This letter is a statement by the business community to articulate its broad support of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) [www.nextgenscience.org].

Such endorsements are essential in convincing legislators that science standards cannot be held hostage to extremist groups who have an antipathy toward science that is almost medieval—whose mistrust of science is rooted in their view of it as a inevitably or inherently blasphemous challenge to very literalistic readings religious texts.

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STATEMENT OF SUPPORT

Building the talent pool for our nation and our companies requires the development and adoption in every state of internationally-benchmarked standards for student success. We support the Next Generation Science Standards, based on the National Research Council’s Framework for K–12 Science Education.

These standards will provide all students with a coherent and content-rich science education that will prepare them for college and careers.

Education and training in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) stands as our most important tool for ensuring individual and national prosperity. According to the Department of Commerce, from 2000 to 2010, jobs in STEM fields grew at three times the rate of any other field. Through 2018, jobs in STEM fields are expected to increase by 17 percent, nearly double the projected growth rate of other jobs. The numbers speak for themselves. A strong foundation of mathematics and

science learning at every level of the workforce is more important than ever.

As business leaders, we fully understand the cause and effect relationship that exists between talent and innovation. Put simply, the availability of a creative and highly skilled workforce across America’s cities, regions and states stimulates innovation and results in economic prosperity. The future of our companies is also dependent upon such high-skilled talent.

That’s why we stand ready to support the development and implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). To turn our commitment into action, we seek to:

1. Support the leading states during the development of the Next Generation Science Standards, ensuring that the states produce cutting-edge, industry-relevant K-12 standards;

2. Engage with peer business leaders to share the importance of the standards and build a broader base of support across our nation’s business community; and,

3. Work across our cities, regions and states to inform the public and civic leaders about the development of the standards and secure support for adoption and implementation.

We are confident that the Next Generation Science Standards will provide an important foundation to help restore America as the world’s leader in the production of mathematics and science talent. By signing on to the NGSS Letter of Support, the listed companies are highlighting their commitment to ensuring scientific and technological literacy for young Americans.

ANTIGEN DISCOVERY, INC

AUTODESK, INC.

BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE

BAYBIO ASSOCIATION

BAYBIO INSTITUTE

BAYER CORPORATION

BAY AREA COUNCIL

BROADCOM

BURROUGHS WELLCOME FUND

BUSINESS-HIGHER EDUCATION FORUM

CA TECHNOLOGIES

CARDINAL HEALTH

CAROLINA BIOLOGICAL SUPPLY COMPANY

CAUSECAST

CELGENE

CHANGE THE EQUATION

CHEVRON

CISCO SYSTEMS

COMCAST

THE COPPER RIVER GROUP, INC.

CORNING, INC.

DELL INC.

DUPONT

EATON

ELI LILLY

E-LINE MEDIA

EMC2

EPIC GAMES

EXXONMOBIL

HITACHI HIGH TECHNOLOGIES AMERICA

IBM

INTEGENX, INC

INTEL

IOWA GOVERNOR’S STEM ADVISORY COUNCIL

KANSAS BIOSCIENCE ORGANIZATION

MCKINSTRY

MERCK

MICROSOFT CORPORATION

MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS

NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP

ONCOMED PHARMACEUTICALS

OPTUM RX

PARSONS

PASCO

PHOENIX BIOSYSTEM, INC

PHOTOMED TECHNOLOGIES, INC

PRUDENTIAL

RAYTHEON

R.E.A.L. COALITION

REDWOOD BIOSCIENCE

SALLY RIDE SCIENCE

SSL

SMART TECHNOLOGIES

STATE FARM

STELLAR SOLUTIONS INC.

SYMANTEC

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC.

UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE

VENTRIA BIOSCIENCE

VERNIER SOFTWARE AND TECHNOLOGY

VERSARTIS