[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 200 Introduced in House (IH)]
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 200
To enable America's schools to use their computer hardware to increase
student achievement and prepare students for the 21st century
workplace, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 4, 2007
Mr. Rothman introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Education and Labor
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To enable America's schools to use their computer hardware to increase
student achievement and prepare students for the 21st century
workplace, 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 ``Education for the 21st Century (E-
21) Act''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSE.
It is the purpose of this Act to enable America's schools to use
their computer hardware to increase student achievement and prepare
students for the 21st century workplace.
SEC. 3. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) Establishing computer literacy programs for students
will help ensure that the Nation's children are receiving the
skills needed for advanced education and for securing
employment in the 21st century.
(2) Computer literacy skills, such as information
gathering, critical analysis, and communication with the latest
technology, build upon the necessary basics of reading,
writing, mathematics, and other core subject areas.
(3) According to a study conducted by the Educational
Testing Service (ETS), eighth-grade mathematics students whose
teachers used computers for simulations and applications
outperformed students whose teachers did not use such
educational technology.
(4) Although an ever increasing amount of schools are
obtaining the latest computer hardware, schools will not be
able to take advantage of the benefits of computer-based
learning unless teachers are effectively trained in the latest
educational software applications.
(5) The Educational Testing Service study showed that
students whose teachers received training in computers
performed better than other students. The study also found that
schools that provide teachers with professional development in
computers enjoyed higher staff morale and lower absenteeism
rates.
(6) Some of the most exciting applications in educational
technology are being developed not only by commercial software
companies, but also by secondary school and college students.
The fruit of this academic talent should be channeled more
effectively to benefit the Nation's elementary and secondary
schools.
SEC. 4. COMPUTER LITERACY CHALLENGE.
(a) Grants Authorized.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Education is authorized
to award grants to States that integrate into the State
curriculum the goal of making all middle school graduates in
the State technologically literate.
(2) Priority.--The Secretary shall give preference in
awarding grants under this section to States that place a
priority on training middle school teachers.
(b) Uses of Funds.--Grants awarded under this section shall be used
for teacher training in technology, with an emphasis on programs that
prepare one or more teachers in each elementary, middle, and secondary
school in the State to become technology leaders and then serve as
experts and train other teachers.
(c) Matching Funds.--Each State shall encourage schools that
receive assistance under this section to provide matching funds, with
respect to the cost of teacher training in technology to be assisted
under this section, in order to enhance the impact of the teacher
training and to help ensure that all middle school graduates in the
State are technologically literate.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $30,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2008 through 2012.
SEC. 5. HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE FOR ALL SCHOOLS.
(a) Competitive Grants Authorized.--The Secretary of Education is
authorized to award grants, on a competitive basis, to students in
secondary schools and institutions of higher education, working with
faculty of an institution of higher education, software developers, and
experts in educational technology, for the development of high-quality
educational software and Internet websites by such students, faculty,
developers, and experts.
(b) Recognition.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Education shall recognize
outstanding educational software and Internet websites
developed with assistance provided under this section.
(2) Certificates.--The President is requested to, and the
Secretary shall, issue an official certificate signed by the
President or the Secretary (or both), to each student and
faculty member who develops outstanding educational software or
an Internet website recognized under this section.
(3) Focus.--The educational software or Internet websites
that are recognized under this section shall focus on core
curriculum areas.
(4) Judges.--The Secretary shall designate official judges
to recognize outstanding educational software or Internet
websites assisted under this section.
(c) Priority.--
(1) First year.--For the first year that the Secretary
awards grants under this section, the Secretary shall give
priority to awarding grants for the development of educational
software or Internet websites in the areas of mathematics,
science, and reading.
(2) Second and third years.--For the second and third years
that the Secretary awards grants under this section, the
Secretary shall give priority to awarding grants for the
development of educational software or Internet websites in the
areas described in paragraph (1) and in social studies, the
humanities, and the arts.
(d) Downloading.--Educational software recognized under this
section shall be made available to local educational agencies for free
downloading from the Department of Education's Internet website.
Internet websites recognized under this section shall be accessible to
any user of the World Wide Web.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2008 through 2012.
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