71st OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2001 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .
 
LC 3749
 
                         Senate Bill 810
 
Sponsored by Senator NELSON; Senators ATKINSON, FERRIOLI, FISHER,
  GEORGE, HARTUNG, MESSERLE, MINNIS, STARR
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.
 
  Encourages State Board of Education, State Board of Higher
Education, community colleges and school districts to enter into
partnerships to implement pre-engineering courses for middle and
high school students.
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to engineering education.
  Whereas there is a critical shortage of engineers and
engineering technologists entering the field at a time when
technology is reinventing itself every few years; and
  Whereas the number of job openings is increasing due to the
expansion of jobs in the technical fields and the increasing
numbers of engineers who are retiring; and
  Whereas it is important to increase the quantity and quality of
engineers and engineering technologists graduating from our
educational system; and
  Whereas it is important to forge dynamic and ongoing
partnerships among school districts, colleges and universities,
and industry that will establish and support a pre-engineering
education career program; now, therefore,
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + The State Board of Education, the State Board
of Higher Education, community colleges and school districts are
encouraged to implement pre-engineering courses for middle and
high school students through partnerships among school districts,
post-secondary institutions and the private sector such as
Project Lead the Way, founded by the Charitable Venture
Foundation. The goals of these partnerships shall be to:
  (1) Increase the number of young people who pursue engineering
and engineering technology programs.
  (2) Expose students to the rigor and content of a
pre-engineering curriculum.
  (3) Provide clear standards and expectations for student
success in the programs.
  (4) Provide equitable and inclusive opportunities for all
academically qualified students without regard to gender or
ethnic origin.
  (5) Excite students about engineering careers and strengthen
traditional academic programs with hands-on learning experiences.
 
  (6) Reduce future college attrition rates within four-year and
two-year engineering and engineering technology degree
programs. + }
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