U.S. economic and national security increasingly depends on a technologically literate workforce.  However, as the number of jobs requiring engineering and scientific training grows, the number of students preparing for those careers remains level, with women and minorities severely underrepresented.  It is therefore essential that K-12 STEM education be strengthened to prepare today’s students to meet this growing demand.

It is essential that we gain the greatest possible benefit from every federal investment in improving STEM education. More prevalent use of research-based instructional methods in elementary and high schools, improved student achievement at all levels, more access to college study, and increased persistence in the STEM disciplines to produce qualified professionals are all needed to spur innovation and U.S. competitiveness.

Parents, educators, the private sector, and the federal, state, and local governments at all levels have important roles to play in ensuring that future generations will possess the skills and critical competencies necessary to be successful in a highly competitive, global, and technologically sophisticated economy.  Together, these stakeholders must work cooperatively to ensure that children receive the STEM education essential to future success.

POLICY OBJECTIVES:

• Broaden the STEM pipeline, especially targeting women and minorities, by increasing the number of students who pursue STEM coursework and careers.
• Expand the U.S. talent pool by significantly improving K-12 STEM education by the recruitment, training and retention of qualified STEM teachers.
• Increase federally funded research focused on STEM teaching and learning to cultivate the most effective teaching methods.
• Encourage the adoption and periodic review of curriculum standards that cultivate high student performance; the development of curricula that foster creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking; and the development of assessments aligned with these standards and curricula.
• Foster partnerships among educational institutions, industry, and non-profit organizations to improve STEM education.

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