Cornyn Joins AISD, UT Austin Representatives to Highlight Joint Efforts to Meet Local Math & Science Teacher Shortage

Press Release

Cornyn Joins AISD, UT Austin Representatives to Highlight Joint Efforts to Meet Local Math & Science Teacher Shortage

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, today visited Austin High School to highlight efforts to meet a local shortage in certified science and math teachers. Sen. Cornyn was joined by Michael Houser, Assistant Superintendent of the Austin Independent School District (AISD), who announced the school district is currently facing a shortage of certified math and science teachers. They were also joined by Dr. Mary Ann Rankin, Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at University of Texas at Austin, and other representatives from the university's UTeach program, which has partnered with AISD to recruit and prepare students at the high school level to pursue higher education degrees in math or science education.

"As the home to some of the world's leading technology companies, Austin must continue to generate talented professionals skilled in math, science and computer science. One challenge, in Austin and across the state, is a major shortfall in the production of certified math and science teachers who have come through the traditional process," Sen. Cornyn said.

"Thankfully, due to the innovation and collaboration of AISD and the University of Texas at Austin's UTeach program, efforts are already underway to recruit and prepare high school students for a degree in math or science education. I applaud the efforts of AISD, UTeach, and the Austin High School teachers I visited with today in meeting this important need. I will continue to do my part in the U.S. Senate to support and implement education policies that place more control in the hands of local administrators and teachers, while increasing the investment of federal resources in math and science education."

Sen. Cornyn has worked on several legislative initiatives to complement and support the important efforts of UTeach and AISD. Among other initiatives, Sen. Cornyn was an original cosponsor of the America COMPETES Act, which was signed into law on August 9, 2007, and authorizes over $30 billion to invest in science, technology, engineering and math research and education programs. The new law focuses on three primary areas of importance to maintaining and improving our nation's innovation in the 21st Century: increasing research investment; strengthening educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics from elementary through graduate school; and developing an innovation infrastructure.

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