Recent findings on trends of state test scores released this week by the Center for Education Policy suggests that our work in Congress is helping our nation’s youth to become more academically proficient, and therefore, more economically competitive in the globalizing world. The study notes that 21 states made moderate-to-large gains in math and 17 states had moderate-to-large gains in reading.

However, while an increase test scores represents a major achievement, much more needs to be done. To succeed the global knowledge economy, it is imperative that we make greater investments into science and engineering education in the United States. Today, 93 percent of students in grades 5-9 were taught physical science by a teacher lacking a major or certification in that field. This is why, as a Member of the House Education and Labor Committee and the STEM Caucus, I have supported initiatives to increase funding for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education and scientific research.

To that end, I recently co-sponsored “The Enhancing STEM Education Act,” a piece of legislation to improve the quality and to increase the quantity and diversity of the STEM pipeline. The program will: 1) improving the coherence of Federal STEM education programs through a centralized STEM Education Committee within the President’s Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), 2) elevating the prominence of STEM education at the Department of Education to match the Nation’s commitment to maintaining and improving innovation, and 3) providing incentives and support for States to align the STEM education they provide, including improving the dissemination of STEM education research.

Federal funding for scientific research since the end of World War II has lead to such groundbreaking discoveries and innovations as the microprocessor, the Internet, high temperature superconductors, and MRI machines. This is why I have also strongly supported the passage of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Authorization Act of 2007 (H.R. 1867). The legislation authorizes funding from 2008-2010 for the NSF, which provides funding for basic research in science and engineering, as well as funds programs to improve science education and infrastructure.

Additionally, I voted for Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 3043), which appropriated $182 million for Math and Science Partnerships, a program that makes grants to states, which, in turn, make grants to partnerships that must include a state agency; an engineering, math or science department of a college or university; and a high-need school district.

Finally, I strongly supported the passage for the “10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds” Science and Math Scholarship Act to inspire the next generation of scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and space pioneers. Signed into law under the America Competes Act (H.R. 2272), federal funding is provided to increase scholarships for students majoring in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields and who are committed to pursuing teaching as a career.

This entry was posted on Friday, June 27th, 2008 at 10:16 am and is filed under Politics .