THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE BILL

INTRODUCED BY WASHINGTON, BOSCOLA, COSTA, ERICKSON, GREENLEAF, TARTAGLIONE, M. WHITE, WILLIAMS AND FERLO, FEBRUARY 10, 2011

REFERRED TO EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 10, 2011  

AN ACT

Establishing the MESA Initiative; providing for duties of the

Department of Education; and establishing the State MESA

Commission.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  Short title.

This act shall be known and may be cited as the Pennsylvania

MESA Initiative Act.

Section 2.  Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this act shall

have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Commission."  The State MESA Commission established under

section 5.

"Department."  The Department of Education of the

Commonwealth.

"MESA."  Mathematics, engineering and science achievement.

"MESA Initiative."  The program established under section 3

to promote science, engineering and mathematics education.

"STEM."  Science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Section 3.  MESA Initiative.

The MESA Initiative is hereby established as a program within

the department. The MESA Initiative shall seek to increase

exposure, educational motivation and achievement of students in

science, engineering and mathematics and build individual and

regional capacity to compete for STEM-based jobs in the global

market with a particular emphasis on students, parents,

educators and employers from urban and rural groups who have

historically had the lowest levels of high school degree

attainment and participation in college and graduate education.

Section 4.  Administration of MESA Initiative.

(a)  Designation of administrative agency.--The department

shall administer the MESA Initiative, including Statewide MESA

funding, operations, regional groups, programs and evaluations.

(b)  Coordination.--The department shall coordinate the

efforts of the Commonwealth agencies that relate to MESA

education from the kindergarten level through the graduate level

to avoid unnecessary duplication of initiatives and ensure

adherence to established guidelines.

(c)  Structure of STEM regions.--The department shall work

with the TEAM PA Foundation and the five established STEM

regions in this Commonwealth to create in each STEM region an

infrastructure for the MESA Initiative to support not fewer than

four professional staff, 20 retired industry mentors, 20

certified MESA teacher-coordinators and school administrators.

(d)  Duties.--The department shall have the following duties:

(1)  Develop annual goals and objectives for improving

MESA programs throughout this Commonwealth with particular

emphasis on regional economic and educational needs.

(2)  No later than 30 days after developing the goals and

objectives under paragraph (1):

(i)  Disseminate the goals and objectives to the

State MESA Commission and the MESA regions.

(ii)  Communicate the goals and objectives to all

relevant agencies of the Commonwealth and collaborative

regional entities.

(iii)  Make the goals and objectives available to the

general public, particularly to stakeholders.

(3)  Coordinate and facilitate communication and

cooperation among all MESA regions and assure compliance with

established guidelines for the MESA Initiative.

(4)  Conduct an ongoing inventory and assessment of the

effectiveness and coherence of efforts within the MESA

regions.

(5)  Annually evaluate the progress and success of the

MESA regions at achieving the goals and objectives under

paragraph (1).

(6)  Consult with Commonwealth agencies when developing

policies and initiatives related to MESA.

(7)  Strengthen partnerships between the national MESA

community, Federal, State and local governments and relevant

international partners.

(8)  Conduct an annual meeting on the status of the MESA

Initiative, in conjunction with:

(i)  Relevant State agencies.

(ii)  The State MESA Commission, as hosting entity.

(iii)  Other state MESA Initiatives.

(iv)  Regional businesses and industries.

(v)  The State System of Higher Education.

(vi)  Education professionals from the kindergarten

through graduate levels.

(vii)  Other relevant stakeholders.

Section 5.  State MESA Commission.

(a)  Establishment.--There is hereby established a State MESA

Commission to oversee the advancement of mathematics,

engineering, science and technology education.

(b)  Membership.--The commission shall consist of the

following members:

(1)  Not fewer than two representatives from each MESA

region.

(2)  Elected officials, representatives of the department

and stakeholders as appointed by the department.

(c)  Study.--The commission shall evaluate and report to the

General Assembly annually on the following:

(1)  Efficacy of Statewide MESA Initiatives.

(2)  Effective utilization of MESA Initiative resources.

(3)  Influence of the MESA Initiative on:

(i)  Student STEM aptitudes, as measured by

standardized testing.

(ii)  Teacher effectiveness.

(iii)  STEM-based employment within MESA regions.

(d)  Fiscal planning.--The commission shall propose a budget

for the MESA Initiative aligned with the goals developed under

section 4(d)(1).

(e)  Meetings.--The commission shall meet no less often than

quarterly.

Section 6.  Effective date.

This act shall take effect in 60 days.