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University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ System President Gary Forsee today urged legislators to raise ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥'s failing national grade in science, technology, engineering and math education by supporting a new initiative that would bolster K-12 and college education in these areas.

Testifying today before the Senate Education Committee, Forsee said ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ ranks near the bottom of all states in the proportion of science and engineering degrees awarded. Moreover, math skills for ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥'s fourth graders rank in the bottom third nationally, and scores of eighth-graders have declined in national assessments, ranking ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ below 34 other states.

"It is not acceptable that ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ — and the country — continue to slip further and further behind other countries in the science, technology, engineering and math fields," said Forsee, who received his engineering degree from ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ University of Science and Technology (formerly known as the University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥-Rolla). "It will be a shame if we let this trend continue. ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ can and should do better."

The proposed new legislation, SB936, would provide state matching funds to help public higher education institutions. Forsee cited the University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥'s proven track record in other matching fund programs. He noted an endowment of more than $105 million raised to support 110 endowed chairs and professorships — "a solid return on the state's $5 million annual investment in this program."

He also cited public higher education's ability to work collaboratively on issues affecting all ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ans. As an example, the Caring for ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ans initiative is increasing the output of graduates at all public four- and two-year colleges and universities to help meet shortages in health care fields.

Under the proposed legislation, public higher education institutions could:

• Hire additional teaching faculty whose primary focus would be teaching undergraduates in science, technology, engineering or mathematical fields, ensuring ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ has the best teachers in classrooms and allowing for increased student enrollment in these areas;
• Provide funds for scholarship matches or loan forgiveness for students who study in these fields or who plan to teach in these areas;
• Support and increase the number of pre-college youth programs that would bring K-12 students to college and university campuses to learn more about technological fields;
• Support programs that enhance the quality of teaching at the K-12 level; and
• Provide support to update and modernize laboratory equipment.

The Senate Education Committee's hearing comes during Math, Engineering, Technology and Science Week in ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥.