Students in STEM programs on average score higher in mathematics and science on Iowa Assessments and other metrics
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The Iowa Governor's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Advisory Council recently announced results from its 2014-2015 independent evaluation that measures the success of the STEM Council's efforts with STEM education and economic development across the state.
Highlights of the 349-page Iowa STEM Evaluation Report include :
- Students who participated in STEM Scale-Up programs scored an average of 6 percentage points higher in mathematics and science on the Iowa Assessments.
- A total of 376 new business-education partnerships formed through Iowa STEM programs.
- Eighty-one percent of educators who implemented STEM Scale-Up programs last year agree or strongly agree that they have more confidence in teaching STEM content.
- From 2012 to 2014, public support of an increased focus on STEM education to improve Iowa's economy rose to 89 percent.
"It is very inspiring to see such positive results coming from all sectors of our STEM initiative," said Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, co-chair of the STEM Council. "While this report indicates that what we are doing is working, it also shows that we have progress to make, and I can tell you that we're dedicated to doing just that. We have great people involved in the STEM Council, and we will continue to make large strides in STEM education in Iowa."
In addition to these gains, evaluators also found more students are earning four-year college degrees in STEM-related fields, more students are taking Advanced Placement (AP) STEM courses, more high school teachers are getting their initial license in STEM areas and more ACT-tested graduates across all demographic subgroups, including males, females, African-Americans and Hispanics, are attracted to STEM fields. The evaluation team also unveiled the Iowa STEM Professional Network Analysis, which shows significant growth in connections across the K-12, higher education, business and non-profit from 2007 to 2015.
"The value of these statistics is immeasurable," said Dr. Chris Nelson, co-chair of the STEM Council and president and CEO of Kemin Industries. "As a leader in the business sector, it is all about results and determining what is working well and what needs improvement. This report provides the data we need to continue to make a difference in STEM education in our state."
This independent evaluation is conducted by an inter-university consortium of Iowa State University's Research Institute for Studies in Education (RISE), University of Iowa's Iowa Testing Program and the University of Northern Iowa's Center for Social and Behavioral Research (CSBR). Key findings of this year's report range from measuring public attitudes and awareness of STEM to interest and achievement among Iowa students. The evaluation is funded in part by the STEM Council and a grant from the National Science Foundation.
To view the entire report, please visit: www.iowastem.gov/sites/
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About the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council
Established in July 2011 via Governor's Executive Order, the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council is a public-private partnership of educators, companies and Iowa students and families addressing policies and programs designed to improve Iowa's educational system focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The STEM Council works to engage and prepare students for a career-ready workforce path, regain our State's historic leadership position in education and provide a vital competitive economic advantage now, and for the future, to ensure that every Iowa student has access to world-class STEM education opportunities. The 47-member STEM Council is chaired by Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Kemin Industries President and CEO Dr. Chris Nelson. For more information, visit www.IowaSTEM.gov.
