The U.S. Department of Education has issued an updated Dear Colleague Letter to states, school districts, schools and education partners on how to maximize federal funds to support and enhance innovative science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education for all students under ESSA. This letter is an update to a Dear Colleague Letter, issued last April, which identified similar opportunities under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
Specifically, the letter addresses ways to use federal funds to:
- Increase students’ equitable access to STEM courses and experiences, including out-of-school programs, STEM-themed schools and career pathways.
- Support educators’ knowledge and expertise in STEM disciplines through recruitment, preparation, support and retention strategies.
- Increase student access to materials and equipment needed to support inquiry-based pedagogy and active learning.
Click here to read the full letter.