STEM as an Anchor for Education

System Innovation

State STEM Resource Conference

Plenary Session Panel Discussion
Thursday, December 10, 2009
STEM AS AN ANCHOR FOR EDUCATION SYSTEM
INNOVATION
Moderator


• Michele Cahill, Vice President, National Programs and

Program Director, Urban Education, Carnegie Corporation
of New York


Panelists


• Sarah Almy, Partner, The New Teacher Project

• Tom Luce, Chief Executive Officer, National Math and
Science Initiative
• Rich Rosen, STEM Education, Battelle
• Yvonne M. Spicer, Vice President for Advocacy &
Educational Partnerships, Museum of Science, Boston
 www.OpportunityEquation.org
G O A L : M U C H H IG H E R L E V E L S O F S T E M
L E A R N IN G
F O R ALL U . S . S T U D E N T S

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ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGE
Every American student needs to be educated to be


“STEM-capable.”


• STEM = science, technology, engineering, and

mathematic


• Preparation in these areas is equivalent to being ready

for college and careers in the 21st century global
economy and supports full engagement as citizens


• Increasing the supply of advanced STEM graduates will

depend on raising the level of STEM learning for all
American students.
–
 “Over the coming decades, today’s young people will
depend on www.OpportunityEquation.org
the skills and knowledge developed from
learning math and science to analyze problems, imagine
GOAL : U . S . EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM ALIGNED FOR
STUDENT SUCCESS

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THE ‘FOUR ASSURANCES’

• Rigorous college- and career-ready standards and high-

quality assessments that are valid and reliable for all
students, including English language learners and
students with disabilities
• Data systems that track progress and foster continuous
improvement
• Improvements in teacher effectiveness and in the equitable
distribution of qualified teachers for all students,
particularly students who are most in need
• Intensive support and effective interventions for the lowest-
performing schools
 STEM can amplify, accelerate, and align efforts in these areas
and promote excellence and equity for all US students.

www.OpportunityEquation.org
STATES AND STEM: QUESTIONS FOR THE
PANEL
• How can STEM be a lever for improvement in the areas
highlighted by the four assurances? How can STEM
promote system alignment?
• What should states be doing now to implement high-impact
strategies that use STEM as a driver? What are the most
challenging areas? Where are the strong models, and
where is current practice underdeveloped?
– Standards and assessments
– Data, improvement, and innovation
– Teacher supply and effectiveness
– Turnaround schools
• What about the “T” and the “E” in STEM?

www.OpportunityEquation.org
 www.OpportunityEquation.org

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