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Governor's Budget Continues Washington's Efforts in STEM Education

January 07, 2009
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Many of Washington's programs aimed at enhancing the skills of educators in science, technology, education, and mathematics (STEM) fields will continue to receive state support in the coming biennium under Gov. Christine Gregoire's budget proposal - while other TBED initiatives did not fare as well.

The governor's fiscal year 2009-11 budget recommends a total of $17.5 million from the general fund and the Education Legacy Trust Fund to support the state's "foundational math and science effort," which includes school district math and science coaches, math and science standards and curriculum development, after-school math assistance and support for the LASER science program. Specific recommendations include:

  • $7.5 million to provide grants for instructional coaches in math and science for middle and high schools;
  • $3.1 million each fiscal year for the LASER program, a statewide program designed to implement an inquiry-based K-8 science education program;
  • $1.85 million for specialized professional development for one math teacher and one science teacher in each middle and high school;
  • $1.4 million for three additional professional development days for middle and high school math and science teachers;
  • $244,000 each fiscal year for conditional stipends for certified teachers to receive training in mathematics or science fields; and
  • $139,000 each fiscal year for the office of the superintendent of public instruction to coordinate and promote efforts to develop integrated STEM programs across the state.

To help address a projected $5.7 billion shortfall, the governor recommends cutting 13 percent across-the-board for the state's research and regional institutions and 6 percent for community and technical colleges.  Budget documents note that the lower rate of reduction to community and technical colleges is in recognition of their mission in job training and skills essential to the development of the state's economic recovery.

Gov. Gregoire's budget requests $2 million each fiscal year for the Washington Technology Center, down from $2.8 million each fiscal year approved last biennium by lawmakers, and $246,000 for the Manufacturing Innovation and Modernization Account to help small- and mid-size manufacturers access innovation and modernization technical assistance. Legislators approved $306,000 in FY09 for the initiative.

The FY09-11 budget includes another installment of $63.3 million transferred to the Life Sciences Discovery Fund from the Tobacco Settlement Account. The $350 million fund was created by the legislature in 2005 to invest in life science companies using tobacco settlement funds and is expected to reach $1 billion over ten years (see the May 16, 2005 issue of the Digest). In December, the fourth round of awards distributed more than $18 million.

The governor's budget for Natural Resources includes $24.8 million across general funds, other funds, transportation funds and the capital budget to support a variety of climate change initiatives. This includes creating green-collar jobs and investments in renewable energy.

Gov. Christine Gregoire's FY 2009-11 budget proposal is available at: http://www.governor.wa.gov/priorities/budget/default.asp.

Washingtonstate budget