Governor's Column - August 17, 2007
by Governor Matt Blunt
Back to School
As students, parents and educators prepare for the first day of school, and in some cases they are already back in the classroom, I am pleased to report that our state is putting Missouri students first by providing the resources and a safe and nurturing environment that fosters learning.
Our children hold the keys to the future and it is imperative that they are given the resources to succeed in their future endeavors. Working with your elected representatives, we have increased education funding by more than a half a billion dollars over the last three years. For the coming school year we have provided a $132.6 million increase to fully fund the foundation formula. We also secured a $3.6 million increase for the A+ Schools Program that has helped thousands more Missouri students attend college.
In an effort to make higher education opportunities available to more Missourians, I signed legislation creating the Access Missouri Scholarship program that increases funding for needs-based scholarships from $27.5 million to $72.5 million. With the Access Missouri Scholarship program we are providing more scholarships to more students who are making an investment in their future by earning a college degree.
The Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative projects will improve our research, lab space and educational learning centers for our students with a historic $335 million investment in long overdue capital improvement projects. Our students are our future, and this investment will ensure that they have the resources they need to be properly prepared to enter the workforce and be competitive in our global economy.
The areas of math and science are becoming the cornerstones of our global economy, and to prepare our students to meet those challenges we are making strategic investments to improve math and science in Missouri classrooms. This year I secured $2.9 million to expand the eMINTS program to 100 classrooms in 100 different schools and focus on math and science curriculum. The program integrates technology and core curriculum in the classroom. A new afterschool grant program provides $1 million to help programs that are focused around math and science as well as health and wellness.
We have also invested $5.2 million for Missouri's new Virtual School Program, expanding choices for students, parents and educators to enhance and design learning opportunities specific to each child's unique needs.
All parents and educators need to know that our state is doing its part to keep our students safe when they are at school. My administration has dedicated more than $10 million to improve communications for first responders and to aid in response to tragic school shootings. Also at my direction Missouri has dedicated funding to purchase Internet-based tools and technology that will help schools prepare for an emergency.
Earlier this month to help parents with their preparations to send their children back to school, we announced the back to school tax cut. Missouri's annual sales tax holiday gives parents the opportunity to buy school supplies and other necessities for their children while saving some of their hard earned money.
The investments we are making in education today will help ensure that Missouri's children have the necessary skills to be active and successful participants in our global economy. I wish all students and teachers the best for the coming school year.