The America Competes Act, which was signed into law last August, has a vital mission: keep jobs in America by promoting research and innovation.
“Last year, America produced about 25 percent of the world’s wealth with just 5 percent of the world’s population,” says Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander, who helped lead Republican efforts on the legislation.
“Education and workforce development are two of our biggest tools to help keep a high standard of living and prevent jobs from going overseas. But we need to make sure we are encouraging programs in math and science education so that we can keep our brainpower advantage and remain competitive with countries like China and India.”
While he sees The America COMPETES Act as a great start, Alexander said, “We need to make sure we are funding these programs every year.”
The bipartisan legislation was developed to promote innovation and business growth by doubling funding for basic research in physical sciences. The additional dollars may help scientists explore target clusters such as nanotechnology, supercomputing, and alternative energy sources.
The act authorizes the President’s Math Now program, which will give teachers research-based tools and professional development to improve elementary, and middle school students’ achievement in math.
In Tennessee, the act will help support cutting-edge programs such as the collaboration between East Tennessee State University’s (ETSU) Center of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Education and Eastman Chemical Co. The ETSU/Eastman summer academy offers professional development to over 50 teachers from across the state, followed by extensive development and training activities for the participants throughout the academic year.
“Eastman is investing more than $1 million at ETSU over the next five to seven years, which will provide each teacher with a $600 stipend, $700 in school math supplies, and $1,000 in college tuition fees – a total commitment of $2,300 per teacher,” says Alexander. “This is exactly the type of programs we need, and is an example of what the America COMPETES Act supports to help Tennessee keep our competitive edge”
Alexander says the Workforce Investment Act needs to be improved in order to “provide Tennesseans with the training they need to stay active in the workforce with improved skills for today’s jobs.”
The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) provides job training to unemployed and underemployed individuals through a system of One-Stop Centers. Alexander said he supported a bipartisan bill to reauthorize and strengthen WIA. The measured cleared the Senate in 2005 but it was never acted on by the House of Representatives.
For information in Memphis about WIA job training, contact the Memphis Area Career Center, 444 North Main; 901-545-2240.
