The deadline for California legislators to set the state’s budget for the coming year is Friday. A coalition of groups and individuals across the state is fighting one slated cut in particular – to high school science requirements.
Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan to close the state’s nearly $16 billion budget shortfall includes rolling back several the state-funded mandates for public schools. One of those is for a second year of science classes for high school students.
But a group of educators, business leaders and others, including San Diegan and former astronaut Sally Ride, is calling on legislators to reject this cost cutting measure.
Chris Roe is CEO of a the California STEM Learning Network, which promotes science, technology, engineering and math education. He said this cut would send the damaging message to schools and students that science isn’t important.
“It’s driven our economy – the development of Silicon Valley, the bio industry that’s huge in San Diego, for example. These are all industries that are very dependent on having highly educated workers in the sciences,” Roe said.
To meet the requirements for admission to California State University or the University of California, students will still need two years of science credits, but high schools wouldn’t be required to offer the courses.
