Donna Christensen on Education Delegate to US House (VI-AL)

Teacher development grants to improve math & science classes.

Title: To improve the quality and scope of science and mathematics education.

Summary: Directs the Secretary of Education to:
1. make grants to States for improvement and recruitment of quality teachers in science and mathematics education;

2. make grants to States for professional development of mathematics and science teachers;

3. establish 15 John Glenn Academies, for summer workshops and intensive, year-long fellowships for 3,000 individuals to prepare them to meet State certification requirements;

4. establish and operate a National Clearinghouse of Best Practices to coordinate successful and proven professional development opportunities for teachers;

5. make grants to improve science and mathematics education, and encourage more students to enter the fields of mathematics, science, and technology;

6. make grants to promote both achievement equity and gender equity in mathematics and science education;

7. establish a tax credit for businesses that employ science, mathematics, and technology teachers in summer fellowships related to their fields of teaching; and

8. establish a fair market value tax deduction for charitable contributions of science, mathematics, or technology equipment to public elementary and secondary schools.

Supports a Constitutional Amendment for school prayer.

H.J.RES.52 (2001), H.J.RES.66 (1999), S.J.RES. 1, H.J.RES.12, H. J. RES. 108, & H. J. RES. 55:

Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to prohibit individual or group prayer in public schools or other public institutions. No person shall be required by the United States or by any State to participate in prayer . Neither the United States nor any State shall compose the words of any prayer to be said in public schools.

To secure the people's right to acknowledge God according to the dictates of conscience: Neither the United States nor any State shall establish any official religion, but the people's right to pray and to recognize their religious beliefs, heritage, or traditions on public property, including schools, shall not be infringed. Neither the United States nor any State shall require any person to join in prayer or other religious activity, prescribe school prayers, discriminate against religion, or deny equal access to a benefit on account of religion.

Proposed Legislation:
• H.J.RES.52, School Prayer Amendment, 6/13/2001 (Murtha)
• H.J.RES.12, School Prayer Amendment, 2/7/2001 (Emerson)
• S.J.RES.1, School Prayer Amendment, 1/22/2001 (Thurmond)
• H.J.RES.108, Voluntary School Prayer Amendment, 9/21/2000 (Graham)
• H.J.RES.55, Voluntary School Prayer Amendment, 2/13/1997 (Stearnes, Hall, Watts)
• H.J.RES.78, Amendment Restoring Religious Freedom, 5/8/1997 (Istook, et. al.)

Supported funding for teacher training & other initiatives.

The teams of the Women’s Caucus are charged with advancing action on their designated issues in a bipartisan manner. Legislation from Team 4. EDUCATION
• HR455—Teacher Technology Training Act of 1999—A bill to provide grants to local education agencies to provide integrated classroom-related computer training for elementary and secondary school teachers. (Capps)
• HR645—Teacher Technology Training Act of 1999—A bill to require states to incorporate technology requirements in teacher training content and performance standards. (Morella)
• HR1307—After-School Children’s Education (ACE) Act—A bill to provide for grants, a national clearinghouse of information and a GAO report on the quality and availability of after school programs. (Castle)
• HR1129—A bill to remove the 60 month limitation for taking a tax deduction of student loan interest. (Mink)
• HR1456—A bill to improve the National Writing Project program. (Miller-CA)
• HR637—Gifted and Talented Students Education Act of 1999—A bill to make improvements and expand the gifted and talented program. (Gallegly)

The Caucus has also identified the following as priority areas:
• School Construction Funding
• Alternative Teacher Certification
• School Violence
• Support of Title I of ESEA
• Gender Equity in Education
• School Counselors