A textbook program for helping teachers
Mercury News Editorial

August 17, 2004

One of the best ways to keep science and math teachers in the classroom is put them to work in industry in the summer. That's what Silicon Valley companies have been doing through a much praised and imitated fellowship program that celebrates its 20th birthday today.

The Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group sponsors Industry Initiatives for Science and Math Education (IISME). The program has placed more than 800 teachers from Santa Clara County public and private schools and community colleges in research labs and corporate settings where they have worked with and learned from scientists and engineers in companies like Lockheed, Intel and IBM.

The teachers return to the classroom refreshed, full of practical ideas and richer; the $6,400 stipend they get for eight weeks of work is a decent supplement in a high-cost region. And, contrary to what some might assume, a study of participants found that they return more committed to teaching and less likely than their peers to bolt from the profession.

IISME is one of the finest partnerships around between schools and companies. Here's to many more years together.