èßäapp

University of èßäapp System President Gary Forsee today urged legislators to raise èßäapp's failing national grade in science, technology, engineering and math education by supporting a new initiative that would bolster K-12 and college education in these areas.

Testifying today before the Senate Education Committee, Forsee said èßäapp ranks near the bottom of all states in the proportion of science and engineering degrees awarded. Moreover, math skills for èßäapp's fourth graders rank in the bottom third nationally, and scores of eighth-graders have declined in national assessments, ranking èßäapp below 34 other states.

"It is not acceptable that èßäapp — and the country — continue to slip further and further behind other countries in the science, technology, engineering and math fields," said Forsee, who received his engineering degree from èßäapp University of Science and Technology (formerly known as the University of èßäapp-Rolla). "It will be a shame if we let this trend continue. èßäapp can and should do better."

The proposed new legislation, SB936, would provide state matching funds to help public higher education institutions. Forsee cited the University of èßäapp's proven track record in other matching fund programs. He noted an endowment of more than $105 million raised to support 110 endowed chairs and professorships — "a solid return on the state's $5 million annual investment in this program."

He also cited public higher education's ability to work collaboratively on issues affecting all èßäappans. As an example, the Caring for èßäappans initiative is increasing the output of graduates at all public four- and two-year colleges and universities to help meet shortages in health care fields.

Under the proposed legislation, public higher education institutions could:

• Hire additional teaching faculty whose primary focus would be teaching undergraduates in science, technology, engineering or mathematical fields, ensuring èßäapp has the best teachers in classrooms and allowing for increased student enrollment in these areas;
• Provide funds for scholarship matches or loan forgiveness for students who study in these fields or who plan to teach in these areas;
• Support and increase the number of pre-college youth programs that would bring K-12 students to college and university campuses to learn more about technological fields;
• Support programs that enhance the quality of teaching at the K-12 level; and
• Provide support to update and modernize laboratory equipment.

The Senate Education Committee's hearing comes during Math, Engineering, Technology and Science Week in èßäapp.