Taking Action

As previously referenced, the Ohio General Assembly demonstrated an unprecedented commitment to STEM education in the FY 08 and 09 biennial budget – dedicating more than $200 million for STEM-related education initiatives within the Department of Education and Board of Regents. Signed in to law by Governor Strickland in June 2007, Am. Sub. H.B. 119 (H.B. 119) provided support for STEM initiatives across the Pre-K–16 education spectrum, building student and teacher capacity throughout the system.

The state's generous investment was organized into the following key areas:

1. Developing STEM Schools and Programs of Excellence
   ($12,566,000 over the biennium)
2. Supporting students in STEM Schools with state education aid
   ($2,891,450 in FY 09) figure includes per pupil cost and base funding supplements
3. Building student capacity in STEM through supplemental programs
   ($3,464,000 over the biennium)
4. Increasing the supply of STEM/Foreign Language secondary teachers
   ($26,900,000 over the biennium)
5. Enhancing STEM educator professional development
   ($9,291,078 over the biennium)
6. Attracting undergraduates into the STEM disciplines
   ($100,000,000 over the biennium)
7. Increasing the supply of renowned STEM scientists and researchers in higher education
   ($50,000,000 over the biennium)

In addition to providing critical financial support, H.B. 119 also enabled the public-private partnership between the State of Ohio and Battelle, through the STEM Subcommittee of the Partnership for Continued Learning. This partnership, aimed at developing STEM schools and Programs of Excellence, distinguished Ohio’s STEM-education efforts.

A detailed description of the FY 08 and 09 STEM education budget, including how the funds will be distributed, is outlined in Ohio's Commitment to STEM Education.

Developing STEM Schools and Programs of Excellence
In FY 08 and 09, the STEM Subcommittee of the Ohio Partnership for Continued Learning awarded grants to 8 STEM schools and 26 K-8 STEM Programs of Excellence. Learn more

STEM School Design Principles
Learn more about the design principles and philosophies that are true to Ohio’s H.B. 119 STEM schools.