What are STEM Indicators and Why Do They Matter for Practitioners?

Abstract

The article reports on the features of the National Research Council's 14 \emph{indicators\/} for monitoring progress in K-12 education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and shares recent work analyzing the many ways state and national databases categorize and label information. The report offers insights about developing and using shared data standards. Cross-region and cross-state comparisons of opportunities and outcomes for students, teachers, and administrators are important for monitoring equitable progress and can drive policy and professional decisions about K-12 STEM education.