Prepare and Inspire: K-12 Education in Science, Technolgy, Engineering, and Math (STEM) for America's Future. Report to the President.

摘要

In the fall of 2009, the President asked his Presidents Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) to develop specific recommendations concerning the most important actions that the administration should take to ensure that the United States is a leader in STEM education in the coming decades. In responding to this charge, PCAST decided to focus initially on the K-12 level. (A subsequent report will address STEM education at community colleges, four-year colleges, and universities.) There have been a number of important reports related to STEM education over the past two decades, including landmark reports that have called attention to the problem, reviews of the research literature, and recommendations concerning principles and priorities. Our goal is not to redo the work of these excellent reports indeed, we have relied heavily on their research and findings. Rather, the purpose of this PCAST report is instead to translate these ideas into a coherent program of Federal action to support STEM education in the United States that responds to current opportunities. The report examines the national goals and necessary strategies for successful STEM education. We examine the history of Federal support for STEM education and consider actions that the Federal Government should take with respect to improving leadership and coordination. Subsequent chapters discuss Standards and Assessments, Teachers, Technology, Students and Schools.