[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 325 Introduced in House (IH)]
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 325
To create or adopt, and implement, rigorous and voluntary American
education content standards in mathematics and science covering
kindergarten through grade 12, to provide for the assessment of student
proficiency benchmarked against such standards, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 9, 2007
Mr. Ehlers (for himself and Mr. Hinojosa) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To create or adopt, and implement, rigorous and voluntary American
education content standards in mathematics and science covering
kindergarten through grade 12, to provide for the assessment of student
proficiency benchmarked against such standards, 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Standards to
Provide Educational Achievement for Kids Act'' or the ``SPEAK Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Assessing science in the National Assessment of Educational
Progress.
Sec. 4. Definitions.
Sec. 5. Voluntary American education content standards; American
Standards Incentive Fund.
Sec. 6. Authorization of appropriations.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Throughout the years, educators and policymakers have
consistently embraced standards as the mechanism to ensure that
every student, no matter what school the student attends,
masters the skills and develops the knowledge needed to
participate in a global economy.
(2) Recent international comparisons make clear that
students in the United States have significant shortcomings in
mathematics and science, yet a high level of scientific and
mathematics literacy is essential to societal innovations and
advancements.
(3) With more than 50 different sets of academic content
standards, 50 State academic assessments, and 50 definitions of
proficiency under section 1111(b) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)), there is
great variability in the measures, standards, and benchmarks
for academic achievement in mathematics and science.
(4) Variation in State standards and the accompanying
measures of proficiency make it difficult for parents and
teachers to meaningfully gauge how well their children are
learning mathematics and science in comparison to their peers
internationally or here at home.
(5) The disparity in the rigor of standards across States
yield test results that tell the public little about how
schools are performing and progressing, as States with low
standards or low proficiency scores may appear to be doing much
better than States with more rigorous standards or higher
requirements for proficiency.
(6) As a result, the United States' highly mobile student-
aged population moves through the Nation's schools gaining
widely varying levels of knowledge, skills, and preparedness.
(7) In order for the United States to compete in a global
economy, the country needs to strengthen its educational
expectations for all children.
(8) To compete, the people of the United States must
compare themselves against international benchmarks.
(9) Grounded in a real world analysis and international
comparisons of what students need to succeed in work and
college, rigorous and voluntary core American education content
standards will keep the United States economically competitive
and ensure that the children of the United States are given the
same opportunity to learn to a high standard no matter where
they reside.
(10) Rigorous and voluntary core American education content
standards in mathematics and science will enable students to
succeed in academic settings across States while ensuring an
American edge in the global marketplace.
SEC. 3. ASSESSING SCIENCE IN THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL
PROGRESS.
(a) National Assessment of Educational Progress Authorization
Act.--Section 303 of the National Assessment of Educational Progress
Authorization Act (20 U.S.C. 9622) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``reading and
mathematics'' and inserting ``reading, mathematics, and
science'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``science,''
after ``mathematics,'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (B), by striking
``reading and mathematics'' and inserting
``reading, mathematics, and science'';
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking
``reading and mathematics'' and inserting
``reading, mathematics, and science'';
(iii) in subparagraph (D), by striking
``science,'';
(iv) in subparagraph (E), by striking
``reading and mathematics'' and inserting
``reading, mathematics, and science''; and
(v) in subparagraph (F)--
(I) by striking ``continue to'' ;
and
(II) by striking ``reading and
mathematics'' and inserting ``reading,
mathematics, and science'';
(C) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``reading and mathematics'' each place the term
occurs and inserting ``reading, mathematics,
and science''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (C)(ii), by striking
``reading and mathematics'' and inserting
``reading, mathematics, and science''; and
(D) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking ``, require,
or influence'' and inserting ``or require'';
(3) in subsection (d)(3), by striking ``reading and
mathematics'' each place the term occurs and inserting
``reading, mathematics, and science''; and
(4) in subsection (f)(1)(B)(v), by striking ``and
mathematical knowledge'' and inserting ``, mathematical
knowledge, and science knowledge''.
(b) Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.--Subpart 1 of
part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 1111(c)(2) (20 U.S.C. 6311(c)(2))--
(A) by inserting ``(and, for science, beginning
with the 2008-2009 school year)'' after ``2002-2003'';
and
(B) by striking ``reading and mathematics'' and
inserting ``reading, mathematics, and science''; and
(2) in section 1112(b)(1)(F) (20 U.S.C. 6312(b)(1)(F)), by
striking ``reading and mathematics'' and inserting ``reading,
mathematics, and science''.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
Section 304 of the National Assessment of Educational Progress
Authorization Act (20 U.S.C. 9623) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``In
this title:'' and inserting ``Except as otherwise provided, in
this title:'';
(2) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(3) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary
of Education.''.
SEC. 5. VOLUNTARY AMERICAN EDUCATION CONTENT STANDARDS; AMERICAN
STANDARDS INCENTIVE FUND.
The National Assessment of Educational Progress Authorization Act
(20 U.S.C. 9621 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by redesignating sections 304 (as amended by section 4)
and 305 as sections 306 and 307, respectively; and
(2) by inserting after section 303 the following:
``SEC. 304. CREATION OR ADOPTION OF VOLUNTARY AMERICAN EDUCATION
CONTENT STANDARDS.
``(a) In General.--Not later than 3 years after the date of
enactment of the Standards to Provide Educational Achievement for Kids
Act and from amounts appropriated under section 307(a)(3) for a fiscal
year, the Assessment Board shall create or adopt voluntary American
education content standards in mathematics and science covering
kindergarten through grade 12.
``(b) Duties.--The Assessment Board shall implement subsection (a)
by carrying out the following duties:
``(1) Create or adopt voluntary American education content
standards for mathematics and science covering kindergarten
through grade 12 that reflect a common core of what students in
the United States should know and be able to do to compete in a
global economy.
``(2) Anchor the voluntary American education content
standards based on the mathematics and science frameworks and
the achievement levels under section 303(e) of the National
Assessment of Educational Progress for grades 4, 8, and 12.
``(3) Ensure that the voluntary American education content
standards are internationally competitive and comparable to the
best standards in the world.
``(4) Review existing standards in mathematics and science
developed by professional organizations.
``(5) Review State standards in mathematics and science as
of the date of enactment of the Standards to Provide
Educational Achievement for Kids Act and consult and work with
entities that are developing, or have already developed, such
State standards.
``(6) Review the reports, views, and analyses of a broad
spectrum of experts, including classroom educators, and of the
public, as such reports, views, and analyses relate to
mathematics and science education, including reviews of blue
ribbon reports, exemplary practices in the field, and recent
reports by government agencies and professional organizations.
``(7) Review scientifically rigorous studies that examine
the relationship between--
``(A) the sequences of secondary school-level
mathematics and science courses; and
``(B) student achievement.
``(8) Ensure that steps are taken in the development of the
voluntary American education content standards to recognize the
needs of students who receive special education and related
services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.) and of students who are limited
English proficient (as defined in section 9101 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
7801)).
``(9) Solicit input from State and local representative
organizations, mathematics and science organizations (including
mathematics and science teacher organizations), institutions of
higher education, higher education organizations, business
organizations, and other appropriate organizations.
``(10) Ensure that the voluntary American education content
standards reflect what students will be required to know and be
able to do after secondary school graduation to be academically
qualified to enter an institution of higher education or
training for the civilian or military workforce.
``(11) Widely disseminate the voluntary American education
content standards for public review and comment before final
adoption.
``(12) Provide for continuing review of the voluntary
American education content standards not less often than once
every 10 years, which review--
``(A) shall solicit input from organizations and
entities, including--
``(i) 1 or more professional mathematics or
science organizations, including mathematics or
science educator organizations;
``(ii) the State educational agencies that
have received American Standards Incentive Fund
grants under section 305 during the period
covered by the review; and
``(iii) other organizations and entities,
as determined appropriate by Assessment Board;
and
``(B) shall address issues including--
``(i) whether the voluntary American
education content standards continue to reflect
international standards of excellence and the
latest developments in the fields of
mathematics and science; and
``(ii) whether the voluntary American
education content standards continue to reflect
what students are required to know and be able
to do in science and mathematics after
graduation from secondary school to be
academically qualified to enter an institution
of higher education or training for the
civilian or military workforce, as of the date
of the review.
``SEC. 305. THE AMERICAN STANDARDS INCENTIVE FUND.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) In general.--The terms `elementary school', `local
educational agency', `professional development', `secondary
school', `State', and `State educational agency' have the
meanings given the terms in section 9101 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
``(2) Academic content standards.--The term `academic
content standards' means the challenging academic content
standards described in section 1111(b)(1) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(1)).
``(3) Levels of achievement.--The term `levels of
achievement' means the State levels of achievement under
subclauses (II) and (III) of 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), (III)).
``(4) State academic assessments.--The term `State academic
assessments' means the academic assessments for a State
described in section 1111(b)(3) of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(3)).
``(b) Establishment of Fund.--From amounts appropriated under
section 307(a)(4) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall establish and
fund the American Standards Incentive Fund to carry out the grant
program under subsection (c).
``(c) Incentive Grant Program Authorized.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 12 months after the
Assessment Board adopts the voluntary American education
content standards under section 304, the Secretary shall use
amounts available from the American Standards Incentive Fund to
award, on a competitive basis, grants to State educational
agencies to enable each State educational agency to adopt the
voluntary American education content standards in mathematics
and science as the core of the State's academic content
standards in mathematics and science by carrying out the
activities described in subsection (f).
``(2) Duration and amount.--A grant under this subsection
shall be awarded--
``(A) for a period of not more than 4 years; and
``(B) in an amount that is not more than $4,000,000
over the period of the grant.
``(3) SEA collaboration permitted.--A State educational
agency receiving a grant under this subsection may collaborate
with another State educational agency receiving a grant under
this subsection in carrying out the activities described in
subsection (f).
``(d) Core Standards.--A State educational agency receiving a grant
under subsection (c) shall adopt and use the voluntary American
education content standards in mathematics and science as the core of
the State academic content standards in mathematics and science. The
State educational agency may add additional standards to the voluntary
American education content standards as part of the State academic
content standards in mathematics and science.
``(e) State Application.--A State educational agency desiring to
receive a grant under subsection (c) shall submit an application to the
Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information
as the Secretary may require. The application shall include--
``(1) timelines for carrying out each of the activities
described in subsection (f)(1); and
``(2) a description of the activities that the State
educational agency will undertake to implement the voluntary
American education content standards in mathematics and science
adopted under section 304, and the achievement levels in
mathematics and science developed under section 303(e) for the
national and State assessments of the National Assessment of
Educational Progress, at both the State educational agency and
local educational agency levels, including any additional
activities described in subsection (f)(2).
``(f) Use of Funds.--
``(1) Mandatory activities.--A State educational agency
receiving a grant under subsection (c) shall use grant funds to
carry out all of the following:
``(A) Adopt the voluntary American education
content standards in mathematics and science as the
core of the State's academic content standards in
mathematics and science not later than 2 years after
the receipt of a grant under this section.
``(B) Align the teacher certification or licensure,
pre-service, and professional development requirements
of the State to the voluntary American education
content standards in mathematics and science not later
than 3 years after the receipt of the grant.
``(C) Align the State academic assessments in
mathematics and science (or develop new such State
academic assessments that are aligned) with the
voluntary American education content standards in
mathematics and science not later than 4 years after
the receipt of the grant.
``(D) Align the State levels of achievement in
mathematics and science with the student achievement
levels in mathematics and science developed under
section 303(e) for the national and State assessments
of the National Assessment of Educational Progress not
later than 4 years after the receipt of the grant.
``(E) Develop dissemination, technical assistance,
and professional development activities for the purpose
of educating local educational agencies and schools on
what the standards adopted by the State educational
agency under this section are and how the standards can
be incorporated into classroom instruction.
``(2) Permissive activities.--A State educational agency
receiving a grant under subsection (c) may use the grant funds
to carry out, at the local educational agency or State
educational agency level, any of the following activities:
``(A) Develop curricula and instructional materials
in mathematics or science that are aligned with the
voluntary American education content standards in
mathematics and science.
``(B) Conduct other activities needed for the
implementation of the voluntary American education
content standards in mathematics and science.
``(3) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section the
Secretary shall give priority to a State educational agency
that will use the grant funds to carry out subparagraph (A) of
paragraph (2).
``(g) Award Basis.--In determining the amount of a grant under
subsection (c), the Secretary shall take into consideration--
``(1) the extent to which a State's academic content
standards, State academic assessments, levels of achievement in
mathematics and science, and teacher certification or
licensure, pre-service, and professional development
requirements, must be revised to align such State standards,
assessments, levels, and teacher requirements with the
voluntary American education content standards created or
adopted under section 304 and the achievement levels in
mathematics and science developed under section 303(e); and
``(2) the planned activities described in the application
submitted under subsection (e).
``(h) Annual State Educational Agency Reports.--A State educational
agency receiving a grant under subsection (c) shall submit an annual
report to the Secretary demonstrating the State educational agency's
progress in meeting the timelines described in the application under
subsection (e)(1).
``(i) Grants for DoD and BIA Schools.--
``(1) Department of defense schools.--From amounts
available from the American Standards Incentive Fund, the
Secretary, upon application by the Secretary of Defense, may
award grants under subsection (c) to the Secretary of Defense
on behalf of elementary schools and secondary schools operated
by the Department of Defense to enable the Secretary of Defense
to carry out activities similar to the activities described in
subsection (f) for the elementary schools and secondary schools
operated by the Department of Defense.
``(2) Bureau of indian affairs schools.--From amounts
available from the American Standards Incentive Fund, the
Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior,
may award grants under subsection (c) to the Bureau of Indian
Affairs on behalf of elementary schools and secondary schools
operated or funded by the Department of the Interior to enable
the Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs to carry out
activities similar to the activities described in subsection
(f) for the elementary schools and secondary schools operated
or funded by the Department of the Interior.
``(j) Study.--Not later than 2 years after the completion of the
first 4-year grant cycle for grants under this section, the
Commissioner for Education Statistics shall carry out a study comparing
the gap between the reported proficiency on State academic assessments
and assessments under section 303 for State educational agencies
receiving grants under subsection (c), before and after the State
adopts the voluntary American education content standards in
mathematics and science as the core of the State education content
standards in mathematics and science.
``(k) Data Grant.--
``(1) Program authorized.--
``(A) In general.--From amounts appropriated under
section 307(a)(4), the Secretary shall award, to each
State educational agency that meets the requirements of
paragraph (3), a grant to enhance statewide student
level longitudinal data systems as those systems relate
to the requirements of part A of title I of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6311 et seq.).
``(B) Data audit system.--The State, through the
implementation of such enhanced data system, shall--
``(i) ensure that the State has in place a
State data audit system to assess data quality,
validity, and reliability; and
``(ii) provide guidance, technical
assistance, and professional development to
local educational agencies to ensure local
education officials and educators have the
tools, knowledge, and protocol necessary to use
the enhanced data system properly, ensure the
integrity of the data, and be able to use the
data to inform education policy and practice.
``(2) Amount of grant.--A grant awarded to a State
educational agency under this subsection shall be in an amount
equal to 5 percent of the amount allocated to the State under
section 1122 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6332). If the amounts available from the
American Standards Incentive Fund are insufficient to pay the
full amounts of grants under paragraph (1) to all State
educational agencies that receive a grant under this
subsection, then the Secretary shall ratably reduce the amount
of all grants under this subsection.
``(3) Requirements.--In order to receive a grant under this
subsection, a State educational agency shall--
``(A) have received a grant under subsection (c);
and
``(B) successfully demonstrate to the Secretary
that the State has aligned--
``(i) the State's academic content
standards and State academic assessments in
mathematics and science, and the State's
teacher certification or licensure, pre-
service, and professional development
requirements, with the voluntary American
education content standards in mathematics and
science; and
``(ii) the State levels of achievement in
mathematics and science for grades 4, 8, and
12, with the achievement levels in mathematics
and science developed under section 303(e) for
such grades.
``(4) Nature of grant.--A grant under this subsection to a
State educational agency shall be in addition to any grant
awarded to the State educational agency under subsection (c).
``(5) Limit on number of grants.--In no case shall a State
educational agency receive more than 1 grant under this
subsection.
``(l) Reports to Congress.--Not later than 2 years after the date
of enactment of the Standards to Provide Educational Achievement for
Kids Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall report to
Congress regarding the status of all grants awarded under this section.
``(m) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to establish a preferred national curriculum or preferred
teaching methodology for elementary school or secondary school
instruction.
``(n) Timeline Extension.--The Secretary may extend the 12-year
requirement under section 1111(b)(2)(F) of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(F)) by not less than 2
years and by not more than 4 years for a State served by a State
educational agency that receives grants under subsections (c) and
(k).''.
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 307(a) of the National Assessment of Educational Progress
Authorization Act (as redesignated by section 5(1)) (20 U.S.C. 9624(a))
is amended to read as follows:
``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated--
``(1) to carry out section 302, $6,000,000 for fiscal year
2007 and such sums as may be necessary for each succeeding
fiscal year;
``(2) to carry out section 303, $200,000,000 for fiscal
year 2007 and such sums as may be necessary for each succeeding
fiscal year;
``(3) to carry out section 304, $3,000,000 for fiscal year
2007 and such sums as may be necessary for each succeeding
fiscal year; and
``(4) to carry out section 305, $400,000,000 for fiscal
year 2007 and such sums as may be necessary for each succeeding
fiscal year.''.
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