Data Science and Literacy Act of 2026

(a) In general. An eligible entity that receives a grant under this title shall use the grant funds for not fewer than 2 of the following activities:

(1) Developing curricula in data literacy, data science, and statistics.

(2) Expanding student access to learning support and high-quality learning materials in data science and statistics, including online courses and interactive learning platforms.

(3) Creating and implementing plans to—

(A) increase access to and support for rigorous classes in STEM fields;

(B) use data literacy and statistical thinking to increase student interest in STEM fields; and

(C) reduce gaps in access to data science and statistics courses for underrepresented students.

(4) Providing—

(A) evidence-based professional development for data science and statistics educators and specialists; or

(B) evidence-based training for educators and specialists transitioning from other subjects to data science and statistics.

(5) With respect to data literacy education, collaborating with 1 or more of the following regional entities:

(A) Industry.

(B) A nonprofit organization.

(C) An out-of-school education provider.

(D) A two- or four-year institution of higher education.

(6) Recruiting and hiring instructional personnel, including specialists in data science and statistics pedagogy and curricula.

(7) Preparing to continue project activities after the end of the grant period.

(8) Disseminating information about effective practices in data science and statistics education.

(b) Additional allowable uses of grant funds for certain eligible entities. In addition to the activities described in subsection (a)—

(1) in the case of an eligible entity that is not an institution of higher education, such entity may use the grant funds to—

(A) increase access to and support for data literacy education for students at the pre-kindergarten through middle school levels to prepare such students for data literacy education at the high school level;

(B) prepare and support teachers to teach students to—

(i) understand data; and

(ii) use computational, analytical, and statistical thinking to solve problems; and

(C) provide support and resources to broaden participation in data science and statistics education;

(2) in the case of an eligible entity that is an institution of higher education (or an eligible consortium that includes such an institution), such entity may use the grant funds to provide financial support and mentorship to broaden participation in data science and statistics education; and

(3) in the case of an eligible entity that is a two-year institution of higher education (or an eligible consortium that includes such an institution), such entity may use the grant funds to:

(A) Assess relevant local employment opportunities for students in data science, analytics, and statistics.

(B) Establish industry partnerships.

(C) Maintain up-to-date curricula.

(D) Develop programs, partnerships, and articulation agreements to facilitate the timely transition of students from data science, analytics, and statistics programs at the institution to—

(i) bachelor’s degree programs in data science, analytics, statistics, or related fields; or

(ii) relevant local employment.

(c) Limitation. Not more than 15 percent of the funds of a grant made under this title in a fiscal year may be used to purchase equipment to enable the activities described in this section.