Investing in STEM Education
A Field Trip — Columbus, Ohio, March 04-06, 2009
Issue Brief: Advancing STEM Learning across the Educational Pipeline: Statewide Efforts in Ohio
Overview
Educating more students in the disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics is increasingly seen as essential if America is to remain competitive in the 21st century innovation-based economy. Under the direction of Governor Ted Strickland the state of Ohio has strengthened its P-16 approach to STEM education with strong support from the business community. In 2005, the Ohio Business Roundtable and its non-profit affiliate, the Ohio Business Alliance for Higher Education and the Economy, adopted the goal of doubling the number of baccalaureate degrees awarded in STEM by 2015, with a particular emphasis on increasing the minority and low income graduate numbers. Gov. Strickland then gathered key policy, business, education, and philanthropic partners to construct Ohio’s STEM advancement. An early success of their work was winning a two-year, $500,000 grant from the National Governor’s Association to construct a regional STEM Center. This regional center in Dayton, Ohio, focuses on teacher professional development, curriculum design, and overall STEM support for the Dayton region. The center collaborates with the existing Miami Valley Career Technology Center by targeting two flourishing economic clusters of power/propulsion and advanced manufacturing technologies. Future regional STEM centers in Ohio will be modeled on the Dayton regional center. Bi-partisan legislative leadership has also played a critical role in supporting the STEM agenda. Ohio’s commitment to statewide STEM education resulted in more than $200 million being allocated in the FY 2008-2009 Biennial Budget. Investment in STEM education has been successful to date in Ohio due to bipartisan leadership that has worked collaboratively with public-private partnerships to promote the state’s comprehensive P-16 STEM education system.
During the trip we met with state and district leaders, and these meetings will provide time to delve deeper into the strategies and policies being implemented to infuse STEM into high school education. We met with students, teachers, and school leaders to hear about their on-the-ground experiences with reform efforts. Meetings and site visits helped provide context to the invaluable discussions and peer learning opportunities throughout the trip.
To view a webinar on “State Plans for STEM: Building Consensus, Designing the Plan, and Aligning Initiatives,” please click here: STEM Webinar
Speaker Biographies
Dr. John D. Stanford, is the executive assistant for education policy to Governor Ted Strickland. In his current position, Dr. Stanford advises the Governor on education policy issues ranging from pre-school to higher education and the workforce. Prior to joining the Governor’s office, Dr. Stanford was Columbus City Schools’ special assistant to the superintendent for board services and government affairs. In serving the district close to five years, Dr. Stanford was the district’s senior executive for government affairs and board governance. Dr. Stanford was the deputy director of legislative services for the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) prior to joining Columbus City Schools. Over the five years at OSBA, Dr. Stanford was also the deputy director of research services, the Urban Commission’s staff coordinator, and director of the education information center. Dr. Stanford also served as an assistant and adjunct assistant professor at The Ohio State University’s School of Public Policy and Management, now the John Glenn School of Public Affairs.
Dr. Stanford earned a bachelor and master’s degree from Central Michigan University and a juris doctor and doctor of philosophy degree from The Ohio State University. Dr. Stanford is a former commissioner of the City of Columbus’ Community Relations Commission, a co-founder and past president of the 100 Black Men of Central Ohio, a past member of the 100 Black Men of America’s board of directors, a past member of the 100 Black Men of America, a past member of the United Way of Central Ohio’s Public Policy Committee, a past member of the Family and Children First Council’s Community Relations Committee, a past member of the Columbus Africentric Early College Steering Board, and a past member of the Student Mobility Public Policy Committee. Dr. Stanford is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated and a volunteer celebrity chef for the Friends of Art for Community Enrichment summer taster for the past several years. Dr. Stanford and his wife Robin Lipscomb-Stanford are the proud parents of Nia Stanford.
Thomas J. Lasley II, is Dean, School of Education and Allied Professions at the University of Dayton. Prior to his university experience, he completed his baccalaureate (1969), masters (1972) and doctoral degree (1978) at the Ohio State University.
Dr. Lasley is past president of the Project 30 Alliance, a national organization that interfaces the interests of education and arts and sciences faculty and is past president of the Dayton Council on World Affairs, a regional organization that focuses on international affairs. He serves on a variety of nonprofit boards or committees including Dayton Literary Peace Prize, Boonshoft Museum of Natural History (Trustee Emeritus), Think TV Network (Education Chair), Dayton Digital Technology High School (President of the Board), Ohio Teacher Quality Partnership(Co-chair), and Young People Succeeding. He has also served on a variety of regional and state level commissions and boards including the Ohio Governor’s Commission on Teaching Success and the Ohio Board of Regents’ Planning and Accountability Committee.
Dr. Lasley has published in excess of 70 articles in professional journals and also has published a wide variety of op-eds in both regional and national newspapers (Education Week, Columbus Dispatch, Dayton Daily News). He has authored or co-authored 11 books. He was instrumental in helping to co-found the Dayton Early College Academy, which is a unique educational partnership between the University of Dayton and the Dayton Public Schools.
Dr. Andrews, has invested over 20 years in developing, implementing, evaluating, and administering programs designed to prevent problem behavior in adolescents and young adults. He has administered longitudinal research studies funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute of Drug Abuse focusing on the prevention of adolescent and young adult problem behavior. In 2000, Dr. Andrews founded the Center for Learning Excellence of the John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy at The Ohio State University. He currently serves as Director of this center, which is charged with supporting evidence-based prevention and intervention initiatives in Ohio. Dr. Andrews served on the National Positive Youth Development Research Advisory Board and is a regular consultant to local, state, and national policymakers on issues related to children and youth.
Dr. Andrews is leading the current OSU effort to build a model, world class early childhood center in the Weinland Park neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio. This is the first university initiative to partner with public schools and the city to establish an early childhood laboratory school in a low-income area. The center will provide state-of-the- art training for students, a facility for best practices, an environment for innovative research as well as resources for the community including family advocacy and a wellness suite for pediatric care.
Instrumental in the development of The Ohio State University's Service Learning Initiative, Dr. Andrews has helped develop numerous programs to enhance university/community relations. He recently chaired the Task Force on Preventing Celebratory Riots for The Ohio State University and the City of Columbus, and continues to provide leadership in implementing the Task Force's recommendations.
Rich Rosen, is the Corporate Vice President, Education and Philanthropy Partnerships, at Battelle. The objective of “…improving the education of men and women to better prepare them for employment” has been included in Battelle’s “Mission and Core Purposes” since its inception in 1929. Toward that end, Rich Rosen leads Battelle’s educational initiatives in Ohio and across the United States that are intended to measure student achievement, assist with professional development for teachers, and promote inquiry-based learning, especially in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines. Rich is responsible for Battelle’s corporate engagement and philanthropic activities in education outreach and public/private community development. He is also Executive Director of the Ohio STEM Learning Network, a public/private initiative with the State of Ohio and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Throughout his 28-year career at Battelle, Rich has held corporate and senior management positions across the organization, including general management of product development and medical device technical groups. He has served on numerous non-profit boards and currently is on the boards of Action for Children, I Know I Can, Metropolitan High School Partnership Group, Science and Technology Campus Corporation, and a steering committee member for the National Governor’s Association Ohio STEM Center. In 2007, The Ohio State University College of Engineering conferred Mr. Rosen with a Distinguished Alumni Award. He was also recognized with the BioOhio Leadership Award for his work in bioscience industry advancement in Ohio.
Mr. Rosen holds a Masters Degree in Biomedical Engineering from The Ohio State University and a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering from Kettering University. He joined Battelle in 1981.
Mr. Ricardo Negron is currently the Air Force Technology Transfer Program Manager with the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Mr. Negron is responsible for the identification, negotiation, establishment and management of AFRL’s domestic partnerships. Mr. Negron also represents AFRL in educational outreach activities involving Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and advices the AFRL Executive Director in the formulation of partnerships and collaborations with industry, academia, federal and state governments.
Mr. Negron career in AFRL began in 1999, as Directed Energy Directorate representative to HQ AFRL. Soon after, Mr. Negron became the Chief of the Air Force Technology Transfer Office where he established his reputation as the leading expert in formulation and management of key Air Force and Department of Defense partnerships. Mr. Negron was responsible for management of the Technology Transfer, Small Business Innovation Research, and Independent Research and Development programs. Mr. Negron also served as the Chief of the AFRL Strategic Planning Branch, where he was responsible for the development and execution of the AF Science and Technology Strategic Plan. Mr. Negron also served in the AFRL Sensors Directorate as Research and Technology Applications Program Manager, advising the director in the development of collaborations with federal and non-federal institutions.
From 1986 to 1999, Mr. Negron served in the development and management of multiple Air Force programs in the Aeronautical Systems Center Engineering Directorate. Programs included the F-16 Fighting Falcon, C-17 Globemaster III, and the Airborne Laser.
Mr. Negron holds a Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, a Masters of Science Degree in Electro-Optics from the University of Dayton, and a Certificate in Business Leadership from the University of Dayton Executive Leadership Institute.
Mr. Negron resides in Liberty Township, Ohio with his wife BernaDette, their daughter Victoria and their Yorkie, Chewbacca.
Susan Bodary, is an education policy expert and reform leader with deep experience leading sustainable change. Active at the regional, state and national level, she was the architect of Ohio’s college and career ready graduation requirement legislation, the Ohio Core, when she served as Education & Workforce Advisor to Governor Bob Taft. Currently, Susan advises state policy makers as Senior Policy Consultant on the State Leadership Team for Achieve and assists clients with strategic education policy and program development, stakeholder engagement and advocacy through her work as a Principal with Education First Consulting. She is based at the University of Dayton where she leads EDvention, a collaborative of more than 80 partner organizations dedicated to building science, technology, engineering and science talent to grow the economy in Dayton Region, Ohio.
Marilyn Troyer is Senior Associate Superintendent at the Ohio Department of Education. In this role, she oversees the work of the Department’s five centers: Curriculum and Assessment; Teaching Profession; Students, Families, and Communities; School Improvement; and School Finance.
Serving at the Department of Education since 1990, Dr. Troyer has been instrumental in the design and implementation of many statewide initiatives focused on improving teaching and learning in Ohio schools.
Dr. Troyer is committed to the value of a quality public education system and the central role that educators play in that system.
Jon Husted was first elected to the legislature in 2000, representing Ohio’s 37th House District. In 2005 and again in 2007, Husted’s colleagues honored him by electing him Speaker of the Ohio House. As speaker, Husted was responsible for all of the functions of the Ohio House. In addition, he served as the chair of the House Rules and Reference Committee and of the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee.
Serving in his first term in the Ohio Senate, Senator Husted continues to remain committed to making sure each child has the best opportunities available for a quality education and advocating for politics that will help improve Ohio’s economy and create better jobs. During the 127th General Assembly, Husted strengthened education in Ohio by leading the efforts to create the Choose Ohio First Scholarship, which will provide $100 million in STEM (science, technology, mathematics and medicine) scholarship funds to Ohio students attending Ohio colleges and universities. Husted led the legislative effort to reform the tax code and the passage of the most fiscally conservative budget in more than 40 years that included a 21 percent income tax cut – the largest income tax cut in Ohio history. He has championed efforts to improve education by expanding school choice options for Ohio children and families. Husted furthered these efforts in the 126th General Assembly with the unveiling of the Ohio Educational Choice Scholarship Program – a nationally recognized initiative that provides educational options to children and families.
An Ohio native, Husted attended the University of Dayton, where he earned All-American Defensive Back honors as a member of the 1989 Division III National Championship football team. After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree at UD, Husted stayed in the Dayton area and worked for the Montgomery County Commissioners and later as Vice-President of Business and Economic Development at the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce. It was while serving in this position that he decided to run for political office.
Senator Husted serves as Chairman of the Government Oversight Committee, a newly created committee to ensure the Ohio Senate has an appropriate venue to promote increased accountability and transparency in the operation of state government offices and agencies. In addition, Husted serves as a member of the Senate Education; Energy and Public Utilities; and Rules Committees.
Husted resides in Kettering where he represents the 6th Ohio Senate district. After serving as Speaker of the House, Husted returned to work at the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce and serves as the Director of Workforce Education and Employer Services. With all of his responsibilities, however, Senator Husted considers his most important roles as that of husband to his wife Tina and father to his children, Alex and Katie.
Eric D. Fingerhut was appointed the seventh Chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents on March 14, 2007. He was the first to be appointed by the Governor of the State of Ohio as a member of his cabinet, and is charged with building a system of higher education designed to prepare all Ohioans for the 21st century and rival the nation in accountability and innovation.
In the months since his appointment, Chancellor Fingerhut has worked steadily to support this vision of change, beginning with his testimony on the budget before the Senate Finance Committee, where he made clear that he “will not flinch from…rethinking how we do business, and suggesting broad and systematic changes in our approaches to higher education in order to move our state forward.”
Chancellor Fingerhut has worked closely with the administration and the Ohio Legislature to dramatically increase funding for Ohio’s universities and colleges, to put a freeze on tuition increases, and to boost financial aid to make higher education affordable for all Ohioans.
Chancellor Fingerhut served as Ohio State Senator in 1991-92 and from 1999 to 2006. He was the ranking Democrat on the Finance (Budget) Committee and served on committees related to health, aging, environment, insurance, tax policy, economic development and education. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1993 and served on committees related to science, foreign affairs and banking. Chancellor Fingerhut has served as Director of Economic Development Education and Entrepreneurship as a member of the Business Administration faculty at Baldwin-Wallace College and as an adjunct faculty member in the Case Western Reserve University Department of Political Science, School of Law, and Weatherhead School of Management.
RESOURCES:
Trip Resources:
School Visits:
PBS Feature
Education Reform and STEM in OHIO Video segment featuring Metro High School
Business Collaborators in Ohio:
Partners in Regional STEM Collaboration in Dayton:
Dayton Development Coalition: Strategic Plan
Additional Resources:
Description Minnesota getSTEM Initiative
Governor Ted Strickland’s Education Reform and Funding Plan *1/28/09 State of the State Address
The American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF), a nonprofit, nonpartisan professional development organization based in Washington, DC, provides learning opportunities for policy leaders, practitioners, and researchers working on youth and education issues at the national, state, and local levels.
This field trip was made possible by generous support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.