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investment will help prepare an additional 100,000 high quality STEM teachers over the next 10 years.

• Investing in research on teacher preparation: The National Science Foundation will devote $20 million to support research on teacher preparation. This will improve our understanding of what makes a great STEM teacher, and how to best train, support, and retain highly effective STEM teachers. 

Building on Progress

The leadership of the Obama Administration in improving STEM education has already made a difference in schools across the country. 

• The President made STEM a priority as part of the Administration's $4 billion Race to the Top competition, fueling local innovation: States that applied for Race to the Top were encouraged to develop a comprehensive strategy to improve achievement and provide rigorous curricula in STEM subjects; partner with local institutions, businesses and museums; and broaden participation of women and girls and underrepresented groups. The winning states are taking decisive actions to put STEM at the center of their education reform efforts. For example, Maryland is increasing the number of STEM teachers and developing a new STEM teacher preparation pathway for elementary school teachers to engage younger students. North Carolina is investing in 10 STEM "anchor schools" that will develop an exemplary curriculum connected to regional science and technology assets, such as biotechnology or aerospace. Rhode Island is supporting their school turnaround strategies with "STEM distinguished educators." And Delaware is developing a residency program to prepare non-traditional candidates with strong STEM content knowledge who chose to enter into teaching from other careers.

• The President's "Educate to Innovate" campaign has resulted in over $700 million in financial and in-kind support for STEM programs: The President's "all hands on deck" call to improve STEM education has galvanized industry, universities, foundations, and science and engineering professionals to do more. The private sector is responding not just with financial support, but also with commitments that take advantage of their core competencies and the skills and passion of their employees. Over 100 CEOs have come together to launch Change the Equation, a historic effort to scale up effective models for improving STEM education. The President has also personally helped raise the visibility of STEM by holding the first ever White House Science Fair, meeting with young Americans who are developing cancer therapies, water purification systems, and robotic wheelchairs.