ESEA reauthorization is a good thing for STEM education.
On Friday, President Obama signed the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, formerly known as “No Child Left Behind” (NCLB). The updated law, called the “Every Student Succeeds Act” (ESSA) includes a number of provisions cheered by STEM advocates, including funding for more professional development for STEM educators, differential pay for specialized teaching positions, recognition of “STEM Specialty” schools, and requirements that states maintain math and science standards that are in line with college entrance requirements. Additionally, while ESSA removes many of the federal testing-related consequences of NCLB, it does require that states set their own standardized testing regimens – and those still have to include science.
You can learn more about the impact of ESSA through this analysis from the STEM Education Coalition.
