Students Who Study Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in Postsecondary Education. Stats in Brief. NCES 2009 161.
Introduction Rising concern about America's ability to maintain its competitive position in the global economy has renewed interest in STEM education. In 2005, for example, three preeminent U.S. scientific groups the National Academy of Science, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine jointly issued a report, Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future, that called for strengthening the STEM pipeline from primary through postsecondary education (National Academy of Science 2005) This report recommended increasing investment in STEM programs, enhancing the STEM teaching force, and enlarging the pool of students pursuing degrees and careers in STEM fields. Similar policy recommendations have come from other organizations and government agencies (Government Accountability Office 2006; National Science Board 2007; U.S. Department of Education 2006)