---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 18991"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "18991"
heading: "PreK–12 STEM education"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/18991"
units:
  - "Chapter 163 — Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation"
  - "Subchapter III — National Science Foundation for the Future"
  - "Part B — STEM Education"
---

# §18991. PreK–12 STEM education

- (a) **National Academies study—** Not later than 120 days after August 9, 2022, the [Director](/usc/42/18921.md?p=1) shall enter into an agreement with the [National Academies](/usc/42/18901.md?p=20) to conduct a study to—
  - (1) review the research literature and identify research gaps regarding the interconnected factors that foster and hinder successful implementation of promising, evidence-based [PreK–12](/usc/42/18901.md?p=22) [STEM education](/usc/42/18901.md?p=28) innovations at the local, regional, and national level;
  - (2) present a compendium of promising, evidence-based [PreK–12](/usc/42/18901.md?p=22) [STEM education](/usc/42/18901.md?p=28) [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19), models, programs, and technologies;
  - (3) identify barriers to widespread and sustained implementation of such innovations; and
  - (4) make recommendations to the [Foundation](/usc/42/18901.md?p=11), the [Department](/usc/42/19291.md?p=2) of Education, the National Science and Technology Council’s Committee on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education, [State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14) and local educational [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), and other relevant stakeholders on measures to address such barriers.
- (b) **Omitted—**
- (c) **[Log 907 S2522] 1 National STEM Teacher Corps pilot—**
  - (1) **Purpose—** It is the purpose of this subsection to elevate the profession of [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) teaching by establishing a National [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) Teacher Corps pilot program to recognize outstanding [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) teachers in our Nation’s classrooms, rewards[^2] them for their accomplishments, elevates[^3] their public profile, and creates[^4] rewarding career paths to which all [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) teachers can aspire, both to prepare future [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) researchers and to create a scientifically literate public.
  - (2) **Definitions—** In this subsection:
    - (A) **Administrator—** The term “[Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1)” means the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) of the National [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) Teacher Corps.
    - (B) **Eligible entity—** The term “eligible entity” means—
      - (i) an [institution of higher education](/usc/42/18901.md?p=13); or
      - (ii) a [consortium](/usc/42/17061.md?p=4) consisting of an [institution of higher education](/usc/42/18901.md?p=13) and one or more of the following:
        - (I) A [State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14) educational [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) (as defined in [section 7801 of title 20](/usc/20/7801.md)).
        - (II) A local educational [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) (as defined in [section 7801 of title 20](/usc/20/7801.md)).
        - (III) An education [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) Association.
        - (IV) A cross sector[^5] [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) organization.
        - (V) A private entity, including a [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27)-related business.
    - (C) **High-need school—** The term “high-need school” has the meaning given the term in [section 6631(b) of title 20](/usc/20/6631.md?p=b).
    - (D) **Professional development—** The term “professional Development”[^6] has the meaning given the term in [section 7801 of title 20](/usc/20/7801.md).
    - (E) **Corps Alliance—** The term “Corps Alliance” means a regionally or topically based award under this subsection.
    - (F) **National STEM Teacher Corps Advisory Board—** The term “National [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) Teacher Corps Advisory Board” means the Advisory Board for the National [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) Teacher Corps established under [paragraph (5)](#c-5).
  - (3) **Establishment of National STEM Teacher Corps—** The [Director](/usc/42/18921.md?p=1) may, subject to the availability of appropriations, establish within the [Foundation](/usc/42/18901.md?p=11), a National [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) Teacher Corps 10-year pilot program to be administered by the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1), who shall be appointed by the [Director](/usc/42/18921.md?p=1). As appropriate, the [Director](/usc/42/18921.md?p=1) may use existing NSF programs to establish and execute this program.
  - (4) **Duties of the Administrator—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) shall—
    - (A) create a process and standards for selection of eligible applicants to become members of the National [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) Teacher Corps, including—
      - (i) uniform selection criteria that includes[^7]—
        - (I) deep knowledge of [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) content and pedagogy;
        - (II) a passion for [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) subjects and dedication to teaching, evidence of leadership skills, and potential for continued career growth as an educator; and
        - (III) demonstrated experience increasing [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) student achievement and [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) participation rates for all students, particularly those from rural and high-need schools; and
      - (ii) a uniform selection process, including a comprehensive application that includes recommendations and other relevant professional information;
    - (B) promote the National [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) Teacher Corps and elevate best [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) that emerge from the National [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) Teacher Corps to a national audience;
    - (C) evaluate the operation and effectiveness of the Corps alliances; and
    - (D) evaluate the overall and long-term impact of the National [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) Teacher Corps by—
      - (i) documenting, monitoring, and assessing the program outcomes or impact on the [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) careers of participants; and
      - (ii) documenting, monitoring, and assessing the program outcomes for the [STEM education](/usc/42/18901.md?p=28) profession nationwide, particularly for rural and high-need schools.
  - (5) **National STEM Teacher Corps Advisory Board—**
    - (A) **Establishment—** There is established a National [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) Teacher Corps Advisory Board to advise the [Director](/usc/42/18921.md?p=1) on matters pertaining to the National [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) Teacher Corps for the length of the pilot program.
    - (B) **Composition—**
      - (i) **In general—** The membership of the National [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) Teacher Corps Advisory Board shall—
        - (I) be appointed by the [Director](/usc/42/18921.md?p=1);
        - (II) include a representative from each of the following: School leaders, [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) researchers, [STEM education](/usc/42/18901.md?p=28) researchers, Business leaders, [PreK–12](/usc/42/18901.md?p=22) [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) educators, and Students pursuing a postsecondary [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) degree; and
        - (III) be geographically diverse.
      - (ii) **Existing committee—** The [Director](/usc/42/18921.md?p=1) may assign the duties of the National [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) Teacher Corps Advisory Board to another [advisory committee](/usc/42/17061.md?p=2) of the [Foundation](/usc/42/18901.md?p=11).
  - (6) **Duties of the Corps alliances—** Subject to the availability of appropriated funds, the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) may make awards on a competitive, merit-review basis, to establish Corps alliances at eligible entities. Activities carried out by such alliances shall include—
    - (A) engaging local partners, which may include local educational [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), institutions of higher education, [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) organizations, or education [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) organizations, to—
      - (i) develop and serve the community of National [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) Teacher Corps members within the region or topic area, in coordination with local partners to carry out day-to-day activities;
      - (ii) coordinate professional development activities, including activities led by National [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) Teacher Corps members;
      - (iii) connect National [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) Teacher Corps members with existing educator professional development programs and coordinate members’ involvement as cooperating teachers or mentors;
      - (iv) seek opportunities to involve teachers who are not members of the National [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) Teacher Corps to participate in National [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) Teacher Corps activities; and
      - (v) build partnerships with existing education organizations and other efforts by [State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14) educational [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) and local educational [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) that operate programs relevant to the National [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) Teacher Corps and its activities;
    - (B) recruiting eligible applicants, with a focus on recruiting diverse [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) educators to advance equity based on race, ethnicity, sex, socioeconomic status, age, disability status, geography, and language ability;
    - (C) screening, interviewing, and selecting members of the National [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) Teacher Corps using procedures and standards provided by the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1);
    - (D) coordinating the online network that supports all National [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) Teacher Corps members in the region or topic area;
    - (E) convening occasional meetings of National [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) Teacher Corps members in a region or topic area;
    - (F) creating opportunities for the professional growth of National [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) Teacher Corps members, with a focus on increasing [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) student achievement and [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) participation rates for all students, particularly those from rural and high-need schools; and
    - (G) supporting the retention and success of National [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) Teacher Corps members in the region or topic area.
  - (7) **Duties of members of the National STEM Teacher Corps—** An applicant that is selected by a Corps alliance to be a member of the National [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) Teacher Corps shall—
    - (A) serve a 4-year term with a possibility of reappointment;
    - (B) receive an annual stipend in an amount not less than $10,000; and
    - (C) have substantial responsibilities, including—
      - (i) working with other members of the National [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) Teacher Corps to develop and improve innovative teaching [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19), including [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) such as inquiry-based learning;
      - (ii) participating in professional development in innovative teaching methodology and mentorship; and
      - (iii) continuing to excel in teaching the member’s own students, with a focus on advancing equity by spending additional time teaching and coaching underserved students to increase [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) student achievement and [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) participation rates for students from rural and high-need schools.
  - (8) **Evaluation—** The [Director](/usc/42/18921.md?p=1), acting through the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1), shall submit a report to Congress after the third year of the pilot program that includes—
    - (A) an assessment, drawing on the evaluations the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) shall conduct under subparagraphs [(C)](#c-4-C) and [(D)](#c-4-D) of paragraph (4), and other sources of information, of the effectiveness of the pilot program in recruiting and retaining high-quality [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) teachers in the selected regions or topic areas, particularly in high-need and rural schools; and
    - (B) if deemed effective, a proposal to Congress for permanent implementation of the pilot program.
  - (9) **Sunset—** The authority to carry out this subsection shall terminate on the date that is 15 years after August 9, 2022.
  - (10) **Authorization of appropriations—** There are authorized to be appropriated $60,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2032 to carry out this subsection.

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original.
[^2]: So in original. Probably should be “reward”.
[^3]: So in original. Probably should be “elevate”.
[^4]: So in original. Probably should be “create”.
[^5]: So in original. Probably should be “cross-sector”.
[^6]: So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.
[^7]: So in original. Probably should be “include”.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title III, § 10311, Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1510.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section is comprised of section 10311 of div. B of Pub. L. 117–167. Subsec. (b) of section 10311 of div. B of Pub. L. 117–167 amended section 1862q of this title.