By Ms. Spilka, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate,
No. 367) of Karen E. Spilka, Richard T. Moore, Pam
Richardson and Mary E. Grant for legislation relative to
improving science, technology, engineering and math
education in the commonwealth. Education. |
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION 1. There shall be commission to study ways to improve science, technology, engineering and math, to be known as STEM, education in the commonwealth. Said study shall include, but not be limited to the following: (a)increasing the number of new STEM teachers by: (i)improving training of STEM teachers, (ii)recruiting individuals from industry to take up teaching STEM subjects,(iii) creating a scholarship/loan forgiveness program for STEM teachers; (b) providing effective professional development to veteran teachers by: (i) examining the professional development offered to and required of teachers with the intent of improving mastery of the subjects taught and increasing interest in students in pursuing advanced study in these fields, (ii) providing teachers with sustained opportunities for continuing their own education by exploring private/public partnerships; (c) improving curriculums by, (i) providing mechanisms to allow teachers and schools to share best practices, (ii) allowing eligible students take advance courses – at public colleges if they are not available at the high schools, (iii) expanding e-learning; and (d) investing in facilities by, (i) increasing the number of laboratories in which to teach science, (ii) increasing the number of partnerships between schools and private sector companies for internship experiences; and (e) keeping kids interested in STEM. Said commission shall submit a report of their findings to the Senate and House Committees on Ways and Means, the Joint Committee on Education and the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.
