The State of STEM in a Time of Transition

Chris Roe, CSLNet

Gateways STEM Stakeholder Meeting

Oct. 10, 2014

New research and key reports on STEM

Deeper look into three key STEM policy areas/opportunities:

• NGSS: The long and winding road…

• New education financing & accountability systems

• Computer science education

Your turn: Take Action

The State of STEM in a Time of Transition

STEM Task Force report

Key Recommendations:• Increase public awareness of STEM• Increase resources for STEM from all

stakeholders (government, business, philanthropy, communities) through new funding, in-kind support, multi-sector participation, and innovative public/private partnerships

• Make access to high-quality STEM experiences and programs through a opportunities in school, expanded learning, and community partnerships

STEM Task Force Recommendations

Key Recommendations (Cont’d):

• Establish a K-12 STEM Framework for teaching and learning that identifies the sequence of STEM knowledge, skills, and attitudes toward developing college, career, and life readiness skills

• Integrate STEM into assessment and accountability systems

• Ensure that state, regional, and local STEM educators can identify and access excellent learning resources.

NGSS: The Long & Winding Road

NGSS Statewide Implementation Plan

Teacher Prep & Credentialing

NGSS Assessment Development

CA NGSS Curriculum Framework Development

NGSS Adopted – Sept 2013

New Accountabilty SystemsNew Financing System

Connections to other disciplines

New Education Financing System: Where Does STEM Fit?

LCFF: new funding system for public schools

LCAP: Starting with 2014-15 academic year districts must develop a plan for how they will use state funds.

State has identified 8 Priorities that districts must address in their LCAP with input from stakeholders.

• includes Academic Content Standards (Priority 2)

LCAP Research re: STEM & Science

Ed Trust-West - LCAP Watch to provide transparency http://lcapwatch.org/

Searchable, crowd-sourced database accessible to public

CSLNet role: Conduct research re: STEM & Science

• Sampled 92 districts:o 50 largest districts in Californiao Largest district in each county not already part of the sample

*

Findings re: STEM & NGSS

41% included some reference to STEM

Top three STEM related activities:• CTE Coursework (9.1%) & Career Pathways (4.5%)

• Expanded Learning (9.1%)

43% included references to NGSS

• 28% included reference to professional learning

Next Steps

Advocate for changes to LCAP Template to clarify Priority 2.

Work with partners to develop a best practices guide for including STEM and NGSS in LCAPs.

Computer Science Education: K-12 through Workforce

Challenge #1 - Access• Insufficient course offerings in K-12

• 9 of 10 students will leave K-12 with no CS course

Challenge #2 - Completion• Production of computer scientists is low

given key role in CA economy

• Few women and under-represented students among degrees awarded

Challenge #3 – Workforce Demand

• Projections all point to significant increases in the demand for computer science jobs through 2022.

Computer Science Degrees: CA Flatlines While Nation Rebounds

1986

-87

1987

-88

1988

-89

1989

-90

1990

-91

1991

-92

1992

-93

1993

-94

1994

-95

1995

-96

1996

-97

1997

-98

1998

-99

1999

-00

2000

-01

2001

-02

2002

-03

2003

-04

2004

-05

2005

-06

2006

-07

2007

-08

2008

-09

2009

-10

2010

-11

2011

-12

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

NationalCA Total

Academic Year

Deg

rees A

ward

ed

Computer Science Degrees: Women & URMs Lose Ground

1986-87

1988-89

1990-91

1992-93

1994-95

1996-97

1998-99

2000-01

2002-03

2004-05

2006-07

2008-09

2010-110

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

UC/CSU Computer Science Degrees Awarded by Gender 1986-2012

Female

Male

Academic Year

Degr

ees A

war

ded

1988-89

1990-91

1992-93

1994-95

1996-97

1998-99

2000-01

2002-03

2004-05

2006-07

2008-09

2010-110.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

Percent of UC/CSU Computer Science Degrees by Ethnicity 1988-2012

African-American

Latino

Academic Year

Perc

ent o

f Tot

al D

egre

es A

war

ded

Your Part: Call to Action

Help CA develop a robust plan for implementing NGSS

Ensure that in 2015 LCAPs, 100% address science and 75% address STEM

• Support increased awareness among LEAs

• Support increased awareness among students and parents about STEM

Help California develop a comprehensive policy agenda for computer science

Got Questions???

Thank You!!!

Contact Information:

Email: croe@cslnet.org

Website: cslnet.org

Twitter: @CSLNet_roe