The Prospect of an "A" in STEM Education

Abstract

STEM education has since become perhaps the largest reform movement in PK-12 education over the last decade. The rationale for increased emphasis in STEM education is driven largely by lackluster national assessments of PK-12 students over the last decade or two. These assessments continue to indicate that the United States is failing to compete with other countries when it comes to student performance, and interest in, STEM subject areas. There is certainly no question that STEM education and STEM skills are a vital part of this country’s perceived edge, but many educators would argue that STEM is missing a key creativity-related components that are vital for fostering a maintaining and advancing and innovative workforce, and those skills may be best delivered by the arts.