Senate finally ready to fund math and science ed

Complaints of inadequate funding for math and science from everyone from Bill Gates to scientists and school administrators have finally influenced a group of senators to proposed a bill to bolster federal investments in math, science and technology education and research, reports CNET News

Senators Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), have announced the America Competes Act which calls for a summit "to examine the health and direction of the United States' science and technology enterprises."

The bill contains more funding for NASA funding and the National Science Foundation, as well as the Department of Energy's Office of Science, over the next decade.

Millions of dollars would also go to expand existing graduate research fellowships, to create math, science and engineering summer internships for middle and high school students, and to train additional teachers to gain math and science prowess.

The America Competes Act is one of many bills that have been proposed to Congress in an attempt to better fund math and science. It remains to be seen whether Congress will pass this one, but so far 11 other senators from both parties have signed on as sponsors.