Recent State STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Initiatives. What can your state learn from these examples?

The increasingly globalized economy means that the United States is facing more competition from other nations that are increasing the skills of their citizens in
the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects, areas key to success in a high-tech world. As a result, in recent years much attention in
the United States has focused on improving education in the STEM subjects, with initiatives commonly being put forth in the context of workforce development
and college readiness, and regularly involving cooperation among the K-12, postsecondary and business sectors.

A recent Educational Testing Service survey illustrates how important both the general public and "opinion leaders" believe education in mathematics and
science are key to the future success of this nation. Forty percent of the general public and 61% of opinion leaders identified math, science and technology skills
as the most important ingredients in the nation’s strategy to compete in the global economy. Underscoring the need to improve STEM education in this country,
71% of Americans believe that "our nation’s public high schools are coming up short or falling behind in efforts to put students on the path to compete for highly
technical scientific and engineering jobs with their counterparts from other countries."

Full Story: http://www.ecs.org/clearinghouse/70/72/7072.pdf