21st Century STEM for Girls and Underrepresented Minorities Act
- Bill Number
- S. 3340
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-03: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-07T16:23:44Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation aims to increase participation of girls and underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields by providing federal grants to local school districts. It seeks to prepare these students for STEM careers through targeted educational programs from kindergarten through grade 12, addressing barriers like gender and racial biases.
Key Provisions
- Grant Program: The U.S. Secretary of Education must establish a competitive grant program under a new Part G of Title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). Grants begin 90 days after enactment and support STEM activities for girls and underrepresented minorities.
- Eligibility: Only "qualified local educational agencies" (LEAs)—school districts receiving federal aid for low-income students (Title I funds) and serving at least 40% students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches—can apply.
- Application Requirements: LEAs must submit detailed plans covering program design, school collaborations, recruitment of students, instructional activities, partnerships, and strategies to improve STEM access.
- Priority for Awards: Preference goes to LEAs partnering with organizations experienced in boosting STEM participation among girls or underrepresented minorities, or researching such methods.
- Authorized Activities: Grant funds can support:
- Career preparation and awareness for students and parents.
- Tutoring, mentoring, and exposure to STEM role models.
- After-school, summer programs, field trips, and events.
- Purchase of educational materials, software, or equipment.
- Academic advising for advanced STEM courses.
- Up to 50% of internship costs in STEM fields.
- Teacher training on reducing biases, creating positive environments, and encouraging STEM pursuits.
- Other relevant STEM initiatives.
- Grant Details: Each grant lasts 4 years at $250,000 per year. Funds must supplement, not replace, existing non-federal resources.
- Evaluations: LEAs must submit annual reports on program activities, student engagement, academic progress (via pre- and post-assessments), and partnerships.
- Funding Authorization: $10 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2029.
- Definitions: "STEM" refers to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. "Underrepresented minorities" is not explicitly defined but implies groups with lower STEM participation rates.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a new Part G to Title IV of the ESEA, creating a dedicated grant program focused on equity in STEM education for specific demographics.
- Introduces eligibility tied to poverty levels (via free/reduced lunch data) and Title I status, narrowing focus to high-need districts.
- Mandates competitive awards with priorities for experienced partners, annual evaluations with measurable outcomes, and limits on internship funding—features not previously specified for similar ESEA programs.
- Updates the ESEA table of contents to include the new part.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of Education will administer the program, review applications, and monitor evaluations, potentially increasing administrative workload but with capped funding ($10 million/year).
- Citizens: Benefits girls and underrepresented minority students in low-income schools by expanding STEM access, skills, and career opportunities; parents gain education on STEM advantages; teachers receive bias-reduction training.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced U.S. STEM workforce diversity could indirectly strengthen global competitiveness in innovation and technology.
- Broader effects include reduced educational inequities in high-poverty areas, potentially leading to higher STEM enrollment and graduation rates among targeted groups.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Local Educational Agencies (LEAs): Primary recipients, responsible for program implementation in eligible high-poverty districts.
- Students: Girls and underrepresented minorities in grades K-12, gaining targeted STEM support.
- Parents and Families: Involved in encouragement and education efforts to overcome barriers.
- Teachers and School Staff: Receive professional development to foster inclusive STEM environments.
- Partnering Organizations: National, regional, or local groups with STEM expertise, prioritized for collaborations.
- U.S. Department of Education: Oversees grants, applications, and evaluations.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Aligns with ESEA's emphasis on equitable education but adds specificity to STEM equity; requires compliance with supplement-not-supplant rules to avoid diverting existing funds. Annual evaluations promote accountability without new enforcement mechanisms.
- Constitutional: Supports equal protection under the 14th Amendment by addressing disparities in educational opportunities without favoring or discriminating against groups; no apparent conflicts with free speech or other rights.
- Political: Advances bipartisan goals of workforce diversity and STEM investment, potentially influencing future education funding debates. Limited scope (4-year authorization, low funding) may limit controversy but highlights focus on underserved communities in high-poverty areas.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]
Cosponsors (2)
Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV], Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-03: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2025-12-03: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- 21st Century STEM for Girls and Underrepresented Minorities Act — issued 2025-12-03 — PDF (9 pages)