H.R. 3373, the STEM Education Innovation Act of 2011

Ensuring American competitiveness in an increasingly global economy requires significant improvements in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. STEM educational opportunities drive American innovation and job creation.

This is only possible when people have competencies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, which is why I am so passionate about increasing STEM competencies in our nation's public schools. STEM education–– opens up fabulous opportunities for all students from prekindergarten to graduating college students.

H.R. 3373, the STEM Education Innovation Act of 2011 builds upon the legislative success of my Enhancing STEM Education (E-STEM) Act and the America Competes Reauthorization and is my latest effort to emphasize the need for science, technology, engineering and mathematics in American public schools and to ensure continued targeted workforce development. Prior work has changed the way the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) coordinates STEM efforts across federal agencies and led to the release of an inventory report and strategic plan chronicling STEM programs across federal agencies.

The STEM Education Innovation Act draws upon the recommendations of the National Science Board and the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) to improve state and federal coordination and collaboration for coherence of STEM educational initiatives. The national STEM community has provided suggestions for elevating national STEM priorities that will manifest themselves in practical ways. This collaboration between the business, educational, and non-profit worlds has critical implications for the American workforce: to champion STEM educational initiatives that result in educating and training a dynamic, competitive workforce that champions America's position as a global leader in innovation and excellence.

H.R. 3373, the STEM Education Innovation Act, has three main elements:

• Create an Office of STEM Education in the Department of Education. The Assistant Secretary of STEM Education will integrate, coordinate and improve the Department's K-12 and higher education STEM educational efforts and regularly consult with stakeholders, research professionals, industry and businesses in STEM-related fields to ensure a competitive American workforce is being developed.
• Institute a State Consortium on STEM Education to develop consortia to take the lead in shaping best practices in the STEM arena. The consortia can also develop strategies to increase participation of underrepresented populations in STEM disciplines. With the creation of the Common Core Standards in Mathematics and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), state consortia can lead the effort and bring STEM excellence to their local and regional communities.
• Establish the Education Innovation Project, which will promote the development of transformational technologies for the classroom by providing grant funding to outside entities—including for-profit companies, foundations, nonprofits and institutions of higher learning—to develop educational technology innovations that will be paramount for STEM education and the greater educational community.

Press Release

Supporters of the STEM Education Innovation Act of 2011

Intel: Mr. Eric Weaver, Director of Education and Workforce Policy

"We know that a chronic shortage of engineering students threaten America's role as the world's leading innovator and continues to impede our nation's fragile economic recovery. We support the leadership of Congressman Honda on this critical issue that is so important to the competitiveness of our country."

Agilent Technologies: Mr. Jim Gigrich, Director of Government Relations and National Security Solutions

"Our nation's economy will rise or fall largely based on the ability of today's students to create tomorrow's breakthroughs in science and technology. We appreciate your work in Congress to ensure that we are preparing our young people to thrive in a scientifically sophisticated 21st century."

Association for Career and Technical Education: Ms. Janet Bray, Executive Director

"Representative Honda's bill will ensure that STEM is a priority so that more students receive preparation for the many 21st century careers that will require a highly skilled, technologically savvy workforce."

The Triangle Coalition for Technology and Science Education: Mr. Vance Ablott, Executive Director

"The future of our country's economic competitiveness depends greatly on how well our students perform in STEM fields. If we are to keep up with our global competitors, we must step up our investments in STEM education. This bill will directly address critical shortfalls in the current system with practical solutions to facilitate improved communication and focus resources on best practice."

STEM Education Coalition: Mr. James Brown, Executive Director

"In this economic environment, we have to get the most out of federal investments in STEM education. We can be doing a much better job of coordinating federal STEM programs and ensuring we are supporting innovation and best practices."

The National Science Teachers Association: Dr. Francis Eberle, Executive Director

"The STEM Education Innovation Act will allow states to develop consortiums where all stakeholders can work together to identify and disseminate best practices and will provide much needed technological innovations in the classroom. The National Science Teachers Association supports this legislation and we commend Representative Honda for leadership in this area."

Lynbrook High School: Ms. Amanda Alonzo, STEM Coordinator

"STEM initiatives at our school have created an environment of real excitement pushing our students to higher and higher levels of knowledge in STEM disciplines. The number one asset gained from high school STEM studies is the opportunity for student research. I believe that Lynbrook students are and will continue to be problem solvers for local and world problems because of the resources and collaboration that the STEM disciplines provide."

Bay Area Council: Mr. Jim Wunderman, President & CEO

"In order to stimulate innovation, the economy, and create good jobs we must focus on strategic and systemic approaches to STEM education. Key steps will be to create and identify what works, scale up the best, align programs and curriculum, and consistently provide support over time."

California STEM Learning Network: Mr. Chris Roe, CEO "CSLNet is pleased to support the STEM Education Innovation Act that will jumpstart innovative work being undertaken in California and nearly every state to advance STEM education. With the implementation of common core standards in math and now science, it is more critical than ever that states work together with partners from business and industry and with federal agencies to leverage scarce resources and ensure coordination and scaling of best practices, which this legislation will enable."

Synopsys: Ms. Erin Brennock, Director, Corporate Affairs

"Special attention needs to be paid to underserved populations and school districts with achievement gaps. Through our work at Synopsys, we want to ensure all students can compete on a level playing field."

Silicon Valley Education Foundation: Muhammed Chaudhry, CEO

"STEM education is critically important because we need to prepare more students for 21st century jobs and the innovation economy, which requires strong math and science knowledge and critical thinking skills. Not enough students are following this path to replace the generation of innovators who are moving on. Our future workforce must be prepared to take on the technological and business challenges that lie ahead and to ensure the U.S. remains at the center of innovation and global competitiveness."

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics: Kichoon Yang, Executive Director, Executive Director

"The creation of an Office for STEM Education within the Department of Education will help give STEM education the policy prominence it deserves while also raising public awareness of the importance of STEM education."

Museum of Science, Boston: Patti Curtis, Managing Director

"We know that even our youngest students are able to integrate STEM subjects via engineering design challenges. This bill will help states and schools develop creative, integrative K-12 STEM education programs that will lead to a STEM-capable and innovative workforce."

MentorNet: David Porush, CEO

"We have been supporting the persistence and degree completion of students in STEM at colleges and universities, with a special focus on women and underrepresented minorities in these fields. This bill continues to build capacity and scalability of our collective STEM efforts."

Oracle: Kenneth Glueck, Office of the CEO

"Oracle applauds Congressman Honda's H.R. 3733, the STEM Education Innovation Act. Improving coordination between all key players in STEM education will help create pathways for educators and increase student learning, so companies like Oracle can find the best talent born and raised in the USA."

You can read more about my STEM Education activities here:

http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/archive/2012/March/Pages/RepMikeHondaIntroducesBilltoBoostSTEMEducation.aspx

http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/stem-education/2012/01/20/congressman-proposes-stem-education-office

http://elestoque.org/2012/05/28/news/congressman-mike-honda-visits-mvhs-focus-stem-education/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-mike-honda/a-million-student-mission_b_1405528.html