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The Technology Initiative
K-12 Student Pipeline Entering Postsecondary STEM Programs

 

Volume of the K-12 student pipeline to post-secondary STEM programs depends on:

  • Academic preparation in advanced math and science
  • Awareness, interest, and motivation for pursuing STEM careers

 

 

Approximately 4,000 students per year graduate from Massachusetts public schools with BOTH:

 

Score of 620 or greater in the math component of the SAT I

(a proxy for success in stem programs)

 

Expressed interest in pursuing post-secondary STEM programs of study
To fill just 20% of the 2009 projected shortfall of 33,000 STEM skilled workers with students from the K-12 pipeline will require a nearly three times (3X) increase from 4,000 to 12,000, in the number of high school seniors who are both qualified for and interested in pursuing stem post-secondary majors.
 Colleges continue to experience a 50% attrition rate in STEM programs, reducing to 2,000 the number of students likely to earn a bachelors degree in these fields.