HB 1872-S - DIGEST
(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 2ND SUB)

Adopts the definition of "STEM literacy" as follows: The ability to identify, apply, and integrate concepts from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to understand complex problems and to innovate to solve them.

Establishes the STEM education innovation alliance to: (1) Advise the governor and provide vision, guidance, assistance, and advice to support the initiatives under the act, as well as other current or proposed programs and initiatives, that are intended to increase learning opportunities and improve educational outcomes in STEM; and

(2) Develop a STEM education report card.

Requires the education data center to coordinate data collection and analysis to support the report card.

Requires the employment security department to create an annual report on current and projected job openings in STEM fields.

Requires the state education agencies to report on how their policies, activities, and expenditures of public resources align with and support the STEM framework for action and accountability.

Requires the office of financial management to contract with a statewide nonprofit organization with expertise in promoting and supporting STEM education from early learning through postsecondary education.

Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction, in consultation with the STEM education innovation alliance, to identify and disseminate resources and materials to elementary, middle, and high schools that are intended to encourage and increase interdisciplinary instruction and project-based learning in STEM.

Requires the student achievement council to consult with the STEM education innovation alliance to align strategies under the ten-year roadmap with the STEM framework for education and accountability developed by the alliance.

Requires the state board of education to adopt rules to increase the number of course credits in science that are required for high school graduation.

Requires funds to be appropriated each school year in amounts sufficient to provide twenty grants of five thousand dollars to support student participation in team-based STEM activities and projects that involve robotics and engineering competitions.

Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction to allocate the funds each year using a lottery system.