Sign On Letter re: Administration’s ESEA Blueprint

Feb 8

Greetings Members of the STEM Education Coalition

Attached please find a letter from the Coalition developed by the Legislative TF, addressed to Secretary Arne Duncan, that specifically addresses STEM in the Administration’s blueprint for ESEA http://www.ed.gov/blog/topic/esea-reauthorization/ issued last month. IF YOUR ORGANIZATION WOULD LIKE TO SIGN ON TO THIS LETTER PLEASE LET JAMES OR I KNOW BY MAY 14.

On Wednesday, the House Science and Technology Committee voted to approve America Competes. The bill reauthorizes the National Science Foundation. Title III of the bill addresses STEM education across the federal government. It includes legislative language that passed the House as H.R. 1709, the STEM Education Coordination Act, which will coordinate STEM education activities carried out across the federal government. The title also would require the White House to create an advisory committee on STEM education responsible for soliciting input from a variety of stakeholder groups in order to offer guidance to the president on how to better align federal programs with the needs of states and school districts, and to improve connectivity between public and private STEM education efforts. Finally, the title clarifies the role of the DOE in contributing to STEM education, including energy systems science and engineering education, at all levels.

It is anticipated the bill will come to the House floor for a vote by June. We are working on a letter from the Coalition that addresses this legislation that will come to you shortly.

A few other items for your consideration:

Please find a job listing for Director, Center for Quality Science Learning Afterschool (Coordinator of Public Programs VI-VIII) at Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley

The AAUW invites one and all for a briefing on women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Come hear from a Nobel Prize-winning scientist and learn why there are so few women scientists and engineers. A new AAUW research report presents eight key research findings that point to environmental and social barriers – including stereotypes, gender bias, and the climate of science and engineering departments in colleges and universities – that continue to block women’s progress in these fields. Learn what Congress can do to more fully open these fields to girls and women. Also, receive a copy of this highly anticipated report at the briefing!

What: Briefing on Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

When: Tuesday, May 4th at 10-11:30 AM

Where: Senate Capitol Visitors’ Center Room 200-201

HAPPY FRIDAY James and Jodi

James Brown

Co-Chair, STEM Education Coalition

Assistant Director, Advocacy

American Chemical Society

Office of Legislative Affairs

(202) 872-6229 (office)

(202) 872-6206 (fax)

j_brown@acs.org