Michigan at Risk: A STEM Solution

1. Michigan at Risk: A STEM Solution Presented at the 2011 Governor’s Education Summit Lansing, Michigan

2. The Crisis • only about 4 in 10 Americans have obtained either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree by their mid-twenties. • the United States now has the highest college dropout rate in the 30 industrialized countries • it is projected that STEM occupations will increase 22 percent over the next 10 years • the US has far fewer STEM graduates

3. The Crisis-continued • jobs requiring STEM degrees are projected to increase four times as fast as overall job growth. • K-12 students from the United States perform below students from other industrialized countries on international tests of math and science. • less than 40% of students intending to major in STEM fields actually complete a degree. For underrepresented minorities the rate is below 25%.

4. Important Characteristics of “STEM” Programs • Exploratory • Outcomes Based Curriculum • Assessment dimension based on standards • Multi-disciplinary (S, T, E, and M standards and benchmarks-inclusive of these disciplines) • Professional Development Standards

5. Criteria for Rating STEM Programs • Outcomes Based • Integrated disciplines including Math, Science, Technology, and Engineering • Cross walked with the “state required” curriculum • Flexibility of delivery systems • Cost of Equipment and Materials • Access to Professional Development

6. Criteria for Rating STEM Programs-continued • Assessment system (achievement measures, collection procedures) • Systematic approach to curriculum review and updating • Accommodation for students with diverse backgrounds and abilities

7. National STEM Programs • Project Lead The Way • Infinity Project • Ford PAS • International Technology and Engineering Educators Association • After School Programs (US FIRST and Vex Robotics)

8. Project Lead The Way • Premier STEM program for middle and HS students in the US • Currently serves 350,000 students in more than 4,000 schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia • Rigorous pre-service and in-service is required • A national assessment is conducted for each class • Successful students can get college credit in more than 38 universities. • The competency-based curriculum is linked to the state curriculum

9. PLTW Outcomes • Increased Math Achievement • Increased Science Achievement • Influences Students to Select a STEM Career Path • PLTW Students Who select a STEM path complete at a higher rate than non-PLTW students

10. PLTW Outcomes-Continued • PLTW seniors- higher ACT composite scores and higher ACT math & science scores than their peers. • The average attendance of PLTW seniors was eight days higher than non-PLTW seniors. • PLTW middle school students began 6th grade: • at lower proficiency in math, reading and science • with lower attendance rates than non-PLTW students. • by the 8th grade, those gaps had been eliminated. (University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Report – December 2009)

11. PLTW Outcomes-Continued • PLTW students exceeded the average academic growth rate in science concepts and processes and mathematics. • A three-year study of PLTW high schools in Wisconsin found that both academic achievement and student engagement are enhanced when compared to a control group.

12. Comparison with other states

13. Desired Actions • Encourage the Michigan Department of Education to take the lead in supporting promising STEM initiatives • Strengthen the Public and Private Partnership Group that Supports PLTW • Validate the PLTW Effort with Support from the Private Sector

14. For additional information please contact: • pkuwik@emich.edu • jdugger@emich.edu • http://www.pltw.org/ • http://www.pltwmichigan.org/