EXPANDING THE USES OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE INSTRUCTION.

SEC. 221. EXPANDING THE USES OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE INSTRUCTION. (a) Computer Technologies.— (1) Program authorized.— The Director shall establish research programs on the use of computers and related technologies in basic mathematics, science, and technology instruction. (2) Eligible applicants.— In carrying out the program under this subsection, the Director shall establish a merit review process to make awards on the basis of— (A) the potential of the proposal to improve the effectiveness and productivity of basic mathematics and science education; (B) the potential of the proposal to involve the classroom teacher in the design of the program and to provide teacher training for optimum effectiveness in the classroom; and (C) the capability of the entity developing the innovative computer technology to provide broad and efficient dissemination of the technology to schools. (3) Use of awards.— Funds awarded under this subsection may be used for— (A) research and development of curriculum; (B) development of computer software; and (C) research and development of other promising technologies for educational applications as specified by the Director. (b) Distance Learning.— (1) Program authorized.— The Director shall establish programs to promote the use of interactive telecommunications linkages to provide mathematics and science education in the elementary and secondary classroom. (2) Eligible applicants.— In carrying out the program under this subsection, the Director shall establish a merit review process to make awards to partnerships which may involve State educational agencies, local educational agencies, public television agencies, institutions of higher education, and other relevant entities, on the basis of— (A) the potential of the proposal to improve the delivery of quality mathematics and science instruction to underserved rural and urban areas; and (B) the potential of the proposal to provide teacher training programs for optimum effectiveness in the classroom. (3) Use of awards.— Funds awarded under this subsection may be used for— 104 STAT. 2892 (A) the research and development of software and hardware technologies necessary to implement interstate and intrastate interactive linkages with several school districts; (B) research on two-way audio and video interactive telecommunications and computer linkages designed to be used in conjunction with each other; (C) research and development of curriculum; (D) teacher training in the use of technologies developed under this section; and (E) other appropriate telecommunications research projects that will improve mathematics and science education in underserved areas. (c) Special Rule.— In carrying out the provisions of this section, the Director shall— (1) pay particular attention to the needs of rural and urban areas which are underserved in fields of mathematics and science instruction or which have a high percentage of students receiving services under chapter 1 of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; (2) give special consideration to proposals to extend or adapt for wider applications technologies, and associated educational materials, that the eligible applicant making the proposal has demonstrated to be effective in limited applications; (3) ensure coordination between the National Science Foundation’s programs for support of teacher training and programs developed under this section, with the objective of training teachers in the use of promising educational technologies; and (4) consult, cooperate and coordinate with analogous programs and policies of other Federal agencies. (d) Matching Requirement.— Awards shall be made under this section only to eligible applicants that will contribute resources, in cash or in kind, from non-Federal sources in an amount equal to 25 percent of the Federal award. (e) Coordination.— The Director shall work with the Secretary to encourage use of technologies and educational materials developed under this section in Department of Education model programs established under section 2012 of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Mathematics and Science Education Act for instruction and training in the use of computers. In addition, the Director shall ensure that programs and activities developed under this section are reported to the Clearinghouse established under section 2012 of such Act for subsequent dissemination through the regional consortia established under subpart 2 of such Act. (f) Planning Activities.— The Office of Science and Technology Policy shall ensure that planning activities for education and human resource development and for high performance computing within the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology include consideration of the use of national computer networks for educational purposes, including distance learning and dissemination of curricular materials.