Overview

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 a state economy's innovation capacity. State K-12 (kindergarten through grade 12) education systems, with the support of postsecondary education, the business sector, foundations, and governments, must ensure that 1) all students graduate from high school with the necessary science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) competencies to become this workforce; and 2) a greater number of students graduate from high school as potential professionals in STEM fields.

A state with an effective STEM education policy agenda uses its power to set rigorous and relevant academic content standards, required state assessments, and high school graduation requirements that are aligned; set content-rich teacher preparation and certification requirements that are aligned with learning standards; and develop new models to support effective K-12 STEM focused classrooms, schools, and districts. Governors have the bully pulpit, convening authority, and the funding levers to help create this new STEM education system. It is important for governors to use these policy tools to lead their states in adopting a STEM education agenda that supports their state's economic future.  

Focus on Center Activities

The NGA Center for Best Practices is focusing on redesigning and improving state K-12 science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education systems through Arizona Governor Napolitano's initiative as NGA Chair, Innovation America. The work on K-12 STEM education is linked to the other two areas of the chair's initiative; enabling state postsecondary education systems to better support innovation and encouraging business innovation through supportive state policies.

As part of the Innovation America initiative, NGA Center has released two documents related to STEM education; Building a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Agenda and a Request for State Proposals for the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Center Grant Program. Please see the Innovation America web page for publications in other areas of the initiative.