HD9 - Executive Summary of the Joint Subcommittee to Study Science, Math, and Technology Education in the Commonwealth at the Elementary, Secondary and Undergraduate Levels


    Executive Summary:
    The joint subcommittee established by House Joint Resolution 25 to study math, science, and technology education concluded its two year study after its eighth meeting on November 28th, 2007.

    During its four meetings of the 2006 Interim the joint subcommittee received presentations from over a dozen presenters from the Department of Education, Governor's Schools, the State Council of Higher Education, the Virginia Community College System, principals, teachers, and high school students. The main purpose of the presentations was to provide an adequate background in the Commonwealth's public education system, and specifically, how it incorporates math, science and technology education.

    One of the major highlights of the 2006 Interim was a visit to the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST). The joint subcommittee took a tour of the high school and concluded the day with a panel discussion with students and faculty. Additionally, students from the approximately 100 person audience were able to ask the joint subcommittee questions related to science and technology education and the role of the General Assembly in setting state education policies.

    During the 2007 Interim the joint subcommittee received presentations from representatives from NASA, Dominion Power, the Virginia Math and Science Coalition, Virginia Tech, Micron, the Hispanic Youth Symposium, and several interested members of the public.

    Similar to the visit to TJHSST during the 2006 Interim, the joint subcommittee visited a public school, Mountain View Elementary, during the 2008 Interim to experience an education outreach program sponsored by Micron Technologies.

    Prior to the final meeting, staff compiled a list of potential recommendations for consideration by the joint subcommittee and identified several options that were presented at the final meeting. Listed below are the final legislative recommendations endorsed by the joint subcommittee:

    Legislation: Amend § 22.1-290.01 to qualify students agreeing to teach in a math or science field for the Virginia Teaching Scholarship Loan Program. Included in the proposal is a $150,000 budget amendment to support the program.

    Legislation: Create a pilot program that would provide grants to six school divisions to hire an elementary math specialist. Three of the school division must already have a math specialist and three must not have a math specialist. All six school divisions must be geographically diverse. Requires corresponding budget amendment based on fiscal impact.

    Legislation: Create a fund that will provide matching dollars for school divisions to implement Project Lead the Way (startup costs only). The state will match both local and industry dollars. Must be geographically diverse. Included in proposal is a budget amendment to support the fund.

    Legislation: Draft a resolution endorsing and supporting Project Lead the Way.

    Legislation: Add section requiring the Center for Innovative Technology to survey Virginia's technology industry every two years on the demand for graduates in STEM fields and report findings to institutions of higher education, the General Assembly, and the Joint Commission on Technology and Science.

    Legislation: Draft a resolution encouraging local school boards to form exploratory groups to establish academic year and part-time Governor's schools.

    Legislation: Draft a resolution continuing the HJR 25 Study.

    The Joint Subcommittee intends to submit a final report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor for publication as a House Document, unless its work is continued during the 2008 Regular Session.

    All materials and presentations from the HJR 26 study are available on the joint subcommittee's website, located at http://dls.state.va.us/TechEd.htm.