Governor calls for math, science summit

According to a news release from Blunt’s office, plans for the summit were announced in January at the annual luncheon of the Missouri School Boards Association.

Blunt said that the summit, and improved knowledge in math and science, will better prepare students for the global economy.

“Missouri needs to be a leader in this effort,” Blunt said in the release. “We owe it to our children to do everything we can to prepare them for the challenges that await in our global economy and to ensure that we are not surpassed by other states and countries that have prioritized these areas of study and stand to gain good, family-supporting jobs and enhanced opportunities for their citizens.”

A 33-member planning committee comprising members of the business, education and government sectors is planning the summit and will provide guidance on ways to increase public awareness and support of the effort to draw attention to the issue.

Statistics show that by 2010, more than 90 percent of all scientists and engineers in the world will be living in Asia if current trends continue. Engineering degrees in the United States have decreased by 20 percent since 1985.

Fourth graders in the United States score high in math and science when compared to other countries, but U.S. 12th graders score near the bottom in comparison to students from other countries.

Blunt’s budget this fiscal year provided a $158 million funding increase for public schools, and he led the successful effort to craft a new needs-based school funding formula.

He has proposed a $167 million funding increase for schools for the next fiscal year and a $17.1 million funding increase for colleges and universities.[[In-content Ad]]