21st Century STEM for Girls and Underrepresented Minorities Act
Term Dictionary
If you come across any unfamiliar words while reading, these resources can help make everything clearer. Pick whichever one works best for you!
- Congress.gov Legislative Glossary - Comprehensive congressional terms
- NVFC Congressional Terms Glossary - Concise, easy-to-understand definitions
The gist
Creates competitive federal grants for high-poverty K-12 schools to run STEM programs targeting girls and underrepresented minority students.
Who wins, who loses
- Wins: girls and minority students in Title I schools, STEM teachers, mentorship nonprofits partnering with districts.
- Loses: taxpayers funding $40M total; critics of race- and gender-targeted programs that exclude other students.
What it does
- Authorizes $10 million yearly from 2026-2029 through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
- Awards $250,000 annual grants for 4 years to qualifying school districts.
- Limits eligibility to districts where 40%+ of students get free/reduced lunch.
- Funds tutoring, summer camps, field trips, internships (50% cost cap), and anti-bias teacher training.
Why should I care?
Supporters say women and minorities remain underrepresented in STEM jobs, and early exposure closes that gap. Critics argue federal programs shouldn't target students by gender or race, and that universal STEM funding would serve all students better. The Secretary of Education must launch the program within 90 days of enactment. Where do you land? Vote below and use "Tell Your Rep" to make sure your voice reaches Congress.