In a previous report on Workforce Development the acronym STEM was mentioned. This stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. It is the core component of the new educational focus as mandated by the Obama Race To The Top federal education standards. California, if it qualifies for Race funding, stands to receive something like $4 billion. This is funding contained in the latest stimulus package.
Creating new jobs and building new infrastructure technology to go along with the jobs is the latest government mantra. Well, what does all this mean in reality?
Here are some examples.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) If California is to retain its premier position in stem cell research and fully realize the medical and economic benefits of regenerative medicine, stronger links are needed between California public schools and this emerging industry.
California bill SB 471, by Gloria Romero, (D-L.A.) Stem Cell and Biotechnology Workforce Development was signed into law by the Governor on 10/11/2009.
As you may recall, Proposition 71 creating the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine - CIRM was passed in November of 2004. It was sold to the public on the premise of awe inspiring cures for otherwise incurable diseases and disabilities.
This proposition guaranteed $3 billion in state bond funding to the Center for Regenerative Medicine to research cures through the use of embryonic (pre-born baby) stem cells. As of May, 2009, the CIRM had spent nearly $700 million in research and facilities grants. (Most of it went for facilities and salaries).
During this time many promising pieces of research using adult stem cells have been produced, but in California no cures have been forthcoming from Embryonic stem cell sources. And, apparently the CIRM is finding it difficult to find people even willing to work in this Frankenstein-esque industry. At the time of its creation the CIRM refused to consider any research in the field of adult stem cells.
SB 471 was approved in order to provide it with authority to enter into agreements with educational programs, in the field of science, to train more workers for the embryonic stem cell research programs.
This is considered a jobs creation incentive. It will have nothing to do with curing or ameliorating disabling illnesses, but it will meet the national criterion of Science and technology mandates. Instead of developing realistic cures the stem cell industry will be creating educational programs and questionable ones at that seeing that this is a dead-end industry. Where will these students go when they graduate? Will it be right back into more training academies for whatever is then the current fad research?
Regarding infrastructure changes:
GPR 1, State Government Information Technology, the Governor’s own bill, and ACR 88, an Assembly Concurrent Resolution, by Tom Torlakson, (D-Antioch), Education, Science, Technology, Engineering, Math. (STEM)
GPR 1, makes drastic changes to the Welfare and Institutions Code, the Government Code, the Public Contract Code and the Revenue and Taxation Code. This is a 38 page bill submitted on 3/10/2009 and adopted on 5/7/2009.
This is a massive reorganization of government offices creating the office of the state Chief Information Officer within the Cabinet and moving many government branches under the Governor’s direct authority. This removes these offices from public access.
One of the things I find most troubling about this reorganization is the creation of a Council of Governors created by the Obama Administration. This Council will be advisors, so to speak, directly to the President or, from the President to the people through the Governors.
Resolutions do not carry the authority of bills, but they do indicate the sense of the legislature indicating what the legislature would like to see happen.
Torlakson’s Resolution, ACR 88, does not need the Governor’s signature. It passed out of the Assembly and awaits a committee hearing in the Senate. It is only 3 pages but carries great significance for its cloning of Obama’s and the United Nation’s global education standards.
This sets out the principle components of a state level STEM Task Force consisting of 11 members. It’s purpose is to call attention to the citizens of California about the “distressing shortage of Californians prepared to contribute to the state’s future technology workforce.” And, further, that it shall be establish[ed] “for the purpose of raising awareness of educational issues and shall be nonpartisan in nature.”
Notice the emphasis on the state’s future, not the students futures? Does this truly reflect the mind of the legislature? Isn’t the legislature supposed to reflect the mind of the citizens who elected these people?
Does anyone else see a disconnect here?
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