President Obam spoke before the National Academy of Science this morning (a audio recording can be found here ) and he announced some new and potentially historic investments in science. What I found to be of particular interest was his comments on science education.
” Since we know that the progress and prosperity of future
  generations will depend on what we do now to educate the next
  generation, today I am announcing a renewed commitment to
  education in mathematics and science.”
“We cannot start soon enough. We know that the quality of math
  and science teachers is the most influential single factor in
  determining whether or a student will succeed or fail in these
  subjects. Yet, in high school, more than twenty percent of
  students in math and more than sixty percent of students in
  chemistry and physics are taught by teachers without expertise
  in these fields. And this problem is only going to get worse;
  there is a projected shortfall of more than 280,000 math and
  science teachers across the country by 2015.”
” I am challenging states to dramatically improve achievement in
  math and science by raising standards, modernizing science labs,
  upgrading curriculum, and forging partnerships to improve the
  use of science and technology in our classrooms. And I am
  challenging states to enhance teacher preparation and training,
  and to attract new and qualified math and science teachers to
  better engage students and reinvigorate these subjects in our
  schools.”
This sounds great,now if only it all happens? The whole speech can be found here.
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This is music to my ears. Many of us have hurriedly submitted grant applications (fingers crossed) for ARRA funds, so in at least this area the impact will be felt quickly and research will get a kick-start.
There’s a good write-up here, too:
http://scienceblogs.com/scientificactivist/2009/04/obama_pledges_major_commitment.php
I just found out that my school in Broward County will need to surplus some science teachers due to budgeting shortfalls.