SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5617

BYSenator Fleming

Encouraging entering teaching as part of the mathematics, engineering, and science achievement program.

Senate Committee on Higher Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 21, 1989; February 27, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Saling, Chairman; Patterson, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Cantu, Smitherman, Stratton, von Reichbauer.

Senate Staff:Jean Six (786-7423)

                  March 16, 1989

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 15, 1989

BACKGROUND:

A report by the Task Force on Women, Minorities, and the Handicapped in Science and Technology indicates that by the year 2010 the United States will face a shortage of 560,000 technicians in science and engineering.  Of the new people entering the labor market between 1985 and 2000 most will be women, immigrants and minorities.  Blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans will constitute more than one-third of the future college-age population.  The National Science Foundation points out that if minority populations are not trained early for high-tech careers, industry and colleges will be forced to become dependent on foreign-born students and faculty.

Only two major programs are available in this state to nurture minority students talented in math and science.  The oldest is the UW's Minority Engineering Program.  The other is the Minority Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) center for middle and high school students.  In partnership with higher education institutions, school districts, businesses, and community organizations, MESA provides after-school and Saturday classes, group science projects and regular field trips to high-tech factories and university campuses.  More than 90 percent of the MESA students go on to college and two-thirds of the college bound pursue studies in science or engineering.

SUMMARY:

The mathematics, engineering, and science achievement program (MESA) will expand its focus to encourage minority students to enter the teaching profession in the fields of mathematics, engineering and science.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Nate Miles for Senator Fleming