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158.846 Legislative findings concerning academic achievement in STEM disciplines.

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Page 1 of 1 158.846 Legislative findings concerning academic achievement in STEM disciplines. The General Assembly hereby finds that: <br>(1) The future of Kentucky depends upon the ability to develop intellectual capital that can drive the research and development activities that will allow the <br>Commonwealth to successfully compete in the global knowledge-based economy; (2) Kentucky's natural resources, the nation's need for energy independence, and the worldwide movement toward the creation of cleaner and more sustainable energy <br>technologies afford Kentucky the opportunity to become an international leader in <br>energy diversification; (3) Strengthening Kentucky's position in key areas of the knowledge-based economy, including energy and environmental technology, biosciences, materials science, <br>advanced manufacturing, information technology, human health and development, <br>and other fields, requires a strong and steady stream of researchers, workers, <br>policymakers, and entrepreneurs trained in the STEM disciplines; (4) The number of Kentucky's elementary and secondary students interested in pursuing, and adequately prepared for success in, the STEM disciplines in college <br>and the workforce is insufficient to meet the challenges and opportunities with <br>which Kentucky is confronted; (5) The number of Kentucky's elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers who are highly qualified to provide instruction in the STEM disciplines is insufficient to <br>adequately prepare students for careers in the knowledge-based economy; and (6) Bold, collaborative, and strategic action is needed by all stakeholders in Kentucky's P-20 education system, business sector, and government to improve Kentucky's <br>position for success in the knowledge-based economy by expanding and <br>strengthening STEM educational opportunities from prekindergarten through the <br>doctoral degree level, inspiring more Kentuckians to pursue those opportunities, and <br>linking those opportunities with a coherent set of statewide economic and <br>workforce development strategies. Effective: July 15, 2008 <br>History: Created 2008 Ky. Acts ch. 134, sec. 2, effective July 15, 2008.