PRINTER'S NO. 2099
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1486
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY THOMAS, AUGUST 10, 2015
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, AUGUST 10, 2015
AN ACT
Establishing the STEMM Pathways Initiative Program and the STEMM
Opportunity Fund; and conferring powers and imposing duties
on the Department of Education.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the STEMM
Pathways Initiative Act.
Section 2. Legislative intent.
The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) The economy of this Commonwealth is increasingly
dependent upon innovation and technology industries such as
advanced manufacturing, life sciences, engineering and
computer sciences.
(2) Continued and sustained economic growth in these
areas will depend upon a robust pipeline of a highly educated
and trained work force that has the knowledge, skills and
abilities in science, technology, engineering, mathematics
and manufacturing disciplines.
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(3) STEMM education is the foundation upon which a 21st
century work force pipeline is built and significant
investments in the K-12 ecosystem, including school
districts, universities, industry and community-based
organizations, are required.
(4) The General Assembly intends to create a program to
increase exposure, educational motivation and achievement of
students in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and
manufacturing and build individual and regional capacity to
compete for STEMM-based jobs in the global market.
Section 3. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Fund." The STEMM Opportunity Fund.
"Program." The STEMM Pathways Initiative Program.
"STEMM." Science, technology, engineering, mathematics and
manufacturing.
Section 4. Establishment.
(a) Program.--The STEMM Pathways Initiative Program is
established to prepare students for STEMM careers. Under the
program, the department may:
(1) Provide grants to STEMM centers as provided under
section 5 to fund local STEMM education initiatives for
students in kindergarten through 8th grades.
(2) Provide scholarships to high school students as
provided under section 6.
(b) Fund.--The STEMM Opportunity Fund is established in the
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State Treasury. Money in the fund shall be used to fund the
grants and scholarships provided under sections 5 and 6. The
following shall apply:
(1) The fund shall consist of all of the following:
(i) Money appropriated by the General Assembly for
inclusion in the fund.
(ii) Grants, donations, contributions or gifts from
public or private sources specifically earmarked for
deposit into the fund.
(iii) Interest, dividends and pecuniary gains from
investment of money in the fund.
(2) The sum of $30,000,000 is appropriated to the
department for fiscal year 2016-2017 to implement the
program.
Section 5. Grants for local STEMM education.
(a) Establishment of STEMM centers.--Each intermediate unit
shall establish a STEMM center which shall be responsible for
promoting STEMM education for students in kindergarten through
8th grades at a local level.
(b) Establishment of STEMM educational councils.--Each STEMM
center shall establish and manage a STEMM educational council
which shall develop the strategic plans for local STEMM
education for students in kindergarten through 8th grades. A
STEMM educational council shall be comprised of a diverse set of
public and private stakeholders, including representatives from
local education agencies, local and regional industries, private
philanthropic foundations, universities, informal science
institutions and community-based organizations.
(c) Grants.--The department may provide grants to a STEMM
center for the purpose of funding the STEMM center's strategic
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plans for novel and innovative approaches to local STEMM
education for students in kindergarten through 8th grades. In
order to receive a grant, a STEMM center must submit its
strategic plans for local STEMM education for students in
kindergarten through 8th grades to the department. Grants shall
be awarded on a competitive basis, based on the department's
review of a STEMM center's strategic plans, and shall match the
STEMM center's proposed investment amount in STEMM education on
a dollar-for-dollar basis.
Section 6. STEMM scholarships for high school students.
(a) Compilation.--Each intermediate unit shall compile a
list of the most qualified students, based on merit, from each
high school in this Commonwealth who are in their final year of
high school and are committed to attend a college or university
in this Commonwealth to major in STEMM. Each intermediate unit
shall submit its list to the department each year.
(b) Award.--The department may award scholarships to
students based on the lists compiled by each intermediate unit.
The scholarship shall cover the full cost of tuition at the
college or university. The department may promulgate rules and
regulations necessary to implement this section.
Section 7. Effective date.
This act shall take effect July 1, 2016, or immediately,
whichever is later.
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