STEM Initiative
Overview
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America's advantage over its international counterparts in science, technology, and innovation is diminishing. In response to these challenges, BHEF launched Securing America's Leadership in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM Initiative) in June 2005 to help ensure that America remains a global leader. Led by Co-Chairs Warren Baker, President of the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and William Swanson, Chairman and CEO of Raytheon Company, the STEM initiative seeks to double the number of STEM college graduates by 2015 through strengthening the mathematics and science teaching workforce and pursuing promising strategies to strengthen the education pipeline that leads to STEM careers. View a one-pager (pdf) on the STEM Initiative.
Most recently, BHEF has:
Collaborated with Raytheon on the development of the U.S. STEM education model. The model allows users to examine the impact of proposed policy interventions and strategies on the number of STEM-capable and interested students in order to better understand which strategies have the potential to improve student interest and ability in STEM, and thus increase the number of STEM college graduates. To learn more, download a brief description of the project (pdf) or a paper about the prototype model (pdf) or download the model.
Launched the STEM Research and Modeling Network (SRMN), to foster an open-source research community devoted to increasing STEM student outcomes, augmenting the STEM education model, and advancing predictive modeling tools in education. Coming soon, BHEF will release the first installment of its modeling simulation series (sim series), examining the effort of teacher layoffs on the future teacher workforce and student achievement. Visit the SRMN Web site at www.stemnetwork.org.
Published An American Imperative, a report that addresses the critical shortage of high quality mathematics and science teachers, the lack of which threatens the strength, innovation, and productivity of America's economy. It proposes a comprehensive action plan to elevate the status of the teaching profession and focuses on transforming three key components that contribute to a robust, world-class teaching workforce: recruitment, retention, and renewal.
Additional Information
For more information about the initiative and its related research, programmatic, and advocacy efforts, please contact Christopher Roe, Deputy Director.
» August 13, 2010
President Obama Signs Spending Bill to Protect Teachers’ Jobs. BHEF applauds passage of the Education Jobs Bill.
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» August 11, 2010
Business-Higher Education Forum Statement on the Survival of BHEF Member and EADS North America CEO Sean O’Keefe
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» August 10, 2010
President Obama Cites Need to Restore U.S. Leadership in Higher Education; Names Three BHEF Member-Led Universities for Cost-Controlling Efforts. Calls on all college and university presidents to follow their example.
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» June 24-25, 2010
BHEF welcomed its members to Washington, DC for its summer meeting on June 24-25, 2010. Members heard from senior representatives of the Obama Administration on challenges and opportunities for education reform in upcoming reauthorization efforts and the challenges confronting long-term U.S. sustainability that demand strengthened STEM education.