Plan to bolster math, science

Gov. Matt Blunt wants to spend an extra $3.6 million in the next state budget to better educate Missouri students about math and science.

Blunt plans to outline his budget during his State of the State speech Wednesday night. During stops in Cape Girardeau, Kansas City, St. Joseph and St. Louis Monday, he touted the need for more spending on math and science programs.

The governor wants to expand a state program that provides teachers with lessons on how to incorporate the Internet and other technology in the classroom. Blunt's plan includes $2.9 million to fund 100 classrooms in 100 schools.

The existing program, which relies on federal funds, currently serves more than 20,000 students in 500 schools in about 230 school districts. If the legislature agrees, this would be the first state revenue directed to the program, state officials said.

Surrounded by local educators late Monday afternoon at the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center, Blunt said he will recommend spending $1 million on after-school programs that focus on math, science and health. He also proposed spending $250,000 to cover up to half of students' costs to take Advanced Placement tests in math and science that can earn students college credit.

The programs would be administered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The agency also has pledged to earmark $250,000 of its professional development funding to instruct teachers on computer and other technology and $100,000 to get more teachers certified to teach Advanced Placement courses.

Blunt said his administration has consistently pushed for increased funding for education. "However, we need to do even more to make investments that focus on areas such as math and science that will prepare Missouri students to be innovative and competitive in a global economy," he said.

Blunt said American students lag behind their counterparts in other nations when it comes to math and science skills. The governor said 38 percent of Missouri's college freshmen need remedial coursework, much of it in math.

As for after-school programs, Blunt said they are important both in terms of education and safety.

Many students need to be in organized programs from 3 to 6 p.m., he said.

"That's the most dangerous time to be a child," he said. "Too many kids are alone and unsupervised."

Blunt's plan to spend money on math and science comes on the heels of efforts by the Missouri Mathematics, Engineering, Technology and Science organization to focus attention on these subjects. The group was set up by Blunt.

Debra Hollingsworth, who chairs the METS Alliance, praised Blunt's spending plan. "We thank him for giving us our start and putting our words into action," she said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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