WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 3, 2002-- Richard Schaar, senior vice president of Texas Instruments, will testify May 7 on behalf of AeA (formerly the American Electronic Association) and the Math/Science Partnership Working Group to urge full funding of the Math and Science Partnerships, part of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The Working Group consists of nearly 60 companies and trade associations.  He will testify before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services.

The Math/Science Partnership Program was created to improve student achievement in math and science by allowing high-need school districts to partner with math and science departments at colleges and universities. Businesses can also participate in the partnerships. The partnership could address a variety of issues, including teacher training and professional development, curriculum development, distance learning, and exchange programs.

Although Congress authorized $450 million for the partnership program, it appropriated only $12.5 million.   This amount is far below the need identified by Congress and is a significant reduction in dedicated funding previously available for math and science education at the Department of Education.