Enhancing American Competitiveness

 

April 6, 2006

 

“To keep America competitive, one commitment is necessary above all: We must continue to lead the world in human talent and creativity.  Our greatest advantage in the world has always been our educated, hardworking, ambitious people – and we're going to keep that edge.” - President George W. Bush, January 31, 2006

 

Foreign competition in the fields of math and science is leaving America at a competitive disadvantage.  While the U.S. still leads the world in scientific and technological innovation, this nation must continue to be flexible to meet the new realities of today and the daunting challenges of tomorrow.  The Education & the Workforce Committee is at the forefront of this effort.

 

H.R. 609, the College Access & Opportunity Act – passed by the House on March 30, 2006 – includes several reforms to strengthen math, science, and critical foreign language education – and thus, enhance American competitiveness.  Notably, the legislation does so within the framework of existing programs.  No new programs are created.  Below are some provisions of H.R. 609 to strengthen math and science education.

 

  • Within the existing Byrd Honors Scholarship Program, the College Access & Opportunity Act offers a comprehensive approach to strengthening American competitiveness in math and science.  Specifically, H.R. 609 provides:

    • Math & Science Scholarships:  Honors Scholarships would be provided to students pursuing a baccalaureate, masters, or doctoral degree in science, math, or engineering.

    • Student Loan Relief:  Up to $5,000 in student loan interest would be paid on behalf of individuals with degrees in science or math who serve as teachers or other professionals in those fields.

    • Improved Coordination at the State & Local Level:  States would receive grants to better coordinate and implement reforms that improve math and science education, as well as better teacher recruitment and training.

 

  • Republicans, led by Education & the Workforce Committee Member Rep. Cathy McMorris (R-WA), built on these enhancements by adopting an American competitiveness amendment on the House floor, during consideration of H.R. 609.  Again, these reforms were made within the framework of existing programs.  Incorporating key components of President Bush’s American Competitiveness Initiative, the amendment:

    • Increases the number of teachers in advanced placement (AP) math, science, and critical foreign language courses, particularly for low-income students;

    • Recruits well-qualified Americans to serve as adjunct teachers (similar to President Bush’s proposed Adjunct Teacher Corps) in high school math, science, and critical foreign language classes; and

    • Establishes comprehensive teacher preparation programs to encourage students to advance from elementary school through college while achieving proficiency in critical foreign languages.

 

          H.R. 609 builds on the momentum set in motion by the Deficit Reduction Act (P.L. 109-171).  Enacted in February 2006, the Deficit Reduction Act not only made substantial reforms to higher education programs and saved American taxpayers billions of dollars, but it also sharpened the focus on math, science, and education in critical foreign languages.  Below are some specific provisions from the Deficit Reduction Act intended to enhance American competitiveness.

 

  • Academic Competitiveness Grants were established.  Two new sources of aid are available.  To qualify, all students must be low-income and Pell Grant-eligible.  First and second year students who pursue state and locally determined rigorous high school studies could access an additional $750 and $1,300 in college aid, respectively.  Third and fourth year students majoring in math, science, and key foreign languages could receive an additional $4,000 per year.

 

  • High demand teachers will receive expanded student loan forgiveness.  Congressional Republicans have been working for years to support highly qualified teachers, particularly those in key subject areas teaching in low-income schools.  Under the Deficit Reduction Act, highly qualified math, science, and special education teachers will qualify for up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness for teaching for at least five years in a low-income school.  This builds on Republican efforts in 2004 that first provided this expanded loan relief.

 

  • Existing federal math and science programs will be evaluated.  The Deficit Reduction Act established an Academic Competitiveness Council to identify, evaluate, and recommend ways to integrate more than 200 federal math and science programs.  From there, Congress and the Bush Administration will determine how to better coordinate these programs across the federal government.

 

Together with the Deficit Reduction Act, the College Access & Opportunity Act incorporates a multi-faceted, fiscally-responsible approach to strengthening American competitiveness by increasing opportunities for students to study math, science, and key foreign languages.  The measure represents an important step forward for the Education & the Workforce Committee in preparing America’s students and workforce for the challenges of an increasingly competitive 21st Century economy.