HR 1735: Mathematical and Statistical Modeling Education Act

HR 1735 in plain English: This bill directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to fund research and development aimed at improving mathematical and statistical modeling education in K-12 schools, including private, faith-based, and homeschools. It also requires the NSF to partner with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study and report on the state of this type of education. The bill authorizes $10 million per year for fiscal years 2025 through 2029, plus up to $1 million for fiscal year 2024.

Stated purpose

The bill aims to increase mathematical and statistical modeling education—including data science and computational thinking—in elementary and secondary schools by directing the National Science Foundation to fund research and development grants and commission a study on the subject.

Key points

• Authorizes $10,000,000 per year (2025–2029) for NSF competitive awards to colleges and nonprofits for K-12 math modeling education
• Allocates up to $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2024 to begin carrying out the program
• Awards support topics such as data science and computational thinking in schools
• Covers private, faith-based, and homeschool settings in addition to public schools
• Requires a study and report on mathematical and statistical modeling education through the National Academies

Arguments supporters make

• The U.S. faces a projected shortfall of one million STEM workers, and better math modeling education starting in K-12 could help close that gap and keep America competitive globally.
• Mathematical modeling has been shown to engage girls and underrepresented students at higher rates than traditional math competitions, making this approach a way to broaden participation in STEM fields.
• Countries like China are already prioritizing modeling education, and American students are falling behind in international challenges, so federal investment now could protect long-term economic and national security interests.

Arguments opponents make

• Adding another federally directed education program risks duplicating existing state and local math initiatives, and there is no guarantee NSF-funded research will translate into lasting classroom change.
• The grant authority applies to a wide range of school types including private, faith-based, and homeschools, which critics may view as inappropriate use of federal education funds outside the public school system.
• The bill sets an expiration date of 2028 for grant authority, which may be too short a window to produce meaningful, sustained improvements in math education across the country.

Tradeoffs

Directing federal science funding toward K-12 curriculum development may accelerate STEM workforce readiness, but it shifts NSF resources away from other scientific research priorities and relies on a competitive grant model that may not reach the schools with the greatest need.

Current status in Congress: Passed House.

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