Gordon Introduces Legislation to Strengthen U.S. Efforts and Performance in Science/Math Education

Speaking before a meeting of the National Science Board (NSB) today on 21st Century Education in Science, Mathematics and Technology, U.S. House Science Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) announced he had made good on his promise to act quickly to strengthen science and math education in the nation’s schools.

Rep. Gordon introduced the "10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds" Science and Math Scholarship Act (H.R. 4434). The legislation - among other initiatives - will increase the number of U.S. math and science teachers by 10,000 annually by providing scholarships to science, math and engineering students who commit to becoming science or math teachers at elementary and secondary schools upon completion of their degrees.

"I could not think of a more appropriate occasion to make this legislation public than this NSB meeting,” stated Rep. Gordon. "Contrary to today’s agenda, I do not believe we need to create another commission to take a broad look at how to improve science education in the nation. There have been several such commissions and national panels of experts that have done this over the past twenty years or so and the findings of these panels have been fairly consistent. Now, it’s time for action."

Full text of this release »

About the "10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds" Act »

Subcommittee Jurisdiction

Committee Rule 3(a)(3)

Legislative jurisdiction and general and special oversight and investigative authority on all matters relating to science policy including:

• Office of Science and Technology Policy;

• all scientific research, and scientific and engineering resources (including human resources), math, science and engineering education;

• intergovernmental mechanisms for research, development, and demonstration and cross-cutting programs;

• international scientific cooperation;

• National Science Foundation;

• university research policy, including infrastructure and overhead;

• university research partnerships, including those with industry;

• science scholarships;

• issues relating to computers, communications, and information technology;

• earthquake and fire research programs including those related to wildfire proliferation research and prevention;

• research and development relating to health, biomedical, and nutritional programs;

• to the extent appropriate, agricultural, geological, biological and life sciences research; and

• materials research, development, and demonstration and policy.