Governors join forces to push for math and science improvements

St. Paul, Minn. — Improving the math and science skills of high school graduates is a priority for policymakers around the country. But how to accomplish that is far from certain.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty wants to make math and science education a higher priority, and he discussed that issue Wednesday with Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, as they visited the Minnesota Math and Science Academy, a charter school in Woodbury.

Napolitano, a Democrat, is president of the National Governors Association, and is touring the country in search of good national models for science and math education. Pawlenty, a Republican, is the NGA's vice president.

MPR's Tom Crann spoke with both governors about their goals for math and science education.