US Falling Behind in STEM Education
The recent STEM Summit 4.0, which was held at the New York Academy of Sciences, discussed the education gap in STEM subjects.
Various groups discussed many topics relating to the teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in the United States, including the importance of educating women and reaching students earlier in their school careers.
The STEM summit panel was also reminded that STEM education for handicapped and underprivileged students is also below par. So how can the US education system encourage a better take up of science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects?
Below Average Achievement for US Students
US high school students are way below average in mathematics achievement. In the 2012 PISA assessments, US students ranked 27 out of 65 developed countries that participated. In science, the US was average.
Neither result is anything to be proud of. A report conducted by the OCED found that US students had difficulties working at higher-level mathematics, in particularly applying math to real world situations.
These results are despite the fact that the US spends more per student than most other countries. To illustrate the gap between US students and those from other countries, a math student from Shanghai in China is two years ahead of an equivalent student from Massachusetts, the best performing state in the US.
STEM Education Fails Disadvantaged Students
Some of the poor results are explained by the socio-economic background of students in many parts of the US.
Students from disadvantaged backgrounds have less engagement in academic study, less motivation and drive, and lack the self-belief of students from more prosperous backgrounds.
These students are far less likely to advance through the further education system and enroll on an online master of science in analytics course from Villanova University.
A Lack of Engagement in STEM Subjects
Despite the fact that US students enjoy school and are happy with their teachers, only 50% of students interviewed in the PISA study said they were interested in learning mathematics, compared to an average of 53% in developed countries as a whole.
This makes it harder for universities to attract the right caliber of student for their online MSA degree courses.
President Obama recognizes the importance of STEM subjects in the US education system, which is why he highlighted the matter when he made his final State of the Union address. He has made increasing the number of students and teachers who are proficient in STEM subjects a priority.
STEM Education a Priority for Obama
The Obama administration wants US students to reach the top of the leaderboard for STEM subjects within a decade.
This will involve ensuring there are equally distributed learning opportunities so students from disadvantaged backgrounds are not discriminated against.
Students will also be given access to high-class learning opportunities, with new funding being made available for improving STEM education from preschool through to 12th grade, increasing public engagement with STEM, and several other key areas.
Investing in STEM education will enable today’s students to become tomorrow’s business leaders.
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Category: Education
