42 U.S.C. § 13504 — Math and science education program

(a) Program: The Secretary must hire existing qualified nonprofits, through contracts, to run science and math education programs. These programs must add to — not replace — the Department of Education's Special Programs for Students from Disadvantaged Backgrounds. (b) Purpose: (1) The goal is to help low-income and first-generation college students (as defined in a separate education law) succeed in science and math in college. (2) Support can include: (A) making educational materials; (B) training teachers and counselors; (C) setting up student internships; (D) running math and science seminars; (E) tutoring; (F) academic counseling; (G) creating research opportunities; and (H) other activities that help these students in post-secondary science and math education. (c) Support: (1) The nonprofits can direct this support to: (A) low-income and first-generation college students themselves; and (B) colleges, public and private agencies, and secondary and middle schools that mainly serve low-income students. (2) As much as possible, the nonprofits must coordinate this work with the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Energy. (d) Cooperation with qualified entities: The Secretary must cooperate with these nonprofits and, where practical, give them Department of Energy staff, facilities, and other resources they need. (e) Report: By October 1 each year, the nonprofits must report to the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Education, and Congress on: (1) progress toward helping these students, covering the nonprofits' own work, other Department of Energy math and science programs, and the Department of Education's Special Programs; and (2) recommendations for more steps to help low-income students. (f) Effect on existing programs: These programs must support — not replace — the current math and science education programs run by the Department of Energy and the Department of Education. (g) "Qualified entity" defined: A "qualified entity" is a nonprofit corporation, association, or institution with proven experience educating low-income and first-generation college students, whose main mission is running national programs for low-income students and training educators. (h) Authorization of appropriations: Congress authorized whatever funding is needed, drawn from the funds authorized under section 13503(e) and the Environmental Restoration and Waste Management program, to carry out this section.