[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 24, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION OF THE MATH AND SCIENCE PROFICIENCY PARTNERSHIP ACT

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                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 24, 1999

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
introduce the Mathematics and Science Proficiency Partnership Act. The 
purpose of this legislation is to improve mathematics and science 
education for students in kindergarten through 12th grade as well as to 
train mathematics and science teachers.
  My legislation, which has 52 cosponsors, accomplishes its objective 
by forging a unique partnership between students, parents, teachers and 
the business people in their communities.
  In years past, America's schools served as unilateral learning 
centers where students studied, graduated and then entered the 
workforce. The demands of the information age and the global economy 
now compel U.S. educators and business people to band together in the 
national interest. Schools and businesses need to be partners to 
educate our children. Otherwise, our nation will see its pre-eminence 
in information technology implode as other nations expand their high-
tech driven economies.
  Already there are alarming trends. When it comes to mathematics and 
science education U.S. high school seniors need to be better prepared. 
Compared to their international peers, American high school seniors 
ranked near the bottom of the Third International Mathematics and 
Science Study (TIMSS) that was released last year. This poor 
performance holds true for both mathematics and science as well as for 
moderate-level and top-level students.
  Mathematics and science are the disciplines that have created the 
Internet and have driven the Information Age. Two of the fastest 
growing job areas, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, are 
computer technology and health services. Both fields demand a strong 
background in mathematics and science.
  As the Subcommittee on Basic Research's Ranking Member, I have had 
several discussions with representatives from the information 
technology community. These business people in the high-tech field have 
expressed their frustration in not being about to find qualified job 
applicants. In fact, one in ten positions in information technology is 
currently unfilled, according to the Information Technology Association 
of America. One in three job applicants tested by U.S. companies lacks 
the reading or mathematics skills for the job as reported by the 
American Management Association.
  The Mathematics and Science Proficiency Partnership Act will help 
reverse the trends of poor test performance by U.S. students and 
empower businesses to enrich the pool of job applicants.
  The purpose of this legislation is to improve math and science 
education in urban and rural areas by establishing partnerships between 
participating schools and businesses. My bill authorizes the National 
Science Foundation (NSF) to award 10 partnership grants through its 
Urban and Rural Systemic Initiative programs. The NSF Director will 
make five grants to urban areas and five grants to rural areas. Each 
grant will not exceed $300,000 and the total amount authorized is $3 
million.
  The purpose of these partnership grants is to train teachers and to 
improve teaching for students in math, science and information 
technology. The grants will be awarded to schools that have established 
partnerships with businesses.
  Eligibility of the partnership grants will be based on how well the 
participating schools and businesses have forged their partnerships. 
Ways that businesses can participate with schools include: setting up 
college scholarships for promising math and science students, 
establishing jobsite mentoring and internships programs and donating 
computer software and hardware to their participating schools.
  The legislation directs the NSF Director to conduct a long-range 
study on the students who have participated in the partnership grant 
scholarship program and their ability to land and to retain jobs in the 
fields of mathematics, science and information technology.
  Mr. Speaker, I am gratified by the support the Mathematics and 
Science Proficiency Partnership Act has already received and urge all 
Members to cosponsor this important legislation that will help prepare 
today's American students for tomorrow's workplace.

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