The purpose of this blog is to explore Louisiana's strategy and capacity for advancing STEM education, careers, and workforce for all. Louisiana has its own array of STEM assets, strengths and approaches in place - thus this site is designed to discover these strategies and activities. Not just a PK12 issue - all stakeholders, higher education, workforce development, economic development, business & industry, are welcome to participate. Hopefully the site will pose and answer questions that will ultimately help guide and focus diverse partners in this effort.

Advancing STEM

To guide this blog, questions posed will focus on "Change the Equation's" Vital Signs tool that is designed to help review current strategy and continuously improve state and regional strategy for positively influencing STEM learning for all students.

Categories                                         (Summarized from Change the Equation)

Overarching  Infrastructure for STEM
·      Broad-based leadership/guiding organization including state government leaders, K12, higher education, business, philanthropy and community representatives at state level and/or community level
·      Coordinated plan for advancing STEM education and talent development
·      Policies aligned to enable and support STEM efforts
Standards and Expectations
·       Common Core, Next generation science standards, and college readiness standards
·       Graduation standards
·       Incentives in science/math
·       Rigorous assessment
STEM Learning Opportunities
·       Elementary school focus as well as middle and high
·       High quality STEM courses and programs (AP, Dual credit, IB)
·       Attention to equity issues
·       CTE priority on STEM related skill building/careers (articulated career pathways through certificates and credentials)
·       Out-of-school STEM learning opportunities endorsed and promoted for teachers and students (museums, clubs, competitions)
Teacher Preparation and Support
·       Efforts to increase number and quality of STEM content disciplines
·       Teacher education programs that focus on effective teaching
·       Alternative certification allowing STEM majors outside education to become teachers
·       PD for practicing teachers (content, pedagogy, equity issues)
·       Resources, tools and curriculum development
Postsecondary Education & Research
·       Goals for increasing number of STEM certificates, degrees and credentials
·       Mechanisms, such as funding, to encourage postsecondary emphasis based on state’s economic development goals
·       Goals to increase number of students who declare STEM majors
·       Goals to increase retention for students who enter programs
·       Goals/policies to drive increases in STEM research and increased industry & higher education collaboration
Resource Allocation and Alignment
·       Receiving significant federal funds for STEM
·       Higher education activity to attract research and grant funding strategically aligned to
·       Specific efforts made to solicit resources from multiple funding (non-federal governmental) sources to support key strategies
·       Effort underway to identify gaps in STEM facilities, supplies and equipment for all students
·       Effort underway to inform parents about STEM:  value, curricular approach, opportunities to support activities both in and out-of-school

1 comment:

  1. Aaron axelMay 7, 2015 at 5:40 AM

    Great piece of writing, I really liked the way you highlighted some really important and significant points. Thanks so much, I appreciate your work.

    STEM Majors

    ReplyDelete

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