REPORT ON BILLS FAVORABLY REPORTED BY COMMITTEE

TITLE OF BILL:

AN ACT CONCERNING THE ADVANCED STUDY IN MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE INITIATIVE.

SPONSORS OF BILL:

REASONS FOR BILL:

This bill was introduced in order to “provide funding for the Advanced Study in Mathematics and Science Initiative.”

RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:

State of Connecticut Department of Higher Education testified: “The Department concurs that the community colleges can provide appropriate enrichment opportunities in mathematics and the sciences for secondary students.” … “To encourage opportunities for high school students to enroll in courses at all of the state's colleges and universities, a statewide taskforce of public and independent colleges convened by the Department of Higher Education is developing recommendations for establishing appropriate dual enrollment standards”…“The number of Connecticut high school students receiving college level credits while still enrolled in high school is growing in the state, and for that reason appropriate safeguards, as well as, incentives are important considerations, especially in mathematics and the sciences.”

NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:

Chancellor Marc S. Herzog, Connecticut Community Colleges testified: “Attracting students to programs of study and careers that require rigorous preparation in math and science is critical if the State of Connecticut is to have the skilled workforce needed to compete in the global knowledge-based economy of the 21^st century. Offering students the ability to strengthen their skills in math and science and encouraging them to explore career skills and educational requirements in the fields of engineering, technology, and allied health could be supported by establishing a funding system that would underwrite enrollment in college-level math and science courses at Community Colleges for students at Connecticut's comprehensive and technical high schools.”

NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:

None Expressed