Washington, DC - TechNet, the bipartisan political network of CEOs that promotes the growth of the innovation economy, applauded the California Senate Education Committee for highlighting the critical role that science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education can play in strengthening the state's Race to the Top application for federal education funds.

TechNet will testify today regarding the importance of STEM education before a California Senate Education Committee hearing held in San Jose. TechNet believes that STEM programs are critically important to prepare our students, including those from underrepresented groups, for the high skilled, high wage jobs needed in today's innovation economy. TechNet's members such as Intel, HP, Apple and the CK12 Foundation will also testify at the hearing to discuss the investments that they are making in STEM programs that are strengthening California's curricula and introducing effective new technology tools that teachers are using to improve instruction.

"TechNet greatly appreciates the leadership of Chairwoman Romero and the Committee in recognizing the important role of STEM in preparing our young people for the innovation jobs of tomorrow," said Tim Valderrama, California Executive Director at TechNet. "We believe that STEM education is vital to the nation's competitiveness. Despite progress made in this area, we need to redouble our efforts to ensure that the U.S. has a workforce with the high skills needed for us to compete. We deeply appreciate the leadership of the President in making STEM education a competitive preference priority in the Race to the Top Competition.

"TechNet member companies are investing in many innovative programs to strengthen STEM curricula, partner with teachers by providing them with new tools that help young people master STEM disciplines and ensure more opportunities for kids from groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM disciplines," added Valderrama. "We are partnering with our member companies, the STEM Innovation Network, the Silicon Valley Education Foundation and other organizations interested in working with the state and others to strengthen STEM education in our public schools."

About TechNet:
TechNet is the national, bipartisan network of CEOs that promotes the growth of technology industries and the economy by building long-term relationships between technology leaders and policymakers and by advocating a targeted policy agenda. Our members are the nation's drivers of innovation in the fields of information technology, e-commerce, clean technology, biotechnology, venture capital and investment banking - representing two million employees and $800 billion in revenues. TechNet has offices in Washington, DC, Palo Alto, Sacramento, Seattle, Boston, Austin, and Albany, NY. Web address: www.technet.org. You can also follow us on Twitter at Technetupdate@twitter.