Kosmas Measure to Improve Undergraduate STEM Education Passes House

Press Release

Provision Included in America COMPETES Reauthorization Act

Today, a measure introduced by Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24) to reform undergraduate science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education passed the U.S. House of Representatives as part of the bipartisan America COMPETES Reauthorization Act. Kosmas' provision establishes a competitive grant program through the National Science Foundation (NSF) to reform undergraduate STEM education programs, with the goal of increasing the number of students studying and completing degrees in STEM fields as well as providing our future K-12 teachers with greater STEM content knowledge.

"We must ensure that young Americans have access to a high quality education in the STEM fields in order to thrive in the 21st Century economy," said Congresswoman Kosmas. "The jobs of tomorrow will require a highly educated and well trained workforce and the America COMPETES Act will help to create jobs in Central Florida by investing in our students, teachers and workers."

The America COMPETES Reauthorization Act supports basic research, improves science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, and fosters innovation. The legislation increases funding for basic research programs, including the Department of Energy Office of Science, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology labs. It also improves science and math education by reauthorizing programs that give teachers a deep understanding of their content so they can help their students understand the real world applications of what they are learning. The bill addresses coordination of STEM activities across the federal government, and improves STEM education at the undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral levels.

Over 750 organizations have endorsed COMPETES including: the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, the Information Technology Industry Council, the American Chemical Society, the Business Roundtable, the Council on Competitiveness, the National Venture Capital Association, and TechAmerica

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