Executive Order

Executive Order  No. 513: Establishing the Governor's Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Advisory Council

Date: 10/14/2009
Issuer: Deval L. Patrick
Mass Register: No. 1142

Table of Contents

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a worldwide leader in innovation;

WHEREAS, to compete in the global economy and with other states, Massachusetts needs to leverage more effectively its resources in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math ("STEM"); enhance the state's STEM workforce; increase the number of high-skills STEM jobs; and keep high school and college graduates living in the Commonwealth;

WHEREAS, additional coordination at the Executive level will help position Massachusetts for growth in the STEM fields and advocate for and foster increased investment in STEM education;

WHEREAS, it is important for the state to partner with the private sector to promote STEM education and careers; and voluntary cooperation among state agencies, elementary and postsecondary education systems and business and community members will contribute to the success of these efforts;

WHEREAS, the establishment of a STEM Council in the Commonwealth is an important step in creating the alignment that is essential to deliver the high quality education and workforce training needed to prepare each resident for life and work; and

WHEREAS, establishing a statewide STEM Council will increase coordination and efficiency, and enable the state to address more effectively the critical shortage of college graduates choosing a STEM field for their major and/or their profession;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Deval L. Patrick, Governor of the

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution, Part 2, c. 2, § 1, Art. I, hereby order as follows:

Section 1. There is hereby established the Governor's Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Advisory Council. The Council shall advise the Governor and assist in informing the work of the Secretaries of Education, Labor and Workforce Development, and Housing and Economic Development on issues relating to STEM education and STEM careers in the Commonwealth.

Section 2. The Council shall:

(a) Confer with participants and parties from the public and private sector involved with STEM planning and programming;

(b) Assess how best to dramatically increase student interest in, and preparation for, careers in STEM;

(c) Advise concerning the creation and implementation of a statewide STEM Plan that will establish clear goals and objectives for the Commonwealth's STEM efforts over the next five years, including the creation of benchmarks for improvements; and

(d) Provide recommendations regarding a campaign to build public support and help parents, students, employees and community leaders understand why the STEM disciplines are critical to individual success.

Section 3. The Council shall be chaired by the Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth or his designee (the "Chair") and shall consist of not more than 40 members, including the chair and ex officio members. Each member, other than the Chair, shall be appointed by the Governor and shall serve at the Governor's pleasure, without compensation, solely in an advisory capacity.

Section 4. Council members shall be persons with demonstrated interest, experience and expertise in STEM education and shall be selected by the Governor from the following groups:

The Massachusetts State Senate Co-Chair from the Robert H. Goddard Council on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education (the "Robert H. Goddard Council");

The Massachusetts House of Representatives Co-Chair from the Robert H. Goddard Council;

One (1) member from the Massachusetts State Senate, recommended by the Senate President;

One (1) member from the Massachusetts House of Representatives, recommended by the Speaker of the House;

The following seven (7) state officials, or their designees, as ex officio members: Secretary of Education, Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, Secretary of Housing and Economic Development, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, Commissioner of Higher Education, Commissioner of Early Education and Care, and President of the University of Massachusetts;

One (1) member from each of the following nine (9) fields: Biotechnology, Clean Energy, Engineering, Healthcare, Information Technology, Manufacturing, Elementary and Secondary Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Technical Education.

Up to nineteen (19) additional qualifying members as the Governor deems appropriate from the foregoing fields or from other STEM sectors, at least one of whom shall be an educator.

Section 5. The Council shall establish an Executive Committee comprised of up to seven (7) members who shall provide guidance on the recommendations of the Council and plan future meetings and initiatives.

The Chair shall determine the membership of the Executive Committee. Section 6. The administrative operations of the Council shall vest with an Executive Director, who shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Lieutenant Governor. The Executive Director shall be housed within the Executive Office of Education.

Section 7. The Council and its Executive Committee shall meet at such times and places as determined by the Chair.

Section 8. The Chair, or the Executive Director with the Chair's approval, may direct the Council to form subcommittees to focus on particular challenges facing STEM education and the STEM fields in the Commonwealth. The composition and nature of each committee shall be determined by the Chair.

Section 9. All agencies, departments and boards of the Commonwealth shall fully cooperate with the Council. The Council may call and rely upon the expertise and services of individuals and entities outside of its membership for research, advice, support or other functions necessary and appropriate to accomplish its mission.

Section 10. The Council shall report any findings or recommendations, including any recommendations for legislation or regulation(s), to the Governor at such periods as determined by the Chair.

Section 11. This Executive Order shall continue in effect until amended, superseded or revoked by subsequent Executive Order.


Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston this 14th day of October in the year two thousand and nine and of the Independence Of the United States, two hundred and thirty-four.


DEVAL L. PATRICK
GOVERNOR
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

WILLIAM FRANCIS GALVIN
Secretary of the Commonwealth

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