By Eric Weaver, Intel's director of education and workforce policyIntel welcomes the Administration’s and Congress’ renewed focus on schools and education as demonstrated by several actions taken this week. We are very encouraged that the President’s American Jobs Act supports modernizing school classrooms as well as computer and science labs, investments which we believe will bolster Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. We also see the five education bills introduced by Senators Alexander, Burr, Isakson and Kirk and House action on charter schools legislation as catalysts for the long overdue reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
This encouragement comes while Intel’s Schools of Distinction finalists from 18 schools throughout the country are in Washington, DC meeting with Members of Congress. Intel’s Schools of Distinction Awards (SODA) program honors U.S. K-12 schools that have some of the most successful math and science educational programs in the country, with a total of $1 million in cash grants and awards to the winning schools.
While we are still reviewing the proposed legislation, we support these and other efforts to restart the education conversation and look forward to working with the Administration and Members of Congress to promote our shared vision for improving our nation’s schools.
In the meantime, please join me in congratulating our SODA finalists and thanking them for their dedication to America’s future innovators. Tonight the winners will be announced. Good luck to all.
Global Government and Manufacturing Communications for Intel