,,ii #aaith ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #djcj ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,march #i1 #bjbf,mrs4 ,shaheen introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to provide out-of-school time educators with professional development in ,,stem subjects1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,supporting ,after-,school ,,stem ,educators ,act4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,there is growing recognition1 as evidenced through program provider surveys conducted by the ,afterschool ,alliance1 that the workforce for after-school1 summer1 and other out-of-school time programs is facing staffing crises1 which are even more apparent for science1 technology1 engineering1 and mathematics educators in that workforce4 7#b7 ,,stem proficiency will have a major impact on the ,nation's future economic competitiveness and on the preeminence of the ,united ,states in scientific inquiry1 technological innovation1 and maintaining a scientifically literate public4 7#c7 ,results from the ,national ,assessment of ,educational ,progress1 the ,trends in ,international ,mathematics and ,science ,study1 the ,programme for ,international ,student ,assessment1 and other sources show that students in the ,united ,states are not demonstrating sufficient achievement in the ,,stem subjects1 particularly in the years following the ,,covid-#ai pandemic4 7#d7 ,research demonstrates the importance of after-school1 summer1 and other out-of-school time programs in engaging students in ,,stem fields and building ,,stem-relevant skills and proficiencies1 especially for girls1 students from populations traditionally underrepresented in ,,stem fields1 and students from low socioeconomic circumstances4 7#e7 ,research also demonstrates the importance of having high-quality1 well-prepared educators to support those programs1 helping to inspire and motivate students to be interested in ,,stem4 7#f7 ,the investments by the ,federal ,government in ,,stem education require a capable and supported educator workforce in order for educators to provide quality opportunities for students to be engaged in ,,stem subjects outside of the school day and to build a balanced pre-kindergarten through #abth grade ,,stem education portfolio that fosters learning in school as well as in out-of-school time programs4 7#g7 ,in order to sufficiently build up the ,nation's future ,,stem workforce1 the ,federal ,government needs to bolster and enhance structural support for today's ,,stem educators and ensure a robust network of future ,,stem educators4 ,developing the systems of support to help program providers access high-quality ,,stem curricula1 resources1 peer support1 and professional development1 is warranted4 #c4 ,purposes ,the purposes of this ,act are-- 7#a7 to recognize the important role that after-school1 summer1 and other out-of-school time educators1 in ,,stem subjects1 play in facilitating ,,stem education and development of the ,,stem workforce2 and 7#b7 to support ,,stem educators in after-school1 summer1 and other out-of-school time programs1 including supporting their professional development and well-being through ,federal funding4 #d4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,intermediary ,the term intermediary means an entity1 public or private1 that works to support quality after-school1 summer1 and other out-of-school time programs for student development through-- 7,a7 technical assistance and professional development for program educators2 7,b7 program quality improvement initiatives1 including assessment1 evaluation1 data analysis1 and data dashboards2 7,c7 resource development and coordination1 including development and coordination through fundraising1 grant writing1 partnership building1 and support with braiding funding and pass-through funding2 7,d7 public awareness efforts to promote the importance of out-of-school time programs and build partnerships to help programs secure funding and support2 and 7,e7 quick and fluid action to be able to respond to needs and opportunities1 partnering with ,state and local government agencies4 7#b7 ,out-of-school time ,the term out-of-school time-- 7,a7 used with respect to a program1 means any organized educational1 enrichment1 or child care program 7including a service7 that is-- 7i7 designed to engage pre-kindergarten through #abth grade students during a time when the students are not participating in a formal school program2 and 7ii7 offered during after-school1 summer1 or another out-of-school time by an entity such as a community-based organization1 educational institution1 school system1 museum1 library1 student organization1 community center organization1 park organization1 religious institution1 or other nonprofit or commercial organization2 and 7,b7 used with respect to an educator1 means an educator in a program described in subparagraph 7,a74 7#c7 ,program provider ,the term program provider means a nonprofit provider of an out-of-school time program4 7#d7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,labor4 7#e7 ,,stem ,the term ,,stem means science1 technology1 engineering1 and mathematics4 #e4 ,out-of-school time ,,stem educator professional development scholarship program 7a7 ,in general 7#a7 ,grants ,the ,secretary shall establish a program through which the ,secretary shall award grants to intermediaries 7including consortia of intermediaries7 to-- 7,a7 support program providers of after-school1 summer1 and other out-of-school time programs by assisting the program providers to allocate professional development scholarship funds to educators1 and otherwise to enable the educators to participate in the professional development2 7,b7 provide support for the programs through centralized databases and peer networks 7which may be used by the program providers funded under this section and other program providers72 and 7,c7 streamline accountability for the programs funded under this section4 7#b7 ,periods ,the ,secretary shall award the grants for periods of #e years4 7#c7 ,number of grants ,the ,secretary shall award not more than #a grant per ,state1 unless sufficient funds are made available for this section to enable the ,secretary to award an additional grant for a ,state4 7b7 ,applications ,to be eligible to receive a grant under this section1 an intermediary shall submit an application to the ,secretary1 at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 7c7 ,preference ,in awarding the grants1 the ,secretary may give preference to intermediaries that identify a partner 7including a consortium of such partners71 such as a private or for-profit company1 foundation1 institution of higher education 7as defined in section #ajb of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajjb771 local workforce development board1 local government agency1 or another local industry partner1 or a ,state educational agency 7as defined in section #haja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja77 or ,state workforce development board1 that has committed to providing1 each year1 non-,federal matching funds equal to not less than #be percent of the amount of the grant payment for that year4 7d7 ,use of grant funds ,an intermediary that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds-- 7#a7 to make subgrants under subsection 7e71 on a competitive basis1 to program providers-- 7,a7 to enable ,,stem educators to participate in professional development 7including coaching72 and 7,b7 to meet program provider reporting requirements established under this section2 7#b7 to develop a statewide peer support structure by establishing a centralized database and facilitating peer networks under subsection 7f7 for out-of-school time educators2 and 7#c7 to meet intermediary reporting requirements established under this section4 7e7 ,subgrants to program providers 7#a7 ,in general 7,a7 ,periods ,an intermediary shall make a subgrant under this subsection for a period of not more than #e years1 and make payments under such subgrant annually4 7,b7 ,amounts ,the intermediary shall make such a subgrant in an amount determined on the basis of the need of the program provider applying1 taking into account both the professional development needs of the provider's educators and the needs of the community served by the program provider4 7,c7 ,number of subgrants ,an intermediary that receives a grant under this section may use the grant funds to make subgrants to not more than #be program providers to fund professional development 7including coaching7 in ,,stem subjects1 and carry out other activities described in subsection 7d77#a74 7#b7 ,solicitations ,when soliciting applications for subgrants under this subsection1 each intermediary shall intentionally publicize the subgrant opportunity to all program providers of out-of-school time programs in the ,state1 especially smaller organizations that may take more effort to reach4 7#c7 ,applications ,to be eligible to receive a subgrant under this subsection1 a program provider shall submit an application to an intermediary at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the intermediary may require1 including a program proposal for activities to be carried out under the subgrant4 7#d7 ,evaluation of applications ,in determining which program providers will receive subgrants under this subsection1 an intermediary shall evaluate the program proposal in the application on the degree to which such a proposal-- 7,a7 ensures educators are able to implement what the educators learn from professional development opportunities1 using methods that resonate with their student populations2 7,b7 ensures educators are supported in-- 7i7 obtaining professional development 7including training7 opportunities that lead to ,,stem credentials or certifications that hold local or national labor market value 7according to the ,national ,after,school ,association 7referred to in this subsection as the ,,naa77 under the thriving workforce recommendations 7defined1 for purposes of this ,act1 as the ,out-of-,school ,time ,job ,quality ,standards issued by the ,,naa on ,june #bg1 #bjbd71 such as acquiring the ,,naa ,professional ,credentialing ,system's ,,stem microcredentials2 and 7ii7 using the professional development to increase their wages and follow pathways for professional growth2 and 7,c7 provides that the program provider will-- 7i7 not less often than annually1 evaluate and appropriately reward the educators receiving the professional development for their professional growth2 and 7ii7 increase recognition titles for educators who acquire new skills1 experience1 and responsibilities in alignment with the ,,naa thriving workforce recommendations4 7#e7 ,priority ,in determining which program providers will receive subgrants under this subsection1 an intermediary shall give priority to-- 7,a7 a program provider with a selection of professional development opportunities that encourage peer-to-peer networking and support during and after the training portion of the professional development takes place2 7,b7 a program provider with a program-- 7i7 in a community with historical underinvestment in access to ,,stem learning opportunities for students both in and out of school2 7ii7 with a high percentage of students who are underrepresented in ,,stem fields2 or 7iii7 in a rural area where learning programs for students are more remote from typical professional learning and industry hubs2 and 7,c7 a program provider that seeks-- 7i7 to support educators1 including seasonal educators2 and 7ii7 to provide train-the-trainer and coach development trainings for more long-term educators4 7#f7 ,use of funds 7,a7 ,professional development ,a program provider that receives a subgrant under this subsection may use the subgrant funds 7by providing scholarship funds or through other means7 to pay for the professional development 7on-site or off-site7 for educators who are or seek to become ,,stem educators1 and otherwise to enable the educators to participate in the professional development by paying for the staff time of educators to participate in the professional development1 paying to hire substitute staffers for the time the educators are at the professional development1 paying for the time and resources needed for the educators to share and implement the professional development 7in appropriate cases7 with program colleagues1 and paying for any travel costs associated with the professional development4 7,b7 ,professional development content ,the content for the professional development for out-of-school time educators who are or seek to become ,,stem educators may include any professional development tailored to the out-of-school time educator and ,,stem facilitation that the program and educator identify as necessary and relevant to the educator's professional growth4 7#g7 ,administrative costs ,a recipient of a grant or subgrant under this section may use not more than #ae percent of the grant funds or subgrant funds1 respectively1 for administrative costs4 7#h7 ,reporting 7,a7 ,annual reports 7i7 ,program providers ,at the end of each year throughout the period of the grant1 each program provider that receives a subgrant under this ,act-- 7,i7 shall evaluate the professional development activities carried out through the subgrant on-- 7aa7 the degree of change in educator confidence in implementing or facilitating the implementation of ,,stem programs2 7bb7 the degree of integration of the knowledge received by the educators through those activities into their out-of-school time programs2 and 7cc7 student and parent satisfaction with the ,,stem component of the resulting programs2 7,,ii7 may evaluate the professional development activities on additional indicators to measure the effectiveness of the professional development in the context of the provider's out-of-school time program1 such as indicators relating to-- 7aa7 the relevancy of that ,,stem component to skills that prepare students for the workforce and improve their everyday life2 7bb7 the degree of integration of the ,,stem knowledge received by students with content knowledge received by students during the school day2 and 7cc7 the degree to which the knowledge is enabling students to become aware of ,,stem occupations and the relevance of ,,stem content in nontraditional ,,stem occupations2 and 7,,iii7 shall prepare a report containing the results of the evaluation under this clause1 and submit the report to the intermediary that made the subgrant4 7ii7 ,intermediaries ,the intermediary shall prepare and submit to the ,secretary a report summarizing the program provider reports received under clause 7i74 7,b7 ,final reports 7i7 ,program providers 7,i7 ,indicators ,at the end of the #e-year grant period1 each program provider that receives a subgrant under this ,act shall evaluate the professional development activities carried out through the subgrant on-- 7aa7 the percentage change in the number of students 7disaggregated by age level7 attending the provider's program2 7bb7 the percentage1 of the educators who were beneficiaries of funds for professional development under this subsection1 who were retained by the provider2 7cc7 the percentage1 of all educators1 who were retained by the provider2 7dd7 the percentage1 of the educators who were beneficiaries of funds for professional development under this subsection1 who obtained additional ,,stem credentials or certifications described in paragraph 7#d77;,b72 and 7ee7 the percentage of students of such educators who leave the provider's out-of-school time program with an increased engagement in a ,,stem subject or desire to pursue a career in a ,,stem subject4 7,,ii7 ,measurement ,in measuring the indicators described in subclause 7,i71 the program provider shall use methods that may include student1 parent1 and educator surveys1 ,youth ,program ,quality ,assessments1 and longitudinal tracking4 7,,iii7 ,report ,the program provider shall prepare a report containing the results of the evaluation under this clause and submit the report to the intermediary that made the subgrant4 7ii7 ,intermediaries ,the intermediary shall prepare and submit to the ,secretary a report summarizing the program provider reports received under clause 7i74 7f7 ,centralized statewide support structures ,each intermediary that receives a grant under this ,act shall use the grant funds to-- 7#a7 establish a centralized database of professional development opportunities for out-of-school time educators 7including virtual opportunities1 opportunities to bring professional development onsite1 and national opportunities1 as appropriate72 and 7#b7 facilitate peer-to-peer networks between out-of-school time educators who are or seek to become ,,stem educators1 and ,,stem education experts through the establishment of an electronic portal1 community events1 and other means4 7g7 ,reporting 7#a7 ,annual reports ,at the end of each year throughout the period of the #e-year grant1 each intermediary that receives a grant under this section shall submit a report to the ,secretary regarding the progress achieved through the activities carried out under the grant4 7#b7 ,final reports 7,a7 ,preparation ,at the end of the #e-year grant period1 each intermediary that receives a grant under this ,act shall prepare a report that-- 7i7 summarizes the evaluations submitted to the intermediary under subsection 7e77#h72 7ii7 describes best practices for accessing professional development in ,,stem education for program provider educators2 7iii7 describes the use of funds under the grant2 and 7iv7 describes the short-term and long-term impact1 of providing professional development opportunities1 on the program provider educators that received the professional development1 on the students in the programs of the program providers1 and on the programs4 7,b7 ,submission ,the intermediary shall submit the report to the ,secretary1 who shall make the report publicly available4 #f4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary such sums as may be necessary to carry out this ,act4