The House Science and Technology Committee last week approved a bipartisan bill aimed at improving U.S. competitiveness by offering financial incentives to postsecondary students to become teachers in mathematics- and science-related subjects.
Approved March 28 by voice vote, the bill is now scheduled to go to the House floor when Congress returns from a recess in mid-April, said Alisha Prather, a spokeswoman for the committee’s Democratic majority.
The bill would expand the federal Noyce scholarship program, which offers college aid to students who agree to enter math, science, engineering, and technology teaching areas.
Bipartisan competitiveness legislation, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., among others, also could see action when the Senate returns after its recess this month, said Scot Montrey, a spokesman for Sen. Alexander. Senate leaders have agreed to bypass committees and send that legislation straight to the floor for a vote because hearings on the topic were held last year, he said.
