1Establishing the MESA Initiative; providing for duties of the
2Department of Education; and establishing the State MESA
3Commission.

4The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
5hereby enacts as follows:

6Section 1. Short title.

7This act shall be known and may be cited as the Pennsylvania
8MESA Initiative Act.

9Section 2. Definitions.

10The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
11have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
12context clearly indicates otherwise:

13"Commission." The State MESA Commission established under
14section 5.

15"Department." The Department of Education of the
16Commonwealth.

17"MESA." Mathematics, engineering and science achievement.

18"MESA Initiative." The program established under section 3

1to promote science, engineering and mathematics education.

2"STEM." Science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

3Section 3. MESA Initiative.

4Not later than 18 months from the effective date of this act,
5the department shall establish the MESA Initiative as a program
6within the department. The MESA Initiative shall seek to
7increase exposure, educational motivation and achievement of
8students in science, engineering and mathematics and build
9individual and regional capacity to compete for STEM-based jobs
10in the global market with a particular emphasis on students,
11parents, educators and employers from urban and rural groups who
12have historically had the lowest levels of high school degree
13attainment and participation in college and graduate education.

14Section 4. Administration of MESA Initiative.

15(a) Coordination.--The department shall coordinate the
16efforts of all Commonwealth agencies that relate to MESA
17education from kindergarten through grade 12 and with
18institutions of higher education to avoid unnecessary
19duplication of initiatives and ensure adherence to established
20guidelines.

21(b) Structure of STEM regions.--The department shall work
22with the TEAM PA Foundation and the five established STEM
23regions in this Commonwealth to create in each STEM region an
24infrastructure for the MESA Initiative.

25(c) Duties.--In consultation with the commission,
26Commonwealth agencies, institutions of higher education, the
27TEAM PA Foundation and the STEM regions, the department shall:

28(1) Develop annual goals and objectives for improving
29MESA programs throughout this Commonwealth with particular
30emphasis on regional economic and educational needs.

1(2) No later than 30 days after developing the goals and
2objectives under paragraph (1), communicate the goals and
3objectives to all relevant agencies of the Commonwealth, the
4STEM regions and the public by making the goals and
5objectives available on the department's publicly accessible
6Internet website.

7(3) Coordinate and facilitate communication and
8cooperation among all MESA regions and assure compliance with
9established guidelines for the MESA Initiative.

10(4) Conduct an ongoing inventory and assessment of the
11effectiveness and coherence of efforts within the MESA
12regions.

13(5) After an initial evaluation, biennially evaluate the
14progress and success of the MESA regions at achieving the
15goals and objectives under paragraph (1).

16(6) Strengthen partnerships between the national MESA
17community, Federal, State and local governments and relevant
18international partners.

19Section 5. State MESA Commission.

20(a) Establishment.--There is established within the State
21Board of Education under the Council of Basic Education a State
22MESA Commission to oversee the advancement of science,
23technology, engineering and mathematics education.

24(b) Membership.--The commission shall consist of not more
25than 20 members, including the following:

26(1) Two representatives from each STEM.

27(2) Elected officials, representatives of the department
28and stakeholders as appointed by the department.

29(c) Study.--The commission shall evaluate and report to the
30General Assembly biennially on the following:

1(1) Efficacy of Statewide MESA Initiatives.

2(2) Effective utilization of MESA Initiative resources.

3(3) Influence of the MESA Initiative on:

4(i) Student STEM aptitudes, as measured by
5standardized testing.

6(ii) Teacher effectiveness.

7(iii) STEM-based employment within MESA regions.

8(d) Meetings.--The commission shall meet no less often than
9quarterly.

10Section 6. Effective date.

11This act shall take effect in 60 days.