ECS Responds to National Demand for Science and Math Workforce

    DENVER, July 17 /EMWNews/ -- Today, the Education

Commission of the States, (ECS) launches two key resources for

policymakers. The first focuses on increasing the workforce in science,

technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. The second responds

to a projected, growing national demand for students with advanced skills

in career and technical fields.



    According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training

Administration, America "continues to suffer from a shortage of qualified

IT workers with flexible and portable skills who can readily adapt and

respond to ever-changing IT demands and processes."



    "STEM and career and technical education (CTE) both address burning

issues for policymakers today," said ECS Senior Policy Analyst Jennifer

Dounay, manager of the organization's High School Policy Center. "STEM and

CTE programs respond to the outcry for more highly-qualified workers to

meet growing state and national technical workforce needs. At the same

time, CTE and STEM courses answer many high school students' calls to bring

relevance and real-world applications into the classroom."



    Traditionally, technical careers have not been seen as academically

rigorous. However, to be successful today, these jobs require considerable

knowledge in math and science -- most of these skills are on par with what

are required for traditional four-year degrees. The new ECS resources put

the right pieces in place for policymakers to ensure broad access and

maintain high-quality instruction and curriculum for STEM and CTE programs.



    One of the resources is a STEM database, [ http://www.ecs.org/hsdb-stem

] providing 50-state information on 10 indicators related to quality of and

access to high school-level STEM programs. The database also offers

information on state programs targeted at STEM achievement among female,

low-income and minority students -- often underrepresented in STEM

classrooms and state support for pre-Advanced Placement alignment programs.



    Another tool for policymakers is the CTE database, [

http://www.ecs.org/hsdb-cte ] which provides 50-state data on 13 state

policy indicators linked to program access and quality, including: the use

of employability skill assessment tools, the inclusion of CTE courses in

graduation requirements, and funding mechanisms, among others.



    "STEM and CTE programs at the high school level are growing and

evolving in response to public and policymaker demand," said Roger Sampson,

ECS president. "These ECS databases provide policymakers with just the

tools they need to make sure students, regardless of the communities in

which they live, have access to these exciting programs and that the

instruction and curriculum are at a level to adequately prepare students

for life after high school or college."



    The Education Commission of the States (ECS) is an interstate compact

created by the states, territories and the U.S. Congress that helps

governors, legislators, state education officials and others identify,

develop and implement public policies to improve student learning at all

levels. A nonpartisan organization, ECS was formed in 1965 and is located

in Denver, Colorado. ECS is the only nationwide interstate compact devoted

to education.