Why Now?

Today, we face one of the most difficult challenges in modern history – one that requires urgent attention and participation at every level.

STEM education plays a central role in developing knowledge-based economies in the 21st century. Yet, too many students lose interest in STEM by the time they reach middle school, and too many high school graduates are not prepared for college or the workforce.

The U.S. Department of Education released the landmark report A Nation at Risk in 1983. Called “the most important education reform document of the 20th century,” A Nation at Risk found plenty to fret about: Only one-third of 17-year-olds could solve a math problem requiring several steps; only one-fifth could write a decent persuasive essay. Millions of adults were illiterate. SAT scores were dropping. The findings were met with skepticism by most education groups, who said it painted too harsh a picture of a system that was continually, if slowly, improving.

However, the situation has changed very little since that report was issued.

Few of the innovations attempted over the last 25 years have resulted in large-scale systemic change in education. If we were “at risk” in 1983, we are at even greater risk now. The rising demands of our global economy, together with demographic shifts, require that we educate more students to higher levels than ever before. Yet, our education system is not keeping pace with these growing demands. For example, of 20 children born in 1983, six did not graduate from high school on time in 2001. Of the 14 who did, 10 started college that fall, but only five earned a bachelor’s degree by spring 2007.

We must leverage this information to achieve better results. We simply cannot stick our heads in the sand while grave problems threaten our education system, our society, and our economic prosperity. We must consider structural reforms that go beyond current efforts, as today’s students require a better education than ever before to be successful.

Innovate-Educate’s working states like us in New Mexico have made great strides in learning and promoting STEM education, but we all will face a severe shortages of scientists and engineers over the next decade if we can’t reach students quickly and effectively. Innovate-Educate and Innovate-Educate New Mexico seek to have a positive effect on our students by continuing to development invigorating and inspiring curriculum, internships, mentorships, and industry involvement at the state level to affect the national landscape.

In simple terms: Our students need STEM to compete – now and tomorrow. We must do a better job.