Federal STEM Education Programs

Opening Statement By Hon. Jerry McNerney

Good afternoon, and thanks to everyone for attending today’s proceedings of the Subcommittee on Research and Science Education. This hearing is part of an ongoing assessment that the Committee is undertaking to determine the role of the federal government in science, technology, engineering, and math education. We’ll be hearing today from four federal agencies about their progress improving STEM programs. As a Mathematician, and someone who believes strongly in the need to expand educational opportunities for the next generation, today’s hearing holds particular importance for me.

In the past few months, this Committee has done a commendable job in drawing attention to the difficulties our country will face if we are unable to increase the number of future researchers and scientists. From the difficult – but not insurmountable – challenges laid out in the National Academies’ Rising Above the Gathering Storm report to witness testimony from businesses and universities, we’ve heard time and again that we need more STEM educated graduates and teachers if we can compete in a global economy.

This Committee - under the leadership of Chairman Gordon - has succeeded in passing legislation that will pay significant future dividends, and will be a great legacy for Congress. The issues we’re discussing today are no less important. By hearing from educators on the front lines of the education system as well as the federal agencies who must implement STEM programs, we’re laying the groundwork for how to maximize the benefit of existing programs, which will invariably improve future initiatives.

Last month, the Subcommittee held a hearing with local STEM educators to learn their perspectives on federal programs. During witness testimony and in questioning, I made it a point to highlight what I believe to be one of the most important aspects of any discussion on STEM education and that is how we can reach more students and make sure that the United States is not only keeping up with the rest of the world, but outpacing other countries. It is hard work to earn a degree in math or physics, and we need to make sure that our federal policies – first and foremost – benefit students.

Our previous witnesses shared with us their recommendations for STEM education improvements that included working with states and districts to align federal programs to local standards. The witnesses also expressed frustration that there are currently no consistent guidelines for evaluating STEM programs across government agencies, and we have asked today’s witnesses to respond to the comments and recommendations from the previous panel.

The week before last month’s hearing, the Academic Competitiveness Council released a comprehensive report on federal STEM education programs. Not surprisingly, the ACC assessment was the same as that of our witnesses – collaboration between agencies and with state and local governments needs improvement, programs should be designed around best practices, and a wide array of evaluation measurements should be simplified into common ones. Each of the agencies invited to testify this afternoon were deeply involved in the ACC’s process and we have asked each of them to communicate today what changes they have made over the past year in order to achieve these goals.

I’m hopeful that today’s witnesses will shed some light on how we’ve been spending scarce federal dollars on STEM education, and how we can improve on current practices so that we’re benefiting students from kindergarten and up. I look forward to the discussion with our witnesses on how their agencies are planning, coordinating, and evaluating their efforts to improve STEM education.

Witnesses

Panel

1 - Dr. Cora Marrett
Assistant Director Directorate for Education and Human Resources National Science Foundationi Directorate for Education and Human Resources National Science Fou
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2 - Dr. Joyce Winterton
Assistant Administrator Office of Education National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Education National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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4 - Dr. Bruce Fuchs
Director Office of Science Education National Institutes of Health Office of Science Education National Institutes of Health
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3 - Mr. William Valdez
Director, Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists Office of Science Department of Energy Office of Science Department of Energy
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