42 U.S.C. § 1862n–8: Evaluations

Summary

The Director, using the Foundation’s Research, Evaluation and Communication Division, must measure how well every undergraduate science, math, engineering, and technology program the Foundation funds increases the number and quality of students, including people identified in sections 1885a or 1885b. The evaluation must look at how many students enroll, how well students learn (measured with clear tests or scores), whether students finish their degrees (including those who switch to other majors), and what students do in the first year after graduation (further schooling or jobs). The Director must create common assessment benchmarks and tools and have funded projects use them. A report of results must be sent to the House Committee on Science, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions no later than 3 years after December 19, 2002, and every 3 years after that. Each year the Director must also evaluate a random sample of grants, contracts, or other awards made under the Act. The Director must share the evaluation results with the public and tell people that the evaluations are available.

Title 42, §1862n–8

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Education

(1)In general

The Director, through the Research, Evaluation and Communication Division of the Education and Human Resources Directorate of the Foundation, shall evaluate the effectiveness of all undergraduate science, mathematics, engineering, or technology education activities supported by the Foundation in increasing the number and quality of students, including individuals identified in section 1885a or 1885b of this title studying toward and completing associate’s or baccalaureate degrees in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology. In conducting the evaluation, the Director shall consider information on—

(A)the number of students enrolled in undergraduate science, mathematics, engineering, and technology programs;

(B)student academic achievement, including quantifiable measurements of students’ mastery of content and skills;

(C)persistence to degree completion, including students who transfer from science, mathematics, engineering, and technology programs to programs in other academic disciplines; and

(D)placement during the first year after degree completion in post-graduate education or career pathways.

(2)Assessment benchmarks and tools

The Director, through the Research, Evaluation and Communication Division of the Education and Human Resources Directorate of the Foundation, shall establish a common set of assessment benchmarks and tools, and shall enable every Foundation-sponsored project to incorporate the use of these benchmarks and tools in their project-based assessment activities.

(3)Reports to Congress

Not later than 3 years after December 19, 2002, and once every 3 years thereafter, the Director shall transmit to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report containing the results of evaluations under paragraph (1).

(b)Awards

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Director shall annually evaluate a random sample of grants, contracts, or other awards made pursuant to this Act.

(c)Dissemination

The Director shall—

(1)provide for the dissemination of the results of the evaluations conducted pursuant to this section to the public; and

(2)provide notice to the public that such evaluations are available.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This Act, referred to in subsec. (b), is Pub. L. 107–368, Dec. 19, 2002, 116 Stat. 3034, known as the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

of 2002 Amendment note set out under section 1861 of this title and Tables. Codification Section was enacted as part of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002, and not as part of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 which comprises this chapter.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Committee on Science of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Science and Technology of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Jan. 5, 2007. Committee on Science and Technology of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, Jan. 5, 2011. Definitions For definitions of terms used in this section, see section 4 of Pub. L. 107–368, set out as a note under section 1862n of this title.

§1862n–8 Evaluations