Fitzpatrick Takes Educational Concerns to White House

Fitzpatrick Takes Educational Concerns to White House
Meets with President Bush, Votes to Fund Advanced Placement Classes in Science and Other Critical Fields

Washington, Mar 30 -

Yesterday afternoon, Congressman Michael G. Fitzpatrick attended a meeting with is House Colleagues at the White House to discuss Congress' legislative agenda with President Bush. During the meeting, Fitzpatrick stressed the need to reform our educational system in order to stay competitive in increasingly crowded global marketplace. Fitzpatrick made the following statement after the meeting:

"I told President Bush that America is under threat from the emerging economies of China and India. Both of those economies and many others like them are growing rapidly, and they're doing it the smart way. They are investing in technology, science, engineering and biotechnology - growing sectors that threaten to undercut America's lead in those fields. We have already seen the start of a brain drain here in the United States. Our talent is going overseas instead of staying home and contributing to America's economic growth.

Congress and the administration must act to cultivate home grown talent early and focus on improving our math and science education at the secondary level. We need to make math and science interesting to our high school students and open the doors to Advanced Placement classes to more low and middle-income students. The sciences should be open to everyone regardless of class or economic status."

Last evening, Fitzpatrick voted yes to:

* Increase the number of teachers in advanced placement (AP) math, science, and critical foreign language courses, particularly for low-income students;
* Recruit well-qualified Americans to serve as adjunct teachers in high school math, science, and critical foreign language classes; and
* Establish comprehensive teacher preparation programs to encourage students to advance from elementary school through college while achieving proficiency in critical foreign languages.

"Last evening's vote strengthens American competitiveness by increasing opportunities for all students to study math, science, and key foreign languages. It helps teachers establish a sustained language study program for K-16 students, and recruits qualified and experienced individuals to share their expertise in critical subjects with students," Fitzpatrick said. "This amendment shows our commitment to increasing interest and proficiency in the sciences among students in our schools."

http://fitzpatrick.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=41635