Sec. 2522. National Science Corps
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It is the purpose of this section to elevate the profession of STEM teaching by establishing a National Science Corps that identifies outstanding STEM teachers in our Nation’s classrooms, rewards them for their accomplishments, elevates their public profile, and creates rewarding career paths to which all STEM teachers can aspire, both to prepare future STEM researchers and to create a scientifically literate public. In this section: The term Administrator means the Administrator of the National Science Corps.
The term eligible applicant means a STEM teacher who has not less than 2 years of STEM teaching experience and is employed as a public school classroom instructor on the date of selection. The term eligible entity means— an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001(a) ); a State educational agency (as defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7801 )); a local educational agency (as defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7801 )); and a consortium composed of 1 or more of the entities described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C), or all 3, and 1 of the following entities:
An education nonprofit association. A cross sector STEM organization. A private entity, including a STEM-related business. The term high-need school has the meaning given the term in section 2211(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6631(b) ). The term National Science Corps central entity means an office of the Foundation that— operates the National Science Corps in accordance with the purposes of this section; serves as a national convener to improve STEM instruction, including improving the diversity of students participating in STEM education and STEM teachers; serves as standard-bearer and evaluator of regional centers; and is headed by the Administrator, who reports to the Director.
The term professional development has the meaning given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7801 ). The term regional center means a regional center of the National Science Corps. The term STEM means science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including computer science. The term STEM Education Advisory Board means the Advisory Board for the National Science Corps established under subsection (e). There is established a National Science Corps 5-year pilot program to be administered by the Administrator, who shall be appointed by the Director, and overseen by the STEM Education Advisory Board.
The Administrator shall— create a process and standards for selection of eligible applicants to become members of the National Science Corps, including— uniform selection criteria that includes— deep knowledge of STEM content and pedagogy; a passion for STEM subjects and dedication to teaching, evidence of leadership skills, and potential for continued career growth as an educator; and demonstrated experience increasing STEM student achievement and STEM participation rates for all students, particularly those from rural and high-need schools; and a uniform selection process, including a comprehensive application that includes recommendations and other relevant professional information; build an infrastructure to support the functions and operations of the National Science Corps; promote the National Science Corps and elevate best practices that emerge from the National Science Corps to a national audience; evaluate the operation and effectiveness of the regional centers; and evaluate the overall and long-term impact of the National Science Corps by— documenting, monitoring, and assessing the program outcomes or impact on the STEM careers of participants; and documenting, monitoring, and assessing the program outcomes for the STEM education profession nationwide, particularly for rural and high-need schools.
There is established a STEM Education Advisory Board to oversee the operations of the National Science Corps for the length of the pilot program. The members of the STEM Education Advisory Board shall comply with the following: Be appointed by the Director. Include a representative from each of the following: School leaders. STEM researchers. STEM education researchers. Business leaders. Kindergarten through grade 12 STEM educators. Students pursuing a postsecondary STEM degree.
The Director may assign the duties of the STEM Education Advisory Board, described in paragraph (3), to an advisory committee of the Foundation in existence on the date of enactment of this division. In overseeing the operations of the National Science Corps, the STEM Education Advisory Board shall— create a steering committee that is comprised of STEM educators and researchers representing a variety of STEM fields and representing geographic diversity, to help establish the National Science Corps in its initial phases; and provide a direct connection of the National Science Corps to the existing research and education communities, ensuring that the National Science Corps program is consistent with the aspirations of both.
The Administrator shall award not less than 10 and not more than 20 grants, on a competitive basis, to establish regional centers at eligible entities. Each regional center shall— engage local partners, which may include local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, STEM organizations, or education nonprofit organizations, to— develop and serve the community of National Science Corps members within the region, in coordination local partners to carry out day-to-day activities; coordinate professional development activities, including activities led by National Science Corps members; connect National Science Corps members with existing educator professional development programs and coordinate members’ involvement as cooperating teachers or mentors; seek opportunities to involve teachers who are not members of the National Science Corps to participate in National Science Corps activities; and build partnerships with existing education organizations and other efforts by State educational agencies and local educational agencies that operate programs relevant to the National Science Corps and its activities; recruit eligible applicants, with a focus on recruiting diverse STEM educators based on race, ethnicity, sex, socioeconomic status, age, disability status, and language ability; screen, interview, and select members of the National Science Corps using procedures and standards provided by the Administrator; coordinate the online network that supports all National Science Corps members in the region; convene occasional meetings of National Science Corps members in a region; create opportunities for the professional growth of National Service Corps members, with a focus on increasing STEM student achievement and STEM participation rates for all students, particularly those from rural and high-need schools; and support the retention and success of National Science Corps members in the region.
An eligible applicant that is selected by a regional center to be a member of the National Science Corps shall— serve a 4-year term with a possibility of reappointment; receive an annual stipend in an amount of up to $15,000; and have substantial responsibilities, including— working with other members of the National Science Corps to develop and improve innovative teaching practices, including practices such as inquiry-based learning; participating in professional development on innovative teaching methodology and mentorship; and 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 student achievement and STEM participation rates for students from rural and high-need schools.
The Administrator shall evaluate the activities of the regional centers every 2 years. Out of funds authorized under section 2106, there are authorized to be appropriated $100,000,000 in fiscal years 2022 through 2026 to carry out this section.
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