Press Release
AAUW Applauds Passage of America COMPETES Reauthorization Act
Bill Contains Provisions to Reduce Gender Barriers in Science and Math
WASHINGTON – AAUW applauds the House of Representatives today for passing the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act (H.R.5325), which contains a number of provisions to improve education and training in science, technology, engineering, and math and to reduce barriers that deter women from pursuing academic and career goals in these fields. This bill, which was introduced by Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN), authorizes science and technology research programs for three years.
"Thanks to today's vote, our nation will be in a better position to compete on the global stage," said AAUW Executive Director Linda D. Hallman, CAE. "This legislation helps provide the tools we need to close the divide in critical fields. It also begins to address the societal and cultural barriers outlined in our latest research, barriers that often hinder the advancement of women and underrepresented populations in the areas of science and math."
Although women now make up half the workforce, they only make up 25 percent of the labor force in science, engineering, and technology fields. AAUW's 2010 report, Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, profiled eight key research findings that point to environmental and social barriers — including stereotypes, gender bias, and the climate of science and engineering departments in colleges and universities — that continue to block women's participation and progress in these fields.
Originally enacted in 2007, the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Act (P.L. 110-069) expanded programs to strengthen educators' math and science teaching skills; helped to prepare thousands of new science, technology, engineering, and math teachers; and established a program to provide mentors for women and underrepresented minorities interested in careers in these fields.
The reauthorization bill includes provisions from the AAUW-supported Fulfilling the Potential of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Act (H.R. 1144), introduced by Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). These provisions would create workshops to educate program officers, members of grant review panels, and others about methods that minimize the effects of gender bias in evaluation of federal research grants and faculty hiring and tenure practices. It also requires the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a uniform policy to extend the period of grant support for federally funded researchers who have care-giving responsibilities and to provide funding for interim technical staff support who take a leave of absence for care-giving responsibilities. Additionally, the legislation requires more thorough data collection regarding federal research grant awards and faculty hiring and tenure practices.
"Data collection is extremely important. Without accurate statistics, we really can't tell where we're improving and where we need to work harder," said Lisa Maatz, AAUW director of public policy and government relations. "AAUW has long supported promoting and strengthening science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, especially for girls and other underrepresented populations. These efforts aren't just the feel-good, right thing to do; they will improve the economic security for women and their families while also increasing America's global competitiveness in the process."
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The American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. Since 1881, AAUW has been one of the nation's leading voices promoting education and equity for women and girls. AAUW has a nationwide network of more than 100,000 members and donors, 1,000 branches, and 500 college/university institutional partners. Since AAUW's founding 130 years ago, members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day — educational, social, economic, and political. AAUW's commitment to educational equity is reflected in its public policy advocacy, community programs, leadership development, conventions and conferences, national partnerships, and international connections.