Politics

Recently, an article published in the Washington Post revealed that American teenagers are "trailing" others their age in the areas of science and math. Results from the 2006 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) revealed that 15-year-olds in the U.S. placed 16th out of 30 industrialized nations in their science scores; American students placed even farther behind other nations in math, at 23rd.

The Post article, entitled "U.S. Teens Trail Peers Around World on Math-Science Test," highlights the implications of our neglected educational system on the future of American teenagers:

"How are our children going to be able to compete with the children of the world? The answer is not well," said former Colorado governor Roy Romer, chairman of Strong American Schools, a nonpartisan group seeking to make education prominent in the 2008 presidential election.

Recognizing the importance of American competitiveness in an interconnected, globalized world, Congressman Reyes has taken steps to address U.S. educational concerns in science and math. Earlier this year, he created the House Diversity and Innovation Caucus, which focuses on promoting policy to address the under-representation of Hispanics, African Americans and women within the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. In addition, Reyes has sponsored related bills, including the STEM Promotion Act of 2007 and H.R. 1928, to require a report by the National Academy of Sciences on the under-representation of minority groups in STEM, among other legislation. Expanding the STEM pipeline, particularly by encouraging the involvement of women and minorities in STEM fields, is important because it will allow Americans to remain an innovative and competitive force, safeguarding the future prosperity and security of our nation.