[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 12295] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]SALUTING MARTHA AND JOSH MORRISS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ON COMPLETION OF FIRST YEAR OF OUTSTANDING STEM EDUCATION ______ HON. RALPH M. HALL of texas in the house of representatives Wednesday, June 11, 2008 Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the Martha and Josh Morriss Mathematics and Engineering Elementary School in Texarkana, Texas, upon completion of its first year of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) focused curriculum. On June 6 classes concluded for the summer, marking the completion of the first year of this innovative, groundbreaking school in the Fourth Congressional District of Texas. Morriss Elementary, serving children in grades K-5, is part of a vertically aligned K-16 engineering education collaboration between Texas A&M University--Texarkana and the Texarkana Independent School District (TISD). This collaborative effort provides mathematics and pre-engineering integrated curriculum and pre-engineering electives for students, who are admitted on a competitive basis. Students graduating from the elementary school will be able to continue an advanced math and science program through middle school and high school as they follow a path to a college degree in one of the STEM fields. On May 12, 2008, the House Science and Technology Committee held a field hearing at Morriss Elementary School to receive testimony on efforts to engage students in math and science at an early age, to keep them interested throughout middle school and high school, and to translate that interest into rewarding careers that will be of benefit to the entire Nation from a federal, school district, university, industry and teacher perspective. At the hearing, witnesses praised the efforts being made at Morriss Elementary. We saw first-hand how a community came together and created, with entirely local funding, what could be a national model for K-16 collaboration in mathematics and engineering. The vision for this school began with Dr. James Sullivan, former TISD Superintendent and current Texarkana City Manager, and his wife, Dr. Rosanne Stripling, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Texas A&M University--Texarkana. The plan received the support of the Board of TISD and, coupled with the generous land donation from Martha and Josh Morriss, became a reality last year. The school does not have an attendance zone, and any elementary-age student living in the vicinity is eligible to apply for enrollment on a first-come basis without charge. The school is designed for approximately 400 students, with three sections each in grades K-1, 2- 3, and 4-5. Due to a very high demand, a waiting list has been established for most of the primary grades. Texas A&M University--Texarkana Arts and Sciences and Education faculty assist the TISD curriculum personnel and teachers to design the mathematics and engineering integrated curriculum and electives. University faculty develop content and pedagogy courses to train the elementary teachers to deliver the curriculum using effective teaching strategies that promote mastery of the curriculum by all students. All of the Morriss Elementary teachers are required to obtain a Masters Degree and either the Texas Master Mathematics Teacher Certification or Texas Master Technology Teacher Certification through preparation programs offered at A&M--Texarkana. I am proud of the success of Morriss Elementary and wish to commend TISD Superintendent James Henry Russell and school Principal Rick Sandlin for the wonderful job they are doing. I also wish to congratulate the students and the teachers on the completion of their first year and look forward to monitoring the progress of these students as well as the continued success of Morriss Elementary. Our Nation's ability to continue to lead the world in innovation and competitiveness will depend in large part on our ability to motivate students to succeed and pursue careers in STEM fields. Morriss Elementary is an example of how that thrust can succeed at the local level with the vision and support of educators, parents, community leaders and students. ____________________