7/29/2019 Press Release: Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee Approves Bill to Encourage Student Interest in STEM

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FOR RELEASE: CONTACT:

Feb. 22, 2013 Majority Press Office609-847-3500

Senate Panel Oks Singleton, Wagner, Wimberly, Riley & Caride Bill to

Encourage Student Exploration of High Demand Job FieldsAs Part of Assembly Democratic Job Creation Effort, Measure is Designed to Boost Student

Pursuit of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Career Fields

(TRENTON) Legislation Assembly Democrats Troy Singleton, Connie Wagner, Benjie E.

Wimberly, Celeste M. Riley and Marlene Caride sponsored to encourage student interest in fields of

science, technology, education, engineering and mathematics was approved by a Senate panel on

Thursday.

The legislation (A-2015), which was approved by the full Assembly in December, is one of the

measures presented by the Assembly Democrats as part of a comprehensive legislative initiative to

boost job creation and economic development throughout the state.

Todays students are tomorrows leaders and the future of our workforce, said Singleton (D-

Burlington). An essential part of job creation is preparation. Encouraging our students to excel in

STEM fields prepares them for a future that is advancing rapidly in science, math, and technology.

The bill would establish a four year New Jersey Innovation Inspiration School Grant Pilot

Program and a fund within the Department of Education. Under the bills provisions, the pilot

program would broaden student access and interest in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering

and mathematics) in order to advance United States competitiveness and innovation in these fields. A

total of six one-time, up-front grants would be awarded to two districts in each region. Each districtwould have a period of up to four years to use each grant.

Here in the U.S., there is an education gap among grade school and high school students in

the subjects of science, technology, education, engineering and mathematics, said Wagner (D-

Bergen, Passaic). This bill would help prepare more of our youth to seek careers in STEM fields

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7/29/2019 Press Release: Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee Approves Bill to Encourage Student Interest in STEM

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through a specialized learning program/grant created to connect students, teachers and leaders in these

fields.

Fourth grade students in this country are scoring high marks in these subjects as compared to

their international counterparts, said Wimberly (D-Bergen, Passaic). My concern is the apparent

diminishing interest and intent focus on science and math subject by these students as they reach the

higher grades.STEM fields are less popular amongst the students in this country. We can help raise interest

and opportunity to explore these areas with quality programming and grant funding, said Riley (D-

Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem). Every New Jersey student deserves the best education our state can

provide and every opportunity to achieve excellence.

The bill would enhance existing science, technology and math education by giving the

students practical knowledge on how these subjects can be applied in the real world, said Caride (D-

Bergen, Passaic). More students interested in pursuing STEM fields will, in the long run, strengthen

the countrys position as a global leader in science and technology.

A 2011 report on STEM jobs by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the

Workforce indicates New Jersey will demand a total of 248,250 STEM jobs by 2018, up from 223, 290

in 2008, and about 93% of the predicted jobs will require post secondary education and training.

According to the National Science Boards 2010 Science and Engineering Indicators, only 5% of

American college graduates major in engineering; however, in Asia about 20% of all baccalaureate

degrees are in engineering and in China, 33%.

The pilot program would award grants to support non-traditional STEM teaching methods for

students in grades 9 through 12, participation of students in nonprofit STEM competitions,

encouraging interest in STEM field careers, and collaboration among students, engineers, and

professional mentors. The bill would further provide that in awarding grants the Commissioner of

Education would identify and give priority to schools in low-performing schools and a school district

which serves low-income students.

The bill was approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and now awaits

consideration by the full Senate before heading to the Governors desk.

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