National Research Council Publicizes Indicators for STEM Education Monitoring

The National Research Council recently released a report outlining a set of 14 key indicators for monitoring success of STEM education initiatives.  The report is intended to act as a framework for legislators and federal agencies to craft "national-level monitoring and reporting system."  Indicators include:  the amount of time devoted by elementary teachers to science instruction; the availability of district-adopted Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards aligned instructional materials; teacher STEM content knowledge; enrollment in available STEM-focused schools and programs; teacher participation in STEM-focused professional development; inclusion of science in state accountability systems; state and district support for science instruction; and federal funding for STEM-focused research.  http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2012/11/nrc_issues_report_on_tracking_.html  The full report can be accessed at http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13509

Change the Equation Initiative Releases 2012 "Vital Signs" STEM Report Cards

The national Change the Equation initiative has released its 2012 STEM "Vital Signs" report cards for the US.  Each state has a separate report card covering such topics as opportunities, pipeline, demand, expectations, teacher and student preparation, and recommendations.  Custom reports may also be created and reviewed.

California's report shows that the state is raising the bar by adopting the Common Core math standards, yet challenges due to funding cuts and achievement gaps for under-represented students persist.  Recommendations include requiring higher scores on math and science, aligning high school exit and college entrance requirements, and obtaining a higher return on investment for dollars put towards STEM efforts.  http://changetheequation.org/sites/default/files/vital-pdfs/CA-CTEq-vital-signs.pdf

Washington Post Blogger Includes STEM in "Civic Marshall Plan" Proposal

Valerie Strauss of the Washington Post Conversations blog promotes the initiation of a "Civic Marshall Plan" (from the Grad Nation report by Civic Enterprises) for education reform.  In addition to the continuing emphasis on STEM education, Strauss believes that the following key components must be included for student mastery and global competitiveness:  global literacy; financial literacy; civic literacy; smart technology; early education; improved teacher training and implementation; equitable access to high quality teaching for all students, particularly those who are socio-economically disadvantaged; and increased attention to all 21st Century skills (critical thinking, etc.).  http://www.washingtonpost.com/conversations/us-schools-face-need-for-far-reaching-change/2012/02/20/gIQAVXJCWR_story.html

President Announces Funding Plan to Train STEM Educators

As part of a White House science fair today, President Obama was scheduled to announce a plan to ask Congress to fund $80 million in Department of Education grants, plus allocating $22 million from private entities (including universities, foundations, and businesses) for math and science teacher preparation programs.  This would help implement the 100k in 10 initiative discussed in previous State of the Union addresses.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-to-announce-100-million-plan-to-train-new-educators/2012/02/06/gIQA8krCvQ_story.html