2: Outcomes
Establish a Clear, Consistent and Repeatable Methodology to Set and Measure the Outcomes of Federal STEM Initiatives Other Information:
As the nation moves forward with a commitment to addressing the STEM challenges, we must establish clear and attainable expectations.
Key outcomes and measures for our STEM initiatives are required to validate effectiveness. An outcome-based focus will promote
coordination and alignment. Today, we do not know what programs are the most effective and where additional resources would
provide demonstrable benefit. While it is crucial that both government and private industry continue to develop and implement
STEM programs (e.g., ExxonMobil's National Science and Math Initiative), perhaps equally important, is the need to develop
and implement valid measurements. We must ensure resources produce strong outcomes in the real world. Successful programs
can be promoted and used as templates for other constituencies. Our nation needs to improve STEM education in our K-12 institutions,
increase awareness of the STEM challenges and address the STEM workforce gap. For each challenge, we need to develop measurement
methodologies that validate the outcomes of the programs. We can no longer simply measure inputs (e.g. dollars spent, number
of students attending an event, etc.) and assume we are making any real progress. Rather, we need outcome measurements that
definitively demonstrate program effectiveness. The following action items support the recommendation:
Objective(s):
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