LC 2.27 Amendment to the STEM Act (L 14.6) (Statute)

[Former President tack50]

Amendment to the STEM Act (L 14.6)

The STEM Act

Section I. In careful consideration of the importance of careers related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (herein referred to as STEM) in the technological, scientific and cultural development of the region of Lincoln, the following provisions are is hereby adopted to protect such careers:

1. The public high schools in the region of Lincoln shall be encouraged to divert more of their regular funding into programs related to STEM. A yearly high-school level contest shall be held in the capital of Lincoln, sponsored by the regional government and whichever universities or colleges opt to participate (an invitation shall be sent out to these institutions to co-sponsor the event, alleviating the burden on the Lincoln budget for such an activity.) Such an event will showcase the true talent of the public high schools students in the region in the fields as highlighted above.

2. Stipends shall be given to colleges and universities to be spent on the applying students who display the bigger aptitude and potential on the STEM area. The amount invested in such a stipend will be recommended by the Lincoln Department of Education, and shall be thereafter accepted or changed by the Lincoln Assembly in consideration of the budgetary position of the region.

Section II. This bill shall take effect upon signing by the Governor, and the provisions therein established shall begin during the year of  2019.

[/quote]

Sponsor: Pyro

Debate time for this bill has started and shall last no less than 72 hours.

[Pyro]

Mr. Speaker,

I offer this amendment as the original law had several prominent issues.

1. We should not encourage public schools to divert regular funding to specific fields and, as a consequence, away from others. That is ludicrous.

2. The language at the end of Sec 1-1 gives the impression that the "true talent" of public schools is measured by the contest itself. I have altered this to lessen the severity of the language and emphasize that it should showcase the abilities of individual students, not public high schools in general.

3. Sec 1-2 is extraordinarily vague. It does not specify an amount or range of amounts for the stipend, only that the Department of Education recommend the amount (which we do not have at the present time). This section also does not state whether the stipend is to be dispersed to public colleges and universities exclusively (which, iirc are tuition free for low-income families who would benefit the most from the stipend) or if it also includes private schools. "Bigger aptitude and potential" is nonsensical and is an insufficient guideline for dispersing public funds. Last, in the greater picture, I oppose the idea of funding the higher educational aspirations of only certain students above others. If this is to be done, it should be through an independent agency akin to my proposed Foster the Humanities Program: to boost the development of our schools first and foremost and give all students a quality education.

[lfromnj]

Mr. Speaker,

I offer this amendment as the original law had several prominent issues.

1. We should not encourage public schools to divert regular funding to specific fields and, as a consequence, away from others. That is ludicrous.

2. The language at the end of Sec 1-1 gives the impression that the "true talent" of public schools is measured by the contest itself. I have altered this to lessen the severity of the language and emphasize that it should showcase the abilities of individual students, not public high schools in general.

3. Sec 1-2 is extraordinarily vague. It does not specify an amount or range of amounts for the stipend, only that the Department of Education recommend the amount (which we do not have at the present time). This section also does not state whether the stipend is to be dispersed to public colleges and universities exclusively (which, iirc are tuition free for low-income families who would benefit the most from the stipend) or if it also includes private schools. "Bigger aptitude and potential" is nonsensical and is an insufficient guideline for dispersing public funds. Last, in the greater picture, I oppose the idea of funding the higher educational aspirations of only certain students above others. If this is to be done, it should be through an independent agency akin to my proposed Foster the Humanities Program: to boost the development of our schools first and foremost and give all students a quality education.

What if stated fields give future students the best chance at making money?

[Pyro]

Mr. Speaker,

I offer this amendment as the original law had several prominent issues.

1. We should not encourage public schools to divert regular funding to specific fields and, as a consequence, away from others. That is ludicrous.

2. The language at the end of Sec 1-1 gives the impression that the "true talent" of public schools is measured by the contest itself. I have altered this to lessen the severity of the language and emphasize that it should showcase the abilities of individual students, not public high schools in general.

3. Sec 1-2 is extraordinarily vague. It does not specify an amount or range of amounts for the stipend, only that the Department of Education recommend the amount (which we do not have at the present time). This section also does not state whether the stipend is to be dispersed to public colleges and universities exclusively (which, iirc are tuition free for low-income families who would benefit the most from the stipend) or if it also includes private schools. "Bigger aptitude and potential" is nonsensical and is an insufficient guideline for dispersing public funds. Last, in the greater picture, I oppose the idea of funding the higher educational aspirations of only certain students above others. If this is to be done, it should be through an independent agency akin to my proposed Foster the Humanities Program: to boost the development of our schools first and foremost and give all students a quality education.

What if stated fields give future students the best chance at making money?

Students are free to take whichever courses they wish.

[Former President tack50]

As someone who participated in one of these STEM contests back in the day, and who also supports non-STEM contests, this is an excellent idea!

Regarding Section 2, I have to say said stipend was (at least in my case) close to non-existent. All I got as a prize between the regional contest (where I managed to qualify for the national one) and the national contest (where I didn't win and in fact performed badly) was an iPod Nano, a calculator and some cheap stuff like a folder, a pen, a t-shirt, etc. The winners I think also got a printer for some reason.

I don't think anyone actually received a money grant, and even in other contests where winners did get money, the amounts were quite reduced. I imagine most of the cost comes from hosting students.

[Pyro]

Motion for a Final Vote

[Former President tack50]

With no objections:

Councillors, a FINAL vote is now open on the following legislation

Amendment to the STEM Act (L 14.6)

The STEM Act

Section I. In careful consideration of the importance of careers related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (herein referred to as STEM) in the technological, scientific and cultural development of the region of Lincoln, the following provisions are is hereby adopted to protect such careers:

1. The public high schools in the region of Lincoln shall be encouraged to divert more of their regular funding into programs related to STEM. A yearly high-school level contest shall be held in the capital of Lincoln, sponsored by the regional government and whichever universities or colleges opt to participate (an invitation shall be sent out to these institutions to co-sponsor the event, alleviating the burden on the Lincoln budget for such an activity.) Such an event will showcase the true talent of the public high schools students in the region in the fields as highlighted above.

2. Stipends shall be given to colleges and universities to be spent on the applying students who display the bigger aptitude and potential on the STEM area. The amount invested in such a stipend will be recommended by the Lincoln Department of Education, and shall be thereafter accepted or changed by the Lincoln Assembly in consideration of the budgetary position of the region.

Section II. This bill shall take effect upon signing by the Governor, and the provisions therein established shall begin during the year of  2019.

Please vote AYE, NAY or Abstain
This vote shall last for 48 hours or until all Councillors have voted

[Former President tack50]

Aye

[lfromnj]

Nay because of the first line. Lincoln high schools should be encouraged to divert more of their finding into STEM programs due to the better job opportunities that exist there.

[Zaybay]

Abstain

[Pyro]

AYE

[Adam Griffin]

Aye

[S019]

Nay, STEM is a growing field, there is no need to divert funding away from it

[Pyro]

Nay because of the first line. Lincoln high schools should be encouraged to divert more of their finding into STEM programs due to the better job opportunities that exist there.

Nay. The contest is import to me, but I agree with Councillor lfromnj re:preferring diversion of funding.

Nay, STEM is a growing field, there is no need to divert funding away from it

These votes are outrageous and the reasoning behind them is totally skewed. Your preferences for which programs and curricula should be preferred is completely irrelevant and misses the greater point of the amendment on the floor.

The STEM Act as-is specifically encourages Lincoln's public high schools to divert regular funding into these programs.

It doesn't offer additional funds for STEM classes. It diverts funding from other sources - which may very well include funds intended for sufficient lunch programs, or student counseling and assistance, or special education programs. If you care whatsoever about the well-being of our students, you will vote to rip this noxious stipulation from the bill.

[lfromnj]

Nay because of the first line. Lincoln high schools should be encouraged to divert more of their finding into STEM programs due to the better job opportunities that exist there.

Nay. The contest is import to me, but I agree with Councillor lfromnj re:preferring diversion of funding.

Nay, STEM is a growing field, there is no need to divert funding away from it

These votes are outrageous and the reasoning behind them is totally skewed. Your preferences for which programs and curricula should be preferred is completely irrelevant and misses the greater point of the amendment on the floor.

The STEM Act as-is specifically encourages Lincoln's public high schools to divert regular funding into these programs.

It doesn't offer additional funds for STEM classes. It diverts funding from other sources - which may very well include funds intended for sufficient lunch programs, or student counseling and assistance, or special education programs. If you care whatsoever about the well-being of our students, you will vote to rip this noxious stipulation from the bill.

In general I believe a dollar spent in STEM(upto a certain value due to diminishing returns) will generally have a better return than a dollar spent in most other areas.

[Pyro]

Nay because of the first line. Lincoln high schools should be encouraged to divert more of their finding into STEM programs due to the better job opportunities that exist there.

Nay. The contest is import to me, but I agree with Councillor lfromnj re:preferring diversion of funding.

Nay, STEM is a growing field, there is no need to divert funding away from it

These votes are outrageous and the reasoning behind them is totally skewed. Your preferences for which programs and curricula should be preferred is completely irrelevant and misses the greater point of the amendment on the floor.

The STEM Act as-is specifically encourages Lincoln's public high schools to divert regular funding into these programs.

It doesn't offer additional funds for STEM classes. It diverts funding from other sources - which may very well include funds intended for sufficient lunch programs, or student counseling and assistance, or special education programs. If you care whatsoever about the well-being of our students, you will vote to rip this noxious stipulation from the bill.

In general I believe a dollar spent in STEM(upto a certain value due to diminishing returns) will generally have a better return than a dollar spent in most other areas.

Which other areas might that be? School buses? Adequate meals? Classroom supplies?
In this law, general regular funding is diverted to be siphoned into STEM programs.
That concept is reprehensible and you must see its inherent danger.

[Dipper Josh]

Aye

[Former President tack50]

With Ninja's deregistration we now have a vacancy and all other 8 Councillors have voted. So the FINAL vote on LC 2.27 Amendment to the STEM Act (L 14.6) is now closed

Aye: 4 (tack50, Pyro, Griffin, Dipper Josh)
Abstain: 1 (Zaybay)
Nay: 3 (thr33, SNJC, Lfromnj)

So this bill passes

[Pyro]

Well done! We've proven that Lincoln is steadfast in favor of egalitarian education and balanced funding.

[Peanut]

Amendment to the STEM Act (L 14.6)

The STEM Act

Section I. In careful consideration of the importance of careers related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (herein referred to as STEM) in the technological, scientific and cultural development of the region of Lincoln, the following provisions are is hereby adopted to protect such careers:

1. The public high schools in the region of Lincoln shall be encouraged to divert more of their regular funding into programs related to STEM. A yearly high-school level contest shall be held in the capital of Lincoln, sponsored by the regional government and whichever universities or colleges opt to participate (an invitation shall be sent out to these institutions to co-sponsor the event, alleviating the burden on the Lincoln budget for such an activity.) Such an event will showcase the true talent of the public high schools students in the region in the fields as highlighted above.

2. Stipends shall be given to colleges and universities to be spent on the applying students who display the bigger aptitude and potential on the STEM area. The amount invested in such a stipend will be recommended by the Lincoln Department of Education, and shall be thereafter accepted or changed by the Lincoln Assembly in consideration of the budgetary position of the region.

Section II. This bill shall take effect upon signing by the Governor, and the provisions therein established shall begin during the year of  2019.