Education for Economic Security Act

Title I created programs to support math and science teachers through grants and training programs. Part A authorized the National Science Foundation (NSF) to provide grants for state governments, local governments, and institutions of higher education to fund additional education and training for teachers. Part B authorized the NSF to create programs with local governments and institutions of higher education to develop training programs and materials for teachers. Part C established the Congressional Merit Scholarships in Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education, and it authorized the NSF to award these scholarships to exceptional college students majoring in education. Part D authorized the Director of the NSF to use funds granted by the act to create programs supporting math and science education. Part E granted the NSF additional privileges to carry out the act, guaranteed support for private school teachers, reiterated the prohibition on federal control of education, and authorized the appropriation of $104 million to be used for Title I the act in the fiscal years 1984 and 1985.[5]

This title was rewritten to include engineering education in 1986.[6]

Title II provided financial assistance for teacher training and student access in math, science, computer, and foreign language education. It authorized the Secretary of Education to provide $750 million in grants to state governments in the fiscal years 1984 and 1985. It required that 70% of these grants go to elementary and secondary education programs and 30% go to higher education programs. One half of the elementary and secondary education grants was to be distributed to local governments proportionately by number of students, and the other half was to be distributed proportionately by number of students below the poverty level. Higher education grants were to be awarded competitively and used to fund teacher training programs. Additional requirements to apply for funds were also established.[5]

Title III provided additional resources for math and science education through partnerships with institutions of higher education, businesses, nonprofits, local governments, mathematical and scientific organizations, museums, libraries, education television stations, and state agencies. It authorized the appropriation of $90 million to be used for grants for partners to develop education programs, award scholarships, or conduct research in the fiscal years 1984 and 1985.[5]

Title IV authorized the president to award the PAEMST to 100 math and science teachers in elementary and secondary schools. It authorized the appropriation of $1 million for the fiscal year 1985 to fund the program.[5]

Title V authorized the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to coordinate with state and local governments to address asbestos in school buildings. It established the Asbestos Hazards Abatement Program, which required the distribution of information on asbestos to state and local governments and required state governors to submit reports on asbestos in schools to the EPA. It also established the Asbestos Hazards Abatement Assistance Program, which provided financial assistance to address asbestos in schools. It authorized the appropriation of $100 million to carry out this title in fiscal years 1984 and 1985, and an additional $100 million was authorized for each fiscal year 1986-1990.[5]

Title VI authorized awards for local governments that develop successful education techniques that can be replicated. The Secretary of Education was authorized to determine the criteria for awards. Awards were limited to no more than $25,000 per fiscal year and no more than $40,000 total for each local government. It authorized the appropriation of $32 million to carry out this title in the fiscal years 1984 and 1985.[5]

Title VII authorized financial assistance for instruction in magnet schools to local governments that lost funding due to the repeal of the Emergency School Assistance Act in 1981 or are carrying out school desegregation. It authorized the appropriation of $225 million to carry out this title in the fiscal years 1984, 1985, and 1986.[5] This title was intended to incentivize the integration of schools by providing higher quality classes to attract students that would otherwise remain in segregated neighborhoods. It also includes a provision that restricts the use of this title to instruct on secular humanism, but the responsibility of defining the term was delegated to local governments.[2]

Title VIII prohibited secondary schools from discriminating against students based on their beliefs in student-run organizations or forums.[5]

Title IX was added by a later amendment in 1988. It authorized the creation of partnerships with telecommunications companies to provide audiovisual facilities, equipment, and technical assistance.[7] It was repealed by the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994 and replaced with the Star Schools Act.[8]