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Bill116th CongressFiled Nov 5, 2019Science, Technology, Communications
H.R. 4979

Rural STEM Education Act

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house (Sep 16, 2020)

Rural STEM Education Act

This bill directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support research regarding STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including computer science) education in rural schools.

(Sec. 3) The NSF must award grants to institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations for (1) research and development to advance innovative approaches to support and sustain high-quality STEM teaching in rural schools, (2) research and development of programming to identify the barriers rural students face in accessing high-quality STEM education, and (3) development of innovative solutions to improve the participation and advancement of rural students in grades Pre-K through 12 in STEM studies.

The NSF may establish a pilot program of regional cohorts in rural areas to provide peer support, mentoring, and hands-on research experiences for rural STEM educators of students in grades Pre-K through 12 in order to build an ecosystem of cooperation among educators, researchers, academia, and local industry.

(Sec. 4) The NSF shall award competitive grants to institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations (or a consortium thereof, which may include a private sector partner) to conduct research on online STEM education courses for rural communities.

(Sec. 5) The NSF shall enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences under which the National Academy agrees to evaluate aspects of STEM education and workforce development in rural areas.

(Sec. 6) The Government Accountability Office shall conduct a study on the engagement of rural populations in federal STEM programs.

(Sec. 7) Each of the federal agencies administering an Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) program shall consider modifications to EPSCoR award structures to increase the capacity of rural communities to provide quality STEM education and STEM workforce development programming to students and teachers.

(Sec. 8) The bill expands certain outreach activities of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program and MEP Centers to include secondary schools.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology must award prizes to stimulate research and development of creative technologies in order to deploy affordable and reliable broadband connectivity to underserved rural communities.

(Sec. 9) The Office of Science and Technology Policy must establish a broadband research and development working group to address national research challenges and opportunities for improving broadband access and adoption across the United States.

What just happenedSep 17, 2020

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Lucas, Frank D. [R-OK-3](R-OK)Sponsor
46 cosponsors22 D24 R
Read on Congress.gov
46cosponsors2committees15actions1related bills20subjects
  1. Sep 17, 2020IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

    Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
  2. Sep 16, 2020FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. Sep 16, 2020FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4463-4466)

  4. Sep 16, 2020Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

  5. Sep 16, 2020FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4979.

  6. Sep 16, 2020FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4463-4467)

  7. Sep 16, 2020FloorH30300

    Ms. Johnson (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  8. Feb 13, 2020CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 319.

  9. Feb 13, 2020CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 116-397.

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  10. Feb 13, 2020Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 116-397.

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  11. Nov 14, 2019Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  12. Nov 14, 2019Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  13. Nov 5, 2019IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  14. Nov 5, 2019IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  15. Nov 5, 2019IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed HouseSep 16, 202053

Rural STEM Education Act

This bill directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support research regarding STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including computer science) education in rural schools.

(Sec. 3) The NSF must award grants to institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations for (1) research and development to advance innovative approaches to support and sustain high-quality STEM teaching in rural schools, (2) research and development of programming to identify the barriers rural students face in accessing high-quality STEM education, and (3) development of innovative solutions to improve the participation and advancement of rural students in grades Pre-K through 12 in STEM studies.

The NSF may establish a pilot program of regional cohorts in rural areas to provide peer support, mentoring, and hands-on research experiences for rural STEM educators of students in grades Pre-K through 12 in order to build an ecosystem of cooperation among educators, researchers, academia, and local industry.

(Sec. 4) The NSF shall award competitive grants to institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations (or a consortium thereof, which may include a private sector partner) to conduct research on online STEM education courses for rural communities.

(Sec. 5) The NSF shall enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences under which the National Academy agrees to evaluate aspects of STEM education and workforce development in rural areas.

(Sec. 6) The Government Accountability Office shall conduct a study on the engagement of rural populations in federal STEM programs.

(Sec. 7) Each of the federal agencies administering an Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) program shall consider modifications to EPSCoR award structures to increase the capacity of rural communities to provide quality STEM education and STEM workforce development programming to students and teachers.

(Sec. 8) The bill expands certain outreach activities of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program and MEP Centers to include secondary schools.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology must award prizes to stimulate research and development of creative technologies in order to deploy affordable and reliable broadband connectivity to underserved rural communities.

(Sec. 9) The Office of Science and Technology Policy must establish a broadband research and development working group to address national research challenges and opportunities for improving broadband access and adoption across the United States.

Reported to HouseFeb 13, 20207

Rural STEM Education Act

This bill directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support research regarding STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including computer science) education in rural schools.

The NSF must award grants to institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations for (1) research and development to advance innovative approaches to support and sustain high-quality STEM teaching in rural schools, (2) research and development of programming to identify the barriers rural students face in accessing high-quality STEM education, (3) development of innovative solutions to improve the participation and advancement of rural students in grades Pre-K through 12 in STEM studies, and (4) research on online STEM education courses for rural communities.

The NSF may establish a pilot program of regional cohorts in rural areas to provide peer support, mentoring, and hands-on research experiences for rural STEM educators of students in grades Pre-K through 12 in order to build an ecosystem of cooperation among educators, researchers, academia, and local industry.

The NSF shall enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences under which the National Academy agrees to evaluate aspects of STEM education and workforce development in rural areas.

The Government Accountability Office shall conduct a study on the engagement of rural populations in federal STEM programs.

Each of the federal agencies administering an Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) program shall consider modifications to EPSCoR award structures to increase the capacity of rural communities to provide quality STEM education and STEM workforce development programming to students and teachers.

The bill expands certain outreach activities of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program and MEP Centers to include secondary schools.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology must award prizes to stimulate research and development of creative technologies in order to deploy affordable and reliable broadband connectivity to underserved rural communities.

The Office of Science and Technology Policy must establish a broadband research and development working group to address national research challenges and opportunities for improving broadband access and adoption across the United States.

Introduced in HouseNov 5, 2019

Rural STEM Education Act

This bill directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support research regarding STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including computer science) education in rural schools.

The NSF must award grants to institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations for (1) research and development to advance innovative approaches to support and sustain high-quality STEM teaching in rural schools, (2) research and development of programming to identify the barriers rural students face in accessing high-quality STEM education, (3) development of innovative solutions to improve the participation and advancement of rural students in grades Pre-K through 12 in STEM studies, and (4) research on online STEM education courses for rural communities.

The NSF may establish a pilot program of regional cohorts in rural areas to provide peer support, mentoring, and hands-on research experiences for rural STEM educators of students in grades Pre-K through 12 in order to build an ecosystem of cooperation among educators, researchers, academia, and local industry.

The NSF shall enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences under which the National Academy agrees to evaluate aspects of STEM education and workforce development in rural areas.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology must award prizes to stimulate research and development of creative technologies in order to deploy affordable and reliable broadband connectivity to underserved rural communities.

The Office of Science and Technology Policy must establish a broadband research and development working group to address national research challenges and opportunities for improving broadband access and adoption across the United States.

Rural STEM Education Act — Informed