Indigenous Stem Professional Development Act
Floor Speech
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Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, today, I introduce the Indigenous STEM Professional Development Act, which would expand opportunities for Native American students to earn degrees in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through partnerships between schools from the elementary to postsecondary level and the private sector.
Native Americans, including American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and the indigenous peoples of the Pacific U.S. territories, are among the most underrepresented groups in the STEM professions. Efforts to increase Native students entering the STEM workforce have seen success with programs like the University of Alaska's Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP). Based on a model incorporating indigenous language and culture in STEM instruction, intensive academic support and hands-on learning from middle school through graduate school, ANSEP has produced over 800 STEM graduates whose job placement rates exceed the national average. According to a 2015 Urban Institute evaluation, ANSEP participants have a 95 percent course completion rate with 84 percent reported being employed within one year of graduation. The evaluation also found the majority of ANSEP students earn a median annual salary over $60,000 with 17 percent earning over $100,000.
In 2008, Congress recognized the benefits of the ANSEP model in authorizing grants under the Higher Education Act to support similar programs focused on Native Hawaiians as well as Alaska Natives. However, we must do more to encourage all indigenous students to enter STEM careers, including Chamorro, Refaluwasch, and American Indians. The Indigenous STEM Professional Development Act reauthorizes and expands the grant program to include all indigenous peoples of the United States. Under the bill, schools can continue to use the grant to develop programs to help Native students succeed in completing STEM coursework, transitioning into college, gaining practical experience through internships, and working in their career fields after graduation.
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation to help strengthen our nation's STEM workforce by expanding opportunities for indigenous students to succeed as STEM professionals.
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