the term `eligible children' (as used in section
9501(a)) means children from low-income families (using the measures
described in section 1113(a)(5)) in the area served by the
participating local educational agency or school.
``(f) Evaluation.--
``(1) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall conduct an
independent evaluation of the program, which shall include an
assessment of the impact of the program on student achievement,
and may use funds available under this section to conduct the
evaluation.
``(2) Limitation.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that
the organization selected to carry out the independent
evaluation under paragraph (1) does not hold a contract
or subcontract to implement any aspect of the program
under this section.
``(B) Subcontractors.--Any contract entered into
under paragraph (1) shall prohibit the independent
organization conducting the evaluation from
subcontracting with any entity that holds a contract or
subcontract for any aspect of the implementation of
this section.
``(g) Technical Assistance.--
``(1) Technical assistance.--The Secretary may use funds
available under this section to provide technical assistance to
prospective applicants and grantees.
``(2) Conflicts of interest.--If the Secretary carries out
paragraph (1) through any contracts, the Secretary shall ensure
that each contract requires the contractor to--
``(A) screen for conflicts of interest when hiring
individuals to carry out the responsibilities under the
contract;
``(B) include the requirement in subparagraph (A)
in any subcontracts the contractor enters into under
the contract; and
``(C) establish and follow a schedule for carrying
out subparagraph (A) and paragraph (3) and reporting to
the Secretary on its actions under those provisions.
``(3) Screening process.--The screening process described
in paragraph (2)(A) shall--
``(A) include, at a minimum, a review of--
``(i) each individual performing duties
under the contract or subcontract for
connections to any State's program under this
section;
``(ii) potential financial interests in, or
other connection to, products that might be
purchased by a State educational agency or
local educational agency in the course of the
agency's implementation of the program under
this section; and
``(iii) connections to teaching
methodologies that might require the use of
specific products; and
``(B) be designed to prevent, to the extent
possible, bias or the appearance of bias in the
performance of the responsibilities outlined in the
contract or subcontract.
``(4) Information dissemination.--
``(A) In general.--If the Secretary enters into
contracts to provide technical assistance under
paragraph (1), and if a contractor enters into
subcontracts for that purpose, each such contract and
subcontract shall require the provider of technical
assistance to clearly separate technical assistance
provided under the contract or subcontract from
information provided, or activities engaged in, as part
of the normal operations of the contractor or
subcontractor.
``(B) Separate internet web pages.--Efforts to
comply with subparagraph (A) may include, but are not
limited to, the creation of separate Internet web pages
for the purpose of fulfilling a contract or subcontract
entered into under paragraph (1).
``(h) Program Performance and Accountability.--
``(1) In general.--Each grantee shall collect and report to
the Secretary such information on the results of the grant as
the Secretary may reasonably require, including information
on--
``(A) the mathematics test scores on State or
district-wide assessments for all middle-school
students in the local educational agency, including
both those in schools participating in the program
under this section and those in schools not
participating in the program under this section; and
``(B) the percentage of students in the schools of
the local educational agency who enroll in algebra
courses and the percentage of those enrollees who pass
algebra courses.
``(2) Method.--The information required under paragraph (1)
shall be--
``(A) reported in a manner that allows for a
comparison of student achievement before (to the extent
feasible), during, and after implementation of this
section; and
``(B) disaggregated by race, ethnicity, disability
status, English proficiency, and status as economically
disadvantaged, except that such disaggregation shall
not be required in a case in which the number of
students in a category is insufficient to yield
statistically reliable information or the result would
reveal personally identifiable information about an
individual student.
``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $125,000,000 for fiscal year
2008 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 5 succeeding
fiscal years.
``Subpart 3--Peer Review of State Applications
``SEC. 1622. REVIEW OF STATE APPLICATIONS.
``(a) Conflicts of Interest.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a process
through which individuals who review State applications under
section 1601 and 1611 (hereafter in this section referred to as
`reviewers') are screened for potential conflicts of interest.
``(2) Screening.--The screening process shall--
``(A) be reviewed and approved by the Office of the
General Counsel of the department;
``(B) include, at a minimum, a review of each
reviewer's--
``(i) connection to any State's program
under those sections;
``(ii) potential financial interest in
products that might be purchased by a State
educational agency or local educational agency
in the course of the agency's implementation of
the program under those sections; and
``(iii) professional connections to
teaching methodologies that might require the
use of specific products; and
``(C) be designed to prevent, to the extent
possible, bias or the appearance of bias in the review
of those applications.
``(b) Guidance.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop guidance for
how reviewers will review applications submitted under sections
1601 and 1611 and provide feedback to State educational
agencies and recommendations to the Secretary. The Secretary
shall also develop guidance for how the Secretary will review
those recommendations and make final determinations of approval
or disapproval of those applications.
``(2) Requirements.--Such guidance shall, at a minimum--
``(A) create a transparent process through which
review panels provide clear, consistent, and publicly
available documentation in support of all
recommendations;
``(B) ensure that State educational agencies have
the opportunity for direct interaction with any panel
that reviewed its application under those sections when
revising an application as a result of feedback from
the panel;
``(C) require that any review panel and the
Secretary clearly and consistenly document that all
required elements of an application under those
sections are included before the application is
approved; and
``(D) create a transparent process through which
the Secretary clearly, consistently, and publicly
documents decisions to approve or disapprove those
applications and the reasons for those decisions.
``SEC. 1623. PROHIBITION ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
``(a) In General.--Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to
alter or lessen the prohibition contained in section 9527(b) of this
Act or section 3403(b) of the Department of Education Organization Act.
``(b) Guidance.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop guidance for
Department of Education employees responsible for the
implementation of this chapter that will assist those employees
in complying with the prohibitions included in subsection (a).
``(2) Consultation.--Such guidance shall emphasize the
importance of consultation with the Department's Office of
General Counsel on issues related to such prohibitions.
``(3) Technical assistance.--Such guidance shall stress
that any information disseminated, or technical assistance
provided, related to this subpart, shall be balanced in
presenting eligible products and not in any way endorse or
appear to endorse any particular product that might be
purchased by a State educational agency or local educational
agency in the course of such agency's implementation of the
program under this chapter''.
SEC. 5. ROBERT C. BYRD HONORS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.
Subpart 6 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1070d-31) is amended to read as follows:
``Subpart 6--Robert C. Byrd American Competitiveness Program
``SEC. 419A. ROBERT C. BYRD MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE HONORS SCHOLARSHIP
PROGRAM.
``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to award
scholarships to students who are enrolled in studies leading to
baccalaureate and advanced degrees in physical, life, or computer
sciences, mathematics, and engineering.
``(b) Definitions.--As used in this section--
``(1) the term `computer science' means the branch of
knowledge or study of computers, including such fields of
knowledge or study as computer hardware, computer software,
computer engineering, information systems, and robotics;
``(2) the term `eligible student' means a student who--
``(A) is a citizen of the United States;
``(B) is selected by the managing agent to receive
a scholarship;
``(C) is enrolled full-time in an institution of
higher education, other than a United States service
academy; and
``(D) has shown a commitment to and is pursuing a
major in studies leading to a baccalaureate, masters,
or doctoral degree (or a combination thereof) in
physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, or
engineering;
``(3) the term `engineering' means the science by which the
properties of matter and the sources of energy in nature are
made useful to humanity in structures, machines, and products,
as in the construction of engines, bridges, buildings, mines,
and chemical plants, including such fields of knowledge or
study as aeronautical engineering, chemical engineering, civil
engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering,
materials engineering, manufacturing engineering, and
mechanical engineering;
``(4) the term `life sciences' means the branch of
knowledge or study of living things, including such fields of
knowledge or study as biology, biochemistry, biophysics,
microbiology, genetics, physiology, botany, zoology, ecology,
and behavioral biology, except that the term does not encompass
social psychology or the health professions;
``(5) the term `managing agent' means an entity to which an
award is made under subsection (c) to manage a program of
Mathematics and Science Honors Scholarships;
``(6) the term `mathematics' means the branch of knowledge
or study of numbers and the systematic treatment of magnitude,
relationships between figures and forms, and relations between
quantities expressed symbolically, including such fields of
knowledge or study as statistics, applied mathematics, and
operations research; and
``(7) the term `physical sciences' means the branch of
knowledge or study of the material universe, including such
fields of knowledge or study as astronomy, atmospheric
sciences, chemistry, earth sciences, ocean sciences, physics,
and planetary sciences.
``(c) Award.--
``(1)(A) From funds authorized under section 419F to carry
out this section, the Secretary is authorized, through a grant
or cooperative agreement, to make an award to a private, non-
profit organization, other than an institution of higher
education or system of institutions of higher education, to
manage, through a public and private partnership, a program of
Mathematics and Science Honors Scholarships under this section.
``(B) The award under subparagraph (A) shall be for a five-
year period.
``(2)(A) One hundred percent of the funds awarded under
paragraph (1)(A) for any fiscal year shall be obligated and
expended solely on scholarships to eligible students.
``(B) No Federal funds shall be used to provide more than
50 percent of the cost of any scholarship to an eligible
student.
``(C) The maximum scholarship award shall be the difference
between an eligible student's cost of attendance minus any non-
loan based aid such student receives.
``(3)(A) The secretary may establish--
``(i) eligibility criteria for applicants for
managing agent, including criteria regarding financial
and administrative capability; and
``(ii) operational standards for the managing
agent, including management and performance
requirements, such as audit, record keeping, record
retention, and reporting procedures and requirements.
``(B) The Secretary, as necessary, may review and revise
any criteria, standards, and rules established under this
paragraph and, through the agreement with the managing agent,
see that any revisions are implemented.
``(4) If the managing agent fails to meet the requirements
of this section the Secretary may terminate the award to the
managing agent.
``(5) The Secretary shall conduct outreach efforts to help
raise awareness of the Mathematics and Science Honors
Scholarships.
``(d) Duties of the Managing Agent.--The managing agent shall--
``(1) develop criteria to award Mathematics and Science
Honors Scholarships based on established measurements available
to secondary students who wish to pursue degrees in physical,
life, or computer sciences, mathematics, and engineering;
``(2) establish a Mathematics and Science Honors
Scholarship Fund in a separate, named account that clearly
discloses the amount of Federal and non-Federal funds deposited
in the account and used for scholarships under this section;
``(3) solicit funds for scholarships and for the
administration of the program from non-Federal sources;
``(4) solicit applicants for scholarships;
``(5) from the amounts in the Fund, award scholarships to
eligible students and transfer such funds to the institutions
of higher education that they attend;
``(6) annually submit to the Secretary a financial audit
and a report on the progress of the program, and such other
documents as the Secretary may require to determine the
effective management of the program; and
``(7) shall not develop a criteria that discriminates
against a student based on the type of program in which the
student completed his or her secondary education.
``(e) Applications.--
``(1) Any eligible entity that desires to be the managing
agent under this section shall submit an application to the
Secretary, in such form and containing such information, as the
Secretary may require.
``(2) Each application shall include a description of--
``(A) how the applicant meets or will meet
requirements established under subsections (c)(3)(A)
and (d);
``(B) how the applicant will solicit funds for
scholarships and for the administration of the program
from non-Federal sources;
``(C) how the applicant will provide nationwide
outreach to inform students about the program and to
encourage students to pursue degrees in physical, life,
or computer sciences, mathematics, and engineering;
``(D) how the applicant will solicit applications
for scholarships, including how the applicant will
balance efforts in urban and rural areas;
``(E) the selection criteria based on established
measurements available to secondary students the
applicant will use to award scholarships and to renew
those awards;
``(F) how the applicant will inform the institution
of higher education chosen by the recipient of the name
and scholarship amount of the recipient;
``(G) what procedures and assurances the applicant
and the institution of higher education that the
recipient attends will use to verify student
eligibility, attendance, degree progress, and academic
performance and to deliver and account for payments to
such institution;
``(H) the management (including audit and
accounting) procedures the applicant will use for the
program;
``(I) the human, financial, and other resources
that the applicant will need and use to manage the
program;
``(J) how the applicant will evaluate the program
and report to the Secretary annually; and
``(K) a description of how the entity will
coordinate with, complement, and build
on similar public and private mathematics and science programs.
``(f) Scholarship Recipients.--
``(1) A student receiving a scholarship under this section
shall be known as a `Byrd mathematics and Science Honors
Scholar'.
``(2) Any student desiring to receive a scholarship under
this section shall submit an application to the managing agent
in such form, and containing such information, as the managing
agent may require.
``(3) Any student that receives a scholarship under this
section shall enter into an agreement with the managing agent
to complete 5 consecutive years of service to begin no later
than 12 months following completion of the final degree in a
position related to the field in which the student obtained the
degree.
``(4) If any student that receives a scholarship under this
section fails to earn at least a baccalaureate degree in
physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, or
engineering as defined under this section, the student shall
repay to the managing agent the amount of any financial
assistance paid to such student.
``(5) If any student that receives a scholarship under this
section fails to meet the requirements of paragraph (3), the
student shall repay to the managing agent the amount of any
financial assistance paid to such student.
``(6)(A) Scholarships shall be awarded for only one
academic year of study at a time.
``(B)(i) A scholarship shall be renewable on an annual
basis for the established length of the academic program if the
student awarded the scholarship remains eligible.
``(ii) The managing agent may condition renewal of a
scholarship on measures of academic progress and achievement,
with the approval of the Secretary.
``(C)(i) If a student fails to either remain eligible or
meet established measures of academic progress and achievement,
the managing agent shall instruct the student's institution of
higher education to suspend payment of the student's
scholarship.
``(ii) A suspension of payment shall remain in effect until
the student is able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the
managing agent that he or she is again eligible and meets the
established measures of academic progress and achievement.
``(iii) A student's eligibility for a scholarship shall be
terminated if a suspension period exceeds 12 months.
``(D)(i)(I) A student awarded a scholarship may, in a
manner and under the terms established by, and with the
approval of, the managing agent, postpone or interrupt his or
her enrollment at an institution of higher education for up to
12 months.
``(II) Such a postponement or interruption shall not be
considered a suspension for purposes of subparagraph (C).
``(ii) Neither a student nor the student's institution of
higher education shall receive the student's scholarship
payments during the period of postponement or interruption, but
such payments shall resume upon enrollment or reenrollment.
``(iii) In exceptional circumstances, such as serious
injury or illness or the necessity to care for family members,
the student's postponement or interruption may, upon
notification and approval of the managing agent, be extended
beyond the 12 month period described in clause (i)(I).
``(g) Responsibilities of Institution of Higher Education.--
``(1) The managing agent shall require any institution of
higher education that enrolls a student who receives a
scholarship under this section to annually provide an
assurance, prior to making any payment, that the student--
``(A) is eligible in accordance with subsection
(b)(2); and
``(B) has provided the institution with a written
commitment to attend, or is attending, classes and is
satisfactorily meeting the institution's academic
criteria for enrollment in its program of study.
``(2)(A) The managing agent shall provide the institution
of higher education with payments from the Fund for selected
recipients in at least two installments.
``(B) An institution of higher education shall return
prorated amounts of any scholarship payment to the managing
agent, who shall deposit it in to the Fund, if a recipient
declines a scholarship, does not attend courses, transfers to
another institution of higher education, or becomes ineligible
for a scholarship.
``SEC. 419B. MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE INCENTIVE PROGRAM.
``(a) Program.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to carry out
a program of assuming the obligation to pay, pursuant to the
provisions of this section, the interest on a loan made,
insured, or guaranteed under part B or D of this title.
``(2) Eligibility.--The Secretary may assume interest
payments under paragraph (1) only for a borrower who--
``(A) has submitted an application in compliance
with subsection (d);
``(B) obtained one or more loans described in
paragraph (1) as an undergraduate student;
``(C) is a new borrower (within the meaning of
section 103(7) of this Act) on or after the date of
enactment of the Strengthening America's Innovation and
Competitiveness Act;
``(D) is a highly qualified teacher (as defined in
section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act of 1965) of science, technology, engineering or
mathematics at an elementary or secondary school in a
high need local educational agency, or is a
mathematics, science, or engineering professional; and
``(E) enters into an agreement with the Secretary
to complete 5 consecutive years of service in a
position described in subparagraph (D), starting on the
date of the agreement.
``(3) Prior interest limitations.--The Secretary shall not
make any payments for interest that--
``(A) accrues prior to the beginning of the
repayment period on a loan in the case of a loan made
under section 428H or a Federal Direct Unsubsidized
Stafford Loan; or
``(B) has accrued prior to the signing of an
agreement under paragraph (2)(E).
``(4) Initial selection.--In selecting participants for the
program under this section, the Secretary--
``(A) shall choose among eligible applicants on the
basis of--
``(i) the national security, homeland
security, and economic security needs of the
United States, as determined by the Secretary,
in consultation with other Federal agencies,
including the Departments of Labor, Defense,
Homeland Security, Commerce, and Energy, the
Central Intelligence Agency, and the National
Science Foundation; and
``(ii) the academic record or job
performance of the applicant; and
``(B) may choose among eligible applicants on the
basis of--
``(i) the likelihood of the applicant to
complete the 5-year service obligation;
``(ii) the likelihood of the applicant to
remain in science, mathematics, or engineering
after the completion of the service
requirement; or
``(iii) other relevant criteria determined
by the Secretary.
``(5) Availability subject to appropriations.--Loan
interest payments under this section shall be subject to the
availability of appropriations. If the amount appropriated for
any fiscal year is not sufficient to provide interest payments
on behalf of all qualified applicants, the Secretary shall give
priority to those individuals on whose behalf interest payments
were made during the preceding fiscal year.
``(6) Regulations.--The Secretary is authorized to
prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the
provisions of this section.
``(b) Duration and Amount of Interest Payments.--The period during
which the Secretary shall pay interest on behalf of a student borrower
who is selected under subsection (a) is the period that begins on the
effective date of the agreement under subsection (a)(2)(E), continues
after successful completion of the service obligation, and ends on the
earlier of--
``(1) the completion of the repayment period of the loan;
``(2) payment by the Secretary of a total of $5,000 on
behalf of the borrower;
``(3) if the borrower ceases to fulfill the service
obligation under such agreement prior to the end of the 5-year
period, as soon as the borrower is determined to have ceased to
fulfill such obligation in accordance with regulations of the
Secretary; or
``(4) 6 months after the end of any calendar year in which
the borrower's gross income equals or exceeds 4 times the
national per capita disposable personal income (current
dollars) for such calendar year, as determined on the basis of
the National Income and Product Accounts Tables of the Bureau
of Economic Analysis of the Department of Commerce, as
determined in accordance with regulations prescribed by the
Secretary.
``(c) Repayment to Eligible Lenders.--Subject to the regulations
prescribed by the Secretary by regulation under subsection (a)(6), the
Secretary shall pay to each eligible lender or holder for each payment
period the amount of the interest that accrues on a loan of a student
borrower who is selected under subsection (a).
``(d) Application for Repayment.--
``(1) In general.--Each eligible individual desiring loan
interest payment under this section shall submit a complete and
accurate application to the Secretary at such time, in such
manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may
require.
``(2) Failure to complete service agreement.--Such
application shall contain an agreement by the individual that,
if the individual fails to complete the 5 consecutive years of
service required by subsection (a)(2)(E), the individual agrees
to repay the Secretary the amount of any interest paid by the
Secretary on behalf of the individual.
``(e) Treatment of Consolidation Loans.--A consolidation loan made
under section 428C of this Act, or a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan
made under part D of title IV of this Act, may be a qualified loan for
the purpose of this section only to the extent that such loan amount
was used by a borrower who otherwise meets the requirements of this
section to repay--
``(1) a loan made under section 428 or 428H of this Act; or
``(2) a Federal Direct Stafford Loan, or a Federal Direct
Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, made under part D of title IV of
this Act.
``(f) Prevention of Double Benefits.--No borrower may, for the same
service, receive a benefit under both this section and--
``(1) any loan forgiveness program under title IV of this
Act; or
``(2) subtitle D of title I of the National and Community
Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12601 et seq.).
``(g) Definitions.--As used in this section--
``(1) the term `high need local educational agency' has the
same meaning given such term in section 201(b)(4); and
``(2) the term `mathematics, science, or engineering
professional' means a person who--
``(A) holds a baccalaureate, masters, or doctoral
degree (or a combination thereof) in science,
mathematics, or engineering; and
``(B) works in a field the Secretary determines is
closely related to that degree,
which shall include working as a professor at a two- or four-
year institution of higher education.
``SEC. 419F. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``There are authorized to be appropriated $41,000,000 for fiscal
year 2008 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 5
succeeding fiscal years to carry out this subpart.''.
SEC. 6. CRITICAL FOREIGN LANGUAGES.
(a) Findings.--Section 601(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1121(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(6) It is crucial that we expand the number of
individuals in the United States mastering languages such as
Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Hindi and Farsi, and the number of
advanced-level speakers of those languages.
``(7) The weaknesses in teaching and learning foreign
languages can be addressed by starting language learning at a
younger age and expanding opportunities for foreign language
education throughout formal schooling, including the
postsecondary level.''.
(b) Purposes.--Section 601(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1121(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) to significantly increase the opportunities to study,
and the number of students in the United States who achieve the
highest level of proficiency in, foreign languages critical to
the security and competitiveness of the Nation.''.
(c) International and Foreign Language Studies.--Part A of title VI
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1121 et seq.) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating sections 607 through 610 as sections
608 through 611, respectively; and
(2) by inserting after section 606 the following:
``SEC. 607. ADVANCING AMERICA THROUGH FOREIGN LANGUAGE PARTNERSHIPS.
``(a) Program Authorized.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to award
grants to institutions of higher education, in partnership with
one or more local educational agencies, to establish
articulated programs of study in critical-need foreign
languages that will enable successful students to advance from
elementary school through college to achieve a superior level
of proficiency in those languages.
``(2) Grant period.--A grant awarded under paragraph (1)
shall be for a period of not more than five years. A grant may
be renewed for not more than two additional five-year periods,
if the Secretary determines that the grantee's program is
effective and the renewal will best serve the purpose of this
program.
``(b) Definitions.--As used in this section:
``(1) The term `critical-need foreign languages' means
foreign languages, such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Hindi, and
Farsi, determined by the Secretary to be most critical for the
national security of the United States.
``(2) The term `superior level of proficiency' means level
(3), the professional working level, as measured by the Federal
Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) or the American Council
on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).
``(c) Applications.--
``(1) In general.--Any institution of higher education that
desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit an
application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Secretary may require.
``(2) Contents.--Each application shall--
``(A) identify each local educational agency
partner, including contact information and letters of
commitment, and describe each such partner's
responsibilities (including how they will be involved
in planning and implementing program curriculum, what
resources they will provide, and how they will ensure
continuity of student progress from elementary school
to the postsecondary level);
``(B) describe how an articulated curriculum for
students will be developed and implemented, including
how pedagogical philosophy, goals, and approaches will
be consistent throughout all educational levels of the
program;
``(C) identify target proficiency levels for
students at critical benchmarks (such as grades 4, 8,
and 12), and describe how progress toward those
proficiency levels will be assessed at the benchmarks
and how the project will use the results of the
assessments to ensure continuous progress toward
achieving a superior level of proficiency at the
postsecondary level;
``(D) describe how the applicant will--
``(i) ensure that students entering college
from a program supported under this part will
be assessed and enabled to progress to a
superior level of proficiency;
``(ii) address the needs of students
already at, or near, the superior level of
proficiency, which may include diagnostic
assessments for placement purposes, customized
and individualized language learning
opportunities, and experimental and
interdisciplinary language learning; and
``(iii) identify and describe how it will
partner with other institutions of higher
education to provide participating students
with multiple options for postsecondary
education consistent with the purpose of this
part; and
``(E) describe how the applicant will support and
continue the program after the grant has expired,
including how it will seek support from other sources,
such as State and local government, foundations, and
the private sector.
``(d) Uses of Funds.--Funds awarded under this part shall be used
to develop and implement programs at the elementary through
postsecondary school levels consistent with the purpose of this part by
carrying out one or more of the following activities:
``(1) To recruit and develop teachers directly related to
the purpose of this part at the elementary through high school
levels.
``(2) To provide innovative opportunities for maximum
language exposure for students in the program, such as the
creation of immersion environments (like language houses,
language tables, and immersion classrooms, and weekend and
summer experiences).
``(e) Matching.--
``(1) In general.--
``(A) Contribution.--In each fiscal year, a grantee
shall provide a non-Federal contribution in an amount
equal to 10 percent of the total amount of the grant
award for that fiscal year.
``(B) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the
requirement of subparagraph (A), in any fiscal year, if
the Secretary determines that--
``(i) the application of the matching
requirement will result in serious hardship for
the grantee; or
``(ii) it will best serve the purpose of
this program.
``(2) Composition.--A grantee's non-Federal contribution
required under paragraph (1) may be provided in cash or in
kind, fairly evaluated, and shall include only non-Federal
funds that are used in a manner consistent with the purpose of
this section.
``(f) Program Evaluation.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may reserve not more than
five percent of the total amount appropriated for this part for
any fiscal year to evaluate the program under this part.
``(2) Reports.--The Secretary shall promptly report to
Congress on the results of any program evaluation conducted
under this subsection.''.
SEC. 7. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
(a) Findings.--The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Just 21 percent of mathematics doctorates and 39
percent of master's degrees went to women in 1992.
(2) Fewer girls than boys take advanced math and science
courses in high school, and girls as a group are outperformed
by boys on standardized math and science tests. Those gaps
persist throughout college and beyond.
(3) According to the author Tom Peters in his book titled
``Re-Imagine'', women control 51 percent of the New York Stock
Exchange, women manage 83 percent of the household income, and
women are responsible for 85 percent of all purchasing of goods
and services in the United States, which represents
$6,000,000,000.
(4) Women will inherit 85 to 90 percent of the Nation's
wealth in the next 10 years, women are starting businesses at
twice the rate of men, making women-owned businesses the
fastest growing segment in the United States economy, and
women-owned businesses generate some $2.46 trillion dollars in
revenue each year.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress that female
students should be encouraged to participate in programs that are
served by the grants authorized under this Act.
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