>> Coming up on "Need to Know."
we get a progress report on the center for excellence in math and science.
Reporter Carlet Cleare looks at an effort to pamper domestic violence victims.
The counties new public defender talks about his new job, following a controversial selection process.
And finally, we take a look at local business developments.
Rochester's newsmagazine since 1997.
This is "Need to Know."
>> Thank you for joining us.
Julie Philipp is on vacation.
I am Peter Iglinski.
It was one year ago an educational resource opened its doors in the Rochester area.
Local colleges joined together to create the center for excellence in math and science.
The intent was to address the silent crisis by increasing the number of kids studying math and science and the number of teachers in those fields.
With me now is executive director Charles Brown.
Welcome to the show.
The center is one year old.
Is it too soon for results?
>> Actually, it is a little bit too soon for specific results.
I think we started some excellent activities and are making progress towards our goals.
>> What is the silent crisis?
>> The crises -- we look at the number of students are pursuing academic programs in math and science and related technologies and we look at the future demand for scientifically trained people here in the United States.
We have a crisis.
There are not enough kids pursuing programs in math and science that will ultimately become the scientists and engineers of tomorrow.
>> What about the quality of the kids who are pursuing the fields?
>> We have good news and opportunities for continued improvement.
The good news, we are improving.
The opportunity is that on a national basis and on an international basis, our students are not performing as well as their international counterparts.
From a global competitors bases, we really need to continue to improve so the U.S. can maintain its strong economic position as well as provide for its national defense.
>> What accounts for the crisis?
What is keeping kids away from math and science?
>> That is one of the challenges we have.
Certainly, there are challenges associated with math and science education which requires students to be fully engaged.
There is a lot of opportunity outside of math and science and also I think we have lost our image with regard to teaching of math and science.
-- lost our edge.
We're trying to address both student needs as well as the needs of our teachers.
>> My degree is in chemistry so I'm speaking with some experience.
There were some science teachers I had and some math teachers who really captured the moment, who really captured my imagination.
Some, not quite so much.
Are the teachers doing a good job in capturing the kids' imaginations?
>> One of the things I have learned in the past year, we have outstanding teachers and outstanding teaching of math and science.
But you're absolutely right, Peter, and that is that great teachers have absolutely tremendous impact on not only the current learning of the student, but many times those great teachers influence career choices.
That is one of the reasons why at the center we're working first with the teachers in our service area, trying to help them in preparing to become teachers so those in the undergraduate program lead to a career in teaching.
But also our in service teachers.
We're trying to increase the confidence as well as the competence, particularly at the elementary school level, and also helping teachers in their teaching skills as well as staying abreast of the content, particularly at the middle and high school levels where it becomes subject-specific features.
>> It is important to the kids early.
If you have the right teacher in mid high school, is that too late?
>> Earlier is better.
Good teaching all the way along is really our requirements.
I contend that students come to the front door of our formal education system National inquisitive about their surroundings.
You look at a youngster who is four or five years old, very engaged in discovering every day.
Another thing we want to do at the elementary school level, we want to continue to excite them about the opportunities of learning about their surroundings and about the mathematical expressions that help describe that.
The middle school is important as well because it is at middle school that many students make choices that have long-lasting effects.
They make choices about what will be the course work they take in high-school.
If you do not begin taking a rigorous series of science as well as math, then you will not be able to matriculate into a community college, Technology Program, or a four year program in math and science.
The answer is all the years are important along the way.
>> Are their gender and racial gaps?
>> Unfortunately, there are.
As you look at the work force in the United States, two-thirds of the positions are held by women, as an example, yet, technically based jobs, they are far underrepresented.
Depending upon the discipline, probably 25%-30% range.
When we look at students of color and we look at students with disabilities, as an example, we also find far underrepresented in the technical base jobs.
One of the challenges we have we're stepping up to at the center is -- what can we do working with the k-12 systems as well as leveraging the systems of the colleges?
What can we specifically due to interest women and students of color in our programs that are technically based?
>> What insights have you gained?
>> There are many good things going on here.
We are really blessed in this community because it has a strong technical base and heritage.
We have outstanding institutions of higher education who have expressed and stepped up in the willingness to take the lead.
I think the thing I've come to conclude is what we need most I think is a strategy that unifies all of the efforts such that we can best leverage to a common end.
That is one of the things the center set out to do, develop that strategy.
>> What are the implications for higher education and industry?
>> Industry, particularly in the Rochester area, but across the country, the number of technical base jobs is increasing.
Therefore, it is important wether the student is entering employment following the 12th grade or possibly a two year community college or following a four year program at one of the local institutions, that technical base is critically important.
When you are really looking at it from an industry standpoint, this is a question of making sure the have an adequate supply of properly trained people to take the jobs of the future.
>> How do we compare to other countries?
You mentioned Japan earlier.
>> Unfortunately, recent results would suggest, although improving, we still are at best in the middle of the pack.
There is an international test that examines the capability of 15-year-olds around the world.
The United States participated in that.
Compared to 57 countries, both developed as well as developing economies, the United States ranked 21st in science and 32nd in math performance.
We have a long way to go to be measured among the best.
>> I think you know where I'm going, how big is your staff and budget?
>> Well, we're very pleased to have the support of the state of New York, particularly through the efforts of some, to provide our initial funding, which is a $500,000 grant.
We were pleased to just be recently informed that we have been awarded a federal grant of about $950,000 through the efforts of Senator Chuck Schumer.
Our staff is small, two people.
I am assisted by our director.
Our approach is to leverage resources that exist within k-12 organizations as well as a Rochester area colleges.
We found a very strong support, particularly among people who were recently retired from educational system, and are still interested in contributing, possibly in a different way.
We are continued to recruit our resources from those fields.
>> How do you expect to see some solid results?
>> Let me give some examples of programs we have launched the last year.
Let me begin with wanting to have more and better teachers.
We are partnered with a group called "today students, tomorrows teachers" to help students in high school become more aware of the opportunities in science education.
We are involved in helping working with the Rochester City school system and bringing outside resources to help teachers and a classroom.
We are expecting to see some results immediately with those students we are engaged with both the marketing of teacher education as well as an example of working with students in the classroom.
>> Thank you for being with us.
You can go online to wxxi.org for the latest news.
Homelessness and domestic abuse remain world wide crises.
Carlet Cleare tells us about one local entrepreneur who wanted to bring awareness to this problem by giving back.
>> Just like a hot meal on a cold day warms the stomach, local business owner Evangela Stanley or van and she is called, The People's choice kitchen cooks up a day of pampering.
>> I am hosting a day of pampering for up to 20 women from local centers.
This is a day I spent to make these ladies very special.
I have many friends and family that suffered for many years from domestic violence.
>> She's been running a business in Rochester for about 6.5 years.
Part of her inspiration came from the tragic loss of a family member.
>> My older sister Sandra passed away five years ago, suffered from many years of domestic abuse from her ex-boyfriend.
She is the reason why I'm doing this.
This is my way of giving back because I did miss growing up without her being around me and my baby sister a lot.
She was living her life.
She was 10 years older than me.
I truly love her and misser her and this is all for her today.
>> Van's other sister started this in Florida four years ago.
Van said when she heard about the idea, it was something like came over her and she could not sleep.
>> It was like, wow, I think I could really pull off a day or I could really pamper these women.
I could not sleep at night because I was thinking, how can I reach out to these different business owners?
>> About nine different salons hopped onto her vision to help see it through.
Including Lauren Radcliff, owner of hair embassy on West Main Street, says she cannot think of a better fit.
>> Opportunity, great opportunity to help someone feel better about living and that's what we do anyway.
It is perfect.
>> Several women came from the Catholic Family Center's Women's Place.
Two of them were willing to share what it is like being homeless.
>> I wanted to do nothing but cry and cry and cry.
I can survive.
I can live in my car for ever how long it takes, but he is only six months.
And for me not to be able to put a roof over his head, that was the scariest thing for me.
>> It was devastating.
It made me feel like less of a woman.
Like I am not able to take care of myself or my son at this point in time.
It was hurtful.
In a shelter, you have kids, it's like a lot of your self-esteem is gone away from me.
Being turned down for apartments because of this one thing or another is very, very frustrating.
We often lose our spirits.
>> I am here to definitely show my love for these young ladies by preparing a great day for them and putting some smiles on their faces.
>> Jessica and Amber are both 20, homeless, with young boys.
Jessica says this day made her feel feminine again.
>> For them to say, well, we're going to take you out and get you pampered, our treat, it makes me feel like I can be feminine again.
Because I do not feel feminine anymore because I have not been able to do it.
>> As for amber, she, well, says she was the happiest woman in the shelter.
>> Relax with the magazine.
It made me happy.
I was happy.
I think I was one of the happiest people there.
>> The day of pampering ran from 9:00-5:00 at two different locations.
The hair embassy along with new creations unisex shop on Jefferson Avenue.
The women enjoyed lunch prepared by van's kitchen, a hairdo of their liking, eyebrow shaping, and gift baskets.
Crafted and donated by a local daycare provider.
Van says her main focus is to bring awareness.
>> It is like cancer.
Nobody wants to talk about it, but it exists.
I just want to keep shining the light on this issue here of homelessness and domestic violence.
>> It is not any one person of any one ethnic group or of any one background.
It is everybody.
It can happen to anyone when you least expected.
>> Van hopes it becomes an annual event.
A new public defender, Tim Donaher, was appointed to the job of the county legislature this past week.
I welcome Tim Donaher.
As you know, the selection process was marked by accusations that have become too political, not enough of the community was involved in the process, that the bar association's role was diminished, deposition became heated at times.
The complaints about the process, never about you.
Did you ever consider withdrawing?
>> Not at all.
I never considered withdrawing for an instant.
I wanted the position.
At the back and do good things for the office working with the excellent attorneys and support staff that we already have.
-- I wanted to do good things.
We had an office meeting with the senior staff and everybody is truly excited about moving forward and putting the controversy behind us and making an already excellent office even better.
>> Is there a risk of your appointment being tainted by the controversy?
>> I would like to think not.
I am reaching out right now.
The first thing yesterday morning, I began reaching out to the individuals in the coalition.
I placed telephone calls.
Some have already agreed to meet with me.
Everyone I've spoken with has been very receptive and saying let's put this controversy behind us.
Let's all work together in making an excellent office better.
They realize the value of having an excellent public defender's office to the community.
>> Do you understand what the Opposition was saying, of what their issues are?
>> I do.
I respect everybody on both sides of the aisle.
The concerns -- really, the silver lining to the issue, everybody is concerned about the quality of the office.
I'm concerned about the quality of this office.
I care deeply about the office and I'm reaching out to them to say -- it is going to remain an excellent office.
I understand there were concerns about the process itself, but I would like everybody to just come together and work with me to continue to provide excellent representation.
>> Is there a way to reassure the public without having them see the proof in the job being done?
>> I can reassure the public by saying this -- they did an amazing job staffing the job with dedicated, experience, highly qualified public defenders.
None of those individuals are going anywhere at all.
They all have jobs.
As long as I am public defender, they will stay there.
I respect each and everyone of them highly as well as our excellent support staff.
They really are the public defender's office.
Those are the individuals on the frontlines seeking justice for our clients.
They're not going anywhere.
Any changes we're going to make as a team.
They're not personnel changes.
They will be done to make the office even better.
>> Representing indigent individuals in court, will there be any difference to the approach?
>> Not at all.
Our attorneys are highly committed attorneys who speak to local judges, even the prosecutors.
They respect us as we respect them and recognize our job is to zealously advocate for our client interests.
That will not change at all.
When I was an assistant public defender, as zealously represented my clients and some difficult cases.
That is not changing.
>> You have limited resources.
That is the word of the legal community.
How difficult the is it representing indigent cases?
>> At times, it can be very difficult.
For instance, the zero tolerance, that puts a strain on the public defender's office.
I would imagine Mr. Green would say it is putting a strain on the district attorney's office.
Our numbers are very high.
We're reaching out to seek additional resources from the state and the federal government and here locally to expand our resource base so we can better represent our clients.
It but a difficult strain on our individual attorneys.
-- A can put a difficult strain on our individual attorneys.
How could we make changes internally to improve efficiency is one of the areas we're looking at.
>> We hear about the criminal cases, that is where you get most of the attention.
What other cases do you get into?
>> Our office has a very large family law Bureau that often does not get the attention.
It is important work dealing with cases such as termination of parental rights, child abuse cases, family offense cases, custody cases, visitation cases.
They currently have about 3500 cases a year for seven-eight attorneys.
That is important work.
Our attorneys represent clients who are dealing with difficult issues.
Potentially, losing their children.
Those attorneys are equally committed to criminal attorneys.
>> You start the job with a bit of stress.
There is stress all the time under the microscope.
Why would anybody want the job?
>> I have been a committed public defender now for eight years.
I came to the office and immediately selling love with what they were doing, what I was doing.
-- I came to the office immediately fell in love with what they were doing, what I was doing.
All of us do it in one respect for this reason -- we understand we keep the system honest.
That is why the community at large should get behind the public defender's office.
We represent and vindicate their rights of our individual clients, but also the community as a whole.
We act as a check against the state.
The district attorney's office is staffed with very determined prosecutors.
If they're not highly competent, aggressive public defenders, the justice system will suffer.
I want to ensure this community that they will have a public defender's office looking out for the individual clients that we represent, but also the community at large.
>> Thank you for being with us today.
>> Time now for a look at the business section with the democrat and chronicle.
Joining me now is business reporter for The Democrat and Chronicle, welcome to the show.
Governor Spitzer was back in town this past week, part of a rally for the upstate revitalization fund.
Anything new?
>> In January, he pitched the whole idea of a billion dollars in spending the state wants to do enough states to try to kickstart the economy.
A lot of different areas, everything from fixing up parks to the University of Rochester building.
His point this week was to rally the political will and political capital to get this passed down state where there will be some objection.
He walked away with hundreds of signatures from business leaders and community leaders from all over upstate.
Basically, trying to rally the troops.
>> Frontier district unveiled its wireless Internet network for downtown Rochester.
Who is it for and will it make a difference?
>> It will cover parts of greece and Pittsford also.
Basically, frontier is trying to snag up more of the Internet market by here is our wireless network, you can be sitting anywhere using your laptop and for like $5 for a couple hour pass or $10 for a day pass, you have all of this free high-speed wireless network access in all sorts of parts of Monroe County.
>> Who is it for?
>> You and me.
If you are out and about, if you're an individual, here's a way of using a laptop coming getting PDA, getting Internet access for your cellphones.
>> Providing tax incentives, what is the latest debate?
>> This has been under some fire for years.
This week, the comptroller's office came out with an autism and basically there are very few checks and balances.
No indication whether these goodies that are being given away to businesses actual result in jobs being created.
A number of lawmakers in Albany are saying, well, why do we have this program?
We have no verification to whether it is doing what it is doing.
Others are saying, let's fix it, try to make it so it works.
Jobs are being built -- created for the tax incentives the 9800 companies getting tax breaks now are for those breaks.
>> There's a new theory for the slumping housing market, what is it?
>> Chief economist of the National Association of realtors said basically there's a housing slump and much of it is being pushed by the media.
Some people who cannot afford houses are not getting houses because they are afraid the entire world is coming to a crashing halt.
And that a lot of this is psychology as opposed to economics.
There may be some truth to that.
Of course, he is with the National Association of realtors.
>> That is it for this edition of "Need to Know."
I am Peter Iglinski, thank you for joining us.