The Regional Board of Advisors Education Summit on April 21, 2005 was truly a special day in Central Florida. Through the efforts of O-Force, myregion.org, the Central Florida Public School Boards Coalition and the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce, nearly 400 business, community, government and education leaders came together in one location to discuss a vision for future success in science and math education in Central Florida.

Never before in the history of Central Florida Education had eight County School Superintendents been together on one stage discussing the challenges for their school systems in front of an audience of business and government leaders. But never before has there been an opportunity like this to work together to position our schools and our economy for world leadership and education. The superintendents discussed and committed their districts to strive for success in the PRISM “Promoting Regional Improvement in Science and Math” Initiative, an innovative regional strategy to make Central Florida’s school systems models of global excellence in science and math education. Lively discussions established why Math and Science are so important to the region’s future, current indicators of the region’s math and science performance were explained, a regional math and science improvement plan was unveiled and attendees shared their concerns and priorities for the math and science campaign.

It’s an indisputable fact: Global competitiveness in the 21st century depends on the quality of education. If Central Florida is to build a stronger, more diversified economy, we must have K-12 schools that are Grade-A not just by state standards, but by national and world standards. To drive these points home, Capt. Winston Scott, Executive Director, Florida Space Authority discussed the importance of math and science education and challenged those in attendance to ensure that the students of today have the resources needed to allow them to become all that they can be as students and professionals.

The United States currently rates outside the top 20 in both science and math scores globally. Dr. S. J. Gates, Jr., John S. Toll, Professor of Physics at the University of Maryland, and a graduate of Orange County’s Jones High School said that it is critical for the future success of the United States that we must change the way we look at education in this country and start making academic success a top national priority.

Culminating the morning session, individuals representing 27 regional organizations, including education, business, government and community organizations, signed the following Declaration of Commitment. Later, everyone in attendance signed their own declaration, publicly affirming their commitment to improving science and math education in the region.

WHEREAS, educating quality students in the disciplines of Science and Math is crucial to the global competitiveness of the Central Florida Region; and

WHEREAS, the future success of the education system in the Central Florida Region will come only through the dedication and commitment of organizations and leaders from all stakeholders in the
community; and

WHEREAS, the Prism Project has been created to help move Central Florida to national and global _leadership in Science and Math education over the next ten (10) years.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the undersigned education, business, and civic organizations will commit to be actively involved over the next decade in helping to make the goals of the PRISM _initiative a regional reality.

Signed this 21st day of April 2005.