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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 22, 2004

SCHUMER SECURES $150,000 FOR SUNY CORTLAND FOR THEIR SCIENCE TEACHING INITIATIVE

Funding included in new FY05 Omnibus Appropriations report

Funds will be used to increase recruitment of students to science teaching, better prepare prospective teachers and improve retention rates of science educated students

Senator Charles E. Schumer announced today that Congress passed the Fiscal Year 2005 Omnibus Appropriations bill which included $150,000 in federal funds for SUNY Cortland. The funds were included in the Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations section of the bill. The bill will proceed to the President to be signed into law.

"The need to get qualified people into the classroom has never been greater. We need to show young people that a career in the classroom can be one of promise, not of sacrifice," Schumer said. "Today's funds would help SUNY Cortland deal with this teacher crisis, specifically in Science, and show young people the importance of work in the field."

SUNY Cortland would use the funds to improve the science and science-teacher educational experience of students at their school. Their goal is to increase the recruitment of students to science teaching, better prepare prospective teachers, and improve the retention rate of both science-education students and practicing science teachers. They would use the funds to help with project coordination, field sampling and studies, classroom and laboratory investigations, and information technology and outreach activities and materials.

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