[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 123 (Wednesday, August 24, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
     TRIBUTE TO SD NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION SYSTEMIC INITIATIVE

  Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to a groundbreaking 
educational program in my home State. The South Dakota Statewide 
Systemic Initiative [SSI] has had far-reaching effects on educational 
reform. This 5-year grant program from the National Science Foundation 
has enabled South Dakota to change the educational perspective of math 
and science courses from kindergarten through the university level. As 
a long-time and strong supporter of educational reform, I applaud such 
initiative.
  In the spring of 1991, South Dakota received a National Science 
Foundation grant to support a program to initiate a more comprehensive 
approach to math and science education. As an award State, South Dakota 
has been able to begin a new era in education. While there remains room 
for improvement, statewide change has made South Dakota a leader in 
reforming science and math education.
  The SSI has improved education in math and science through actual 
changes in teaching methods. A more hands-on approach to learning is 
now utilized. Students are encouraged to show what they have actually 
learned versus what they merely know. Changes also have been made in 
the areas of student evaluation and assessment to provide more accurate 
feedback on students' progress under the SSI.
  Changes vital to progress in the math and science fields have been 
possible only through a comprehensive support system set up under the 
National Science Foundation grant. Guidance through the in-service 
component; the integration of science and mathematics with one another 
and with the rest of the curriculum the establishment of a strong 
network of individuals involved at all levels of education; and the 
partnering of education with community and State leaders and business 
and industry all have made SSI one of South Dakota's most successful 
educational tools.
  The impact of the National Science Foundation Systemic Initiative has 
been immediate. The changes made enable South Dakota students to 
compete more effectively in today's global economy and better equip 
them to deal with tomorrow's changes. On a more local but equally 
important level, in-State businesses, which in the past were forced to 
recruit elsewhere, now can look to their own State to supply a higher 
level of skilled workers.
  As the linkage between the various educational levels created by the 
SSI strengthens, an increasing number of students with related majors 
will emerge from the university system, enabling South Dakota to fill 
an ever-increasing demand in the math and science related fields.
  The program also is instrumental in encouraging the participation of 
women and minorities in the fields of math and science. The SSI has 
placed a high priority on eliminating the traditional discrepancies in 
proportionate enrollment in these areas. For instance, this summer the 
statewide systemic initiative is collaborating with Sinte Gleska 
University faculty to provide an inservice program to further the 
development of native American teachers and others working with native 
American students. This action is consistent with the SSI's goal of 
reaching all South Dakota students.
  The South Dakota National Science Foundation Systemic Initiative will 
continue to make a significant impact on students and communities well 
into the future. The initiative's greatest goal is to continue the 
expansion of reform, development, and leadership in science and 
mathematics education. National Science Foundation funding has allowed 
South Dakota the opportunity to greatly improve its educational system. 
I commend the efforts of all involved in this extremely important 
program.

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