FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 25, 2008

Contact: Erika Masonhall, 202-224-4041

Lieberman, Coleman Introduce STEM Education for the 21st Century Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) and Norm Coleman (R-MN) have introduced legislation to ensure that our nation's students will enter the workforce with the skills and knowledge required for success in the global economy of the 21st Century. The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education for the 21st Century Act of 2008 seeks to improve and coordinate existing efforts to promote STEM education and to facilitate the communication between various stakeholders so that tomorrow's workforce can continue the American tradition of innovation and enterprise.

"In order for America to compete effectively in global economy and obtain the high-paying, skilled jobs of tomorrow, we need to ensure that we have a world-class science and technology education system," said Lieberman. "This bill is an important step forward: it coordinates Federal STEM education programs and creates a council where businesses, industry, government, and educators can come to the table to identify problems, suggest solutions, and promote best practices."

"In an increasingly crowded global market it is extremely important that as a nation we do all we can to ensure our students have the skills and opportunities they need to be able to compete," Coleman said. "This bipartisan legislation will further strengthen our commitment to encouraging students from all backgrounds to pursue careers in the vital sectors of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. I am proud to be a part of America's mission to prepare students for tomorrow's workforce."

There are three key pieces of this legislation:

1) It charters a new, independent, and non-Federal National Council for STEM Education, housed in the National Academies, which will provide leadership and facilitate communication about STEM education initiatives across the Nation and inform policymakers and the public on the state of STEM education and its importance for the United States in the global economy.

2) It authorizes a standing Committee on STEM Education within the National Science and Technology Council, which would be responsible for coordinating STEM education across all relevant Federal agencies. The Committee would also establish an internet portal available to the public that promotes Federal initiatives and funding for STEM education, as well as non-Federal programs that have been approved by the National Council for STEM Education.

3) Lastly, it directs the Secretary of Education to evaluate the effectiveness, coherence, and accessibility of STEM education initiatives within the Department and to report to Congress how it will make needed improvements.