K-12 STEM Education in Virginia

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education entails authentic learning experiences for all students with an interdisciplinary and applied approach where all fields connect in complex relationships. In today’s economy, problems are not solved in isolation of a specific discipline but are solved through multiple approaches and perspectives. A strong STEM educational foundation helps to prepare our students for tomorrow’s world by emphasizing collaborative, innovative, quantitative, and logical analysis rooted in a solid understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Recently, there has been a shift in beliefs about the purpose of STEM education. Traditionally, a STEM education focused on creating a pipeline of students whose educational backgrounds prepared them for a STEM-specific workforce. Today, the focus is on developing STEM-literate citizens necessary for success in any 21st century profession. STEM literacy is the ability to identify and acknowledge science, technology, engineering, and mathematics concepts and processes in everyday life.

STEM literacy comes from an understanding that it takes

• • a scientific approach to observe and interpret the world;
  • technology to serve as a tool to solve problems or reach a goal;
  • engineering to design, test and solve a problem through the creation of products or processes; and
  • mathematics to help quantify, comprehend and evaluate the problem and solution’s success.

As students become STEM literate citizens, they have the foundational content and the discipline processes to allow them make informed decisions and to participate in public/civil discourse concerning future STEM issues and technologies.

Preparing Tomorrow's Graduates: Workforce Readiness

Preparing students for success at the next level is a foundational component of the Virginia School Performance and Support Framework. The Framework defines Readiness differently at each level of a student’s academic career.

In Elementary School, Readiness focuses on Attendance. Student attendance is a critical component of Elementary School Readiness, as students who consistently attend school perform significantly better than their peers who struggle to come on a regular basis.

In Middle School, Readiness becomes even more critical. Attendance continues to play a critical role in a child’s success. In addition to attendance, students engage in more concrete career exploration activities with greater focus as interests flourish and begin to connect with high school preparation in the form of thoughtful course selection and exploration experiences to prepare students for 3E high school outcomes. 

In High School, the Readiness category ensures graduating students have 3E (employment, enlistment,
enrollment) outcomes that prepare them for success post-graduation. Schools are recognized for ensuring students have experiences in all 3E areas including employment in the form of high-demand industry credential attainment; enlistment in the form of ASVAB/AFQT score achievement correlating to tiers of careers in the military, acknowledging Virginia’s heavy military career presence as the nation’s second largest active duty population; and enrollment in the form of college-ready, transferable post-secondary credits, including dual enrollment, AP, IB, Cambridge, and CLEP exams, with the highest points being awarded for earning of an associate’s degree.