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Box 1354 St. Louis, MO 63188 Voice: 314-771-0200 Fax: 314-771-0300 To submit news, contact: editor@slfp.com To advertise, contact: advertising@slfp.com Growing Demand for Students With Advanced Skills in Career and Technical Fields ST. LOUIS (PRNewswire), July 20, 2008 - The Education Commission of the States, (ECS) has launched two key resources for policymakers. The first focuses on increasing the workforce in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. The second responds to a projected, growing national demand for students with advanced skills in career and technical fields. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, America "continues to suffer from a shortage of qualified IT workers with flexible and portable skills who can readily adapt and respond to ever-changing IT demands and processes." "STEM and career and technical education (CTE) both address burning issues for policymakers today," said ECS Senior Policy Analyst Jennifer Dounay, manager of the organization's High School Policy Center. "STEM and CTE programs respond to the outcry for more highly-qualified workers to meet growing state and national technical workforce needs. At the same time, CTE and STEM courses answer many high school students' calls to bring relevance and real-world applications into the classroom." Traditionally, technical careers have not been seen as academically rigorous. However, to be successful today, these jobs require considerable knowledge in math and science -- most of these skills are on par with what are required for traditional four-year degrees. The new ECS resources put the right pieces in place for policymakers to ensure broad access and maintain high-quality instruction and curriculum for STEM and CTE programs. One of the resources is a STEM database, providing 50-state information on 10 indicators related to quality of and access to high school-level STEM programs. The database also offers information on state programs targeted at STEM achievement among female, low-income and minority students -- often underrepresented in STEM classrooms and state support for pre-Advanced Placement alignment programs. Another tool for policymakers is the CTE database, which provides 50-state data on 13 state policy indicators linked to program access and quality, including: the use of employability skill assessment tools, the inclusion of CTE courses in graduation requirements, and funding mechanisms, among others. "STEM and CTE programs at the high school level are growing and evolving in response to public and policymaker demand," said Roger Sampson, ECS president. "These ECS databases provide policymakers with just the tools they need to make sure students, regardless of the communities in which they live, have access to these exciting programs and that the instruction and curriculum are at a level to adequately prepare students for life after high school or college." New Tools to Assist in Creation of Enterprise Zones JEFFERSON CITY (SLFP.com), July 20, 2008 - Missouri Department of Economic Development director Greg Steinhoff has announced that the Missouri Department of Economic Development has developed new maps that will aid communities and /or counties in creating an Enhanced Enterprise Zone. Creation of the maps was a response to a request from members of the Missouri Economic Development Council (MEDC). "Under the leadership of Gov. Matt Blunt and his pro-jobs, pro-growth initiatives, DED has worked diligently to cultivate economic growth and make Missouri a state of opportunity," Steinhoff said. "The maps are powerful tools that will better help to create jobs and strengthen Missouri's economy. I encourage job creators interested in this program to visit this Internet site." The maps reflect 2000 Census block groups in a specific county. The block group data in the maps, including poverty levels and population, are some of the factors in the statutory formula for shaping an Enhanced Enterprise Zone. They are now visually available on the maps. The maps are helpful in determining if a proposed area is contiguous, which is also a requirement for the program. They are a great starting point in forming an Enhance Enterprise Zone. DED provides one-on-one assistance for communities wanting to establish a zone. The maps may be found at www.missouridevelopment.org by clicking on BCS Programs and Enhanced Enterprise Zone. For more information or to define a qualified area, please contact Business and Community Services at (573) 751-4539. Archived Stories: Older Workers Say Feeling Wanted Would Impact Their Decision to Retire Workers Express Confidence in Future of Their Jobs $49.5 Million to Improve Education and Career Opportunities for High School Students St. Louis Adds 2,600 Tech Jobs Sottrade Recognized for Its Above & Beyond Program Some Nurses Paid More Than Family Physicians New MBAs Find Success Landing Jobs Before Graduation     Advertisement The Saint Louis Front Page is owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan Saint Louis area. Text or graphics may not be copied, rewritten or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission. For more information, contact editor@slfp.com All rights reserved world wide © 1996 - 2008 Moore Design Group.