Hey, I’m a “social studies” guy, but it’s no mystery that STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) education is a pressing issue, and one that should figure into Colorado’s policy innovations as we try to Race to the Top. The recent National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) / Piton Foundation report (PDF) includes emphasis on improving STEM teaching as one of its “Creative Bets” for winning R2T funding:

Colorado should develop a coherent state strategy to address the difficulty school districts face in attracting and retaining sufficient numbers of qualified STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) teachers. The state’s strategy should tackle this issue from many different angles, recognizing that there is not going to be any single source of great teachers for teaching these subjects, with the need particularly acute in the areas of mathematics and physical science. Multiple pathways are needed for qualified individuals to enter the profession, and multiple strategies are needed to keep them.

While our state works to focus on the four higher priority suggestions in the report, they would do well not to lose track of the specific NCTQ/Piton suggestions surrounding STEM. As American Board of Certification for Teaching Excellence (ABCTE) executive director Dave Saba points out, states ought to pursue this course if for no other reason than it’s not only effective but also an easy reform to enact (how often do you get to say that?):

Just adopt ABCTE for math and science teachers and your state wins, the teachers win and, most important of all, the students win with better math and science instruction.

ABCTE is not the magical silver bullet for education reform in general, or even the quality teacher shortage issue in particular. But I’ve grown familiar with the top-notch program they’ve put together, and I have to say it deserves a competitive spot at the table in any state, and especially Colorado.

Race to the Top money or no, Colorado will do well to approve ABCTE and other high-quality alternative certification programs as a way to fill critical needs in classrooms across the state.

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