Texas Instruments backs UTeach expansion as solution to critical shortage of math and science teachers

WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- In conjunction with a White House event and meeting with President Barack Obama today, Texas Instruments Chief Executive Officer Rich Templeton will support the rapid, national expansion of the UTeach program aimed at producing more K-12 math and science teachers.

During the event, President Barack Obama will honor 108 award-winning teachers, highlight the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) UTeach program and its supporters, and announce the second cohort of universities replicating the UTeach program. Templeton will join a small group meeting with the President and meet with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to discuss STEM education.

"America's leadership tomorrow depends on how we educate our students today, especially in science, math and engineering," said President Obama. "That's why I'm pleased to announce the expansion of our "Educate to Innovate" campaign today and applaud the several new partnerships launched that will help meet our goal of moving American students from the middle to the top of the pack in science and math achievement over the next decade."

Templeton supports the STEM initiatives, stating: "The shortage of math and science teachers has reached crisis proportions. This is about ensuring that we have an ecosystem that supports innovation in the U.S."

"The Administration's support for science research funding and STEM education are critical steps forward," Templeton said. "We applaud the President's focus on teachers and leadership in honoring these outstanding teachers and mentors and encouraging partnerships today."

"The more resources that can be directed toward proven, successful programs like UTeach, the farther we can advance STEM education. Teachers are where we can have the most impact, and the support of more corporations and foundations of NMSI and UTeach will accelerate deployment on a national level," he said.

Background

The national UTeach program is gaining national recognition as a proven way to increase the number of math and science teachers in the United States. Enrollment has doubled in the first cohort of 13 universities participating in the program in just two years. The program will expand to more than 20 universities this year with the support of state governments, corporations and foundations including the Texas Instruments Foundation, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and Exxon Mobil Corporation.

In September 2009 the Texas Instruments Foundation announced its investment of $1.5 million in UTeach to expand programs at the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of North Texas and its partnership with NMSI to create a new UTeach program at the University of Texas at Arlington. In 2009, TI and the TI Foundation contributed a total of approximately $25 million in grants and other gifts to schools, colleges and educational programs. For more information on TI's support of STEM education, please see http://www.ti.com/corp/docs/csr/community/education/

Started at the University of Texas at Austin in 1997, UTeach has proven to be successful in increasing the quantity of STEM teachers. The expansion of the "UTeach" program will prepare over 4,500 STEM undergraduates as new math and science teachers by 2015 and 7,000 by 2018, impacting more than 20 million students during their teaching careers.

The Administration has estimated that the U.S. will need 280,000 additional mathematics and science teachers by 2015. In the crucial middle school prep years, more than two-thirds (69 percent) of the 5th- 8th grade students are being taught by math teachers who do not have a certificate in math. 93 percent of students in those grades are being taught physical sciences by teachers with no degree or certificate in physical sciences.

About Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN) helps customers solve problems and develop new electronics that make the world smarter, healthier, safer, greener and more fun. A global semiconductor company, TI innovates through manufacturing, design and sales operations in more than 30 countries. For more information, go to www.ti.com

About the Texas Instruments Foundation

The Texas Instruments Foundation, established in 1964, is a non-profit, philanthropic organization. Its primary intent is to improve STEM education and increase the percentage of high-school graduates who are math and science capable. For more information, see http://www.ti.com/tifoundation.

SOURCE Texas Instruments