Title: To invest in innovation through research and development, and to improve the competitiveness of the United States. Highlights: (1) Encourages all elementary and middle schools to observe a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Day twice in every school year; (2) Initiates a program to encourage federal employees with scientific, technological, engineering, or mathematical skills to interact with school children on such Days; and (3) Promotes involvement in such Days by appropriate private sector and institution of higher education employees. Directs the Secretary to award grants to states for establishing or expanding public, statewide specialty schools for mathematics and science.

Grant eligibility: A grant awarded to a State for a specialty school for science and mathematics (i) shall not exceed $2,000,000 for a fiscal year; and (ii) shall not be provided for more than 3 fiscal years.

ASPIRA Policy Position

ASPIRA supports efforts to promote math and science education. However, the establishment of special math and science schools will serve higher income students (as the current math and science-dedicated schools do) and there is no provision that these schools will serve low-income students. Funding would be better targeted at improving math and science education in low-income area schools.