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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and |
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Mathematics Initiative is joining with its schools, centers, and |
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partners to observe STEM Education Week May 6-12, 2013; and |
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WHEREAS, Presenting a framework to empower teachers, inspire |
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students, and advance innovation and research, T-STEM is a |
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public-private initiative of academies, professional development |
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centers, and networks; they work together to improve instruction |
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and academic performance in subjects related to science and |
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mathematics; and |
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WHEREAS, The Texas Education Agency has designated 65 T-STEM |
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Academies, which currently serve more than 35,000 students; |
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functioning as demonstration schools and learning labs, the |
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academy's objectives include increasing the number of students |
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entering postsecondary studies and careers in STEM, as well as |
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promoting the long-term development of STEM fields; they also seek |
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to facilitate strong leadership in support of school redesign |
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efforts, quality teacher recruitment, and improved teacher |
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preparation; in 2010, achievement data showed T-STEM Academies were |
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outperforming peer schools; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, the number of jobs in STEM fields is growing |
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rapidly, especially in Texas; in order to ensure that future |
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professionals acquire the necessary deep content knowledge and |
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skills, the state has made significant investments in STEM, driving |
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substantial gains in student achievement and fostering |
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cross-sector collaboration; and |
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WHEREAS, The continued prosperity of the Lone Star State |
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depends on the availability of a skilled workforce with a solid |
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foundation in the necessary disciplines, and the expansion of |
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educational opportunities in STEM is a matter of vital concern to |
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all Texans; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize May 6-12, 2013, as STEM Education Week |
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and commend all those engaged in the effort to make our state a |
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national leader in science, technology, engineering, and |
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mathematics. |