Contact: Mel Torre
Phone: (212) 591-8157
E-mail: torrem@asme.org

NEW YORK, May 6, 2003 - The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME International) is asking members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate to appropriate $200 million in fiscal year 2004 for the U.S. Department of Education's Math and Science Partnership (MSP) program designed to improve mathematics and science teaching in schools.
The 120,000-member engineering society on April 29 released a K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics coalition statement that points out the need to build the MSP program, which brings together K-12 teachers and the technical community of scientists, engineering practitioners, engineering professors and other relevant stakeholders.

The coalition warns, "Our nations' K-12 mathematics and science education is in crisis. International tests show our students lagging behind many industrial nations in mathematics and science. National scores remain flat. At the same time, U.S. demand for scientists and engineers is expected to increase at a rate of more than double that of other occupations."

The $200 million appropriation represents a 100 percent increase from FY 03. The additional funding for the partnership program, according to the coalition, is a necessary investment in teacher training.

Features of MSP include integrating technology into classrooms, developing rigorous curricula, and establishing summer institutes and other professional development opportunities.

The position statement, which can be viewed on the ASME Web site at http://www.asme.org/gric/ps/2003/03-15, has been endorsed by 60 engineering societies, educational organizations, and other groups comprising the K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education Coalition.

ASME International is a 120,000-member organization focused on technical, educational and research issues. ASME conducts one of the world's largest technical publishing operations, holds numerous technical conferences worldwide, and offers hundreds of professional development courses each year. ASME sets internationally recognized industrial and manufacturing codes and standards that enhance public welfare and safety.