Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education (STEM)
Legislative Opportunities in STEM Policy
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Professional Development in Math/Science Education
Read Time Magazine Article:"How to Bring Our Schools Out of the 20th Century"
Education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) is receiving renewed attention. America’s ability to compete in an increasingly global economy is hindered because we are not producing enough students with high-quality STEM skills who are able to take their place in a workforce that is highly innovative and stimulates tremendous economic growth.
In order to educate students who are prepared to compete in a global economy, states are beginning to evaluate their own education systems and considering strategies that will improve the overall quality of education.  This includes policies that would increase the rigor of high school, address the problem of losing students who were college-bound, and consider how the quality of the teaching and leadership within a school contributes to the overall effectiveness and quality of a state’s education system.
Legislators are also beginning to focus on policies related directly to STEM education. There is concern that American students are being outperformed in these areas on international tests. There is also a disconcerting small percentage of American students that study in the STEM area in college and graduate programs compared to our international competitors. So states are considering a variety of policies. They range from increasing graduation requirements to providing incentives for teachers in math and science to enhancing the utilization of technology in a school building, to providing incentives for students who pursue math and science during post-secondary studies. NCSL will work to track legislation in this area.
NCSL has engaged in two unique projects that address STEM education.
We have partnered with the Sloan Foundation to enhance the national dialogue about a new and innovative graduate degree called Professional Science Masters (PSM) degree. PSM programs are being created to meet growing industry needs for applied scientists and mathematicians and to provide rewarding career opportunities for undergraduate science and math majors. Nearly 100 PSM programs have been established at 54 universities in 24 states. More than 1200 students are enrolled nationally, and more than 660 graduates are in the workforce. Learn more about the PSM and NCSL's activities on this project.
NCSL has also convened a public-private partnership through the State Legislatures Foundation to examine how technology is being used in K-12 education. Through publications and meetings, this group will inform and educate legislators on topics such as financing education technology, how technology affects student achievement, and the current state of education technology in schools. NCSL is proud to partner with the following businesses and organizations as we undertake this work.
American Federation of Teachers, Apple Computers, Audio Enhancement, Connections Academy, Dell Computers, Microsoft, National Education Association, Software Information Industry Association
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