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For Release: May 28, 2003

Commissioner Librera Helps Mark 15th Anniversary of
the Center for Improved Engineering & Science Education

A New Jersey-based center dedicated to training teachers to use technology in effective math and science instruction has made a valuable contribution to teaching and learning. Commissioner of Education William L. Librera praised the Center for Improved Engineering and Science Education (CIESE) at a dinner held tonight to celebrate the center’s 15th anniversary.

CIESE, headquartered in Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, has provided collaborative training for teachers and administrators from 700 schools throughout New Jersey.

"New Jersey is fortunate to have this valuable in-service program that is aimed at our subject areas that are the most difficult to staff with highly qualified people -- math, science and technology," Commissioner Librera said. "Through its core mission of helping teachers and administrators in grades K-12 integrate technology into the curriculum to improve student achievement in science and math, CIESE has made a profound difference in our ability to prepare students for the world after college."

In his remarks to the dinner gathering, Dr. Librera noted New Jersey’s vigorous support for technological literacy, as evidenced by the law recently signed by Gov. James E. McGreevey which makes technology education part of New Jersey’s academic standards. As a result of the new law, the State Board of Education is reviewing proposed standards in technological literacy that will be added to the state’s academic standards, known as the Core Curriculum Content Standards.

New Jersey is one of four states that sends teachers and administrators to learn how to use cutting-edge computer technology in provide students with classroom activities that feature real-life data and learning situations. The other states using CIESE’s services are Arizona, Florida, and Ohio.

CIESE has trained approximately 10,000 teachers since its inception. It addition, it collaborates with other institutions of higher education through the New Jersey Statewide Systemic Initiative to Improve Math, Science and Technology (NJ SSI). This collaboration has had a positive influence on similar programs offered by these institutions.

In 1994, CIESE pioneered the development of Internet-based lessons that engage students in science investigations in which they perform experiments, collect and record data, and make predictions. All of CIESE’s professional development programs and Web-based projects are aligned with and support New Jersey’s Core Curriculum Content Standards.

CIESE is funded through a $9.3 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education.