20 U.S.C. § 3911 — Congressional declaration of policy

Page 1199 TITLE 20—EDUCATION § 3913 EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1998 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 105–244 effective Oct. 1, 1998, except as otherwise provided in Pub. L. 105–244, see sec- tion 3 of Pub. L. 105–244, set out as a note under section 1001 of this title. Executive Documents TERMINATION OF TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Is- lands, see note set out preceding section 1681 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions. SUBCHAPTER I—NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUN- DATION SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING EDUCATION § 3911. Congressional declaration of policy (a) The Congress declares that the science and engineering education responsibilities of the Na- tional Science Foundation are— (1) to improve the quality of instruction in the fields of mathematics, science, and engi- neering; (2) to support research, fellowships, teacher- faculty-business exchange programs in mathe- matics, science, and engineering; (3) to improve the quality and availability of instrumentation for mathematics, science, and engineering instruction; (4) to encourage partnerships in education between local and State education agencies, business and industry, colleges and univer- sities, and cultural and professional institu- tions and societies; and (5) to improve the quality of education at all levels in the fields of mathematics, science, and engineering. (b) In exercising its responsibilities to strengthen scientific and engineering research potential and science and engineering education programs at all levels, the Foundation shall avoid undue concentration of support for re- search and education activities. (Pub. L. 98–377, title I, § 101, as added Pub. L. 99–159, title II, § 201, Nov. 22, 1985, 99 Stat. 893.) Editorial Notes PRIOR PROVISIONS A prior section 3911, Pub. L. 98–377, title I, § 101, Aug. 11, 1984, 98 Stat. 1268, related to grants for teacher insti- tutes, prior to the general revision of this subchapter by section 201 of Pub. L. 99–159. See section 3913 of this title. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries UNDERGRADUATE SCIENCE IMPROVEMENT Pub. L. 100–570, title I, § 112, Oct. 31, 1988, 102 Stat. 2870, provided that: ‘‘(a) The Congress finds that the support of under- graduate science and engineering education is a critical component in a comprehensive national policy in- tended to ensure the Nation’s future supply of sci- entists and engineers. ‘‘(b) In accordance with the provisions of this Act [see Tables for classification], the Foundation shall support undergraduate science and engineering activities in in- strumentation and laboratory improvement, under- graduate faculty enhancement, undergraduate research opportunities, undergraduate curriculum development, and efforts to encourage the participation of women, minorities, and the disabled in such fields. ‘‘(c) In carrying out the provisions of this section, the Foundation shall take into account the special needs of two-year and four-year colleges and universities.’’ § 3912. Functional objectives; uses of funds (a) In carrying out its science and engineering education responsibilities, the Foundation shall have the following functional objectives: public understanding of science and technology, fac- ulty enhancement, student education and train- ing, instructional development and instrumen- tation, and materials development and dissemi- nation. (b) Funds under this subchapter shall, con- sistent with such functional objectives, be used for— (1) enhancement of public understanding of science and engineering through informal edu- cation activities using a variety of mediums such as broadcasting, museums, clubs, and amateur science societies; (2) development of new science and engineer- ing faculty resources and talents; (3) enhancement of the quality of science and engineering instruction in colleges of teacher education; (4) development of four-year college faculty and instructors in high technology fields; (5) development of two-year community col- lege faculty and instructors especially in high technology fields; (6) development of precollege mathematics, science and engineering education and train- ing; (7) encouragement of potential students, in- cluding underrepresented and underserved populations, to pursue careers in mathe- matics, science, engineering, and critical for- eign languages; (8) development of instructional instrumen- tation and systems for postsecondary tech- nical, engineering, and scientific education; and (9) development of science, engineering, and education networks to aid in the development and dissemination of successful curricula, methods, and materials. (Pub. L. 98–377, title I, § 102, as added Pub. L. 99–159, title II, § 201, Nov. 22, 1985, 99 Stat. 894.) Editorial Notes PRIOR PROVISIONS A prior section 3912, Pub. L. 98–377, title I, § 102, Aug. 11, 1984, 98 Stat. 1268, related to submission, contents, etc., of applications, prior to the general revision of this subchapter by section 201 of Pub. L. 99–159. § 3913. Teacher institutes (a) Authorization to make competitive grants; covered institutions, businesses, etc.; pur- pose The Foundation shall, in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter, make competitive grants to institutions of higher education, busi- nesses, nonprofit private organizations (includ- ing schools), local education agencies, profes- sional engineering and scientific associations,