Summer Science Academy Act of 1991 - Directs the National Science Foundation to make grants, contracts, or agreements for at least 20 Summer Science Academies for talented students, particularly economically disadvantaged, minority students, in grades seven through 12, to study mathematics, science, engineering design, and communications.
Authorizes appropriations.
HR 775 IH 102d CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 775 To establish Summer Science Academies for talented students, particularly economically disadvantaged, minority participants, and for other purposes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 4, 1991 Mr. STOKES (for himself, Mr. LEWIS of California, Mr. DYMALLY, and Mr. MFUME) introduced the following bill; which was referred jointly to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, and Education and Labor A BILL To establish Summer Science Academies for talented students, particularly economically disadvantaged, minority participants, 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 `Summer Science Academy Act of 1991'. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. The Congress finds that-- (1) this Nation's universities are neither enrolling nor graduating enough American students into the fields of science or engineering, particularly students from underrepresented minority groups; (2) the United States must reach out to minorities in order to address the Nation's future potential shortfall of scientists and engineers; (3) innovative and creative approaches to recruiting and educating minority students in the science, mathematics, and engineering fields are sorely needed; (4) Black Americans make up over 12 percent of the population of the United States, but account for only 2 percent of the Nation's employed engineers and scientists; (5) Hispanic Americans are the fastest growing American minority group and comprise 9 percent of the Nation's population, but account for only 2 percent of the Nation's employed scientists and engineers; and (6) American Indians, including Alaska natives, constitute one-half of 1 percent of the population of the United States, but make up only three one-thousandths of all the baccalaureate degrees awarded in engineering and science. SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE. The purposes of this Act are to-- (1) improve the enrollment and completion rates of minority individuals in science and engineering; (2) improve the precollege preparation of minority students for whom a technical career is a viable option; (3) strengthen participating students' mathematical, science, and communication skills which are essential to such students' success in high school, college, and the work place; (4) identify approaches to teaching that may be particularly effective with minority students; and (5) enhance participating students' sense of self-esteem and life skills to enable such students to successfully meet life's many challenges. SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Act-- (1) the term `Academy' means a Summer Science Academy established pursuant to this Act; (2) the term `parent' includes a legal guardian or person standing in loco parentis; and (3) the term `participant' means a student enrolled in an Academy. SEC. 5. PROGRAM ESTABLISHED. (a) IN GENERAL- The National Science Foundation shall make grants to, or enter contracts or cooperative agreements with, eligible entities to establish and operate at least 20 Summer Science Academies to provide talented students, particularly economically disadvantaged, minority students, with an ongoing annual program of instruction in the fields of mathematics, science, engineering design, and communications. (b) ELIGIBILITY- The following entities are eligible to receive funds under this Act for establishing and operating an Academy: (1) Institutions receiving financial assistance from the National Science Foundation to serve the education needs of minority students, including Resource Centers in Science and Engineering, Minority Research Centers, and Comprehensive Minority Centers. (2) Other nonprofit educational organizations. (c) SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS- To the maximum extent possible, Academies shall be-- (1) designed to provide annual instruction to students beginning in grade 7 and continuing through grade 12; (2) geographically dispersed nationwide; and (3) residential in nature. (d) ACADEMY ENROLLMENT- (1) Each Academy shall eventually serve at least 50 participants in each of the grades 7 through 12 for a combined annual Academy enrollment of at least 300 participants. (2) In the first year in which an Academy is established, such Academy shall instruct at least 50 participants in each of the grades 7 and 8. In each succeeding year, such Academy shall instruct at least 50 participants in each of the grades taught in the preceding year and at least 50 participants in the next higher grade. In no event shall funds be available for instruction of participants beyond grade level 12. (3) Enrollment slots which become available as a result of participant departures from the Academy shall be filled through criteria established by each Academy. Such criteria shall be approved by the National Science Foundation. SEC. 6. ACADEMY SELECTION CRITERIA. The National Science Foundation shall establish a peer review process to select eligible entities to establish and operate Academies. SEC. 7. PARTICIPANT SELECTION CRITERIA. (a) IN GENERAL- The National Science Foundation shall establish selection criteria and procedures by which each Academy shall select and admit participants. Such selection criteria shall include-- (1) in-school academic performance and accomplishments; (2) aptitude and expressed interest in the fields of science, mathematics, or engineering; and (3) recommendations from teachers, parents, church organizations, civic organizations, and other community-based or educational organizations. (b) SPECIAL RULE- To the maximum extent possible-- (1) at least 50 percent of the participants in each grade level in each Academy shall be female; and (2) at least 70 percent of the participants in each grade level in each Academy shall be talented, economically disadvantaged, minority students. SEC. 8. USE OF FUNDS. (a) IN GENERAL- Each eligible entity receiving funds under this Act shall use such funds to-- (1) hire and recruit permanent and visiting staff to instruct and supervise participants; (2) provide participants and staff with lodging, food, materials, and other accommodations; (3) provide stipends to economically disadvantaged, minority participants to cover the costs of attending the Academy; (4) assist participants in acquiring certain life skills including-- (A) respect for others; (B) responsibilities as members of communities; (C) conflict resolution; (D) working with others; and (E) basic written and verbal communication skills; (5) provide participants with mathematics, science, engineering design, and communications experiences through-- (A) problem solving and reasoning skills development; (B) interactive and hands-on learning; and (C) group study and cooperative learning; and (6) conduct such other activities as the eligible entity may determine necessary to carry out this Act. (b) STIPENDS- The amount of the stipend provided pursuant to subsection (a)(3) shall be determined on the basis of the participant's or participant's parents ability to pay the costs of attending the Academy. (c) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS- The National Science Foundation may use no more than 5 percent of the funds appropriated to carry out this Act in each fiscal year for administrative expenses. SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1992, $3,000,000 for fiscal year 1993, $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1994, $7,000,000 for fiscal year 1995, and $9,000,000 for fiscal year 1996 to carry out this Act.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Science.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Elementary, Secondary and Vocational Education.
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