WCER/School Of Education experts help anchor new national framework to increase equity in K–12 STEM education


By WCER Communications

A new National Academies report authored by a committee of experts including WCER Director Courtney Bell explores barriers to equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education from kindergarten through high school. It outlines a strategic framework for policymakers, school administrators, and educators to make STEM education more equitable.

Cover of "Equity in K-12 STEM Education: Framing Decisions for the Future"The report, Equity in K-12 STEM Education: Framing Decisions for the Future, approaches equity in STEM education not as a singular goal but as an ongoing process — involving stakeholders at all levels of the education system — that requires intentional decision making and action toward addressing and disrupting existing inequities and envisioning a more just future.

The 16-member committee was appointed in November 2021. As part of its work, members made site visits to school districts in four states and held five open sessions to take testimony from researchers in relevant fields. The committee also commissioned two short papers to help synthesize field evidence and help frame the report.

One of those papers was written by UW–Madison Associate Professor of Curriculum and Instruction Noah Weeth Feinstein about the role of STEM education in democracy as it relates to equity. The final committee report provides five equity frames as a guide to help decision-makers articulate short- and long-term goals for equity and make decisions about policy and practice. A four-page summary of study highlights is available online.

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