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| Key Wilson Education Proposals Pass House |
March 30, 2006 |
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House Passes Boost for Hispanic Serving Institutions, Wilson’s Math & Science Amendment
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Heather Wilson today hailed House passage by a vote of 221-199 of two key education proposals she worked for in the College Access and Opportunity Act (H.R. 609).
A proposal to strengthen Hispanic Serving Institutions that she cosponsored and supported for more than two years was included in the legislation, and a Wilson amendment creating math and science partnerships was accepted into the bill Wednesday by voice vote.
“These two provisions – one for graduate students, one for children – share a focus on preparing our future leaders for the jobs of the 21st Century,” Wilson said.
Hispanic Serving Institutions
In 2004, Wilson was the lead Republican cosponsor of a bipartisan effort in the 108th Congress to boost federal funding for Hispanic Serving Institutions to include graduate programs. That priority was approved today.
“We need to open the doors to advanced degrees for more minority students so that they are prepared for the jobs of the 21st Century,” Wilson said. “A number of our schools have graduate-level programs that meet the requirement of undergraduate Hispanic Serving Institutions. They should be encouraged and supported. This is a great opportunity to make a difference for our New Mexico colleges and universities, and the future leaders they are educating.”
Hispanic-Serving Institutions serve concentrations of Hispanic higher education students of 25 percent or more of the student body. Currently there are 250 HSIs, including 18 in New Mexico.
The HSI provisions include:
Establishing a program of competitive grants to eligible HSIs that offer postbaccalaureate certifications or degrees (part B grants). Limits a part B grant award`s duration to not more than five years. Prohibiting the Secretary of Education from awarding more than one part B grant to an HSI in any one fiscal year.
Authorizing appropriations for: (1) the current part A program of grants to HSIs that offer baccalaureate degrees or are junior or community colleges; and (2) the new part B program of grants to HSIs that offer postbaccalaureate certifications or degrees.
Eliminating the requirement that an eligible HSI provide assurances that at least 50 percent of its Hispanic students are low-income students.Including, among authorized activities under part A grants, articulation agreements and student support programs to help transfers from two-year to four-year institutions.
Eliminating the two-year wait-out period between any two five-year part A grants to an HSI.
Wilson Math & Science Amendment
 The Wilson amendment, accepted Wednesday by voice vote, is part of the College Access and Opportunity Act (H.R. 609). The amendment, based on a similar bill initially introduced by Wilson in November 2005, will enhance math and science instruction for teachers as part of a long term strategy to provide the next generation with the skills to compete in the global economy.
“We want a great public school in every neighborhood. Providing the best possible math and science education is the foundation of a long term strategy to keep jobs here and help our next generation compete in a global economy,” Wilson said.
Wilson’s amendment gives teachers more professional development opportunities to help them perform their jobs at the highest level. Promoting the exchange of knowledge and ideas among teachers can improve early childhood education, so our schools can continue to make progress in math and science.
The amendment works to improve math and science instruction in New Mexico schools by creating regional working groups for educators. This builds on previous efforts, including provisions in the No Child Left Behind Act, which seek to improve the performance of students in math and science by encouraging states and local schools to work together with institutions of higher education to boost math and science teacher education.
Specifically, the amendment would provide authority for Mathematics and Science Education Coordinating Councils to support regional workshops designed to permit educators, administrators responsible for professional development and curriculum development, and faculty of teacher preparation programs to share successful research based strategies for improving student achievement in mathematics and science instruction in elementary and secondary schools.
The working groups prescribed in Wilson`s bill will give educators opportunities for training, professional and curriculum development, and a venue to share successful ideas across school districts and states in math and science.
“Teachers don`t often have the opportunity to work with professional peers from other school districts or other states to learn,” Wilson said. “Let’s help teachers learn from each other and take the best ideas back to their own schools.”
Federal support for New Mexico’s public schools has grown steadily, from $288 million in 1998 to more than $522 million in 2005.
In past years, Wilson has secured federal funds for the UNM Math and Science Teaching Academy. Throughout her time in Congress, Wilson has focused much of her efforts and attention on public education. She has visited hundreds of classrooms throughout her district to visit with students, teachers, administrators, and parents. Wilson also runs a high school internship program in her Albuquerque office where more than 150 students have learned basic job skills in an office setting.
“A good education makes a world of difference in the futures of our young people. In particular, math and science are building blocks for the jobs of the 21st century,” Wilson concluded.
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