Apr. 21, 2011 (PR Newswire) --
TEANECK, N.J., April 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH), a leading provider of information technology, consulting, and business process outsourcing services, today endorsed new "Vital Signs" reports that offer states recommendations on strengthening their K-12 math and science standards to better prepare their students to compete globally. The national CEO-led coalition Change the Equation, which created the reports, is calling for a sustained commitment from each Governor and the Mayor of the District of Columbia to improve science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning nationwide.
The Vital Signs reports compile critical data on the current condition of STEM learning in each state and the District of Columbia, and offer specific recommendations to each state on how to boost student outcomes by concentrating on key areas such as raising the bar on state tests and focusing on achievement gaps.
Cognizant CEO and President Francisco D'Souza, who is a member of Change the Equation, said, "The U.S. ranks behind 16 other developed nations in science, and behind 24 other developed nations in math. Cognizant is committed to reversing this trend by investing in meaningful STEM programs that will meet a critical need for a workforce and a citizenry fluent in science and math."
Each state Vital Signs report contains data in six key areas of STEM learning: academic expectations; state standards and tests; student performance and achievement gaps; teaching and learning; preparing for and succeeding in college; and teacher quality.