[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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