1

Supporting Science, Technology, 

I’m committed to moving our countr y from the 

middle to the top of the pack in science and 

math education over the next decade. 

 —President Barack Obama

In the 21st century, graduating from high school prepared for postsecondary 

education and careers means having a solid grounding in the science, technology, 

 engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Mastery of mathematics, 

science, and technology is no longer only for future scientists and engineers; it is essential 

preparation for all students. Despite an overall increase in postsecondary education 

enrollment for over a decade, the percentage of STEM college graduates has declined. While 

the proportion of K–12 students who achieve at the proficient level or above on the National 

Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) mathematics exam is increasing, achievement 

gaps between whites and minorities remain. 

America needs to increase the number of students pursuing STEM fields in their academic 

studies and careers, and improve preparation for the next generation of engineers, scientists, 

mathematicians, and technicians. Since the beginning of the 20th century, average percapita income in the United States has grown more than sevenfold, and science and 

technology account for more than half of this growth; the world today’s students will inherit 

will be one defined to an even greater degree by science and technology. 

Reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act

Engineering, and Mathematics Education

Supporting STEM
2

The Obama administration’s Blueprint for Reform of the Elementary and Secondary 

Education Act provides over $1 billion in grants to states, school districts, and 

nonprofits to support a complete education in high-need schools, including $300 

million specifically for competitive STEM grants. 

What we’re proposing

▶ Targeted supports for teachers and schools. The proposal includes $300 million 

in competitive grants to states with which to provide subgrants to high-need 

districts for improving STEM education, aligning it with standards that help 

ensure college and career readiness.

▶ Fostering innovation. The proposal promotes innovation—creating and scalingup effective practices to help students succeed. In the president’s fiscal year 2011 

budget, $150 million of the Investing in Innovation fund will be focused on 

STEM projects.

▶ Enhancing partnerships. The proposal supports partnerships between 

districts and university mathematics and science departments, STEM-focused 

businesses, and other outside partners with STEM expertise to advance 

teaching, learning, and leading in STEM subject areas.
3

▶ Improving assessments. The proposal will invest in the development of 

improved assessments, including those in the STEM subjects. Improvement 

will focus on the measurement of students’ growth and their mastery of higherorder skills. These new assessments also will measure students’ complex 

problem-solving and analytical skills.

▶ Other subjects in accountability systems. States will be allowed to incorporate 

science and subjects in addition to English language arts and mathematics 

in their accountability systems. Under this framework, schools and districts 

will be held responsible for providing students with a broader, high-quality 

education beyond the narrow focus of the No Child Left Behind Act.

▶ Recognition and rewards. Great teachers, including STEM teachers, will be 

recognized and rewarded with advancement opportunities and additional 

compensation. 

▶ Strengthening preparation programs. To ensure that more prospective 

teachers, including STEM teachers, have access to high-quality preparation 

programs, the president’s budget proposal will double the federal funding 

for such programs. The Blueprint for Reform will ask states to hold teacher 

preparation programs accountable for preparing their graduates to succeed in 

the classroom.

▶ Relevant professional development and collaboration time. Funding for 

districts to implement professional development that is relevant to student, 

teacher, and school needs has helped to provide teachers the knowledge and 

skills that help them improve their classroom practice, including developing 

content knowledge in STEM fields. The proposal will provide more support 

for time for teacher collaboration, mentoring, and working together to improve 

practice.

This publication is in the public domain and may be reproduced in whole or in part. 

It comprises proposals from A Blueprint for Reform: The Reauthorization of the 

Elementary and Secondary Education Act, U.S. Department of Education, March 

2010. To read the full text, visit www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/blueprint. For more 

information, go to www.ed.gov or call 1-800-USA-LEARN.

July 2010
 The Department of Education’s mission is to promote student achievement 

and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational 

excellence and ensuring equal access.

www.ed.gov