Obama to Announce $250 Million Science and Math Funding Jan. 6

Obama and Arne Duncan, Education Secretary, shooting some hoops

Update Jan. 6: See the video of Obama's remarks here.

Obama will speak at 1:35 pm eastern. It's likely to be live streamed at WhiteHouse.gov. Read the backgrounder here:

President Obama will announce a $250 million public-private effort Wednesday to improve science and mathematics instruction, aiming to help the nation compete in key fields with global economic rivals.

With funding from high-tech businesses, universities and foundations, the initiative seeks to prepare more than 10,000 new math and science schoolteachers over five years and provide on-the-job training for an additional 100,000 in science, technology, engineering and math.

.....Obama has sought to make science and math education a national cause. The $4 billion Race to the Top federal grant competition for education reform funding gives states bonus points for proposals that stress STEM instruction. Wednesday's announcement, described by administration officials and executives from businesses and foundations, shows a mobilization on several fronts.
WaPo

Read about Race to the Top, announced in July, here.

Read about the stimulus investment (spending) in education here.