100kin10 Goals

Science education has been a controversial topic among employers and schools for years. Employers are requesting more STEM graduates yet the schools are unable to keep up with the rising demand. Unemployment rates continue to go up while positions in the science, technology, and engineering fields have remained open and unfulfilled. STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education is vital to the position of the United States in the world standings in STEM research and design. Currently 3 of the 5 top positions in STEM research are held by Asian countries and sadly the United States doesn’t even fall in the top 10 for the list. There was once a time when the United States led the world in STEM research, but times have

The national government has been helping to improve and regulate education since 1965 when they passed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The main purpose of this act was to help America's disadvantaged students that lived in poverty. The ESEA helped improve education from grades k-12 across the United States for thirty six years. When Congress approached the same program in 2001 it was reauthorized and

STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematic) includes some of the most versatile and important careers in the modern world. Most new developments that are making the world a better place to live are from the influences of STEM fields. As the world becomes more technologically developed there is an increase demand for students well-trained in the STEM related fields. To keep pace with this rapidly expanding area of the economy requires an adequate number of P-12 teachers with the necessary content knowledge and skills to train the next generation. Currently, Texas is facing a critical shortage of teachers with strong backgrounds in STEM. This STEM teacher shortage is impacting student learning and if too many teachers pursue degrees

Michael S. Teitelbaum argues in his report, “ The Myth of the Science and Engineering Shortage” that while it may be true that there is an increase in STEM jobs in the US, the fact is for the majority of STEM jobs the wages have been stagnant or declining, indicating that there is no demand for STEM graduates. Teitelbaum continues by stating that it is very simple to claim there is a shortage in STEM by hand-picking specialized fields in STEM that may currently have a shortage due to location and specific years, as a result of changing technology, But to state that all STEM related occupations are experiencing a shortage because a few specialized fields are experiencing a shortage is dangerous as it paints a false a narrative of reality to pursuers’ of STEM degrees. In addition when comparing the unemployment rate of occupations such as registered nurses, physicians, dentists, and lawyers to occupations in STEM, that proponents of STEM have valiantly claimed are experiencing a massive shortage, the unemployment for STEM occupations is staggering. With recent graduates suffering the most with unemployment rates in engineering and computer science above seven percent, as well as an unemployment rate hovering slightly below twelve percent for graduates in information systems ( Teitelbaum). Teitelbaum states that while it may be true that the US is consistently scoring in the middle in international assessments, they are still producing a third of all high-performing students in science and fourteen percent of high-performing students in math. In addition, he states he is not against the push for science and math, as he believes all high school students should be adept in both, but that there is “a big disconnect between this broad educational imperative and

The new changes No Child Left Behind laws were passed earlier in 2010 stresses the importance of education has to be our main concern to ensure that our children are getting quality education. The legislation is called “Performance Counts,” It reevaluates tenure laws and evaluation. This means that teachers are evaluated and being laid off because of their performance in the classrooms. No matter how long the teacher has been in his/her position that still wouldn’t keep them in their position because of their low performance. Over the next 10 years the focus will be to prepare hundreds of new teachers in STEM science, technology, engineering, and math (Mclatchy, 2010). The program is to encourage students in the STEM field or alternative teacher certification programs to switch their careers if they choose to. For

Teacher education is on the rise with the multitudinous grants exhibited in these releases; with more teachers, there is a greater likelihood that some of these educators will be minorities and women. According to Edward Reeve, an educator who has won three Fulbright awards, Stem Thinking is the solution to the STEM crisis. It interconnects subjects, and it explains how the knowledge the students are gaining will be used in everyday life. Reeve argues this will help the students understanding of concepts, principles, and practices, enabling them to see the “big picture”. STEM Thinking teachers use inquiry based learning strategies, and they should know the popular approaches in these fields, such as the scientific method and the engineering design of STEM. This promotes the hands on learning Obama and numerous scientists support. Students will be motivated to learn the materials in class and apply the knowledge outside of the classroom, better preparing them to for careers and bettering the U.S.’s competitive edge in STEM fields (Reeve). If this occurs, this will lead to even more individuals pursuing STEM. Bamidele states that minorities in STEM must become the norm; seeing minority and women educators will give students the notion that they too can advance in these fields. The media must join the U.S. Department of Education to present these images to the public (Bamidele). This returns us to the point made by Milgram, the return of Rosie the Riveter. Pictured below is an image of Kelly Rowland, posing as Rosie the Riveter; not only does this image promote women in the force, but it also combines this objective with ethnic minorities. This represents the achievability of the goals that are set forth by the U.S.

Evaluation is vital to education, whether it is a new reform or a back to basics approach. STEM education remains open to interpretation. Drew states that the quality and efficacy of programs across the United States require quantitative and qualitative evaluations (2011). These studies should include the long-term benefits of grant funding and best practices for sustaining effective STEM programs when the grants and funds from corporate sponsors terminate (Johnson, 2014). Ultimately, the evaluation and research requires dissemination to schools across the country in order to affect the necessary reforms.

According to Joey Rider-Bertrand education is seeing a strange side due to technology and engineering. Teachers are struggling to keep up to date on all the new activities involving technology and engineering. Rider-Bertrand states that class sizes have increase while funding has decreased. All students have expectations to achieve proficiency on state tests and meet graduation requirements. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. According to Rider-Bertrand, education is more focused on technology and engineering in the STEM program.

On December 10, 2015 President Obama signed Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). This act was a replacement for No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. NCLB was a representation of the nation’s goals under president George Bush in which all children would be offered support in order to flourish academically. While ESSA has the same groundwork as NCLB Act, the government anticipates greater academic merit. Only time will tell if this will prove true, nevertheless ESSA will significantly change educational approaches in the upcoming years.

Furthermore, Kelly (2013) has discussed approaches that would enhance student and teacher appreciation and preparation for STEM education, connections with other disciplines, the new common core standards and NGSS.

The new 2015 federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) challenges states to draw on lessons from the last 15 years and to refine their accountability systems to provide the right combination of pressure and support for school improvement.

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was signed into law by President Johnson in 1965. The ESEA allowed for new grants to districts for low-income students, federal grants for text books and federal grants for state instruction. This action also placed distinctive schooling centers. In 2002, the act was renamed as No Child Left Behind (NCLB) reauthorized, and signed by President Bush. The reauthorized form uncovered the fissures in educational accomplishment among susceptible students and those who have the upper hand with

Stepping up to STEM Education Act is a state-based program that was introduced by representative Michael Honda, who represents the 17th Congressional District. This bill, also known as H.R. 565 was first introduced to congress on January 27th, 2015. It was then referred to the House Committee of Education and Workforce. On April 29th, 2015 it was then referred to the subcommittee of Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education where this bill still stands for revisions. This legislation seeks to improve a child’s learning opportunities through incorporating all four subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. This will put emphasis on more educational technology research projects to improve school curriculums and introduce the younger generation to the 21st century workforce. This bill will provide equal access to all students, giving them access to the best digital resources to promote better learning experiences. Teachers will be trained specifically on effective ways to utilize new instructional strategies that will aid students of different background to achieve better grades in school. Through this program, there will be partnerships with agencies and research facilities that focuses on educational success by utilizing, testing and assessing the impact of today’s technology on student learning outcomes. Grants given to this program will not go beyond 20 million dollars (Stepping Up to STEM Act, 2013). These funds will only be used towards

The United States Department of Education is committed to ensuring that all students have access to a quality Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education (“Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math”, n.d.). Despite this commitment, reports indicate a decline in STEM proficiency as well as a lack of qualified teachers to respond to the deficiency (Holdren, Lander, & Varmus, 2009). The lack of qualified STEM teachers has resulted in critical shortage areas in many districts across the United States, prompting policy reform allowing alternative certification pathways to alleviate shortages (“Alternative Routes”, n.d.). Even with a reduction in critical shortage areas, preliminary reports continue to show little or no

A STEM education is a necessity in the United States because the country is lacking knowledgeable people in such fields. However, one is better equipped for multiple job and career positions with the addition of a liberal arts education. It is nearly impossible to transition to different careers with only vocational training. In 2003, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development studied math and science literacy among fifteen year olds. The United States was ranked number twenty-four in math literacy (Drew 27). They are behind countries such as Finland, Slovak Republic, and Hungary. Likewise, the United States was ranked number nineteen in science literacy (Drew 27). It is obvious that the country is behind. STEM education needs to be reformed at the secondary and post-secondary levels of schooling. Katrina Trinko, a member of USA TODAY’s Board of Contributors, agrees that more emphasis should be placed on STEM education; however, this emphasis should not be at the sacrifice of a good liberal arts education. She writes, “Even technology wizards can become more innovative with a solid background in liberal arts” (Trinko 6). A liberal arts education is beneficial to people in all career fields.