Mark Udall: “I rise in support of H.R. 4271, the National Science Education Act, an important bill that recognizes the need to…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 4271, the National Science Education Act, an important bill that recognizes the need to educate for the future. I do have some concerns about one part of the bill that would permit allocation of federal funds to private schools. I would have preferred for that to have been omitted. However, the rest of the bill deserves enactment. So, I will support sending the bill to the Senate, in hopes that it will be further improved to the point that it can be supported without reservation by anyone. I'd like to talk specifically about the merits of one provision, added by an amendment that I offered, that is designed to encourage would-be science and math teachers. My amendment authorizes a program of one-year, $5000 scholarships to those with bachelors degrees in science or engineering, or those nearing completion of such degrees, to enable them to take the courses they need to become certified as K-12 science or math teachers. Over the last year, the Science Committee held a series of hearings about the state of math and science education in this country. From these hearings and from talking to constituents, students, and educators at home, it has become crystal clear to me that we have much work to do to prepare our students to succeed in the 21st century workplace.”