FY 2016 House Appropriations Bill: Department of Education STEM Programs
House appropriators have approved the FY 2016 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Bill. Yesterday’s action by the full Appropriations Committee marks the first time in six years that this bill has been approved and sent to the House floor.
The $154,536.0 million bill provides funding for a wide range of programs, including the Department of Education’s STEM education programs. Total discretionary funding in the bill is $3,711.0 million below the current year, and approximately 9 percent below the Administration’s request. Accompanying this bill is the committee’s 263-page report detailing its budget and policy recommendations for specific programs.
Mathematics and Science Partnerships
The FY 2015 appropriation was $152.7 million
The FY 2016 request is $202.7 million, an increase of $50.0 million or 32.7 percent
Page 120 of the report states:
“The Committee recommends no funding for Mathematics and Science Partnerships, which is $152,717,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $202,717,000 below the budget request. This program provides professional development for math and science teachers; these activities can be carried out under other authorities funded in this bill and through other federal agencies such as the National Science Foundation.”
The FY 2015 appropriation was $120.0 million
The FY 2016 request is $300.0 million, an increase of $180.0 million or 150.0 percent
Page 124 of the report states:
“The Committee recommends no funding for the Investing in Innovation fund, which was established in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and is not authorized. This amount is $120,000,000 below the fiscal year 2015 level and $300,000,000 below the budget request. In the absence of a new ESEA reauthorization setting forth Congressionally-approved parameters for a program such as Investing in Innovation, the Committee does not recommend funding for this program.”
The FY 2015 appropriation was $9.0 million
The FY 2016 request is $9.0 million; flat funding
Page 137 of the report states:
“The Committee recommends $8,971,000 for the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program, which is the same as the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and the budget request. The Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program awards grants to improve mathematics, science, and engineering programs at institutions serving primarily minority students and to increase the number of minority students who pursue advanced degrees and careers in those fields.”
