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Governor Rendell Commends Teachers for Enhancing Science Education in Pennsylvania

Posted on: Thursday, 10 August 2006, 12:00 CDT

PITTSBURGH, Aug. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today lauded the efforts and commitment of some 200 teachers, superintendents and local education leaders who are working to revamp Pennsylvania's elementary science education programs. The Governor said his $10 million 'Science: It's Elementary' initiative will help bring science to life for thousands of students across the state.

"To succeed in the globally competitive job market, students need an in-depth understanding of science and technology," Governor Rendell said. "That is why it is important to recognize the teachers who are leading the charge and are preparing themselves to ensure that they are adequately trained and equipped to fully engage our youngest students in a high-quality science curriculum.

"When our students finish high school and college and begin their job search in the high-tech marketplace, they will be competing against the best and brightest from all over the world. So we must begin preparing them now. 'Science: It's Elementary' provides the platform to do that."

Governor Rendell addressed the group of 200 educators as part of a weeklong professional development seminar that will prepare teachers to provide hands-on learning in the world of science to students in 78 schools in 36 counties. Thirty-six schools are participating in this week's training. The remaining 42 schools will be trained Oct. 8-13.

Each school team received research and standards-based training on science content and teaching methodology. These skills will then be brought to the classroom through the utilization of materials and equipment that will allow students to conduct experiments in the 2006-07 school year.

"This is really groundbreaking for Pennsylvania," the Governor added. "Teachers will literally be able to turn their classroom into a laboratory, enabling their students to become scientists. It is not unusual to see lab stations in our high school science classes, but you do not come across too many elementary schools with the tools and resources necessary to provide hands-on instruction."

`Science: It's Elementary' replicates ASSET Inc., a Bayer Foundation- initiated model that provides participating teachers with high-quality professional development. Throughout southwestern Pennsylvania, 48 school districts have already implemented ASSET's model in their classrooms.

"We are very excited that this new partnership with Pennsylvania is expanding our efforts to include more schools, teachers and students," said Dr. Reeny Davison, executive director of ASSET Inc. "Our collective work has already paid great dividends for many children and now countless more students will benefit."

Governor Rendell's 2006-07 budget also provides $635 million in new investments for pre-K through 12th grades for the 2006-07 school year. This marks an 8-percent increase over 2005-06 funding.

This school year, Governor Rendell's $200 million "Classrooms for the Future" initiative will put an Internet-equipped laptop on every student's English, Math, Science and History desk in 100 high schools across the state.

Governor Rendell also remains committed to the Accountability Block Grant program launched two years ago. Under the 2006-07 budget, the funding for the program will increase from $200 million to $250 million - creating opportunities for thousands of children to attend pre-kindergarten and full- day kindergarten, and to learn in classes with fewer students. Additionally, the Head Start program, which was funded for the first time in Pennsylvania by the Governor, will benefit from a $40 million investment - $10 million more than last year - that will aid 1,000 more children across Pennsylvania.

For more information about `Science: It's Elementary,' the Governor's 2006-07 education budget, or the Pennsylvania Department of Education, visit http://www.pde.state.pa.us/.

The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us/.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Below is a list of school districts attending this week's `Science: It's Elementary' professional development and strategic planning institute.

County District School(s) Allegheny Duquesne City Duquesne Elementary Allegheny Elizabeth Forward Elizabeth Elementary Allegheny Sto-Rox Sto-Rox Elementary Allegheny Urban League of Urban League of Pittsburgh Charter Pittsburgh School Armstrong Leechburg Area David Leech Elementary Beaver Ambridge Area Highland Elementary and State Street Elementary Beaver Rochester Area Rochester Elementary School Beaver Western Beaver County Fairview Elementary School Bedford Bedford Area Bedford Elementary Bedford Tussey Mountain Defiance Elementary Blair Spring Cove East Freedom Elementary Butler Slippery Rock Area Moriane Elementary Butler South Butler County South Butler Intermediate School Cambria Blacklick Valley Blacklick Valley Elementary School Cambria Cambria Heights Cambria Heights Elementary School Cambria Forest Hills Forest Hills Elementary School Cambria Northern Cambria Northern Cambria Elementary Cambria Portage Area Portage Area Elementary/Middle School Centre Bellefonte Area Pleasant Gap Elementary Clarion Union City Area Rimersburg Elementary Erie Erie City Wayne Elementary and McKinley Elementary Erie Girard Elk Valley Elementary Erie Union City Area Union City Elementary Indiana Marion Center Area W.A. McCreery Middle School Lawrence Mohawk Area Mohawk Elementary Lawrence New Castle Area G.W. Intermediate School Lawrence Wilmington Area Wilmington Area Middle School Mercer Farrell Area Farrell Area Elementary Mercer Greenville Area Hempfield Elementary Potter Oswayo Valley Oswayo Valley Elementary Warren Warren County Allegheny Valley Elementary Washington Charleroi Charleroi Area Elementary Washington Ringgold Donora Elementary Westmoreland Yough West Newton Elementary CONTACT: Kate Philips +1-717-783-1116 Brian McDonald, PDE +1-717-783-9802

Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

CONTACT: Kate Philips, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor,+1-717-783-1116; or Brian McDonald, PDE, +1-717-783-9802

Web site: http://www.governor.state.pa.us/http://www.pde.state.pa.us/

Source: PRNewswire

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