Bush to visit Rockville school focused on math, science

WASHINGTON -- President Bush plans to visit a Rockville science and technology magnet school to promote his competitiveness initiative, one of a series of events next week highlighting his economic proposals.

Bush will speak Tuesday at the Parkland Magnet School for Aerospace Technology, a 560-pupil middle school that specializes in applied math and science, the White House announced yesterday. Improving math and science instruction is a central theme of Bush's competitiveness plan, unveiled in his State of the Union address. He has requested $380 million for programs in those subjects, as well as steps to attract more math and science teachers.

Bush, eager to allay public worries about the economy and jobs, has said he wants to keep U.S. students and workers from falling behind those in other countries, such as India and China. He is expected to highlight that theme at the Parkland school, where sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders are encouraged to do aerospace, satellite and robotic engineering research.