22-83-101. Legislative declaration

22-83-101. Legislative declaration. The general assembly finds that state programs instituting comprehensive statewide systemic initiatives designed to broaden the impact, accelerate the pace, and increase the effectiveness of and achieve significant improvements in science, mathematics, and technology education in pre-K through 12 and postsecondary levels are essential to student improvement and achievement in the 1990's and beyond. The general assembly further finds that a statewide structure for systemic change in pre-K through 12 and postsecondary mathematics, science, and technology education should be designed which takes full advantage of the unique opportunities available in Colorado including, but not limited to, a decentralized educational system that supports creative reform initiatives beginning in the classroom, a concentration of expertise in the space sciences and technological fields, and a plan for improving such education through the use of a statewide comprehensive telecommunications system under the "Pre-K-16 Mathematics, Science, and Technology Improvement Act of 1990", article 81 of this title. The general assembly finds that the Colorado mathematics-science-technology commission appointed by the governor intends to facilitate and assist with developing plans for the restructuring of mathematics, science, and technology programs in pre-K through 12 and postsecondary education. The general assembly finds that the goals of such structure for systemic change should be to increase the knowledge of science and mathematics acquired by all students at all grade and ability levels, to afford every student the maximum opportunity to acquire the habits of mind and critical thinking skills that characterize the effective use of mathematics and science essential for engineering and technology, to assure the emergence of Colorado as the national leader in student achievement and participation in science, mathematics, and technology, particularly by those groups which are traditionally underrepresented, and to participate actively in achieving the president's and the nation's governors' goal of making American students the first in the world in mathematics and science achievement by the year 2000.