Gordon Joins National Leaders for Science Education Summit in New York City
(Washington, DC) Today, U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) joined national leaders and thinkers in science, education, business, philanthropy, and government from across the country in a forward thinking discussion on the urgent need to improve science education in the U.S. and the means for making it happen.
Chairman Gordon was invited to deliver remarks during the inaugural session of "Science Generation: A National Imperative" hosted by the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. This two-day event (April 8-9, 2008) is intended to establish priorities for future science and technology progress and leadership for America’s students, teachers, researchers and businesses.
"We have to recognize there are roughly seven billion workers in the world, half of whom make less than $2 a day. We cannot and would not want to compete with that," said Gordon at the conference. "We have to compete at a higher level with a better equipped and skilled workforce than that of our global counterparts."
"This is not just an idle thought for those of us who have kids and grandkids. I am very concerned that the next generation of Americans could be the first generation of Americans to inherit a national standard of living less than their parents if we don’t do something," Gordon added.
Gordon discussed U.S. scientific and technological needs for the 21st Century alongside noted leaders such as The Honorable Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House; Ellen V. Flutter, President of the American Museum of Natural History; Mr. Charles Phillips, President of Oracle; Dr. Gerald F. Wheeler, Executive Director of the National Science Teachers Association; CNN Chief Technology and Environment Correspondent Miles O’Brien; and former network news anchor and noted author Tom Brokaw.
Gordon was invited to participate in the event both as Chairman of the Committee of jurisdiction in the U.S. House, and to reflect on his leadership in shepherding the landmark America COMPETES legislation into law last year. COMPETES seeks to ensure U.S. students, teachers, businesses, and workers will continue leading the world in innovation, research, and technology well into the future. The bipartisan legislation was based upon the recommendations of the National Academies’ report, "Rising Above the Gathering Storm."
The COMPETES Act authorized $33.6 billion over fiscal years 2008-2010 for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education programs across the federal government. The measure authorized multiple grant programs to help educate current and future teachers in the areas of science and math education. The bill also invested in basic research and supported young researchers by expanding early career grant programs.
Chairman Gordon, former Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) requested that initial report in 2005, which found that the U.S. could stand to lose its competitive edge over other nations unless action was taken.
Among the report’s findings were that 68 percent of eighth graders received math instruction from a teacher with no degree or certification in math; and 93 percent of children in grades five through nine received physical science instruction from a teacher with no degree or certification in the field. The report also found that less than a third of 4th and 8th grade students are proficient in math.
"COMPETES will not only give our teachers and students the support they need, but it also advance this nation scientifically, technologically and strategically in a manner that strengthens our economy and assures that our country can continue to be a leader in the global marketplace," Gordon said. "It is discussion and resulting actions like the ones here at the American Museum of Natural History this week that can bring our country’s best and brightest together and push our nation down the path to scientific and educational excellence."
Gordon is leading the charge in Congress to press for full funding of the COMPETES Act – and he took the opportunity today to implore the added support of the country’s key leaders in the science education field.
For more information on the Committee’s efforts on innovation or on H.R. 2272, please visit the Committee’s website.
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