Dr. Vince Bertram, key witness on Project Lead The Way’s role in STEM Education
(Washington, DC) –Congressman Larry Bucshon, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Research, held a hearing on Wednesday to examine industry and non-profit philanthropic science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education initiatives. One of the key witnesses to give testimony was Dr. Vince Bertram, President and CEO of Project Lead the Way (PLTW) and former Superintendent of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC).
Congressman Larry Bucshon (IN-08) states:
“I believe STEM education is an essential element in America’s economic growth and competitiveness,†said Congressman Bucshon. “As we consider federal support for STEM education we must also recognize the importance of private sector and non-profit collaborations to STEM education. I am pleased that Dr. Bertram joined the committee to discuss Project Lead The Way’s innovative programming and its impact on education.â€
President and CEO of PLTW and former Superintendent of the EVSC, Dr. Vince Bertram states:
“Project Lead The Way is committed to increasing student access to STEM education through rigorous, high-quality, in-school curriculum. The current STEM and skills gap crisis will require leadership, collaboration, and proven educational strategies,†said PLTW President and CEO Dr. Vince Bertram. “Project Lead The Way was proud to participate in Wednesday’s important discussion, and we thank chairman Bucshon and the subcommittee for making STEM education a national priority.â€
The rest of the story:
WIKI
The exact definitions of what is within the purview of STEM, and what is excluded, varies from organization to organization. In 2012, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an expanded list of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) designated-degree programs that qualify eligible graduates on student visas for an optional practical training (OPT) extension. Under the OPT program, international students who graduate from colleges and universities in the United States are able to remain in the country and receive training through work experience for up to 12 months. Students who graduate from a designated STEM degree program can remain for an additional 17 months on an OPT STEM extension.
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So it looks as if the department of homeland security has some concern that we have all these foreign individuals in our country on work visas in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. I would agree that is something that needs to be addressed.
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press,
Could the DHS be concerned that these international graduates in the STEM fields may take their learning back to their homelands and our economy will gain nothing but their tuition and expense dollars for the time the spent in our colleges? Are they considering we might find that knowledge being used to compete against us if they go home? Would it not be possible that the DHS plan is making it possible for these highly skilled graduates to stay in the USA for 12 to 29 months, so they will be more accustomed to our standard of living, more apt to become citizens and continue to use their training to benefit our/their country?
If our colleges and universities are teaching them, wouldn’t be it better to retain as many of these well-trained, creative and innovative young people with an eye to the future when the current crop retire?
After all, most of us had ancestors who weren’t born here, but came to America for the opportunities it offered. In the past, most started at the bottom, but today, more and more are better educated and able to start higher on the ladder of success.
Is that a bad thing?
1. “…Dr. Vince Bertram, President and CEO of Project Lead the Way (PLTW) and former Superintendent of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC).”
2. “…President and CEO of PLTW and former Superintendent of the EVSC, Dr. Vince Bertram states:”
3. “…said PLTW President and CEO Dr. Vince Bertram.”
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1. “…–Congressman Larry Bucshon, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Research”
2. “…Congressman Larry Bucshon (IN-08) states:”
3. “…said Congressman Bucshon.”
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IS IT TRUE… that the repetitious listing of Bertram’s current and past titles is a bit of overkill?
Yes, he was superintendent of the EVSC and YES, he left local taxpayers in a ton of debt and unfinished construction and academic improvement projects when he rushed off to take a job that, when you include the perks, pays over $1 million per year.
If he was in Washington, DC it was to promote PLTW, which is a not for profit foundation backed by the likes of 3M and other large corporations who want people trained for them to hire. He is working really hard to make himself appear more important to the board of directors and justify moving his office from the east coast to Indianapolis. He has rebuilt one office and built and moved into two more new ones in a 6 year period.
Does anyone have a link to the minutes of this meeting?
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