Graduation rates for those in technical fields continue
to drop in the U.S., despite the fact that progress races on and someone’s gotta provide the brain power. That’s why I
think applause is due the Chrysler Group, which is offering $87,000 in grant money to 30 high-school teachers here in
Michigan through its Closing The Technology Gap Fund. Obviously, it’d be nice to see such a program expanded across the
country and backed by even more money, but, hey, this is a strong start. The impact of a single teacher in shaping one’s
educational and career path should not be underestimated; if not for a teacher by the name of Lane Smith, my life might
have indeed turned out much differently.
Now, if someone could combine this with the creation of some
high-tech jobs for engineering students to enter after graduation (the ultimate incentive), I think we’d really be able
to do something about this country’s educational shortcomings.
[Source: Chrysler Group]