TRENTON, November 18, 2016–The New Jersey School Boards Association Board of Directors tonight unanimously approved the submission of a resolution to the National School Boards Association’s Delegate Assembly, calling for federal support of integrative STEAM education (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics). The resolution urges Congress, the President and the U.S. Department of Education to identify the advancement of STEAM education as a high priority. It also calls on the National School Boards Association to support initiatives that provide local school districts with resources to implement integrative STEAM education programs.
“Education in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics provides experiential and problem-solving skills essential for success in college and careers,” states the resolution. “Providing STEAM education in a coordinated manner by integrating it throughout the academic program, rather than approaching it through segregated subject content and teaching strategies, improves student achievement.”
The resolution also states, “Expanding the capacity and diversity of Integrative STEAM initiatives in local education programs will enable our students to be part of a productive workforce that will enable the United States to be innovative, secure and competitive in the global economy.”
The National School Boards Association will review the resolution and consider its placement on the agenda of the national Delegate Assembly, which will take place in March 2017.
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The New Jersey School Boards Association is a federation of the state’s local boards of education and includes the majority of New Jersey’s charter schools as associate members. NJSBA provides training, advocacy and support to advance public education and promote the achievement of all students through effective governance.