Whats New?

This page is designed to give you the latest, most important information concerning science and math education, and related topics.  I hope you will find it helpful.
 

NSTA Events: http://www.nsta.org

Applications Available for Albert Einstein Distinguished:  http://www.scied.science.doe.gov

American Medical Women's Association Foundation Has
Several Grant and Scholarship Opportunities Available
>>  Deadline: Various
>>  The AMWA Foundation (http://www.amwa-doc.org/) was
>>  launched in 1990 to help AMWA implement a dynamic agenda
>>  centered around a strong commitment to educating physi-
>>  cians, medical students, and consumers about women's
>>  health issues. The foundation is accepting applications
>>  for the Wilhelm-Frankowski Scholarship ($4,000), which is
>>  awarded to a medical student for excellence in community
>>  service and participation in the AMWA (deadline: April 30,
>>  2001). Applications are also accepted for the foundation's
>>  small grants program (deadline: March 4, 2001) in support
>>  of educational and charitable programs associated with AMWA
>>  members, branches, and board members. Visit the AMWA Web
>>  site for more information.
>>
>>  Contact:
>>  Julie Dogil (Small Grants Program)
>>  Tel: (703) 838-0500
>>  E-mail: jdogil@amwa-doc.org
>>  or
>>  Marie Glanz (Wilhelm-Frankowski Scholarship)
>>  Tel: (703) 838-0500
>>  E-mail: mglanz@amwa-doc.org
>>
>>  RFP Link:http://www.amwa-doc.org/foundation2.html
>>
>>  For additional RFPs in Medical, visit:
>>  http://www.fdncenter.org/pnd/rfp/medical.html
>>
>>  --------------------------<<>>-------------------------
>>
>>  Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Has
>>        Fellowship Opportunity Available
>>
>>  Deadline: February 1, 2001
>>
>>  The IEEE (http://www.ieee.org/) Fellowship in Electrical
>>  History supports either one year of full-time graduate
>>  work in the history of electrical science and technology
>>  at a college or university of recognized standing, or up
>>  to one year of post-doctoral research for a scholar in
>>  the field who has received his/her Ph.D. within the past
>>  three years. The stipend is $15,000.
>>
>>  Candidates with undergraduate degrees in engineering, the
>>  sciences, or the humanities are eligible. For pre-doctoral
>>  applicants, the award is conditional upon acceptance into
>>  an appropriate graduate program in history at a school of
>>  recognized standing. In addition, pre-doctoral recipients
>>  may not hold or subsequently receive other fellowships,
>>  although they may earn up to $5,000 for work directly
>>  related to their graduate studies. Pre-doctoral fellows
>>  must pursue full-time graduate work, and evidence of satis-
>>  factory academic performance is required. Visit the IEEE
>>  Web site for application information.
>>
>>  Contact:
>>  IEEE History Center
>>  Rutgers-the State University of New Jersey
>>  39 Union Street
>>  New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8538
>>  Tel: (732) 932-1066
>>  E-mail: history@ieee.org
>>
>>  RFP Link:
>>  http://www.ieee.org/organizations/history_center/fellowship.html
>>
>>  For additional RFPs in Science, visit:
>>  http://www.fdncenter.org/pnd/rfp/science.html
>>
>>  *************** ANNOUNCEMENT ***************
>>
>>  Which foundations provide support to individuals for
>>  education, research, the arts, and more? Find out fast
>>  with Foundation Grants to Individuals on CD-ROM, the
>>  only electronic resource devoted exclusively to this
>>  unique set of foundations.
>>
>>  Learn more! Take our Guided Tour at:
>>  http://fdncenter.org/marketplace/catalog/fgti_cd.html
>>
>>  :::::::::::::::UPDATES AND REMINDERS:::::::::::::::
>>
>>  -- Applications for SHARE Leadership Awards for Health
>>        Care Improvement of Older Adults Due February 28,
>>        2001
>>  -- Applications for the Center for Comparative Immigration
>>        Studies Fellowships Due January 15, 2001
>>
>>
>>  Applications for SHARE Leadership Awards for Health Care
>>        Improvement of Older Adults Due February 28, 2001
>>
>>  Sponsored by SmithKline Beecham and administered by the
>>  University of Pennsylvania Institute on Aging, the SHARE
>>  Awards (http://health.upenn.edu/SHARE ) are designed to
>>  improve the health and well-being of older adults who,
>>  because of their race, ethnicity, or culture, face barriers
>>  to health care services. Leadership Awards are one-time
>>  unrestricted grants of $50,000 that will be given to
>>  approximately 10 awardees. The award recognizes programs
>>  that have established excellence in improving the health
>>  of older adults who face barriers to health care services
>>  due to racial, cultural, or ethnic identity. Application
>>  information available online.
>>
>>  Visit the full RFP announcement at:
>>  http://fdncenter.org/pnd/rfp/aging#share
>>
>>  --------------------------<<>>-------------------------
>>
>>  Applications for the Center for Comparative Immigration
>>        Studies Fellowships Due January 15, 2001
>>
>>  The Center for Comparative Immigration Studies
>>  (http://www.ccis-ucsd.org/) will offer a number of
>>  Visiting Research Fellowships, at both the pre-doctoral
>>  and post-doctoral levels, to be held in residence during
>>  the 2001-02 academic year. The awards are to support
>>  advanced research and writing on any aspect of interna-
>>  tional migration and refugee flows, in any of the social
>>  sciences, history, law, and comparative literature.
>>  Application information available online.
>>
>>  Visit the full RFP announcement at:
>>  http://fdncenter.org/pnd/rfp/socscience#ccis
>>
>>  --------------------------<<>>-------------------------
>>
>>  Have a question about foundations, philanthropy,
>>  or fundraising? Visit our online reference service at:
>>
>>         http://fdncenter.org/onlib/librarian.html
>>
>>  For the full RFP-Bulletin listing on the World Wide Web,
>>  visit:
>>
>>          http://fdncenter.org/pnd/rfp/index.html
>>
>>  To leave this list at any time, send a message to
>>  LISTSERV@LISTS.FDNCENTER.ORG with the words
>>
>>          SIGNOFF RFP-Bulletin
>>
>>  in the body of your message. Or visit our handy sub-
>>  scription management page at:
>>
>>         http://fdncenter.org/newsletters
>>
>>  To rejoin the list at any time, send a message to
>>  LISTSERV@LISTS.FDNCENTER.ORG with the words
>>
>>          SUBSCRIBE RFP-Bulletin your name
>>
>>  in the body of the message. Or visit us on the Web at:
>>
>>  http://fdncenter.org/newsletters
>>
>>  If you have a question or would like more information
>>  about the list, send an e-mail to the list administrator
>>  at:
>>
>>          AKD@LISTS.FDNCENTER.ORG
 


NSTA Legislative Update

1. House Science Committee Approves HR 4271
2. Appropriations for FY 2001-2002 Still Not Clear; Eisenhower Looks Okay
3. Republican Bill Will Restructure Education Research; Eisenhower National
Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education and Consortia Affected

**The NSTA Legislative Update contains important information on education
initiatives nationwide, on Capitol Hill, and at the Department of Education.
It is sent every few weeks when Congress is in session or as events warrant.
To unsubscribe, see the information below.**

**The National Science Education Act (HR 4271) Moves Through House Science Committee**

By a unanimous vote, the U.S. House Science Committee yesterday approved HR 4271, the National Science Education Act.

The committee passed an amended bill introduced by Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) and approved and included six amendments to HR 4271.

HR 4271 authorizes the National Science Foundation (NSF) to create a grant program that would allow districts to hire master teachers at the K-8 level.
The bill authorizes funding for the program at $50 million each year for three years.

The bill also provides for NSF grants for teacher training in technology use and integration; studies the effectiveness of technology in the classroom with regard to learning and student performance; provides scholarships so that teachers can participate in research programs; and calls for NSF to convene a National Science Education Forum to identify and link
science, mathematics, engineering, and technology (SMET) education providers and resources.

New language added to the bill would create Education Technology Utilization (ETU) regional centers (composed of higher education institutions and including nonprofit organizations) that would "enhance the utilization of educational technologies in elementary and secondary education" by sharing information, training teachers to purchase and use educational
technologies, providing support services, and keeping teachers and administrators
up-to-date on the skills needed by industry.

Six amendments were passed and will now be included as part of the legislation. These new amendments include:

1. An interagency committee, established by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, that would coordinate Federal programs which support K-12 science and math education. Introduced by Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX)

2. A scholarship program ($5,000 for one year) that would help science, math, and engineering graduates pursue the credentials necessary to become teachers. Introduced by Rep. Udall (D-DO), Rep. Wu (D-OR), and Rep. Stabenow
(D-MI)

3. The "Go Girls" amendment,  which would authorize NSF grants to LEAs and higher education institutions to "encourage the ongoing interest of girls in science, math, and technology and to prepare girls to pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees and careers in science, math, or technology."  Introduced by Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA)

4. A competitive grant to a consortium of community colleges for a pilot project to encourage women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to enter and complete programs in science, engineering, and technology.  Introduced by Rep. Connie Morella (R-MD)

5. Changes to existing bill language that would allow grant funds under  the master teacher program to be used for expenses related to leave from work.  Offered by Rep. Hoeffel (D-PA)

6. Competitve grants through NSF to higher education institutions that offer undergraduate programs to strengthen the courses and curricular materials used  by undergraduate students pursuing education degrees. Emphasis is on a collaboration of education, science, and mathematics faculty and continued collaboration beyond the award period. Offered by Rep. Etheridge (D-NC)

This is a major step forward in moving these bills to completion!!!

It is hoped this bill will come to the House floor later this fall for a vote. There are now 78 co-sponsors of the National Science Education Acts in the House of Representatives and only 2 Senate co-sponsors. We need more
Representatives and Senators to sign on as co-sponsors of all three bills!
Congress is adjourning for August recess--now is a great time for constituent visits or calls in their districts/states. If you are
interested in setting up a visit, please contact jpeterson@nsta. (For information on how you can support this legislation, go to the NSTA website at www.nsta.org, click on Legislative Updates.)
Each voice is crucial, and we urge you to take a minute today to help us support this important legislation.

**Update: Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2001-2002**

Both the House and the Senate have voted on their respective appropriations bills for fiscal year 2001-2002, and the bill is currently being negotiated by the conference committee.

Language in the House bill includes the Eisenhower professional development state grants as part of the new Teacher Empowerment Act, which is not yet law. In the Senate bill, the Eisenhower program is funded at $435 million.

The conference committee report, which consolidates differences between the two bills, sets funding for Eisenhower at $435 million.

It is likely that the $435 million appropriations figure will remain as the amount available for the Eisenhower program for FY 2001-2002. But because the bill contains a block grant for the class size reduction program and school construction, President Clinton has said he will veto the bill. For a detailed look at both the House and Senate spending bills, go to
www.ed.gov/offices/OUS/01hs.pdf.

**Republicans Introduce Bill To Restructure Education Research; Eisenhower
National Clearinghouse and Consortia Affected**

Representatives William Goodling (R-PA) and Michael Castle (R-DE) have introduced the Scientifically-Based Education Research, Evaluation, Statistics, and Information Act of 2000. This bill would eliminate the Office of Education Research and Instruction (OERI) and would reconfigure the current Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science
Education and the 10 Eisenhower Regional Consortia Centers.

"Education research is broken in our country, and Congress must work to make it more useful, more independent of political influence, and less bureaucratic than the current system," said Rep. Castle. "Research needs to be conducted on a more scientific basis."

The bill would create the National Academy of Educational Research, Statistics, Evaluation, and Information. Four centers would make up the academy: The National Center for Educational Research, the National Center for Program Evaluation and Development, the National Center for Education Statistics, and the National Center for Educational Information.

The current federal education clearinghouses, including the Eisenhower Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education, would be streamlined into the National Center for Educational Information. The academy would also combine the funds currently going to the Regional Educational Labs, Comprehensive Centers, Regional Technology Centers, and a portion of
the funds directed to the Eisenhower Math and Science Consortium. These funds would instead be directed through a regionally based grant program.  A governing board convened in each designated region would develop a plan for the dissemination of educational research, the provision of technical assistance, and the conducting of applied research projects.

The Scientifically-Based Education Research, Evaluation, Statistics, and Information Act of 2000 was approved by a subcommittee of  Education and Workforce Committee on July 26.  It will most likely come up before the full
Education and Workforce Committee sometime after the House reconvenes after Labor Day.

And finally . . .
The Associated Press is reporting that delegates to the Republican National Convention say education should be the Number One priority of the next President, with taxes coming in as the number two priority. The top concern for the next President according to delegates to the Democratic National Convention is health care, with education in the number two slot.

Jodi Peterson
Editor, NSTA Reports!
Director, Legislative Affairs
National Science Teachers Association

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