|
Twenty-First Century Workforce
A National Priority. A recent National Research Council report, How
People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience and School, assigned a high
priority for the nation to advance research on learning and link it
to the development of learning and information technologies. Research
will:
-
increase basic understanding of the mechanisms of learning linked
to research in biological, environmental, social, and behavioral factors
contributing to children's growth and development;
-
find ways to make formal science, mathematical, engineering, and
technological education more effective and efficient.
The Fiscal 2001 Budget Request. NSF's investment in the 21st Century
Workforce Initiative builds on NSF's year 2000 theme, Educating for the
Future. For 2001, the 21st Century Workforce Initiative amounts to more
than $157 million, an increase of $83.4 million over year 2000.
NSF's Role. The 21st century workforce will need
unprecedented levels of expertise in math, science, engineering and technology.
NSF's long-term goal is to generate a workforce second to none, and to
bring better understanding of science, mathematics and technology to
Americans of all ages, through:
- Development of the Instructional Workforce. Translating increased
understanding of learning into the practice of teaching is done by
better educating the educators. NSF will do this through:
- Centers for Learning and Teaching, which will enhance teacher understanding
of the latest research on learning and the ability to use that information,
as well as content background productively. The centers will encourage
broader participation of underrepresented groups and nurture a new
generation of leaders. A $14-million increase will expand efforts
initiated in fiscal 2000, and total $20 million in fiscal 2001;
- Graduate Teaching Fellowships in K-12 Education (GK-12), which
puts graduate students into K-12 classrooms as resources for teachers.
Funding would be about $28 million in fiscal 2001; and
- Distinguished Teaching Scholars, which reward undergraduate
faculty for integrating research and teaching. Funding is $1.8 million.
- Diversifying the Workforce. The whole spectrum of America's
diversity must be engaged in the workforce to keep America economically
strong and competitive. NSF's emphasis on improving math and science
education for all students is setting the stage for a concerted effort
to broaden and diversify the workplace, including:
- A $10 million initiative for tribal colleges will encourage Native
Americans to pursue fields of study in information technology and
other science and technology areas. It will also allow tribal colleges
to offer relevant courses and to enhance K-12 education in feeder
school systems; and
- NSF will focus on obtaining broader participation of underrepresented
groups in scientific and technological fields by uncovering core
reasons for lower participation, creating networks, partnering with
existing programs, and enhancing partnerships between rural college
campuses and research institutes.
- Near-term Workforce Requirements. The Advanced Technological
Education program will develop opportunities for the training and education
of technology workers with emphasis on information technology, manufacturing,
and teacher development in related areas.
- Networking and Access. In areas where access to technological
resources is limited, NSF will offer opportunities for networking and
access to scientific and technological resources. Key to this activity
is development of the National Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and
Technology Digital Library. The proposed increase for fiscal 2001 is
$12 million, to a total of $27 million.
February 2000
See also: Press Release
Return to Budget page
|
|