Science, math shortfalls targeted
To counteract shortfalls the country is facing in the science and mathematics education sector, the Board of Regents on Friday announced the creation of a consortium that will address them.
Deans of the colleges of science and mathematics at all nine public institutions in Utah, along with representatives from public education and the community will play a central role in understanding and solving global problems in energy, food supply, human health and national and international security.
"We believe that right now we have a serious situation in terms of education in the fields of math and science," said Dale Ostley, of the Weber State University College of Science. "It is critical to have a well-trained work force in science, engineering and mathematics."
Ostley said the group has met several times the past year to discuss ways to work together to "attack the problems we face" as demands continue to increase and resources dwindle.
Utah's technological, biomedical, pharmaceutical, chemical and natural resources industries are in need of creative leaders and workers with a solid foundation in math and science, according to findings of the board. Students in the U.S. are continually lagging in math and physics achievement when compared to students around the world and show decreasing proficiency levels as well.
Utah's Math and Science Education Consortium, which was originally a proposal from former commissioner Rich Kendell, aims to remedy the problem within the state, with hopes of allowing schools to emerge as educational leaders and businesses to excel.
The collaborative effort will require efforts from all nine Utah System of Higher Education colleges and universities, school districts, the Utah State Office of Education and the scientific and business communities. Goals of the group will include policy revisions, program development, strategic planning, course and curriculum revisions where necessary and teacher preparation.
"We have a real chance to increase the science and mathematics pipeline," Ostley said, adding that not only will the proposals strengthen industry, but will provide students with opportunities to succeed.
The "one-of-a-kind" initiative, said Regent Kathy Garff, has the potential to be successful in the state.
Funding for the group's functions and activities will likely come from grants and private support, but has yet to be identified.
"We believe that the proposed consortium is uniquely positioned to advance the state into a new and exciting era in math and science education," said Pierre V. Sokolsky, dean of the University of Utah College of Science.
Regents pushed the proposal forward during a meeting at Weber State University on Friday, hoping that increased efforts will "produce more mathematicians, scientists, engineers, technicians and teachers, and directly or indirectly produce a more robust economy that is driven by mathematics and science disciplines," according to Utah Commissioner of Higher Education William A. Sederburg.
E-MAIL: wleonard@desnews.com
Recent comments
I would like to add to this discussion. It is an important one to...
CharterSchoolScienceSpecialist | June 3, 2009 at 11:54 a.m.
Yes I had a good english teacher. Bad type teacher the word is...
Dale | May 29, 2009 at 7:47 p.m.
Stop talking about the problem. Quit forming groups to talk about the...
Dale | May 29, 2009 at 5:12 p.m.
- Timberwolves end 15-game skid 11:00 p.m.
- Nets match worst start 10:58 p.m.
- Hopi hotel showcases Arizona tribe 10:51 p.m.
- Cache County grants permit 10:50 p.m.
- Photos of the week, Nov. 29 10:50 p.m.
- NHL roundup: Defensemen lead Ducks 10:49 p.m.
- Overton's late heroics lead Huskies 10:45 p.m.
- Kings top Hornets 112-96 10:44 p.m.
- Historic U.S. artifacts visited Uta 10:42 p.m.
- Weber may close Justice Court 10:41 p.m.
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
- BYU is champion of the state
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
- Credit Coug defense for win
- Field goals, penalties doomed Utes
- Cougar defense rose to occasion
- Marriage definitions vary widely
- Banged up Jazz get best of Blazers
- Jones' joy for life remembered
- Fantasy is reality for BYU professor
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
858 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
473 - BYU is champion of the state
136 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
117 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
116 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
113 - Max Hall issues apology
111 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
90 - Hall's legacy measured today
79
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
I was on the plane. We were definitely on the runway, ergo, it was a runway...
The apology was perfect. He explained that his rants were really reflected...
or justification?
That is because Kyle Beckerman is amazing.
The National championship in college football doesn't always produce a true...
I find it extremely narrow-minded that you classify other peoples comments as...
As a BYU fan, I am truely sorry for the unsportsman like performance of not...
This is the balm that the hated, and hateful, Ute fans needed to ease the...
Nice to see Coach say something positive about Fesenko. It's tough for AK and...
Why won't you restore some class to Ute fans and accept Hall's apology?...


