To require the Director of the National Science Foundation to establish a grant program to make grants to eligible entities to develop instructional content on artificial intelligence, and for other purposes.
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (24 Sep 2020): Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
What this bill does
H.R. 8390 would direct the Director of the National Science Foundation to establish a competitive grant program, beginning no later than January 1, 2022, to fund research and development of artificial intelligence instructional content for teachers in public elementary and secondary schools. Eligible entities—such as state or federal research agencies, colleges and universities, community colleges, and qualifying nonprofits—could apply for grants to develop lesson plans, teaching tools, and other materials on AI concepts, mechanics, and societal or ethical implications. Grant recipients would be selected by a review board with balanced representation from AI experts, education faculty, and K-12 teachers, using metrics that favor content that is widely distributable, reaches diverse students, and addresses needs of Title I schools. Recipients must make materials freely available and report on their use. The bill also requires periodic NSF evaluation of the program, with public reporting of results, and separately amends the Robert Noyce Teacher Training program's definition of "mathematics and science teacher" to include computer science/cybersecurity teachers and teachers using data-analysis-based curricula.
This bill would primarily affect K-12 schools, teachers, and students, as well as universities, nonprofits, and research agencies that might apply for or use the grants. It could expand AI-related teacher training resources and broaden eligibility for existing NSF teacher-training support to include computer science and data-analysis instructors.
The bill was introduced in the House on September 24, 2020, by Rep. Paul Tonko, with Rep. Reschenthaler as a cosponsor, and referred to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology and on Education and Labor. It did not receive a vote before the end of the 116th Congress, meaning it did not become law and would need to be reintroduced in a later Congress to be considered further.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill directs the National Science Foundation (NSF), beginning not later than January 1, 2022, to award grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities (e.g. a state research agency, a federal research agency, and an institution of higher education) to research the development of instructional content for teachers of a public elementary school or secondary school in accordance with a comprehensive and structured series of exercises (1) appropriate to each grade level; and (2) designed to convey the principles behind, mechanics of, and societal implications or ethics of the use of artificial intelligence; and (3) provide teaching instructions for teachers at elementary schools or secondary schools on such mechanisms when needed.
The NSF shall establish, and appoint individuals to, a review board to select the grant recipients.
The bill includes as a mathematics and science teacher, with respect to the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, a teacher at an elementary school or secondary school who instructs from a curriculum that incorporates, to a substantial degree, quantitative data analysis.
Timeline
24 Sep 2020
Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 8390 do?
- H.R. 8390 would direct the Director of the National Science Foundation to establish a competitive grant program, beginning no later than January 1, 2022, to fund research and development of artificial intelligence instructional content for teachers in public elementary and secondary schools. Eligible entities—such as state or federal research agencies, colleges and universities, community colleges, and qualifying nonprofits—could apply for grants to develop lesson plans, teaching tools, and other materials on AI concepts, mechanics, and societal or ethical implications. Grant recipients would be selected by a review board with balanced representation from AI experts, education faculty, and K-12 teachers, using metrics that favor content that is widely distributable, reaches diverse students, and addresses needs of Title I schools. Recipients must make materials freely available and report on their use. The bill also requires periodic NSF evaluation of the program, with public reporting of results, and separately amends the Robert Noyce Teacher Training program's definition of "mathematics and science teacher" to include computer science/cybersecurity teachers and teachers using data-analysis-based curricula. This bill would primarily affect K-12 schools, teachers, and students, as well as universities, nonprofits, and research agencies that might apply for or use the grants. It could expand AI-related teacher training resources and broaden eligibility for existing NSF teacher-training support to include computer science and data-analysis instructors. The bill was introduced in the House on September 24, 2020, by Rep. Paul Tonko, with Rep. Reschenthaler as a cosponsor, and referred to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology and on Education and Labor. It did not receive a vote before the end of the 116th Congress, meaning it did not become law and would need to be reintroduced in a later Congress to be considered further.
- Has H.R. 8390 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 8390. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 8390?
- H.R. 8390 was sponsored by Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20] (D-NY), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 8390?
- Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. (24 Sep 2020).
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