A New Approach to Improving Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education. Backgrounder No. 2259

Overview & Synopsis

The authors express reservations about additional federal funding for the National Science Foundation, including new funding for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education programs, provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. For more than 50 years, American political, business, military, and academic leaders have emphasized the need to improve performance in STEM education, but U.S. students continue to underperform in these subjects. The authors advocate that, rather than focusing on federal solutions and increasing federal spending, policymakers and the private sector should refocus attention on systemic education reforms at the state, local, and school levels to increase the number of students who succeed in STEM fields at school and in the workforce. (Contains 38 footnotes.)