21st Century Entrepreneurship Act

This bill seeks to enhance entrepreneurship education for disadvantaged youth by leveraging the expertise of the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE). It establishes a framework for SCORE volunteers to teach entrepreneurship at community learning centers, recognizing that early mentorship can significantly increase entrepreneurial pursuits and economic growth. The legislation highlights the importance of entrepreneurship for job creation and economic stability, noting that children from disadvantaged communities often lack access to such opportunities.

To implement this initiative, the Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the SCORE program, is tasked with developing a specialized entrepreneurship curriculum. This curriculum development will involve collaboration with education specialists, entrepreneurship groups, and organizations experienced in serving underrepresented children. The SBA will also work with the Secretary of Education to create a strategy for effectively delivering this curriculum to students through community learning centers.

The bill encourages SCORE volunteers to collaborate with other SBA entrepreneurial development programs, such as small business development centers and women's business centers, to maximize impact. Furthermore, it amends both the Small Business Act and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to officially authorize SCORE volunteers to provide this education and to include entrepreneurship education as an allowable activity for community learning centers. The SBA Administrator is required to submit biennial reports detailing the program's implementation, reach, and any barriers encountered.