March 12, 2008

Competitiveness and Innovation on the Committee’s 50th Anniversary with Bill Gates, Chairman of Microsoft

At a recent Committee hearing, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates addressed the state of America’s global leadership in science and technology.  Committee Members reviewed domestic technological advancement over the past half century, as this year marks the Committee’s 50th anniversary.

"Sputnik showed us that we were not the world’s technological leader,” stated Chairman Bart Gordon. “Today, with the rapid economic and technological advances of other countries, I fear we are now on the cusp of another Sputnik moment.  I fear that our country has 'coasted' on the investments we made 50 years ago.  Now is the time to act and I believe this committee has an important role to play in helping bring our country back as the technological leader in the world."

This hearing was the first of several that the Committee will hold throughout the year to mark its golden anniversary and to review the nation’s technological achievements and future challenges.

February 01, 2008

House to Take Up Higher Ed Act

The House is planning to finally take up its version of the long-delayed Higher Education Act reauthorization bill late next week.Staffers say the floor vote on the College Opportunity and Affordability Act is tentatively scheduled for Thursday. The Senate passed its version of a reauthorization bill last summer. The House bill, which was approved by the Education and Labor Committee in November, has many controversial provisions, such as publishing a "hall of shame" of colleges that raise tuition dramatically. It also creates several new scholarships, including one for veterans.

And it sets tighter rules for student lenders to prevent the kind of scandals that made headlines last year.

November 15, 2007

Minority Male Academic Achievement Study (Introduced in House)

In The House Of Representatives Mr. DAVIS of Illinois introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor. The Bill (HR 4217)will be to study the access to and success in education of minority males, including high school graduation and college participation.

October 10, 2007

Subcommitttee Looks at National Science Board's Action Plan for STEM Education

(Washington, DC) As part of ongoing investigations into improving the country’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education system for students and teachers, members of the Science and Technology Committee’s Research and Science Education Subcommittee today heard from educators and other experts on how to guarantee students are receiving the best education possible.

On October 3, the National Science Board released a report, “A National Action Plan for Addressing the Critical Needs of the U.S. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education System,” that includes steps on how STEM subjects are taught and on how to ensure teachers are qualified to teach these subjects. The plan proposes a series of steps that the Board believes will bring greater coherence to the nation’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education system and ensure that students are taught by highly effective STEM teachers.

“Congress, the Administration, and business and industry all agree that bolstering STEM education is key to fostering innovation and discovery, and ensuring the nation’s economic development and ability to compete in the global marketplace,” Subcommittee Chairman Baird (D-WA) emphasized. “This effort is going to take collaboration and creativity as we support math and science education and our math and science teachers.”

The hearing provided an opportunity for a range of stakeholders to give their response to the NSB recommendations, including the Board’s proposal to create a congressionally chartered National STEM Education Council to help foster and guide STEM education improvements.

July 31, 2007

House Passes Committee's Landmark Innovation Legislation

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives passed groundbreaking legislation today aimed at ensuring the United States’ strong footing as a global economic leader and retaining our “brainpower advantage.”

"Now is the time for us to strengthen our support for the creativity, the innovation and the talented workforce that makes the U.S. unique and gives us our competitive edge," said Science & Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN), lead House negotiator on the bill.

As cleared by the House today, the conference agreement on H.R. 2272, the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education and Science Act (COMPETES), makes improvements to math and science education and strengthens the nation’s commitment to scientific research.

"Securing a brighter future for our children is simply not a partisan issue. I’m proud that my colleagues and I have been able to work together to move this bill forward - this truly a team effort," added Gordon, who began work on competitiveness and innovation legislation.

For entire article please click here

For video speech on HR. 2272 please click here

March 13, 2007

Committee Emphasizes Need for Action on and Support of U.S. Innovation, Research, Competitiveness Efforts Bipartisan Group Accepts “American Innovation Proclamation” on Behalf of Congress

(Washington, DC) Some of the nation’s top business leaders, innovators and academics gathered today before the House Committee on Science and Technology to underscore the critical importance of science and technology to our nation’s prosperity.

Their focus – legislation currently before the Committee authored by Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) and based upon a widely regarded 2005 report from the National Academies entitled “Rising Above the Gathering Storm.” That report was requested by Chairman Gordon and former Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), along with Senate colleagues Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM).

That report found that “absent decisive action” on the part of government, the standing as the global innovation and technological leader is in jeopardy. The report suggested action items – key among them, placing well qualified science and math teachers in the nation’s K-12 classrooms and substantially increasing basic research funding.

“In order to produce the most innovative scientists and engineers in the world, our children must be the highest achieving science and math students in the world,” said Chairman Gordon. “That’s going to take a sustained investment of real dollars and a commitment to getting the job done for the long-term – not just putting a short-term bandage on it.”

For entire article please click here

April 24, 2007

U.S. House of Representatives cleared two bills that comprise key components of the Democrats’ Innovation Agenda aimed at strengthening U.S. basic research, improving, and supporting the national corps of math and science teachers. The bills were both authored by Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN), Chairman of the House Science & Technology Committee. They are based upon the recommendations of the National Academies of Science’s widely-acknowledged “Rising Above the Gathering Storm” report, which found that the U.S. stands to lose its competitive edge in the international economy unless immediate action is taken.

H.R. 362, the “10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds” Science and Math Scholarship Act and H.R. 363, Sowing the Seeds through Science and Engineering Research Act, cleared the House by wide bipartisan margins and provide (breakdown the budget) in funding for its supported activities. These activities include grants for basic research, scholarships, graduate research assistantships, staff development for science teachers. A much larger companion bill was passed by the Senate. This signals significant Congressional intent with respect to support for increasing America science and technology capacity. We recommend that you preview this legislation and prepare yourselves NOW to participate the resulting programs as soon as they are implemented. See included links for further information.

May 15, 2007

Subcommittee Investigates How to Better Prepare Math and Science Educators

Recognizing that math and science educators play a major role in keeping the U.S. competitive in a 21st century economy, members of the Science and Technology Committee’s Research and Science Education Subcommittee today investigated educators’ experiences working with federal science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs for K-16 students.

During the hearing, Chairman Brian Baird (D-WA) led members in examining if educators are utilizing information provided by federal agencies, if the federal government is creating effective and manageable programs for educators, whether there is a lack of a coordinated effort between agencies, and whether federal programs are improving STEM education in America.

“One of the most important things our country can do for our future economic health is to invest in math and science education, and more importantly, our math and science teachers,” said Chairman Baird. “Teachers who have a strong understanding and passion for a subject will pass that enthusiasm onto their students. As we continue investigating how to improve federal STEM education programs, it is critical that we obtain guidance from those who work directly with teachers and students.”

“I believe it is the desire of all the Members of the Science and Technology Committee that we support the implementation of programs that are well-designed and effective,” said Ranking Member Vernon Ehlers (R-MI). “Our challenge in Congress is to target limited federal funds at programs which leverage relevant federal resources and also complement the local educational requirements.”

In October 2005, the National Academies’ released the report “Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future.” This report was issued by a distinguished spectrum of national leaders in academia, industry and government. Their findings were alarming. Essentially, they noted that without immediate action, the U.S. may not be able to maintain global leadership in innovation and education.

“Since the federal agencies depend so heavily on both a literate citizenry for continued support and STEM professionals at all levels to carry out their missions, it is in the interest of the agencies to contribute appropriately to achieving two STEM education goals: 1) universal math and science literacy and 2) significantly increasing the number and diversity of American students entering and successfully exiting the STEM pipeline,” said Dr. George D. Nelson, Director of Science Technology and Mathematics Education at Western Washington University during his testimony.

Until recently, federal agencies such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Department of Energy (DOE), have developed their programs independently and without a strategic plan. In addition, each program has developed their own evaluation methods; making comparisons between what’s working and what isn’t impossible. Lastly, the agencies have had trouble making teachers nationwide aware of the programs and resources that may be available to them.

“I believe there is a great deal of untapped potential residing in the expertise of scientists and engineers at these agencies,” continued Chairman Baird. “Not only do these scientists and engineers possess impressive content knowledge in the sciences, they also have real-world experience with the ‘wow’ factors that gets kids excited about learning science.”

For entire hearing please click here

May 14, 2007

Subcommittee Discusses Federal STEM Education Programs with Educators

Recognizing that math and science educators play a major role in keeping the U.S. competitive in a 21st century economy, members of the Science and Technology Committee’s Research and Science Education Subcommittee today investigated educators’ experiences working with federal science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs for K-16 students.

During the hearing, Chairman Brian Baird (D-WA) led members in examining if educators are utilizing information provided by federal agencies, if the federal government is creating effective and manageable programs for educators, whether there is a lack of a coordinated effort between agencies, and whether federal programs are improving STEM education in America.

"One of the most important things our country can do for our future economic health is to invest in math and science education, and more importantly, our math and science teachers," said Chairman Baird. "Teachers who have a strong understanding and passion for a subject will pass that enthusiasm onto their students. As we continue investigating how to improve federal STEM education programs, it is critical that we obtain guidance from those who work directly with teachers and students."

IES 2007 Biennial Report to Congress

The Institute of Education Sciences has issued the Director's Biennial Report to Congress, covering activities and accomplishments of the Institute in 2005 and 2006.

Transmitted by Director Grover J. (Russ) Whitehurst as required by the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002, the report includes a description of the activities of IES and its four National Education Centers, as well as a summary of all IES grants and contracts during the biennium in excess of $100,000.

For entire article please click here