Obama & Industry Leaders Fund STEM Initiative:

In response to a national trend of slipping math and science test scores, President Obama along with industry leaders and universities have pledged an increase of funding to boost U.S. competitiveness. The funding is focused on the STEM education initiative from on-the-job teacher training to school improvement programs in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. Math and science test scores are dropping on an international scale. Once at the forefront in these subjects, the U.S. has fallen behind its global competitors  

This announcement follows in the momentum of The Innovation and Economy Conference hosted by the Aspen Institute and Intel in December. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan pledged to provide funding for the most competitive education programs throughout the country in an effort to increase test scores in key subjects. Executive Director and CEO of the American Chemical Society, Madeline Jacobs, reiterated the importance of education in STEM fields to generate jobs and new technologies making the United States more globally competitive.

The partnership between the government and technology industry leaders emphasizes the importance the funding will have on education programs and economic output.