The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“TEXT OF AMENDMENTS” mentioning the Department of Interior was published in the Senate section on pages S5113-S5119 on April 25, 2007.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TEXT OF AMENDMENTS
SA 965. Mrs. MURRAY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; as follows:
At the end of title II of division C, insert the following:
SEC. 3202. MATH SKILLS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.
(a) The purposes of this section are--
(1) to provide assistance to State educational agencies and local educational agencies in implementing effective research-based mathematics programs for students in secondary schools, including students with disabilities and students with limited English proficiency;
(2) to improve instruction in mathematics for students in secondary school through the implementation of mathematics programs and the support of comprehensive mathematics initiatives that are based on the best available evidence of effectiveness;
(3) to provide targeted help to low-income students who are struggling with mathematics and whose achievement is significantly below grade level; and
(4) to provide in-service training for mathematics coaches who can assist secondary school teachers to utilize research-based mathematics instruction to develop and improve students' mathematical abilities and knowledge, and assist teachers in assessing and improving student academic achievement.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Eligible local educational agency.--The term ``eligible local educational agency'' means a local educational agency that is eligible to receive funds, and that is receiving funds, under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.).
(2) Mathematics coach.--The term ``mathematics coach'' means a certified or licensed teacher, with a demonstrated effectiveness in teaching mathematics to students with specialized needs in mathematics and improving student academic achievement in mathematics, a command of mathematical content knowledge, and the ability to work with classroom teachers to improve the teachers' instructional techniques to support mathematics improvement, who works on site at a school--
(A) to train teachers to better assess student learning in mathematics;
(B) to train teachers to assess students' mathematics skills and identify students who need remediation; and
(C) to provide or assess remedial mathematics instruction, including for--
(i) students in after-school and summer school programs;
(ii) students requiring additional instruction;
(iii) students with disabilities; and
(iv) students with limited English proficiency.
(3) Secondary school.--The term ``secondary school'' means a school that provides secondary education, as determined under State law.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Education.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $130,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 3 succeeding fiscal years.
(d) Grants Authorized.--
(1) In general.--From funds appropriated under subsection
(c) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall establish a program, in accordance with the requirements of this section, that will provide grants on a competitive basis to State educational agencies to award grants and subgrants to eligible local educational agencies for the purpose of establishing mathematics programs to improve the overall mathematics performance of secondary school students in the State.
(2) Length of grant.--A grant to a State educational agency under this section shall be awarded for a period of 4 years.
(e) Reservation of Funds by the Secretary.--From amounts appropriated under subsection (c) for a fiscal year, the Secretary may reserve--
(1) not more than 3 percent of such amounts to fund national activities in support of the programs assisted under this section, such as research and dissemination of best practices, except that the Secretary may not use the reserved funds to award grants directly to local educational agencies; and
(2) not more than \1/2\ of 1 percent of such amounts for the Bureau of Indian Education of the Department of the Interior to carry out the services and activities described in subsection (l)(3) for Indian children.
(f) Grant Formulas.--
(1) Competitive grants to state educational agencies.--From amounts appropriated under subsection (c) and not reserved under subsection (e), the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to State educational agencies to enable the State educational agencies to provide subgrants to eligible local educational agencies to establish mathematics programs for the purpose of improving overall mathematics performance among students in secondary school in the State.
(2) Minimum grant.--The Secretary shall ensure that the minimum grant made to any state educational agency under this section shall be not less than $500,000.
(g) Applications.--
(1) In general.--In order to receive a grant under this section, a State educational agency shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require. Each such application shall meet the following conditions:
(A) A State educational agency shall not include the application for assistance under this section in a consolidated application submitted under section 9302 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7842).
(B) The State educational agency's application shall include assurances that such application and any technical assistance provided by the State will be guided by a peer review team, which shall consist of--
(i) researchers with expertise in the pedagogy of mathematics;
(ii) mathematicians; and
(iii) mathematics educators serving high-risk, high-achievement schools and eligible local educational agencies.
(C) The State educational agency will participate, if requested, in any evaluation of the State educational agency's program under this section.
(D) The State educational agency's application shall include a program plan that contains a description of the following:
(i) How the State educational agency will assist eligible local educational agencies in implementing subgrants, including providing ongoing professional development for mathematics coaches, teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators.
(ii) How the State educational agency will help eligible local educational agencies identify high-quality screening, diagnostic, and classroom-based instructional mathematics assessments.
(iii) How the State educational agency will help eligible local educational agencies identify high-quality research-based mathematics materials and programs.
(iv) How the State educational agency will help eligible local educational agencies identify appropriate and effective materials, programs, and assessments for students with disabilities and students with limited English proficiency.
(v) How the State educational agency will ensure that professional development funded under this section--
(I) is based on mathematics research;
(II) will effectively improve instructional practices for mathematics for secondary school students;
(III) will improve student academic achievement in mathematics; and
(IV) is coordinated with professional development activities funded through other programs, including section 2113 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 6613).
(vi) How funded activities will help teachers and other instructional staff to implement research-based components of mathematics instruction and improve student academic achievement.
(vii) The subgrant process the State educational agency will use to ensure that eligible local educational agencies receiving subgrants implement programs and practices based on mathematics research.
(viii) How the State educational agency will build on and promote coordination among mathematics programs in the State to increase overall effectiveness in improving mathematics instruction and student academic achievement, including for students with disabilities and students with limited English proficiency.
(ix) How the State educational agency will regularly assess and evaluate the effectiveness of the eligible local educational agency activities funded under this section.
(h) State Use of Funds.--Each State educational agency receiving a grant under this section shall--
(1) establish a peer review team comprised of researchers with expertise in the pedagogy of mathematics, mathematicians, and mathematics educators from high-risk, high-achievement schools, to provide guidance to eligible local educational agencies in selecting or developing and implementing appropriate, research-based mathematics programs for secondary school students;
(2) use 80 percent of the grant funds received under this section for a fiscal year to fund high-quality applications for subgrants to eligible local educational agencies having applications approved under subsection (l); and
(3) use 20 percent of the grant funds received under this section--
(A) to carry out State-level activities described in the application submitted under subsection (g);
(B) to provide--
(i) technical assistance to eligible local educational agencies; and
(ii) high-quality professional development to teachers and mathematics coaches in the State;
(C) to oversee and evaluate subgrant services and activities undertaken by the eligible local educational agencies as described in subsection (l)(3); and
(D) for administrative costs, of which not more than 5 percent of the grant funds may be used for planning, administration, and reporting.
(i) Notice to Eligible Local Educational Agencies.--Each State educational agency receiving a grant under this section shall provide notice to all eligible local educational agencies in the State about the availability of subgrants under this section.
(j) Prohibitions.--
(1) In general.--In implementing this section, the Secretary shall not--
(A) endorse, approve, or sanction any mathematics curriculum designed for use in any school; or
(B) engage in oversight, technical assistance, or activities that will require the adoption of a specific mathematics program or instructional materials by a State, local educational agency, or school.
(2) Conflict of interest.--Any federal employee, contractor, or subcontractor involved in the administration, implementation, or provision of oversight or technical assistance duties or activities under this section shall--
(A) disclose to the Secretary any financial ties to publishers, entities, private individuals, or organizations that will benefit from funds provided under this section; and
(B) be prohibited from maintaining significant financial interests in areas directly related to duties or activities under this section, unless granted a waiver by the Secretary.
(3) Reporting.--The Secretary shall report annually to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives, on each of the waivers granted under paragraph (2)(B).
(4) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize or permit the Secretary, Department of Education, or a Department of Education contractor, to mandate, direct, control, or suggest the selection of a mathematics curriculum, supplemental instructional materials, or program of instruction by a State, local educational agency, or school.
(k) Supplement Not Supplant.--Each State educational agency receiving a grant under this section shall use the grant funds to supplement, not supplant, State funding for activities authorized under this section or for other educational activities.
(l) Subgrants to Eligible Local Educational Agencies.--
(1) Application.--
(A) In general.--Each eligible local educational agency desiring a subgrant under this subsection shall submit an application to the State educational agency in the form and according to the schedule established by the State educational agency.
(B) Contents.--In addition to any information required by the State educational agency, each application under paragraph (1) shall demonstrate how the eligible local educational agency will carry out the following required activities:
(i) Development or selection and implementation of research-based mathematics assessments.
(ii) Development or selection and implementation of research-based mathematics programs, including programs for students with disabilities and students with limited English proficiency.
(iii) Selection of instructional materials based on mathematics research.
(iv) High-quality professional development for mathematics coaches and teachers based on mathematics research.
(v) Evaluation and assessment strategies.
(vi) Reporting.
(vii) Providing access to research-based mathematics materials.
(C) Consortia.--Consistent with State law, an eligible local educational agency may apply to the State educational agency for a subgrant as a member of a consortium of local educational agencies if each member of the consortium is an eligible local educational agency.
(2) Award basis.--
(A) Priority.--A State educational agency awarding subgrants under this subsection shall give priority to eligible local educational agencies that--
(i) are among the local educational agencies in the State with the lowest graduation rates, as described in section 1111(b)(2)(C)(vi) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(C)(vi)); and
(ii) have the highest number or percentage of students who are counted under section 1124(c) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6333(c)).
(B) Amount of grants.--Subgrants under this subsection shall be of sufficient size and scope to enable eligible local educational agencies to fully implement activities assisted under this subsection.
(3) Local use of funds.--Each eligible local educational agency receiving a subgrant under this subsection shall use the subgrant funds to carry out, at the secondary school level, the following services and activities:
(A) Hiring mathematics coaches and providing professional development for mathematics coaches--
(i) at a level to provide effective coaching to classroom teachers;
(ii) to work with classroom teachers to better assess student academic achievement in mathematics;
(iii) to work with classroom teachers to identify students with mathematics problems and, where appropriate, refer students to available programs for remediation and additional services;
(iv) to work with classroom teachers to diagnose and remediate mathematics difficulties of the lowest-performing students, so that those teachers can provide intensive, research-based instruction, including during after-school and summer sessions, geared toward ensuring that those students can access and be successful in rigorous academic coursework; and
(v) to assess and organize student data on mathematics and communicate that data to school administrators to inform school reform efforts.
(B) Reviewing, analyzing, developing, and, where possible, adapting curricula to make sure mathematics skills are taught within other core academic subjects.
(C) Providing mathematics professional development for all relevant teachers in secondary school, as necessary, that addresses both remedial and higher level mathematics skills for students in the applicable curriculum.
(D) Providing professional development for teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals serving secondary schools to help the teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals improve student academic achievement in mathematics.
(E) Procuring and implementing programs and instructional materials based on mathematics research, including software and other education technology related to mathematics instruction with demonstrated effectiveness in improving mathematics instruction and student academic achievement.
(F) Building on and promoting coordination among mathematics programs in the eligible local educational agency to increase overall effectiveness in--
(i) improving mathematics instruction; and
(ii) increasing student academic achievement, including for students with disabilities and students with limited English proficiency.
(G) Evaluating the effectiveness of the instructional strategies, teacher professional development programs, and other interventions that are implemented under the subgrant; and
(H) Measuring improvement in student academic achievement, including through progress monitoring or other assessments.
(4) Supplement not supplant.--Each eligible local educational agency receiving a subgrant under this subsection shall use the subgrant funds to supplement, not supplant, the eligible local educational agency's funding for activities authorized under this section or for other educational activities.
(5) New services and activities.--Subgrant funds provided under this subsection may be used only to provide services and activities authorized under this section that were not provided on the day before the date of enactment of this Act.
(6) Evaluations.--Each eligible local educational agency receiving a grant under this subsection shall participate, as requested by the State educational agency or the Secretary, in reviews and evaluations of the programs of the eligible local educational agency and the effectiveness of such programs, and shall provide such reports as are requested by the State educational agency and the Secretary.
(m) Matching Requirements.--
(1) State educational agency requirements.--A State educational agency that receives a grant under this section shall provide, from non-Federal sources, an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount of the grant, in cash or in-kind, to carry out the activities supported by the grant, of which not more than 20 percent of such 50 percent may be provided by local educational agencies within the State.
(2) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive all or a portion of the matching requirements described in paragraph (1) for any fiscal year, if the Secretary determines that--
(A) the application of the matching requirement will result in serious hardship for the State educational agency; or
(B) providing a waiver best serves the purpose of the program assisted under this section.
(n) Program Performance and Accountability.--
(1) Information.--Each State educational agency receiving a grant under this section shall collect and report to the Secretary annually such information on the results of the grant as the Secretary may reasonably require, including information on--
(A) mathematics achievement data that show the progress of students participating in projects under this section
(including, to the extent practicable, comparable data from students not participating in such projects), based primarily on the results of State, school districtwide, or classroom-based monitoring reports or assessments, including--
(i) specific identification of those schools and eligible local educational agencies that report the largest gains in mathematics achievement; and
(ii) evidence on whether the State educational agency and eligible local educational agencies within the State have--
(I) significantly increased the number of students achieving at the proficient or advanced level on the State student academic achievement standards in mathematics under section 1111(b)(1)(D)(ii) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(1)(D)(ii));
(II) significantly increased the percentages of students described in section 1111(b)(2)(C)(v)(II) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(C)(v)(II)) who are achieving proficiency or advanced levels on such State academic content standards in mathematics;
(III) significantly increased the number of students making significant progress toward meeting such State academic content and achievement standards in mathematics; and
(IV) successfully implemented this section;
(B) the percentage of students in the schools served by the eligible local educational agency who enroll in advanced mathematics courses in grades 9 through 12, including the percentage of such students who pass such courses; and
(C) the progress made in increasing the quality and accessibility of professional development and leadership activities in mathematics, especially activities resulting in greater content knowledge and expertise of teachers, administrators, and other school staff, except that the Secretary shall not require such information until after the third year of a grant awarded under this section.
(2) Reporting and disaggregation.--The information required under paragraph (1) shall be--
(A) reported in a manner that allows for a comparison of aggregated score differentials of student academic achievement before (to the extent feasible) and after implementation of the project assisted under this section; and
(B) disaggregated in the same manner as information is disaggregated under section 1111(h)(1)(C)(i) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(h)(1)(C)(i)).
______
SA 966. Mr. PRYOR (for himself and Mr. Coleman) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the appropriate place, insert the following:
SEC. _. SBIR-STEM WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT GRANT PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) Definitions.--In this section--
(1) the term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of the Small Business Administration;
(2) the term ``eligible entity'' means a grantee under the SBIR Program that provides an internship program for STEM college students;
(3) the terms ``Phase I'' and ``Phase II'' mean Phase I and Phase II grants under the SBIR Program, respectively;
(4) the term ``pilot program'' means the SBIR-STEM Workforce Development Grant Pilot Program established under subsection (b);
(5) the term ``SBIR Program'' has the meaning given that term in section 9(e) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(e)); and
(6) the term ``STEM college student'' means a college student in the field of science, technology, engineering, or math.
(b) Pilot Program Established.--From amounts made available to carry out this section, the Administrator shall establish an SBIR-STEM Workforce Development Grant Pilot Program to encourage the business community to provide workforce development opportunities to STEM college students, by providing an SBIR bonus grant to eligible entities.
(c) Awards.--A bonus grant to an eligible entity under the pilot program shall be in an amount equal to 10 percent of either a Phase I or Phase II grant, as applicable, with a total award maximum of not more than $10,000 per year.
(d) Evaluation.--Following the fourth year of funding under this section, the Administrator shall submit a report to Congress on the results of the pilot program.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section--
(1) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(2) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(3) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
(4) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.
______
SA 967. Mr. CHAMBLISS (for himself, Mr. Graham, and Mr. Cochran) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
On page 8, line 2, insert ``(including a part B institution as defined in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1061))'' after ``education''.
On page 17, line 22, insert ``(including a part B institution as defined in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061))''after ``academia''.
______
SA 968. Mr. COLEMAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the appropriate place, insert the following:
SEC. __. EXPEDITED NAME CHECKS FOR ALIENS WITH ADVANCED
DEGREES.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the head of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services may request that the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation expedite a name check carried out for immigration purposes, except for naturalization purposes, for an alien with an advanced degree in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or medicine who has previously been admitted to the United States as a nonimmigrant to perform advanced research or serve as a medical doctor.
______
SA 969. Mr. LEVIN (for himself, Ms. Snowe, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Rockefeller, and Mr. Schumer) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
On page 47, after line 23, add the following:
SEC. 1407. ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.
(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Of the amounts appropriated pursuant to section 1401--
(1) $65,000,000 shall be available in fiscal year 2008 for new grants or contracts through the Advanced Technology Program authorized under section 28 of the Act of March 3, 1901 (15 U.S.C. 278n);
(2) $80,000,000 shall be available in fiscal year 2009 for new grants or contracts described in paragraph (1);
(3) $100,000,000 shall be available in fiscal year 2010 for new grants or contracts described in paragraph (1); and
(4) $100,000,000 shall be available in fiscal year 2011 for new grants or contracts described in paragraph (1).
(b) Annual Report.--Section 28 of the Act of March 3, 1901
(15 U.S.C. 278n) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (k); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (i) the following:
``(j) Annual Report.--Not later than February 1 of each year, the Secretary, in consultation with the Director, shall submit a report to Congress that describes--
``(1) the activities undertaken through the Program during the previous year;
``(2) the status of all investments made in prior years and their impact on the economic competitiveness of the United States; and
``(3) any other matters that the Director determines to be appropriate.''.
______
SA 970. Mr. FEINGOLD submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; as follows:
On page 164, strike lines 11 through 22 and insert the following:
(C) Privacy and access to data.--
(i) In general.--Each State that receives a grant under subsection (c)(2) shall implement measures to--
(I) limit the State's use of information in the statewide P-16 education data system to the purposes and functions set forth in subparagraph (E) and allow access to the information in the statewide data system only to those State employees, and only on such terms, as may be necessary to fulfill those purposes and functions;
(II) prohibit the disclosure of information in the statewide P-16 education data system to any other person, agency, institution, or entity, except to the extent necessary to assist the State in fulfilling the purposes and functions set forth in subparagraph (E), and only if such party has signed a data use agreement that--
(aa) prohibits the party from further disclosing the information;
(bb) prohibits the party from using the information for any purpose other than the purpose specified in the agreement, which purpose must relate to assisting the State in carrying out the purposes and functions set forth in subparagraph (E); and
(cc) requires the party to destroy the information when the purpose for which the disclosure was made is accomplished;
(III) keep an accurate accounting of the date, nature, and purpose of each disclosure of information in the statewide P-16 education data system, and the name and address of the person, agency, institution, or entity to whom the disclosure is made, which accounting shall be made available on request to parents of any student whose information has been disclosed;
(IV) maintain adequate security measures to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the data system;
(V) ensure that the statewide P-16 education data system meets any further requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. 1232g);
(VI) where rights are provided to parents under this clause, provide those rights to the student instead of the parent if the student has reached the age of 18 or is enrolled in a postsecondary educational institution; and
(VII) ensure adequate enforcement of the requirements of this clause.
(ii) Use of unique identifiers.--
(I) Governmental use of unique identifiers.--It shall be unlawful for any Federal, State, or local governmental agency to use the unique identifiers employed in the statewide P-16 education data systems for any purpose other than as authorized by this Act, or to deny any individual any right, benefit, or privilege provided by law because of such individual's refusal to disclose the individual's unique identifier.
(II) Regulations.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall promulgate regulations governing the use of the unique identifiers employed in statewide P-16 education data systems, including, where necessary, regulations requiring States desiring grants for statewide P-16 education data systems under this section to implement specified measures, with the goal of safeguarding individual privacy by minimizing to the extent practicable the use of unique identifiers by both governmental and nongovernmental entities.
On page 169, strike lines 15 through 17 and insert the following:
(i) a description of the privacy protection and enforcement measures that the State has implemented or will implement pursuant to subparagraph (C), and assurances that these measures will be in place prior to the establishment or improvement of the statewide P-16 education data system; and
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SA 971. Ms. CANTWELL submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the appropriate place, insert the following:
SEC. __. HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING.
(a) High-Performance Computing Research and Development Program.--Title I of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5511 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in the title heading, by striking ``AND THE NATIONAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION NETWORK'' and inserting ``RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT'';
(2) in section 101--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting the following:
``(A) provide for long-term basic and applied research on high-performance computing;
``(B) provide for research and development on, and demonstration of, technologies to advance the capacity and capabilities of high-performance computing and networking systems;
``(C) provide for sustained access by the research community in the United States to high-performance computing systems that are among the most advanced in the world in terms of performance in solving scientific and engineering problems, including provision for technical support for users of such systems;
``(D) provide for efforts to increase software availability, productivity, capability, security, portability, and reliability;
``(E) provide for high-performance networks, including experimental testbed networks, to enable research and development on, and demonstration of, advanced applications enabled by such networks;
``(F) provide for computational science and engineering research on mathematical modeling and algorithms for applications in all fields of science and engineering;
``(G) provide for the technical support of, and research and development on, high-performance computing systems and software required to address Grand Challenges;
``(H) provide for educating and training additional undergraduate and graduate students in software engineering, computer science, computer and network security, applied mathematics, library and information science, and computational science; and
``(I) provide for improving the security of computing and networking systems, including Federal systems, including research required to establish security standards and practices for these systems.'';
(ii) by striking paragraph (2);
(iii) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs
(2) and (3), respectively;
(iv) in paragraph (2), as redesignated--
(I) by striking subparagraph (B);
(II) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (C) as subparagraphs (D) and (F), respectively;
(III) by inserting before subparagraph (D), as redesignated, the following:
``(A) establish the goals and priorities for Federal high-performance computing research, development, networking, and other activities;
``(B) establish Program Component Areas that implement the goals established under subparagraph (A), and identify the Grand Challenges that the Program should address;
``(C) provide for interagency coordination of Federal high-performance computing research, development, networking, and other activities undertaken pursuant to the Program;''; and
(IV) by inserting after subparagraph (D), as redesignated, the following:
``(E) develop and maintain a research, development, and deployment roadmap for the provision of high-performance computing systems under paragraph (1)(C); and''; and
(v) in paragraph (3), as redesignated--
(I) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``paragraph (3)(A)'' and inserting ``paragraph (2)(D)'';
(II) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows:
``(A) provide a detailed description of the Program Component Areas, including a description of any changes in the definition of or activities under the Program Component Areas from the preceding report, and the reasons for such changes, and a description of Grand Challenges supported under the Program;'';
(III) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``specific activities'' and all that follows through ``the Network'' and inserting ``each Program Component Area'';
(IV) in subparagraph (D)--
(aa) by inserting ``and for each Program Component Area'' after ``participating in the Program''; and
(bb) by inserting ``and'' at the end;
(V) by striking subparagraph (E);
(VI) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph (E); and
(VII) in subparagraph (E), as redesignated, by inserting
``and the extent to which the Program incorporates the recommendations of the advisory committee established under subsection (b)'' before the period at the end;
(B) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
``(b) Advisory Committee.--(1) The President shall establish the Advisory Committee on High-Performance Computing (referred to in this subsection as the `Advisory Committee'), which shall be composed of representatives of the research, education, and library communities, network providers, and industry, who are specially qualified to provide the Director with advice and information on high-performance computing.
``(2) The Director shall consider recommendations received from the Advisory Committee in reviewing and revising the Program. The advisory committee shall provide the Director with an independent assessment of--
``(A) progress made in implementing the Program;
``(B) the need to revise the Program;
``(C) the balance between the components of the Program, including funding levels for the Program Component Areas;
``(D) whether the research and development undertaken pursuant to the Program is helping to maintain United States leadership in high-performance computing and networking technology; and
``(E) other issues identified by the Director.
``(3) The Advisory Committee shall conduct periodic evaluations of the funding, management, coordination, implementation, and activities of the Program.
``(4) Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of the America COMPETES Act, and not less frequently than once every 2 years thereafter, the Advisory Committee shall submit a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives that summarizes--
``(A) the results of the assessments and evaluations conducted under this subsection; and
``(B) recommendations submitted to the Director.
``(5) Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act shall not apply to the Advisory Committee.''; and
(C) in subsection (c)(1)(A), by striking ``Program or'' and inserting ``Program Component Areas or''.
(b) Definitions.--Section 4 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5503) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and multidisciplinary teams of researchers'' after ``high-performance computing resources'';
(2) in paragraph (3)--
(A) by striking ``scientific workstations, supercomputer systems (including vector supercomputers and large scale parallel systems)'' and inserting ``supercomputer systems''; and
(B) by striking ``and applications and systems software'' and inserting ``applications and systems software, and the management of large data sets'';
(3) in paragraph (4), by striking ``packet switched'';
(4) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(5) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(6) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) `Program Component Areas' means the major subject areas under which are grouped related individual projects and activities carried out under the Program.''.
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SA 972. Mr. BAYH submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Section 1401 is amended to read as follows:
SEC. 1401. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce for the use of the National Institute of Standards and Technology--
(1) for fiscal year 2008, $793,611,000, of which
$205,000,000 shall be used for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program;
(2) for fiscal year 2009, $863,972,000, of which
$210,000,000 shall be used for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program;
(3) for fiscal year 2010, $941,369,000, of which
$215,000,000 shall be used for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program; and
(4) for fiscal year 2011, $1,026,506,000, of which
$220,000,000 shall be used for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program.
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SA 973. Ms. SNOWE (for herself and Mr. Levin) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; as follows:
On page 16, strike lines 15 and 16 and insert the following:
(P) The Small Business Administration.
(Q) Any other department or agency designated by the President.
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SA 974. Ms. LANDRIEU submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
On page 8, strike lines 7 through 9 and insert the following:
(10) the extent of damage resulting from the Gulf Coast hurricanes of 2005 to technology-based clusters in the declared disaster areas relating to those hurricanes, and recommendations for Federal and State policies to retain and expand those clusters;
(11) the extent to which Federal funding promotes or hinders innovation; and
(12) the extent to which individuals are being
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SA 975. Ms. LANDRIEU submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; as follows:
On page 78, strike line 21 and insert the following:
``(D) $27,500,000 for fiscal year 2011.
``CHAPTER 6--NATIONAL ENERGY EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT
``SEC. 3195. NATIONAL ENERGY EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT.
``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to enable all students to reach or exceed grade-level academic achievement standards and to enhance the knowledge of the students of the science of energy, the sources of energy, the uses of energy in society, and the environmental consequences and benefits of all energy sources and uses by--
``(1) improving instruction in science related to energy for students in kindergarten through grade 9 through the implementation of energy education programs and with the support of comprehensive science education initiatives that are based on the best available evidence of effectiveness; and
``(2) providing professional development and instructional leadership activities for teachers and, if appropriate, for administrators and other school staff, on the implementation of comprehensive mathematics initiatives designed--
``(A) to improve the understanding of students of the scientific, economic, and environmental impacts of energy;
``(B) to improve the knowledge of teachers, administrators, and other school staff related to the scientific content of energy;
``(C) to increase the use of effective instructional practices; and
``(D) to reflect science content that is consistent with State academic achievement standards in mathematics described in section 1111(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)).
``(b) Program.--The Secretary (acting through the Director)
(referred to in this section as the `Secretary') shall provide grants to States to assist the States in establishing or expanding programs to enhance the quality of science education in elementary schools with respect to conventional and emerging energy sources and uses.
``(c) Coordination.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall use and coordinate with existing State and national programs that have a similar mission.
``(d) Grants.--The Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, under this section to States to pay the Federal share of the costs of establishing or expanding high-quality energy education curricula and programs.
``(e) Programs.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall award grants to establish or expand programs that enhance--
``(1) the quality of science education in elementary schools with respect to conventional and emerging energy sources and uses; and
``(2) the understanding of students of the science, economics, and environmental impacts of energy production and consumption.
``(f) Federal and Non-Federal Shares.--
``(1) Federal share.--The Federal share of the costs of carrying out a program under this section shall be 50 percent.
``(2) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal share of the costs of carrying out a program under this section may be provided in the form of cash or in-kind contributions, fairly evaluated, including services.
``(g) Distribution.--In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall--
``(1) ensure a wide, equitable distribution of grants among States that propose to serve students from urban and rural areas; and
``(2) provide equal consideration to States without National Laboratories.
``(h) Uses of Funds.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), States, or other entities through States, that receive grants under this section shall use the grant funds to--
``(A) employ proven strategies and methods for improving student learning and teaching regarding energy;
``(B) integrate into the curriculum of schools comprehensive, science-based, energy education, including instruction and assessments that are aligned with--
``(i) the academic content and student academic achievement standards of the State (within the meaning of section 1111 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311));
``(ii) classroom management;
``(iii) professional development;
``(iv) parental involvement; and
``(v) school management; and
``(C) provide high-quality and continuous teacher and staff professional development.
``(2) Requirements.--Grant funds under this section may be used for activities described in paragraph (1) only if the activities are directly related to improving student academic achievement related to--
``(A) the science of energy;
``(B) the sources of energy;
``(C) the uses of energy in society; and
``(D) the environmental consequences and benefits of all energy sources and uses.
``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section--
``(1) $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009; and
``(2) $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011.''.
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SA 976. Mr. WARNER (for himself, Mr. Webb, Mr. Smith, Mr. Kerry, and Mr. Pryor) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
On page 208, after line 2, add the following:
SECTION 4015. OFFICE OF MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTION DIGITAL
AND WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY.
(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the
``Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act''.
(b) Establishment of Office.--The National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by redesignating section 16 (42 U.S.C. 1875) as section 17; and
(2) by inserting after section 15 the following:
``SEC. 16. OFFICE OF MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTION DIGITAL AND
WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY.
``(a) Establishment.--
``(1) In general.--There is established within the Foundation the Office of Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology to carry out the provisions of this section.
``(2) Purposes.--The Office shall--
``(A) strengthen the ability of eligible institutions to provide capacity for instruction in digital and wireless network technologies by awarding grants to, or executing contracts or cooperative agreements with, those institutions to provide such instruction; and
``(B) strengthen the national digital and wireless infrastructure by increasing national investment in telecommunications and technology infrastructure at eligible institutions.
``(b) Activities Supported.--An eligible institution may use a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement awarded under this section to--
``(1) acquire equipment, instrumentation, networking capability, hardware, software, digital network technology, wireless technology, and infrastructure;
``(2) develop and provide educational services, including faculty development, related to science, mathematics, engineering, or technology;
``(3) provide teacher education, library and media specialist training, and preschool and teacher aid certification to individuals who seek to acquire or enhance technology skills in order to use technology in the classroom or in other instructional settings;
``(4) implement joint projects and consortia to provide education regarding technology in the classroom with a State, State education agency, local education agency, community-based organization, national non-profit organization, or business, including a minority business;
``(5) provide professional development in science, mathematics, engineering, or technology to administrators and faculty of eligible institutions with institutional responsibility for technology education;
``(6) provide capacity-building technical assistance to eligible institutions through remote technical support, technical assistance workshops, distance learning, new technologies, and other technological applications;
``(7) foster the use of information communications technology to increase scientific, mathematical, engineering, and technology instruction and research; and
``(8) develop proposals to be submitted under this section to develop strategic plans for information technology investments.
``(c) Application and Review Procedure.--
``(1) In general.--
``(A) Application.--An eligible institution seeking a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this section shall submit an application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Director may reasonably require.
``(B) Procedure.--The Director, in consultation with the advisory council established under paragraph (2), shall--
``(i) promulgate a regulation that establishes a procedure by which to accept and review applications submitted under subparagraph (A); and
``(ii) publish an announcement of such procedure, including a statement regarding the availability of funds, in the Federal Register.
``(2) Advisory council.--
``(A) Establishment.--The Director shall establish an advisory council to--
``(i) advise the Director on the best approaches for involving eligible institutions in the activities described in subsection (b); and
``(ii) review and evaluate proposals submitted to the program.
``(B) Membership.--In selecting the members of the advisory council, the Director may consult with representatives of appropriate organizations, including representatives of eligible institutions, to ensure that the membership of the advisory council reflects participation by technology and telecommunications institutions, minority businesses, eligible institution communities, Federal agency personnel, and other individuals who are knowledgeable about eligible institutions and technology issues.
``(C) Program review.--Any panel assembled to review a proposal submitted to the program shall include members from minority serving institutions. Program review criteria shall include consideration of--
``(i) demonstrated need for assistance under this section; and
``(ii) diversity among the types of institutions receiving assistance under this section.
``(3) Data collection.--An eligible institution that receives a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under subsection (a)(2)(A) shall provide the Office with any relevant institutional statistical or demographic data requested by the Office.
``(4) Information dissemination.--The Director shall convene an annual meeting of eligible institutions receiving grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under subsection
(a)(2)(A) to--
``(A) foster collaboration and capacity-building activities among eligible institutions; and
``(B) disseminate information and ideas generated by such meetings.
``(d) Matching Requirement.--
``(1) In general.--The Director may not award a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement to an eligible institution under this section unless such institution agrees to make available (directly or through donations from public or private entities) non-Federal contributions in an amount equal to the lesser of--
``(A) 25 percent of the amount of the grant, contract, or cooperative agreement; or
``(B) $500,000.
``(2) Waiver.--The Director shall waive the matching requirement under paragraph (1) for any institution or consortium that does not have an endowment that is valued at least $50,000,000.
``(e) Limitations.--
``(1) In general.--An eligible institution that receives a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this section in an amount greater than $2,500,000 may not receive another grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this section until every other eligible institution that has applied for a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this section has been awarded such grant, contract, or cooperative agreement.
``(2) Awards administered by eligible institution.--Each grant, contract, or cooperative agreement awarded under this section shall be made to, and administered by, an eligible institution, even when awarded for the implementation of a consortium or joint project.
``(f) Annual Reports and Evaluation.--
``(1) Recipient report.--Each institution that receives a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this section shall submit an annual report to the Director on the use of the funds received through the grant, contract, or cooperative agreement.
``(2) Director evaluation.--The Director, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall--
``(A) review the reports submitted under paragraph (1); and
``(B) on the basis of such reports, evaluate the activities authorized under subsection (b) every 2 years.
``(3) Contents of evaluation.--The evaluation conducted under paragraph (2)(B) shall--
``(A) describe the activities undertaken by the institutions described in paragraph (1); and
``(B) assess the short-range and long-range impact of activities carried out under the grant, contract, or cooperative agreement on the students, faculty, and staff of such institutions.
``(4) Report to congress.--The Director shall submit a report to Congress that includes--
``(A) the results of the evaluation;
``(B) such recommendations as may be appropriate, including recommendations concerning the continuing need for Federal funding to carry out this section.
``(g) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Eligible institution.--The term `eligible institution' means an institution that is--
``(A) a historically Black college or university that is a part B institution, as defined in section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2));
``(B) a Hispanic-serving institution, as defined in section 502(a)(5) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)(5));
``(C) a tribally controlled college or university, as defined in section 316(b)(3) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)(3));
``(D) an Alaska Native-serving institution under section 317(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059d(b));
``(E) a Native Hawaiian-serving institution under section 317(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059d(b)); or
``(F) an institution that the Director, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, determines has enrolled a substantial number of minority, low-income students during the previous academic year who received assistance under subpart I of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a et seq.) for that year.
``(2) Office.--The term `Office' means the Office of Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology established in subsection (a).''.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Of the amounts appropriated pursuant to an authorization under this Act,
$100,000,000 shall be made available to the Director of the National Science Foundation for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011 to carry out section 16 of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as added by this section.
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SA 977. Mrs. MURRAY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; as follows:
On page 113, between lines 2 and 3, insert the following:
(B) members of the Armed Forces who are transitioning to civilian life; and
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SA 978. Mr. COLEMAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
On page 116, strike lines 1 through 3 and insert ``Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Concurrent Enrollment Programs''.
On page 116, line 8, insert ``and Concurrent Enrollment programs'' after ``programs''.
Beginning on line 10 on page 116 through line 25 on page 127, strike ``Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses'' each place the term appears and insert ``Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses or Concurrent Enrollment courses''.
Beginning on line 1 on page 117 through line 6 on page 127, strike ``pre-Advanced Placement or pre-International Baccalaureate courses'' each place the term appears and insert ``pre-Advanced Placement or pre-International Baccalaureate courses or pre-Concurrent Enrollment courses''.
On page 118, lines 5 and 6, strike ``or International Baccalaureate services'' and insert ``, International Baccalaureate, or Concurrent Enrollment services''.
On page 119, between lines 10 and 11, insert the following:
(7) Concurrent enrollment course.--The term ``Concurrent Enrollment course'' means a course of college instruction provided to secondary school students--
(A) that is administered by an institution of higher education (as such term is defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)); and
(B) for which students who successfully complete the course receive college credit, as verified by an official transcript from the institution of higher education.
On page 119, lines 11 and 12, strike ``AND INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAMS'' and insert ``INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE, AND CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT PROGRAMS''.
On page 120, line 14, strike ``or International Baccalaureate'' and insert ``, International Baccalaureate, or Concurrent Enrollment''.
On page 124, lines 24 and 25, strike ``or International Baccalaureate'' and insert ``, International Baccalaureate, or Concurrent Enrollment''.
On page 127, lines 9 and 10, strike ``or International Baccalaureate'' and insert ``, International Baccalaureate, or Concurrent Enrollment''.
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SA 979. Mr. KENNEDY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the end of division D, insert the following:
SEC. 4015. DEFINITION OF HIGH-NEED LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY.
Paragraph (8) of section 4 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n note) is amended to read as follows:
``(8) High-need local educational agency.--The term `high-need local educational agency' means a local educational agency--
``(A)(i) for which not less than 20 percent of the children served by the agency are children from low-income families;
``(ii) with a total of less than 600 students in average daily attendance at the schools that are served by the agency and all of whose schools are designated with a school locale code of 6,7, or 8, as determined by the Secretary; or
``(iii) that serves not fewer than 10,000 children from low-income families; and
``(B)(i) for which there is a high percentage of teachers not teaching in academic subject areas or grade levels in which the teachers were trained to teach; or
``(ii) for which there is a high teacher turnover rate or a high percentage of teachers with emergency, provisional, or temporary certification or licensure.''.
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SA 980. Mr. ALEXANDER (for himself and Mr. Bingaman) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; as follows:
At the appropriate place in the bill, add the following:
``SEC. ___. SENSE OF THE SENATE.
``It is the Sense of the Senate that--
``U.S. Government policies related to deemed exports should safeguard U.S. national security and protect fundamental research;
``The Department of Commerce has established the Deemed Export Advisory Committee to develop recommendations for improving current controls on deemed exports;
``The Administration and Congress should consider the recommendations of the Deemed Export Advisory Committee in its development and implementation of export control policies.''.
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SA 981. Mr. LAUTENBERG (for himself and Mr. Cochran) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
On page 49, line 3, strike ``agency.'' and insert ``agency and may enter into grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, resource sharing agreements, or interagency financing with Federal, State, and regional agencies, tribes, commercial organizations, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, or other persons.''.
____________________
