TBEC's 13th Annual VIP Briefing took place on February 9th at the Renaissance Hotel in Austin. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison opened the briefing with a keynote address that focused on the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education to the state s future economic competitiveness.

Following Senator Hutchison's keynote, the overflow audience, which included several Texas Legislators and staff members, heard presentations on two widely circulated and highly regarded documents plus new research on the supply, demand, and quality of Texas secondary math and science teachers.

Presenting their Common Ground report, Sandy Kress, former education advisor to President Bush; Mike Moses, former Texas Commissioner of Education; attorney David Thompson; and Jim Windham, chairman of the Texas Institute for Education Reform, discussed college/workforce readiness, accountability, resources, and control. You may view their Common Ground document here.

Dr. Ed Fuller, Special Research Associate at the University of Texas at Austin, presented new research that suggests a critical shortage in both the supply and quality of high school math and science teachers. The research outlines the possible impact this will have on the 4x4 requirement for students completing the Recommended High School Program.  Dr. Fuller's power point presentation and his research paper can be read here, here and here.