Tuesday, Jan.24, 2006
Contact: Spence Jackson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Calls for Math and Science Education Summit
Governor Seeks Partnership with Private Businesses and Organizations to Help Students
JEFFERSON CITY–In a speech today at the Missouri School Boards Association annual luncheon, Gov. Matt Blunt announced that he will convene a Math and Science summit in late April to bring educators, businesses and private organizations together to discuss ways to improve student knowledge in the areas of math, engineering technology and science to better prepare them for the global economy.
"Missouri needs to be a leader in this effort," Blunt said. "We owe it to our children to do everything we can to prepare them for the challenges that await in our global economy and to ensure that we are not surpassed by other states and countries that have prioritized these areas of study and stand to gain good, family-supporting jobs and enhanced opportunities for their citizens."
A 33-member planning committee comprised of members of the business, education and government sectors is helping to plan the summit and will provide guidance on ways to increase public awareness and support of the effort to draw attention to this important issue.
Statistics show that by 2010, more than 90 percent of all scientists and engineers in the world will be living in Asia if current trends continue. Engineering degrees in the United States have decreased by 20 percent from 1985. In the United States fourth graders score high in math and science when compared to other countries, but 12th graders score near the bottom.
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.
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