Washington – The Senate voted Wednesday to authorize an additional $16 billion for math and science programs over the next four years to keep the nation in the forefront of technology breakthroughs.
The 88-8 vote sent the America Competes Act to the House, which is working on similar legislation. The increase would boost total spending in these programs to $60 billion over the four-year period, said Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., a former education secretary.
The authorized spending would double total funding for the National Science Foundation in five years and set the Energy Department’s Office of Science on a path to double over 10 years.
The bill would create science magnet schools, with each of the Energy Department’s national laboratories adopting a school to strengthen its math and science programs. There would be funds to train teachers in math and science education and encourage student participation in advanced-placement and international baccalaureate programs.
Senate passage came a day after the House approved legislation intended to boost the number of highly qualified math and science teachers in U.S. schools.
