A 2007 study by the US House of Representatives and the US Senate, The Gathering Storm, focused on America’s competitiveness on a global scale. Unfortunately, the resulting legislation, the America Competes Act did little to address the recommendations in the study, instead providing funds to government programs and universities.
The first recommendation was to recruit 10,000 science and mathematics teachers by providing 4 year scholarships. Instead, Congress authorized grant programs to increase the number of students studying foreign languages. Congress did authorize competitive grants to increase the number of highly qualified teachers serving high-need schools but, unfortunately, did not authorize funding to recruit 10,000 science and mathematics teachers through 4 year scholarships.
The second recommendation focused on increasing the skills of 250,000 teachers through training and education programs, including master’s programs. It is interesting that Congress provided $125 million dollars for a masters degree program. That was about $500 each for the 250,000 teachers that were recommended to receive additional training. This is hardly a sufficient sum to fund a master’s degree program or even significant training to allow teachers to teach advanced courses in mathematics and science.
The study encouraged more opportunities for middle-school and high-school students to take advanced placement mathematics and science exams. In 2007, approximately 230,000 students passed advanced placement math and science exams. Although the number of students taking advanced placement exams has risen, the number of students passing advanced placement mathematics and science exams has not increased significantly.
While $95 million in grants was provided to assist states with activities to implement programs for secondary schools, the money was not specifically focused on the recommendations of the study.
By far, the most money was provided to the Department of Energy, $23 billion, and the National Science Foundation, $22 billion. Although both of these departments are primarily focused on scientific endeavors, their efforts rarely touch the millions of students taking middle and high school math or science, studies required for higher scientific studies.
As the Gathering Storm funding expires this year, we need to focus our attention on the still gathering storm of too few engineers, scientists, mathematicians, and other modern day innovators. Appropriations for improving education are extremely important…but so is oversight of what our programs bring to fruition.
Education of our children is key to our global competitiveness.
Posted By: Paul Adams
Monday, October 25th 2010 at 5:45PM
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