A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT directing the Joint legislative education Oversight Committee to study science education in grades K‑eight and appropriating funds to provide professional development for science teachers.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly, in an effort to promote effective science education in a student's early educational years, directs the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee to:
(1)	Study the research on inquiry-based learning and the benefits of hands on learning in the classroom, including the use of inquiry to improve student understanding of science concepts and their connections to reading, writing, and math;
(2)	Investigate the criteria for awarding National Science Foundation grants for education and research‑based science materials (science kits or modules) developed to improve science learning through inquiry‑based instruction;
(3)	Study how the National Science Foundation research‑based science materials meet the North Carolina educational standards in science.
(4)	Consider the need to define a science kit as a research‑based, National Science Foundation supported science materials unit to ensure that North Carolina's budget funds are being invested in research‑based materials;
(5)	Identify internal and external resources available to maximize the benefits and utilization of science kits in North Carolina public schools;
(6)	Study the importance of professional development for teachers using science kits and the quality of professional development offered through internal and external resources such as the Department of Instruction (internal), NC‑ISE (external), Teachers and Scientists Collaborating – TASC (external);
(7)	Study the funding provided for low-wealth and underperforming schools in the use of National Science Foundation supported science kits; and
(8)	Study any other matters that the Committee deems relevant.
The Committee shall report to the General Assembly by the convening of the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly.
SECTION 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for the 2007‑2008 fiscal year for the North Carolina Infrastructure for Science Education (NC‑ISE).  NC‑ISE shall use these funds to provide professional development training and continuing support to public school teachers using National Science Foundation research grant approved science module kits to ensure that students receive a quality science education in grades K‑8.
SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2007.