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NMSI Blog

The Need for STEM Support Among Minorities

A recent article from the Huffington Post, titled “Why the National STEM Education Fund Is So Important,” highlighted the importance of STEM education in schools, and America’s challenge to increase the opportunities for minority students. We couldn’t agree more!
 
This position is one that NMSI takes to heart. On May 28th, NSMI COO Dave Saba served as a panelist at the STEM Education Caucus Briefing, where STEM funding and minority support were the forefronts of the conversation.  Key points from the panel:
•By 2018, the economy will have created 46.8 million new jobs, and nearly two-thirds of these will require workers with at least some college education.
•But, in 2010, only 39% of non-Hispanic whites ages 25-29 had Bachelor’s degrees; the numbers were even less for African-Americans (19%) and Hispanics (14%).
•Only 70% of students in public high schools graduate, and only 32% of students leave high school qualified to attend four-year colleges.
•Even worse, only 51% of African-American students and 52% of Hispanic students graduate, and only 20% of African-American students and 16% of Hispanic students leave high school college-ready.
 
NMSI is striving to help preparing our nation’s students to be college and workforce ready. One example is Pasadena ISD, a district composed of mostly minority students. Since they implemented NMSI training, the district has seen a 200% growth in the number of AP Scholars, which are students who earn scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams. And on a more general, national scale, African American and Hispanic students have an average increase of 107% on qualifying AP scores. That is eight times the national average.
 
We need to promote a higher level of education for all – encouraging especially minorities and women. Take the next step, join the movement, and get your classroom ready for rigorous coursework.