This bill directs the National Science Foundation (the Foundation) to support research and development to modernize mathematics in prekindergarten through grade 12 by focusing on mathematical and statistical modeling, data-driven and computational thinking, problem- and project-based learning, interdisciplinary study, and career connections. The Foundation Director would make competitive, merit-reviewed awards to institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, or consortia to develop and study programs in schools. The bill also directs the Foundation to seek an agreement with the National Academies (NASEM) to study barriers and best practices for teaching modeling in K–12, hold at least one public stakeholder meeting, and deliver a report within 24 months.
The bill defines terms, lists application and partnership requirements, requires evaluation plans and annual and final reports from award recipients, and requires the Foundation to evaluate the portfolio of awards and report results and recommendations to Congress. It authorizes specific annual funding levels and includes a sunset provision for the authority to provide awards.
If funded and implemented, colleges, nonprofits, and school districts could apply for competitive grants to develop teacher training, curricula, student research experiences, and partnerships with employers and Federal laboratories. The bill calls for programs that use real data, computational tools, and project-based learning, and that plan to serve students who are often underrepresented in STEM. Awardees must include evaluation plans and share results publicly. The NASEM study would collect stakeholder input and issue recommendations about how modeling can be taught across grade levels.
The bill authorizes $10,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for the Foundation's Directorate for STEM Education to carry out the grant program in section 2. It also authorizes $1,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for the NASEM study in section 3. Amounts to carry out the sections must come from funds appropriated to the Foundation. The bill also states the authority to provide awards expires on September 30, 2029. Recipients must include evaluations and report results to the Foundation.
The bill's findings say current school mathematics and data science are not keeping pace with workforce needs and that the United States will need many more STEM professionals in coming years. It says data science and computational methods are important across many jobs, that mathematical modeling helps connect math to real-world contexts, and that modeling challenges can support broader student participation (including girls) compared with some traditional math competitions. The bill highlights benefits from partnerships among educators, researchers, employers, and Federal laboratories.
No publicly available information.