Governor O’Malley convened a P–20 STEM Task force in September 2008 to discuss the state of STEM Education in Maryland. He charged this Task Force with making recommendations aimed at establishing Maryland as a global leader in the development of its workforce of the future and its STEM-based research and economic development infrastructure. In August 2009, the STEM Task Force released their final report. In this report, the STEM Task Force made seven recommendations in response to the Governor’s charge. These recommendations include:
- Aligning P-12 STEM curriculum with college requirements and workplace expectations in order to prepare all students for postsecondary success.
- Tripling the number of teachers in STEM shortage areas who are prepared in Maryland programs, increase their five-year retention rate from an estimated 50% to 75%, and enhance the STEM preparation and aptitudes for elementary and early childhood teachers.
- Ensuring that all P-20 mathematics and science teachers have the knowledge and skills to help all students successfully complete the college and career-ready curriculum.
- Providing STEM internships, co-ops, or lab experiences for all interested high school and college students to jump-start their successful transition to the workplace.
- Increase the number of STEM college graduates by 40% from the present level of 4,400 graduates by 2015.
- Boosting Maryland’s global competitiveness by supporting research and entrepreneurship.
- Creating Maryland’s STEM Innovation Network to make STEM resources available to all.
Investing in STEM to Secure Maryland's Future