Wednesday, August 9, 2006
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt’s Efforts to Promote Math and Science in Missouri Lead to Spot on National Task Force
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt’s ongoing efforts to promote Math, Engineering, Technology and Science (METS) learning have caught national attention. He will serve on the National Governors Association (NGA) Innovation America Task Force charged with increasing the United States’ global competitiveness in the areas of math and science.
“It is an honor to be asked to participate on this task force and represent our state as the group works to identify ways to increase our nation’s capacity for innovation and proficiency in math and science,” Blunt said. “I am pleased that Missouri is being recognized for our efforts to make METS education a priority in order to gain quality jobs and enhanced opportunities for our citizens.”
Blunt has taken proactive steps to help Missourians understand the importance of METS to our children’s future and the state’s ability to compete in the global economy. He hosted the first comprehensive summit to bring stakeholders together to identify solutions to current challenges in METS and to design strategies to improve student learning and create a lifelong interest in areas fast becoming the cornerstone of our global economy and future.
Blunt agreed to serve on the bipartisan task force that will work to enhance math and science innovation and provide tools to improve student achievement and prepare a workforce for emerging careers. Gov. Janet Napolitano of Arizona and Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota will co-chair the task force. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, Gov. Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania and Gov. Jon Huntsman of Utah will also serve.
As part of a year long initiative, NGA will study ways to promote innovation throughout the country, work to create new math and science academies geared to improving student comprehension, evaluate how innovation centers and math and science proficiencies affect each state’s economy, and host regional learning labs and workshops designed to help improve student achievement in targeted areas.
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