House Approves Bills To Enhance Math And Science Education

Bolstering math and science education is the focus of two separate pieces of legislation providing nearly $1.7 billion in grants over the next five years to the nations colleges and universities, U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon said.

The National Mathematics and Science Partnership Act and the National Science Education Act passed the House of Representatives on Monday (July 30). Both bills seek to enhance math and science training for teachers. The bills now head to the Senate for consideration.

“A sound math and science education is vital to the success of this nation,” said Gordon, the ranking member of the Houses Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. “To compete in todays high-tech work force, employees have to have the skills that are in demand.

“If our teachers lack those skills, how are they going to prepare our children for a job market thats getting more specialized? Enhancing the training of our math and science teachers just makes good sense.”

The National Mathematics and Science Partnership Act authorizes $1.5 billion over the next five years to involve universities in National Science Foundation programs that beef up math, science and technology proficiency for current and future elementary and secondary school teachers.

The National Science Education Act authorizes an additional $181 million over the next three years for colleges and universities to recruit and train math and science teachers for kindergarten through ninth grade.

“If this nation is going to remain a world leader in scientific and technological innovation, we have to make sure our local school teachers have the best training and resources available. We cannot expect our children to receive an education second to none if we scrimp on the training of their teachers,” Gordon added.