Urban Institute report disputes shortage of STEM grads
We have all heard numerous policy reports that predict a grim future for U.S. competitiveness due to the lack of workers well-educated in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines. A new report from the Urban Institute, titled “Into the Eye of the Storm: Assessing the Evidence on Science and Engineering Education, Quality, and Workforce Demand,” disputes these conclusions, arguing that we have an oversupply of science & engineering (S&E) grads and that American high school students are performing at an internationally competitive level (though certainly not an exceptional one) in math and science.
Instead of being concerned about the general state of S&E education in the U.S., the report argues, we should be focused on more fine-grained policy (driven by more fine-grained analyses that have yet to be done) to improve outcomes for specific student populations, or to target real shortages in specific industries and occupations.
The report was also discussed on National Public Radio this past Friday.
