Business analytics leader SAS joins White House education effort

Change the Equation promotes science, technology, engineering and math education

CARY, NC  (Oct. 06, 2010)  –  SAS has joined Change the Equation, a new CEO-led initiative to improve science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. SAS is a longtime supporter of efforts to improve the US education system and keep the country on the cutting edge of innovation.

“As a high tech company, SAS depends on a strong educational system for its long-term success,” said SAS CEO Jim Goodnight. “Beyond that, STEM education – developing skills for a knowledge economy – is critical to American competitiveness. Without emphasis on STEM, we sacrifice innovation and export our knowledge jobs to other countries.” 

Change the Equation is a collaboration among corporations, the White House, State Houses nationwide, and education and foundation communities. Announced by President Obama last week, the initiative “brings together top companies across multiple sectors, all of which are dedicated to preparing students for STEM-related careers as an investment in their business, the economy and our democracy.”

Decades of support

SAS has a lengthy tradition of supporting STEM education, including multiple philanthropic and technology efforts. 

In December 2008, Jim Goodnight made SAS® Curriculum Pathways® available free to all US educators. Used by thousands of students and teachers in every state, the Web-based resource for high schools, community colleges, virtual schools and home schools provides content in the core disciplines of English, mathematics, social studies, science and Spanish.

SAS is a founding member of numerous technology education initiatives:

• The North Carolina 1:1 Learning Technology Initiative, a public-private partnership, provides laptops, professional development and critical support to rural schools.In Redesigned Schools 2.0, two districts create highly successful schools that demonstrate effective, technology-enhanced teaching practices. Using data to guide and strengthen learning and teaching, as well as SAS Curriculum Pathways and 1:1 computing, the schools aim for 100 percent graduation rates, employing technology to increase engagement and transform teaching and learning.
• The Triangle High Five Algebra Readiness Initiative helps mathematics teachers identify and engage in effective instructional practices and address disparities in achievement related to race and income.

Through SAS Programming for High School, any US high school educator can provide students with relevant curriculum and current technology skills. Learning SAS gives students a distinct advantage in furthering their education and careers. The company supplies course materials, software and teacher training. 

SAS provides SAS OnDemand for Academics, which quickly and easily delivers the power of SAS software to higher education, at no cost to professors and students worldwide. This is critical for students learning advanced data analysis to solve classroom and real-world problems. 

In 2007, SAS and North Carolina State University partnered to create the Institute for Advanced Analytics to promote graduate education in analytics. A unique and intensive one-year advanced analytics master’s degree gives students an understanding of analytical concepts and hands-on experience with the same powerful tools used in industry today. 

Through these programs and others, SAS has reached more than 47,000 teachers and 150,000 students. With the new White House initiative, SAS continues to bolster STEM awareness and instruction at all levels of education. 

About Change the Equation

Change the Equation (CTEq) is a non-profit organization whose 100 member companies from across industry sectors are dedicated to promoting innovation and investment in STEM teaching and learning. CTEq aims to give STEM education a central place in the national lexicon of excellence and achievement, establishing a national movement to support, promote and implement excellent STEM education for every child.

About SAS

Back to Recent SAS Press Releases

Copyright © SAS Institute Inc. All Rights Reserved.