[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 131 (Wednesday, October 18, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H10230-H10231]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
THE NATIONAL IMPROVEMENT IN MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE TEACHING ACT
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Dickey). Under a previous order of the
House, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt) is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, we are fortunate to live in an exciting and
prosperous time. The Internet has bridged gaps between generations and
nations. Biotechnology has produced medical miracles. Our cars have
more computing power than the Apollo spacecraft. Success in this
information age depends not just on how well we educate our children
generally but how well we educate them in science and mathematics
specifically.
Following the launch of Sputnik in 1957, major steps were taken in
the United States to improve resources going into science. The goal was
to pursue a superior technical workforce. This produced generations of
scientists and engineers who have contributed greatly to our economic
and technical accomplishments. I am a product of the Sputnik
revolution. I have spent several decades in the world of teaching and
physics research. But now, as a policymaker, I see the shortcomings of
our earlier revolution in science and mathematics education, and I see
the need to increase our effort for science and mathematics education
today.
The push for improving public competence in science and mathematics
is justified by economics, national security, and arguments about
democracy. It is also important for personal fulfillment. Mathematics
and science bring order and harmony and balance to our lives. They
teach us that our world is intelligible and not capricious. They give
us the skill for lifelong learning; really for creating progress
itself. From the evidence we currently have at hand, it is clear we are
not providing this quality education in math and science to our
children.
I am proud to have been one of four Members of the House and Senate
to serve on the National Commission on the Teaching of Mathematics and
Science, chaired by former Senator and astronaut, John Glenn, and
including leaders from industry, academia and professional and
educational organizations. The Glenn Commission, as it has come to be
known, was established to improve math and science education throughout
the United States, and in its report, released 3 weeks ago, ``Before
It's Too Late,'' the commission identifies teaching as the most
powerful instrument for reform; and thus teaching is the place to
begin.
The commission calls for major changes throughout the teaching
profession, the scientific professions, and the institutions that
produce our teachers. Our country must devote attention to the quality,
quantity and professional work environment of teachers in science and
mathematics. In the next 10 years, we will have to recruit and hire 2.2
million teachers just to stay even with attrition in the teaching
force. Most of these teachers, including all elementary schoolteachers,
will be called on to teach science, and many will feel inadequate to
teach it.
Along with my colleague, the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs.
Morella), who also served on the commission, I am introducing
legislation that seeks to make these changes. The National Improvement
in Mathematics and Science Teaching Act, as it is called, establishes a
new title in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to improve the
quality of math and science education.
Specifically, this Glenn Commission bill establishes a State
assistance grant program to recruit quality teachers into the field.
Under this program, every State will receive funding that they can use
for a variety of purposes that are designed to attract new and
qualified math and science teachers. States can establish a loan
forgiveness program, signing bonuses, or even create a career ladder
for math and science teachers. The bill also establishes a similar
grant program to improve professional development of these teachers.
Like the previous grant program, States would have the flexibility to
use these funds on a variety of activities, including master teacher
initiatives, summer fellowships in relevant industries, or summer
workshops, among other things.
The Glenn Commission bill establishes 15 John Glenn academies to
recruit recent college graduates and mid-career professionals to
compete for 3,000 prestigious 1-year paid academy fellowships. The
fellows will be nationally recruited for a 1-year intensive course on
effective teaching methods in mathematics and science. In return, these
Glenn fellows will agree to teach for 5 years in districts with science
and math teacher shortages. I am pleased that this bill establishes a
grant program to address the achievement gap in math and science
education.
Lastly, this bill establishes industry tax credits and deductions
designed to encourage partnerships between schools and business and
industry. Specifically, industries can receive tax credits for creating
summer fellowships for math and science teachers. Likewise, businesses
can receive deductions for donating new math and science equipment and
materials to our public schools.
We are just days away from the end of the 106th Congress, so some may
[[Page H10231]]
wonder why I am introducing a bill so late in this congressional
session. In fact, I could have waited to introduce this bill at the
start of the next session, but I see this as a critical problem that
needs to be addressed starting now. The Glenn Commission only released
its report a few weeks ago, and I believe it is important to get to
work as quickly as possible to address the recommendations of this
commission.
We should not wait until next year to address an issue that will have
such a huge impact on the future of our children and our country. If we
are going to make a difference in the education and the lives of our
citizens, it is imperative that we start making changes right away.
The gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) and I are trying to do
this, and I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.
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