US Codex
Pub. L.
Notes

Title III — Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education

114th Congress · Approved Jan 6, 2017 · 130 Stat. 2969 · Lineage

TITLE III Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education

SEC. 301. Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program Update.

Section 10A of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n–1a) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(k) STEM Teacher Service and Retention.—

“(1) In general.—The Director shall develop and implement practices for increasing the proportion of individuals receiving fellowships under this section who—

“(A) fulfill the service obligation required under subsection (h); and

“(B) remain in the teaching profession in a high need local educational agency beyond the service obligation.

“(2) Practices.—The practices described under paragraph (1) may include—

“(A) partnering with nonprofit or professional associations or with other government entities to provide individuals receiving fellowships under this section with opportunities for professional development, including mentorship programs that pair those individuals with currently employed and recently retired science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or computer science professionals;

“(B) increasing recruitment from high need districts;

“(C) establishing a system to better collect, track, and respond to data on the career decisions of individuals receiving fellowships under this section;

“(D) conducting research to better understand factors relevant to teacher service and retention, including factors specifically impacting the retention of teachers who are individuals identified in sections 33 and 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b); and

“(E) conducting pilot programs to improve teacher service and retention.”

SEC. 302. Space Grants.

(a)
Sense of Congress.— It is the sense of Congress that the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program has been an important program by which the Federal Government has partnered with universities, colleges, industry, and other organizations to provide hands-on STEM experiences, fostering of multidisciplinary space research, and supporting graduate fellowships in space-related fields, among other purposes.
(b)
Administrative Costs.— Section 40303 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(d) Program Administration Costs.—In carrying out the provisions of this chapter, the Administrator—

“(1) shall maximize appropriated funds for grants and contracts made under section 40304 in each fiscal year; and

“(2) in each fiscal year, the Administrator shall limit its program administration costs to no more than 5 percent of funds appropriated for this program for that fiscal year.

“(e) Reports.—For any fiscal year in which the Administrator cannot meet the administration cost target under subsection (d)(2), if the Administration is unable to limit program costs under subsection (b), the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report, including—

“(1) a description of why the Administrator did not meet the cost target under subsection (d); and

“(2) the measures the Administrator will take in the next fiscal year to meet the cost target under subsection (d) without drawing upon other Federal funding.”

SEC. 303. Stem Education Advisory Panel.

(a)
Establishment.— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment this Act, the Director of the Foundation, Secretary of Education, Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall jointly establish an advisory panel (referred to in this section as the “STEM Education Advisory Panel”) to advise the Committee on STEM Education of the National Science and Technology Council (referred to in this section as “CoSTEM”) on matters relating to STEM education.
(b)
Members.—
(1)
In general.— The STEM Education Advisory Panel shall be composed of not less than 11 members.
(2)
Appointment.—
(A)
In general.— Subject to subparagraph (B), the Director of the Foundation, in consultation with the Secretary of Education and the heads of the Federal science agencies, shall appoint the members of the STEM Education Advisory Panel.
(B)
Consideration.— In selecting individuals to appoint under subparagraph (A), the Director of the Foundation shall seek and give consideration to recommendations from Congress, industry, the scientific community, including the National Academy of Sciences, scientific professional societies, academia, State and local governments, organizations representing individuals identified in section 33 or section 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b), and such other organizations as the Director considers appropriate.
(C)
Qualifications.— Members shall—
(i)
primarily be individuals from academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and industry, including in-school, out-of-school, and informal education practitioners; and
(ii)
be individuals who are qualified to provide advice and information on STEM education research, development, training, implementation, interventions, professional development, or workforce needs or concerns.
(c)
Responsibilities.—
(1)
In general.— The STEM Education Advisory Panel shall—
(A)
advise CoSTEM;
(B)
periodically assess CoSTEM’s progress in carrying out its responsibilities under section 101(b) of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621(b)); and
(C)
help identify any need or opportunity to update the strategic plan under section 101(b) of that Act.
(2)
Considerations.— In its advisory role, the STEM Education Advisory Panel shall consider—
(A)
the management, coordination, and implementation of STEM education programs and activities across the Federal Government;
(B)
the appropriateness of criteria used by Federal agencies to evaluate the effectiveness of Federal STEM education programs and activities;
(C)
whether societal and workforce concerns are adequately addressed by current Federal STEM education programs and activities;
(D)
how Federal agencies can incentivize institutions of higher education to improve retention of STEM students;
(E)
ways to leverage private and nonprofit STEM investments and encourage public-private partnerships to strengthen STEM education and help build the STEM workforce pipeline;
(F)
ways to incorporate workforce needs into Federal STEM education programs and activities, particularly for specific employment fields of national interest and employment fields experiencing high unemployment rates;
(G)
ways to better vertically and horizontally integrate Federal STEM education programs and activities from pre-kindergarten through graduate study and the workforce, and from in-school to out-of-school in order to improve transitions for students moving through the STEM education and workforce pipelines;
(H)
the extent to which Federal STEM education programs and activities are contributing to recruitment and retention of individuals identified in sections 33 and 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b) in the STEM education and workforce pipelines; and
(I)
ways to encourage geographic diversity in the STEM education and the workforce pipelines.
(3)
Recommendations.— The STEM Education Advisory Panel shall make recommendations to improve Federal STEM education programs and activities based on each assessment under paragraph (1)(B).
(d)
Funding.— The Director of the Foundation, the Secretary of Education, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall jointly make funds available on an annual basis to support the activities of the STEM Education Advisory Panel.
(e)
Reports.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and after each assessment under subsection (c)(1)(B), the STEM Education Advisory Panel shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress and CoSTEM a report on its assessment under that subsection and its recommendations under subsection (c)(3).
(f)
Travel Expenses of Non-Federal Members.—
(1)
In general.— Non-Federal members of the STEM Education Advisory Panel, while attending meetings of the panel or while otherwise serving at the request of a co-chairperson away from their homes or regular places of business, may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, for individuals in the Government serving without pay.
(2)
Rule of construction.— Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit members of the STEM Advisory Panel who are officers or employees of the United States from being allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with existing law.
(g)
Termination.— The STEM Education Advisory Panel established under subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date that it is established.

SEC. 304. Committee on Stem Education.

(a)
Responsibilities.— Section 101(b) of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621(b)) is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (5)(D), by striking “ ; and” and inserting a semicolon;
(2)
in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:

“(7) collaborate with the STEM Education Advisory Panel established under section 303 of the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act and other outside stakeholders to ensure the engagement of the STEM education community;

“(8) review the measures used by a Federal agency to evaluate its STEM education activities and programs;

“(9) request and review feedback from States on how the States are utilizing Federal STEM education programs and activities; and

“(10) recommend the reform, termination, or consolidation of Federal STEM education activities and programs, taking into consideration the recommendations of the STEM Education Advisory Panel.”

(b)
Reports.— Section 101 of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621) is amended—
(1)
by striking “ (c) Report.—” and inserting “ (d) Reports.—”;
(2)
by striking “ (b) Responsibilities of OSTP.—” and inserting “ (c) Responsibilities of OSTP.—”; and
(3)
in subsection (d), as redesignated—
(A)
in paragraph (4), by striking “ ; and” and inserting a semicolon;
(B)
in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(C)
by adding at the end the following:

“(6) a description of all consolidations and terminations of Federal STEM education programs and activities implemented in the previous fiscal year, including an explanation for the consolidations and terminations;

“(7) recommendations for reforms, consolidations, and terminations of STEM education programs or activities in the upcoming fiscal year; and

“(8) a description of any significant new STEM education public-private partnerships.”

SEC. 305. Programs to Expand Stem Opportunities.

(a)
Findings.— Congress makes the following findings:
(1)
Economic projections by the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that by 2018, there could be 2,400,000 unfilled STEM jobs.
(2)
Women represent slightly more than half the United States population, and projections indicate that 54 percent of the population will be a member of a racial or ethnic minority group by 2050.
(3)
Despite representing half the population, women comprise only about 30 percent of STEM workers according to a 2015 report by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics.
(4)
A 2014 National Center for Education Statistics study found that underrepresented populations leave the STEM fields at higher rates than their counterparts.
(5)
The representation of women in STEM drops significantly at the faculty level. Overall, women hold only 25 percent of all tenured and tenure-track positions and 17 percent of full professor positions in STEM fields in our Nation’s universities and 4-year colleges.
(6)
Black and Hispanic faculty together hold about 6.5 percent of all tenured and tenure-track positions and 5 percent of full professor positions.
(7)
Many of the numbers in the American Indian or Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander categories for different faculty ranks were too small for the Foundation to report publicly without potentially compromising confidential information about the individuals being surveyed.
(b)
Sense of Congress.— It is the sense of Congress that—
(1)
it is critical to our Nation’s economic leadership and global competitiveness that the United States educate, train, and retain more scientists, engineers, and computer scientists;
(2)
there is currently a disconnect between the availability of and growing demand for STEM-skilled workers;
(3)
historically, underrepresented populations are the largest untapped STEM talent pools in the United States; and
(4)
given the shifting demographic landscape, the United States should encourage full participation of individuals from underrepresented populations in STEM fields.
(c)
Reaffirmation.— The Director of the Foundation shall continue to support programs designed to broaden participation of underrepresented populations in STEM fields.
(d)
Grants To Broaden Participation.—
(1)
In general.— The Director of the Foundation shall award grants on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis, to eligible entities to increase the participation of underrepresented populations in STEM fields, including individuals identified in section 33 or section 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b).
(2)
Center of excellence.—
(A)
In general.— Grants awarded under this subsection may include grants for the establishment of a Center of Excellence to collect, maintain, and disseminate information to increase participation of underrepresented populations in STEM fields.
(B)
Purpose.— The purpose of a Center of Excellence under this subsection is to promote diversity in STEM fields by building on the success of the INCLUDES programs, providing technical assistance, maintaining best practices, and providing related training at federally funded academic institutions.
(e)
Accountability and Dissemination.—
(1)
Evaluation.—
(A)
In general.— Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Foundation shall evaluate the grants provided under this section.
(B)
Requirements.— In conducting the evaluation under subparagraph (A), the Director shall—
(i)
use a common set of benchmarks and assessment tools to identify best practices and materials developed or demonstrated by the research; and
(ii)
to the extent practicable, combine the research resulting from the grant activity under subsection (e) with the current research on serving underrepresented students in grades kindergarten through 8.
(2)
Report on evaluations.— Not later than 180 days after the completion of the evaluation under paragraph (1), the Director of the Foundation shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress and make widely available to the public a report that includes—
(A)
the results of the evaluation; and
(B)
any recommendations for administrative and legislative action that could optimize the effectiveness of the program.
(f)
Coordination.— In carrying out this section, the Director of the Foundation shall consult and cooperate with the programs and policies of other relevant Federal agencies to avoid duplication with and enhance the effectiveness of the program under this section.

SEC. 306. Nist Education and Outreach.

(a)
Repeal.— The National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 271 et seq.) is amended by striking section 18 (15 U.S.C. 278g–1).
(b)
Education and Outreach.— The National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 271 et seq.), as amended, is further amended by inserting after section 17, the following:

“SEC. 18. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH.

“(a) In General.—The Director is authorized to expend funds appropriated for activities of the Institute in any fiscal year, to support, promote, and coordinate activities and efforts to enhance public awareness and understanding of measurement sciences, standards and technology at the national measurement laboratories and otherwise in fulfillment of the mission of the Institute. The Director may carry out activities under this subsection, including education and outreach activities to the general public, industry and academia in support of the Institute’s mission.

“(b) Hiring.—The Director, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, may revise the procedures the Director applies when making appointments to laboratory positions within the competitive service—

“(1) to ensure corporate memory of and expertise in the fundamental ongoing work, and on developing new capabilities in priority areas;

“(2) to maintain high overall technical competence;

“(3) to improve staff diversity;

“(4) to balance emphases on the noncore and core areas; or

“(5) to improve the ability of the Institute to compete in the marketplace for qualified personnel.

“(c) Volunteers.—

“(1) In general.—The Director may establish a program to use volunteers in carrying out the programs of the Institute.

“(2) Acceptance of personnel.—The Director may accept, subject to regulations issued by the Office of Personnel Management, voluntary service for the Institute for such purpose if the service—

“(A) is to be without compensation; and

“(B) will not be used to displace any current employee or act as a substitute for any future full-time employee of the Institute.

“(3) Federal employee status.—Any individual who provides voluntary service under this subsection shall not be considered a Federal employee, except for purposes of chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code (relating to compensation for injury), and sections 2671 through 2680 of title 28, United States Code (relating to tort claims).

“(d) Research Fellowships.—

“(1) In general.—The Director may expend funds appropriated for activities of the Institute in any fiscal year, as the Director considers appropriate, for awards of research fellowships and other forms of financial and logistical assistance, including direct stipend awards to—

“(A) students at institutions of higher learning within the United States who show promise as present or future contributors to the mission of the Institute; and

“(B) United States citizens for research and technical activities of the Institute, including programs.

“(2) Selection criteria.—The selection of persons to receive such fellowships and assistance shall be made on the basis of ability and of the relevance of the proposed work to the mission and programs of the Institute.

“(3) Financial and logistical assistance.—Notwithstanding section 1345 of title 31, United States Code, or any other law to the contrary, the Director may include as a form of financial or logistical assistance under this subsection temporary housing and transportation to and from Institute facilities.

“(e) Educational Outreach Activities.—The Director may—

“(1) facilitate education programs for undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and academic and industry employees;

“(2) sponsor summer workshops for STEM kindergarten through grade 12 teachers as appropriate;

“(3) develop programs for graduate student internships and visiting faculty researchers;

“(4) document publications, presentations, and interactions with visiting researchers and sponsoring interns as performance metrics for improving and continuing interactions with those individuals; and

“(5) facilitate laboratory tours and provide presentations for educational, industry, and community groups.”

(c)
Post-doctoral Fellowship Program.— Section 19 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g–2) is amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 19. POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.

“(a) In General.—The Institute and the National Academy of Sciences, jointly, shall establish and conduct a post-doctoral fellowship program, subject to the availability of appropriations.

“(b) Organization.—The post-doctoral fellowship program shall include not less than 20 new fellows per fiscal year.

“(c) Evaluations.—In evaluating applications for post-doctoral fellowships under this section, the Director of the Institute and the President of the National Academy of Sciences shall give consideration to the goal of promoting the participation of individuals identified in sections 33 and 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b) in research areas supported by the Institute.”

(d)
Savings Clauses.—
(1)
Research fellowships and other financial assistance to students at institutes of higher education.— The repeal made by subsection (a) of this section shall not affect any award of a research fellowship or other form of financial assistance made under section 18 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g–1) before the date of enactment of this Act. Such award shall continue to be subject to the requirements to which such funds were subject under that section before the date of enactment of this Act.
(2)
Post-doctoral fellowship program.— The amendment made by subsection (c) of this section shall not affect any award of a post-doctoral fellowship or other form of financial assistance made under section 19 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g–2) before the date of enactment of this Act. Such awards shall continue to be subject to the requirements to which such funds were subject under that section before the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 307. Presidential Awards for Excellence in Stem Mentoring.

(a)
In General.— The Director of the Foundation shall continue to administer awards on behalf of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to recognize outstanding mentoring in STEM fields.
(b)
Annual Award Recipients.— The Director of the Foundation shall provide Congress with a list of award recipients, including the name, institution, and a brief synopsis of the impact of the mentoring efforts.

SEC. 308. Working Group on Inclusion in Stem Fields.

(a)
Establishment.— The Office of Science and Technology Policy, in collaboration with Federal departments and agencies, shall establish an interagency working group to compile and summarize available research and best practices on how to promote diversity and inclusions in STEM fields and examine whether barriers exist to promoting diversity and inclusion within Federal agencies employing scientists and engineers.
(b)
Responsibilities.— The working group shall be responsible for reviewing and assessing research, best practices, and policies across Federal science agencies related to the inclusion of individuals identified in sections 33 and 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b) in the Federal STEM workforce, including available research and best practices on how to promote diversity and inclusion in STEM fields, including—
(1)
policies providing flexibility for scientists and engineers that are also caregivers, particularly on the timing of research grants;
(2)
policies to address the proper handling of claims of sexual harassment;
(3)
policies to minimize the effects of implicit bias and other systemic factors in hiring, promotion, evaluation and the workplace in general; and
(4)
other evidence-based strategies that the working group considers effective for promoting diversity and inclusion in the STEM fields.
(c)
Stakeholder Input.— In carrying out the responsibilities under section (b), the working group shall solicit and consider input and recommendations from non-Federal stakeholders, including—
(1)
the Council of Advisors on Science and Technology;
(2)
federally funded and non-federally funded researchers, institutions of higher education, scientific disciplinary societies, and associations;
(3)
nonprofit research institutions;
(4)
industry, including small businesses;
(5)
federally funded research and development centers;
(6)
non-governmental organizations; and
(7)
such other members of the public interested in promoting a diverse and inclusive Federal STEM workforce.
(d)
Public Reports.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and periodically thereafter, the working group shall publish a report on the review and assessment under subsection (b), including a summary of available research and best practices, any recommendations for Federal actions to promote a diverse and inclusive Federal STEM workforce, and updates on the implementation of previous recommendations for Federal actions.
(e)
Termination.— The interagency working group established under subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after the date that it is established.

SEC. 309. Improving Undergraduate Stem Experiences.

(a)
Sense of Congress.— It is the sense of Congress that each Federal science agency should invest in and expand research opportunities for undergraduate students attending institutions of higher education during the undergraduate students’ first 2 academic years of postsecondary education.
(b)
Identification of Research Programs.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the head of each Federal agency shall submit to the President recommendations regarding how the agency could best fulfill the goals described in subsection (a).

SEC. 310. Computer Science Education Research.

(a)
Findings.— Congress finds that as the lead Federal agency for building the research knowledge base for computer science education, the Foundation is well positioned to make investments that will accelerate ongoing efforts to enable rigorous and engaging computer science throughout the Nation as an integral part of STEM education.
(b)
Grant Program.—
(1)
In general.— The Director of the Foundation shall award grants to eligible entities to research computer science education and computational thinking.
(2)
Research.— The research described in paragraph (1) may include the development or adaptation, piloting or full implementation, and testing of—
(A)
models of preservice preparation for teachers who will teach computer science and computational thinking;
(B)
scalable and sustainable models of professional development and ongoing support for the teachers described in subparagraph (A);
(C)
tools and models for teaching and learning aimed at supporting student success and inclusion in computing within and across diverse populations, particularly poor, rural, and tribal populations and other populations that have been historically underrepresented in computer science and STEM fields; and
(D)
high-quality learning opportunities for teaching computer science and, especially in poor, rural, or tribal schools at the elementary school and middle school levels, for integrating computational thinking into STEM teaching and learning.
(c)
Collaborations.— In carrying out the grants established in subsection (b), eligible entities may collaborate and partner with local or remote schools to support the integration of computing and computational thinking within pre-kindergarten through grade 12 STEM curricula and instruction.
(d)
Metrics.— The Director of the Foundation shall develop metrics to measure the success of the grant program funded under this section in achieving program goals.
(e)
Report.— The Director of the Foundation shall report, in the annual budget submission to Congress, on the success of the program as measured by the metrics in subsection (d).
(f)
Definition of Eligible Entity.— In this section, the term “eligible entity” means an institution of higher education or a nonprofit research organization.

SEC. 311. Informal Stem Education.

(a)
National STEM Partnership Grants.— Section 3(a) of the STEM Education Act of 2015 (42 U.S.C. 1862q(a)) is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (1), by striking “ ; and” and inserting a semicolon;
(2)
in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting “ ; and”; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:

“(3) a national partnership of institutions involved in informal STEM learning.”

(b)
Use of Funds.— Section 3(b) of the STEM Education Act of 2015 (42 U.S.C. 1862q(b)) is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (1), by striking “ ; and” and inserting a semicolon;
(2)
in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:

“(3) fostering on-going partnerships between institutions involved in informal STEM learning, institutions of higher education, and education research centers; and

“(4) developing, and making available informal STEM education activities and educational materials.”

SEC. 312. Developing Stem Apprenticeships.

(a)
Findings.— Congress makes the following findings:
(1)
The lack of data on the return on investment for United States employers using registered apprenticeships makes it difficult—
(A)
to communicate the value of these programs to businesses; and
(B)
to expand registered apprenticeships.
(2)
The lack of data on the value and impact of employer-provided worker training, which is likely substantial, hinders the ability of the Federal Government to formulate policy related to workforce training.
(3)
The Secretary of Commerce has initiated—
(A)
the first study on the return on investment for United States employers using registered apprenticeships through case studies of firms in various sectors, occupations, and geographic locations to provide the business community with data on employer benefits and costs; and
(B)
discussions with officials at relevant Federal agencies about the need to collect comprehensive data on—
(i)
employer-provided worker training; and
(ii)
existing tools that could be used to collect such data.
(b)
Development of Apprenticeship Information.— The Secretary of Commerce shall continue to research the value to businesses of utilizing apprenticeship programs, including—
(1)
evidence of return on investment of apprenticeships, including estimates for the average time it takes a business to recover the costs associated with training apprentices; and
(2)
data from the United States Census Bureau and other statistical surveys on employer-provided training, including apprenticeships and other on-the-job training and industry-recognized certification programs.
(c)
Dissemination of Apprenticeship Information.— The Secretary of Commerce shall disseminate findings from research on apprenticeships to businesses and other relevant stakeholders, including—
(1)
institutions of higher education;
(2)
State and local chambers of commerce; and
(3)
workforce training organizations.
(d)
New Apprenticeship Program Study.— The Secretary of Commerce may collaborate with the Secretary of Labor to study approaches for reducing the cost of creating new apprenticeship programs and hosting apprentices for businesses, particularly small businesses, including—
(1)
training sharing agreements;
(2)
group training models; and
(3)
pooling resources and best practices.
(e)
Economic Development Administration Grants.— The Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“SEC. 28. STEM APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.

“(a) In General.—The Secretary of Commerce may carry out a grant program to identify the need for skilled science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (referred to in this section as ‘STEM’) workers and to expand STEM apprenticeship programs.

“(b) Eligible Recipient Defined.—In this section, the term ‘eligible recipient’ means—

“(1) a State;

“(2) an Indian tribe;

“(3) a city or other political subdivision of a State;

“(4) an entity that—

“(A) is a nonprofit organization, an institution of higher education, a public-private partnership, a science or research park, a Federal laboratory, or an economic development organization or similar entity; and

“(B) has an application that is supported by a State, a political subdivision of a State, or a native organization; or

“(5) a consortium of any of the entities described in paragraphs (1) through (5).

“(c) Needs Assessment Grants.—The Secretary of Commerce may provide a grant to an eligible recipient to conduct a needs assessment to identify—

“(1) the unmet need of a region’s employer base for skilled STEM workers;

“(2) the potential of STEM apprenticeships to address the unmet need described in paragraph (1); and

“(3) any barriers to addressing the unmet need described in paragraph (1).

“(d) Apprenticeship Expansion Grants.—The Secretary of Commerce may provide a grant to an eligible recipient that has conducted a needs assessment as described in subsection (c)(1) to develop infrastructure to expand STEM apprenticeship programs.”

SEC. 313. Nsf Report on Broadening Participation.

Section 204(e) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 1885c(e)) is amended to read as follows:

“(e) Biennial Report.—Every 2 years, the Committee shall prepare and submit to the Director a report on its activities during the previous 2 years and proposed activities for the next 2 years. The Director shall submit to Congress the report, unaltered, together with such comments as the Director considers appropriate, including—

“(1) review data on the participation in Foundation activities of institutions serving populations that are underrepresented in STEM disciplines, including poor, rural, and tribal populations; and

“(2) recommendations regarding how the Foundation could improve outreach and inclusion of these populations in Foundation activities.”

SEC. 314. Noaa Science Education Programs.

(a)
In General.— Section 4002(a) of the America COMPETES Act (33 U.S.C. 893a(a)) is amended by striking “ agency, with consideration given to the goal of promoting the participation of individuals from underrepresented groups” and inserting “ the agency, with consideration given to the goal of promoting the participation of individuals identified in sections 33 and 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b)”.
(b)
Educational Program Goals.— Section 4002(b)(4) of the America COMPETES Act (33 U.S.C. 893a(b)(4)) is amended—
(1)
in subparagraph (B), by striking “ and” at the end;
(2)
by redesignating subparagraph (C) and subparagraph (D);
(3)
by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:

“(C) are designed considering the unique needs of underrepresented groups, translating such materials and other resources;”

; and

(4)
by adding at the end the following:

“(E) are promoted widely, especially among individuals identified in sections 33 and 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b); and”

(c)
Metrics.— Section 4002 of the America COMPETES Act (33 U.S.C. 893a) is amended—
(1)
by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections (e) and (f), respectively; and
(2)
by adding after section (c) the following:

“(d) Metrics.—In executing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration science education plan under subsection (c), the Administrator shall maintain a comprehensive system for evaluating the Administration’s educational programs and activities. In so doing, the Administrator shall ensure that such education programs have measurable objectives and milestones as well as clear, documented metrics for evaluating programs. For each such education program or portfolio of similar programs, the Administrator shall—

“(1) encourage the collection of evidence as relevant to the measurable objectives and milestones; and

“(2) ensure that program or portfolio evaluations focus on educational outcomes and not just inputs, activities completed, or the number of participants.”

SEC. 315. Hispanic-Serving Institutions Undergraduate Program Update.

(a)
In General.— Section 7033(a) of the America COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 1862o–12(a)) is amended as follows:

“(a) In General.—The Director shall award grants on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis to Hispanic-serving institutions (as defined in section 502 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a)) to enhance the quality of undergraduate STEM education at such institutions and to increase the retention and graduation rates of students pursuing associate’s or baccalaureate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.”

(b)
Savings Provision.— The amendment made by subsection (a) of this section shall not affect any award of a grant or other form of financial assistance made under section 7033 of the America COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 1862o–12) before the date of enactment of this Act. Such awards shall continue to be subject to the requirements to which such funds were subject under that section before the date of enactment of this Act.