Send this Letter Now

I am writing on behalf of my company to ask that you support full funding ($450 million) for the Math/Science Partnership, a program designed to improve K-12 math and science achievement.

In 2002, Congress created – in the "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) Act - the Math/Science Partnerships. The program consists of partnerships between local school districts, colleges, and other groups including businesses and business organizations. These partnerships can address a variety of education issues, including teacher training and professional development, curriculum development, distance learning, and exchange programs. While Congress created the Math/Science Partnership Program and authorized $450 million for this program, the amount of money actually authorized for this program in Fiscal Year 2002 was $12.5 million.

This level of funding represents a dramatic decrease in dedicated federal funding for math and science that had previously been available to school districts around the country at a level estimated to be $375 million in FY 2001. Moreover, the requirements of NCLB mandate annual tests in math in grades 3-8 and require science assessments in certain grade levels in 2007, fueling the urgency for increased support around these disciplines. New teacher quality requirements also underscore the need for effective professional development for these core subjects.

Proficiency in math and science is a national imperative if the United States is to maintain its technological preeminence and economic leadership. It is also critical to the nation’s homeland defense. Yet the trends are not comforting. Average scores nationwide in math and science indicate that the vast majority of American students are not proficient in these subjects. At the same time, the number of U.S. students graduating with degrees in math, the physical sciences and engineering have been declining steadily since 1985.

The Department of Education partnerships - if adequately funded - are formula-based and available to every state. They are specifically designed to focus on high need school districts and require an assessment of teacher and classroom needs to help ensure that the money is spent effectively. Without a dedicated funding stream, the breadth, quality and scope of the activities will be limited by other state priorities.

We urge you to make full funding of this program a priority in your deliberations on the FY 2003 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill.

Sincerely,