USCM Report 2

Milissa Rohrbach
Senator Kennedy’s Staff
Senior Education Policy Advisor
HELP
Committee

“America Competes Act “

History
Senators were hearing that people across America are struggling to compete and succeed in the global economy.
Other countries are surpassing us - American’s 15 year olds dropping
Dropped in OEC countries to 14th in graduations of highschool.
Our position is in the middle of the pack, no longer the leader.
Rising above the gathering storm – study
Studies
National Academies did the study.
National Center for Education and the Economy also issued a report.

The study is being used as the guide for this bill with bi-partisan report.

Make the US the most attractive for research around the world.

Change immigration to bring more folks with tech skills in.
Make the US the place for innovation

Of these recommendations, the Bill focused on two primary goals.
· Investing in K-12 and Post Secondary in STEM fields
o Train the workers of the future
· Investment in research and development.
o Stimulates the economy’
o Keep America on cutting edge

Many other issues were not addressed in this law. Three committees address this; Commerce committee, Health committee and HELP committee.

Bill put in 2006. Not finished, so this last year would be the one we would move forward and finish it. Some changes after Democratic leadership.

Bill – R&D Increase funding at major governmental agencies
Energy research
Broaden the bill for participation of minorities
MFG extension partnership to double over ten years
Promote innovation with presidential office

Education Investments need to be focused on high needs schools at the federal level. Drive resources where they are needed most.
Teachers – need to recruit to high need schools. Achievement gap between high income and low income students.
Achievement gap – income and minority connections
Teacher arena – funding for programs in STEM fields to get teaching certification
Funding for masters in STEM fields
STEM professionals to get teaching certification

Academic standards – establish a panel to identify promising practices in STEM education. P16 councils (P20 councils) Look at K-12 academic standards ready to work, get training, or on to college without remedial training.

Math Now program getting funding Grades 4-8
Math Skills for secondary schools – same as above

Summer term programs to bridge the summer vacation loss of knowledge

National Science Foundation Scholarships to teachers in STEM fields.
NSF teaching fellows $10,000 stipend to work in high need schools
Master teachers same as above

Teacher institutes – summer and school year – expanded

Community College encourage minority and women participation in STEM fields

Industry comes together to identify the high needs programs

Talent expansion program – STEM education
Improve lab experiences in secondary schools

Energy Division of the Bill
$150M to STEM education programs
Broader reach across the country
Statewide specialty high schools for STEM education
Expand summer institutes for teachers
New department position at Dept of Energy

Next Steps

WIA reauthorization moving in the spring from Senate side Kennedy and Enzi committed to do this.