Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Contact: Spence Jackson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Names Members to Math and Science Alliance Following Summit
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today named members who will serve on the Math and Science Alliance, a group that will develop an action plan to improve Math, Engineering, Technology and Science (METS) learning and student achievement in Missouri. The governor announced his intent to convene the interim working group at his Math and Science Summit last month.
“Missouri’s long term success will depend on our foundation in math, engineering, technology and science,” Blunt said. “This alliance combines broad-based knowledge and expertise that will be invaluable as we work to move our state forward in METS education and prepare our students for tomorrow’s global economy.”
The following individuals have agreed to serve on the working group:
- Ashok Agrawal, Dean of Math, Science, Engineering and Technology at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley
- Representative Kathlyn Fares
- Greg Fitch, Commissioner, Dept. of Higher Education
- Russell Grammer, Teacher at Jefferson Elementary in Cape Girardeau
- Peter Herschend, President of the Missouri State Board of Education
- Tom Hoenig, President, Federal Reserve in Kansas City
- Debra Hollingsworth, Vice President-External Affairs of AT&T Missouri
- Kent King, Commissioner, Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education
- Senator Chris Koster
- Robin Krause, School Board Member in Knob Noster
- Lowell Kruse, Chairman of the Coordinating Board of Higher Education
- Mary Beth Luna, Office of Governor Blunt
- Tom McDonnell, CEO of DST Systems
- Vicky May, Science Outreach Director, Washington University
- Dan Mehan, President and CEO of the Missouri Chamber
- Margo Quiriconi, Director of Research and Policy of the Kauffman Foundation
- Jewel Scott, Executive Director of the City Civic Council of Greater Kansas City
- Greg Steinhoff, Director, Dept. of Economic Development
- Kathy Swan, President of JCS/Tel-Link
- James Young, Vice President of Engineering at The Boeing Company
Blunt’s Math and Science Summit began a productive dialogue among educators, community, business, government and industry to improve METS education and help address current challenges facing our state. Summit participants offered strategies to help create partnerships among business and education to address the barriers preventing many Missourians from receiving high quality education and training in METS.
Blunt tasked the working group with using strategies and suggestions generated at the Summit as the basis to form an action plan for the state. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry will support the Math and Science Alliance. The plan will be submitted to the governor by August 31 and will provide guidance to help make Missouri a global leader in METS.
Blunt has also directed the Departments of Elementary and Secondary Education, Higher Education, and Economic Development to continue working together to create an accessible education data and research center.
Education is Blunt’s top budget and policy priority. Since taking office, his budgets have provided $498 million for K-12 public schools, none of which has been withheld. Blunt also secured a $17.1 million funding increase for Missouri’s public colleges and universities in next year’s budget. He led the successful effort last year to craft a new needs-based school funding formula.
Blunt remains committed to his Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative, which will generate $450 million to enhance learning opportunities for students across Missouri and provide the tools to ensure the state remains a leader in the plant and health science industries.
###