Building a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Agenda

Overview & Synopsis

The global economy has "flattened" the world in terms of skills and technology. A new workforce of problem-solvers, innovators, and inventors who are self-reliant and able to think logically is one of the critical foundations that drive innovative capacity in a state. The K-12 (kindergarten through grade 12) education system, with the support of postsecondary education, the business sector, foundations, and government, must ensure that: (1) all students graduate from high school with science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) competencies; and (2) a greater number of students graduate from high school as potential professionals in STEM fields. In this document, it is recommended that governors adopt policy tools in three areas to build a comprehensive STEM policy agenda: (1) aligning rigorous and relevant K-12 STEM education requirements to the expectations (inputs) of postsecondary education and the workplace; (2) developing statewide capacity for improved K-12 STEM teaching and learning to implement that aligned STEM education and work system; and (3) supporting new models that focus on rigor and relevance to ensure that every student is STEM literate upon graduation from high school and a greater number of students move onto postsecondary education and training in STEM disciplines. (Contains 2 figures and 58 endnotes.)