Beatty Bill Boosts STEM School to Work Pipeline for More Americans

Beatty Bill Boosts STEM School to Work Pipeline for More Americans

America facing shortage of women and minorities in STEM careers

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) recently introduced the 21st Century STEM for Girls and Underrepresented Minorities Act, H.R. 1591, a bill to empower school districts to better engage girls, young women and minority students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

"We need a highly trained workforce—hardworking individuals from all walks of life—ready for the jobs of tomorrow," Beatty said. "This is essential to ensuring U.S. competitiveness and leadership in a rapidly changing global economy." Beatty continued, "Unfortunately, our country is facing a massive shortage of STEM-educated workers. My bill would help close the employment gap by broadening the STEM pipeline to African-Americans and women who have been historically underrepresented in these fields—creating a larger, more diverse STEM talent pool that our nation so desperately needs."

If enacted, the 21st Century STEM for Girls and Underrepresented Minorities Act would provide funding for local school districts to create the necessary infrastructure for enhanced STEM learning early in a student's academic career. Federal funding would be used to improve professional development for teachers, strengthen outreach to parents, provide mentoring and tutoring programs, expand access to afterschool and summer programs that provide additional enrichment opportunities in STEM, and promote academic advice and assistance in high school course selection.

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