Monday, March 10, 2008
Governor Culver Urges Lawmakers To Pass Senior Year Plus, Encourages Focus On Math and Science Education
UNI, DMACC Presidents and Business leaders highlight importance of highly skilled future workforce
(DES MOINES) –Today, Governor Chet Culver discussed the importance of passage of Senior Year Plus and renewed his call for a statewide emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math education.
The Governor was joined by education and business leaders, including University of Northern Iowa President Ben Allen, Des Moines Area Community College President Rob Denson and Rockwell Collins Government and Public Affairs Director Tom Hobson.
Senior Year Plus, currently being debated in the Legislature as House Study Bill 649, and Senate Study Bill 3160, will bring all existing programs for college credit under one umbrella, and make options more accessible for students, parents, and teachers.
Senior Year Plus will also create the opportunity for every student in Iowa to have access to at least 30 hours of college credit while they are in High School, regardless of their career path, geography, family income, or school district.
Governor Culver said, “There are currently at least 70 school districts in Iowa in which High School students have no access to dual enrollment college courses. This is an issue of fairness and must be addressed.”
DMACC President Rob Denson said, “It’s important that we allow every student in Iowa high schools to have the same opportunities to take these courses.”
Governor Culver also called for a renewed emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education. Based on the findings of the Governor’s Workforce Summit in December, 2007, Governor Culver is proposing the establishment of a $4.7 million dollar STEM program at the University of Northern Iowa.
“Iowa faces a jobs surplus of up to 150,000 skilled positions within the next five years,” said the Governor. “To meet this challenge, we need a workforce that’s the best in world at Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, or STEM. This will help us double the number of math and science teachers coming out of Regents’ teacher education programs, and get them into Iowa classrooms.”
Rockwell Collins Government and Public Affairs Director Tom Hobson said, “There are challenges to our nation’s competitiveness. Innovation is necessary for the United States to keep up.”
UNI President Ben Allen added, “I believe it is critical that we move on this now for Iowa to be competitive in the 21st century global economy. The new economy demands more math and science preparation by our students and our workforce. “
Governor Culver said, “I believe we can create the ‘Silicon Valley of the Midwest’ right here in Iowa, if we have a prepared workforce. I look forward to working with Republicans and Democrats in the Legislature to get these important initiatives into the budget, and onto my desk for my signature.”