To the editor:
Whether people agree or disagree with President Obama's politics and policies, he sparked a national discussion recently when he introduced his vision for America "Winning the Future." While there is plenty of disagreement regarding how to achieve that lofty, yet essential, goal — winning the jobs and industries of the future — the goal itself is the right one.
In 1983, the U.S. was first in the world in high school and college graduation rates. Today, it is 20th and 16th, respectively. Our decline is most stark in math and science where our children rank behind students in most industrialized countries. The patently obvious point is that strong math and science education for our children is fundamental to that goal.
It is with nothing short of this national and local backdrop that I want to share with you my reasons for filing a budget amendment with the support of many of my colleagues seeking to increase state funding for an important fledgling education program that is addressing this challenge. The context is national, the funding a unique — a public/private partnership, and the tangible results are right here in Salem.
The National Math and Science Initiative was formed to address the declining number of students who are prepared to take rigorous college courses in math and science and equipped for careers in those fields. In 2008, Massachusetts was one of just six states selected to participate in an innovative program funded by the National Math and Science Initiative. A five-year program that will bring $13.2 million in funding to bear for Massachusetts public high schools, the Mass Math and Science Initiative (MMSI) was organized by Mass Insight Education in partnership with the commonwealth of Massachusetts and private funders.
In three short years, MMSI has become both the state's largest high school STEM program and its largest program dedicated to closing achievement gaps for underserved students. The program has more than doubled AP math, science and English enrollment in partner schools, and has generated a 96 percent increase in qualifying scores on these AP exams. MMSI now serves more than 6,500 students in 45 schools.
In Salem's first year in the program, MMSI has made significant progress, with 126 new students enrolled in AP level classes. While it will take a few years to see program results, neighboring communities have seen a 100 to 200 percent increase in qualifying scores.
Recently during debate on the fiscal year 2012 budget, the House adopted my amendment to add $400,000 to fund this program. State funding is essential for continued growth and success of the program, and that $1 million investment will allow MMSI to leverage an additional $4 million from national and Massachusetts nonprofit and private funders in 2012.
MMSI provides extensive teacher training, academic support for students and privately funded financial awards for teachers and students. Schools participating in the program sign agreements with MMSI, which include specific achievement targets.
Without state funding, this progress could be a wasted effort. No child who wants to pursue a rigorous AP class should be denied because of a lack of funding.
As a parent with kids in the Salem school system and a former Salem High AP student, I want every child to have the opportunity to challenge themselves.
John Keenan
State Representative
7th Essex District
Salem
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