Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Contact: Spence Jackson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Calls for Strategies to Improve Math, Engineering, Technology, Science Student Achievement
JEFFERSON CITY–At his 2006 Math and Science Summit, Gov. Matt Blunt today took proactive steps to help students, parents and teachers understand the importance of math, engineering, technology and science (METS) to young Missourians future and the state’s ability to compete in the global marketplace.
“We are facing a challenge in education, and it is only through a collaborative effort among all integral partners that will achieve the results our children deserve,” Blunt said. “Today we are giving shape to new ways to approach METS education in our state. Missouri must be a leader in its efforts to ensure our students are prepared for the challenges and opportunities awaiting them in the economy of the future.”
During the summit Blunt tapped state and local government leaders, public and private schools, higher education institutions and Missouri businesses to work together towards improving student achievement. He charged the nearly 200 participants to identify ways to address current challenges including:
- improving the performance of all preschool through graduate level (P-20) students
- expanding the pool of students motivated to pursue METS careers
- expanding the pool of Missouri’s preschool through 12th grade METS teachers
- increasing public awareness of the importance of METS-related industries and jobs in enhancing Missouri’s global competitiveness and innovation
Blunt also announced he plans to convene a select interim working group to take strategies identified in today’s work sessions and develop an action plan for the state. The plan will provide guidance to make Missouri a national leader in METS.
In addition the governor directed the Missouri Departments of Higher Education, Elementary and Secondary Education and Economic Development to continue efforts to coordinate data and to plan and create an education data and research center. The center would give policymakers and others access to information to better serve our students.
Blunt also emphasized the importance of capturing and maintaining students’ interest in METS education throughout their formal learning process. He offered his support to Sen. Charlie Shield’s bill that would establish a P-20 council to reduce the gaps that currently exist in the education system between high school, college, graduate courses and the workforce. He further stressed that the council’s first concern should be math and science education.
A data book released at today’s event demonstrates the importance of METS education to the state and provided the foundation for discussion and work sessions. The data book presents information gathered from state and national agencies and highlights successful areas and opportunities for improvement. Data presented shows, among other things, that in Missouri:
- The strongest and highest-potential economic sectors are at the cutting edge of science and technology
- Math skills matter in half of all the occupations, while science skills matter in one quarter of all occupations
- The percentage of students rated proficient in math and science declines dramatically beyond 4th grade
- Although students score above the national average, less than half meet pre-college ACT benchmarks in algebra and biology
- The supply of certified pre-service math and science teachers is widely dispersed and does not meet demand
- The attrition of undergraduates majoring in METS remains a fundamental problem
- The commercialization of university research lags the state’s economic development needs
The governor’s Math and Science Summit will be the starting point for the state’s response to data demonstrating the potential to implement new ideas to position Missouri as a leader in the global economy.
As governor, Blunt has made education his top priority. Blunt’s budget this fiscal year provided a $158 million funding increase for public schools and he led the successful effort to craft a new needs-based school funding formula. He has proposed a $167 million funding increase for schools for the next fiscal year and a $17.1 million funding increase for colleges and universities.
###