§1161j Improving Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education with a Focus on Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Students

Summary

The Education Secretary can give grants to partnerships to start or grow programs that train people in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The grants must focus on meeting the schooling and cultural needs of Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students and can support programs from elementary school through college. An eligible partnership must include at least one engineering unit, one science or math college, one two-year college, and one or more private partners who do career outreach, encourage STEM education and careers, set up internships or apprenticeships, and help place interns. Grant money can pay for cultural or college-transition programs, extra academic support to raise graduation rates, internships run with schools and businesses, and other activities that match the law’s goals. Partnerships must apply as the Secretary tells them. Priority goes to partnerships that, on the day before August 14, 2008, ran programs with 30 percent or more Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian participants. Grants last five years. Each grantee must evaluate its work and send a report to the Secretary within six months after the grant ends. Funds are authorized as needed for fiscal year 2009 and each of the five succeeding fiscal years. Definitions: Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian are defined in other parts of the law; “institution of higher education” is also defined elsewhere.