Special Initiatives in Mathematics and Science Education
National leaders regularly discuss the importance of improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs at state and local levels and the need to fund STEM programs to promote college and career readiness for studying and working in STEM fields. The Committee on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education (CoSTEM) was established in 2011 by the National Science and Technology Council. The purpose of CoSTEM is to coordinate federal programs and activities in support of STEM education by addressing education and workforce policy issues; research and development efforts that focus on STEM learning at all education levels; and current and projected STEM workforce needs, trends, and issues.47
In November 2009, President Obama launched the Educate to Innovate campaign. This nationwide effort had garnered more than $700 million in public-private investments as of April 2013 for the purpose of motivating students to excel in STEM education. Educate to Innovate focuses on three priorities: (1) bringing together leaders in the private and public sectors to mobilize the business community’s contribution to improving the quality of STEM education, (2) improving the quality of STEM teaching in order to improve how American students compare with students from other nations, and (3) offering more opportunity to women and minorities in STEM-related education and careers. Through the public-private partnerships, the campaign has aimed to reach students by using the media, interactive games, and hands-on learning to motivate them to participate actively in STEM-related education and fields.48
As a response to the Educate to Innovate campaign, Change the Equation, a nonprofit organization, was established in 2010 with a membership of over 100 nationally recognized chief executive officers. Change the Equation works at the intersection of business and education to ensure that all students are STEM literate by collaborating with schools, communities, and states to adopt and implement effective STEM policies and programs. Members of Change the Equation are actively engaged in elevating STEM literacy by advocating evidence-based state policies and practices that are known to produce STEM-literate high school graduates and ensuring high standards for all students.49