WASHINGTON, Nov. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today the White House announced a national education initiative to strengthen America's economic competitiveness through leadership in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. The high tech sector has a legacy of leadership in the area of STEM education and last year alone dedicated thousands of volunteer hours and hundreds of millions of dollars to support local school districts, universities, and community colleges.

"We are hopeful that today's announcement will be a catalyzing force for the country and lead to broad recognition that investments in STEM education today will pay off in high paying jobs and an innovation nation tomorrow," said Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) president and CEO Dean Garfield.

"The high tech sector has long been recognized as America's principal private sector partner working to improve student achievement, and a national focus on STEM education will help the similar efforts of all committed stakeholders in preparing our next generation of innovators and leaders," he added.

In their 2009 High Tech Education Report, the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) highlights the education initiatives that ICT member companies are spearheading and funding to improve education outcomes for more young Americans and meet the needs of America's 21st century workforce. Mentoring programs, teacher training, science camps, scholarship funds, and grants, are just a few of these educational efforts.

"We look forward to working with the Administration on this national STEM education initiative and are committed to ensuring the high tech industry is creating good paying jobs and advancing our country's global competitiveness," said Garfield.

For more information about the high tech industry leading the charge on education for America's innovation economy and how to get involved in the national Educate to Innovate initiative visit http://www.itic.org/STEM/, or contact Lauren Soltani at 202-626-5740; lsoltani@itic.org.

About ITI

The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) is the premiere voice, advocate, and thought leader for the information and communications technology (ICT) industry. ITI is widely recognized as the tech industry's most effective advocacy organization in Washington D.C., and in various foreign capitals around the world.

SOURCE Information Technology Industry Council

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