Will Nevada seize the future?

The future looks bright for STEM jobs in Nevada

NV will enjoy robust STEM growth As in much of the country, STEM jobs in Nevada will enjoy robust growth. It looks like the fastest growth will be be in areas like advanced manufacturing, computing and engineering, respectively. [I don’t know off hand what the base level of advanced manufacturing jobs in the state is, but I’m guessing it’s pretty small, so that 30% increase might not add a lot of jobs in the absolute] Computing and engineering look like they’ll grow less quickly in comparative terms, but they will grow well in absolute terms. Still, given the importance of technology as a driver of innovation and economic growth, the state might want to do more to promote a stronger computing workforce, along with other measures to strengthen the industry in the state. [Great point]

NV leads in STEM wage premium STEM employees can earn more than double their non-STEM contemporaries NV has the fourth largest wage premium for STEM workers of any state in the nation In other words, the advantage of having a STEM job is higher than in almost any other states—a sign of strong demand. Nevada rank: 4

NV STEM unemployment rate much lower than non-STEM fields 10.1% Even during the relatively lean years from 2011 to 2014, STEM unemployment rates were just half the non-STEM unemployment rate.

Nevada may have trouble filling these STEM jobs

NV loses STEM talent at every level of the education system NV has some of the lowest rates of HS and 4-year college graduation That said, Nevada has a relatively high graduation for 2-year degree programs, though more than half of 2-year student do not finish within three years. Though Nevada’s percentage of those completing degrees is close to the national average, because the state graduates considerably fewer from high school, and has many fewer entering 4-year degree programs, Nevada actually produces fewer college graduates entering STEM career fields. Nevada rank: 49 (HS); 48 (4-year); 32 (STEM)

Women sparse in engineering Nevada Only 22% for women Nevada ranks 35th in the percentage of engineering degrees/certificates awarded to women from NV post-secondary institutions. Women earned nearly 22% of NV computing degrees in 2013, down from nearly 29% in 2012. [It’s actually 22% of degrees in 2013, down from roughly 29% in 2012; Since 2001, men have nearly doubled the number of engineering degrees earned yearly, while women have only increased by over the same period—an increase of roughly 50 percent on a small base. Nevada rank: 35th

Women lag behind men in computing This jump doesn’t seem credible Nevada Women in NV have made some strides since 2001, but currently are experiencing a decrease in number pursuing computer degrees NOTE: the jump for men after 2013 is entirely a function of CS certificates—which jumped from 6 to roughly 360 in one year. There was no jump for women. This does not seem credible but looks more like a problem with the government data. I’m trying to see what’s going on…

Minorities remain scarce in engineering Underrepresented minorities in engineering 45% of Population… Nevada …but only 14% of degrees Underrepresented minorities: Black, Latino, and American Indian/Alaska native. These populations are underrepresented in Nevada as compared to other states and the national average

People of color gained ground in computing but still lag behind NV has increased the percentage of racial/cultural minorities earning computer science degree/certificates from 10% in 2001 to 24% in 2013 NV has made substantial progress,, but it still has far to go.

The challenge begins in K-12

NV 4th grade performance has stalled after years of progress Nevada made strong gains between 2003 and 2011, but it has given back some of its gains since then. In absolute terms, it still lags behind the large majority of other states. [I made substantial changes to this slide, which was still showing Oregon data] Or Nevada 2015 rank: 47

Black NV 4th-graders have fallen in math since 2011 While NV has remained flat in math performance of white students, Hispanic and African-American students math scores have fallen since 2013 White and Latino students have made substantial gains since 2003, though progress for both groups has stalled since 20011. African American students has fallen back since 2011 after years of gains. Or Nevada rank: Hispanic students: 40; Black students: 41 (tied with WV, SD, CT and KS)

8th-grade rural math scores have fallen back sharply 267 Though 8th grade math scores have been consistent for students in urban and suburban areas, scores for those in rural communities has dropped precipitously since 2013 Nevada now ranks 49th on this measure! Or Nevada rank of rural communities: 49th

Significant gains in 8th-grade science performance 267 Or

Yet 4th-grade performance in science has been flat 267 Or

Nevada students need better access to STEM learning opportunities

NV lags in time for science in elementary school NV has dropped nearly every year from 2008 to 2012; now ranked near the bottom compared to other states According to the latest survey, elementary students in NV spend less than 2 hours per week on science learning Nevada 2012 rank: 48th (tied with AK)

Too many Nevada high-schoolers lack challenging STEM classes Most NV students, across all racial/cultural demographic groups, attend schools that do not offer higher level math classes White students rank near the bottom and Black, Hispanic and Asian students rank second to last While more have access to higher level science, NV still ranks in the bottom half across most racial/cultural categories NV rank (calculus): White (46th), Black (50th), Hispanic (50th), Asian (50th) (physics): White (33rd), Hispanic (33rd), Asian (37th), Amer Ind (31st)

NV students lack access to teachers with math majors NV trails national averages for percentage of math teachers holding undergrad math degrees NV rank: Tied for 45th with AZ, KS, and LA

NV students lack access to teachers with science majors NV trails national averages for percentage of science teachers holding undergrad science degrees

Nevada schools and teachers need better facilities and support

Few urban and rural students have teachers with science majors NV trails national averages for the percentage of 8th-graders with science teachers who hold undergrad science degrees Urban and rural students have the least access to such teachers.

NV science teachers lack the tools of their trade Overall, Nevada resembles the nation as a whole on this measure, which means that almost half of teachers do not have all or most of the resources they need. Students of color are most likely to have such teachers.

To seize the future in STEM… Nevada should expand access to: Proven STEM education opportunities for students of color Teachers with strong STEM backgrounds and robust instructional support Better STEM materials and facilities Challenging STEM courses, including AP courses Proven out-of-school STEM opportunities that complement in-school opportunities

Contact Information Claus von Zastrow cvonzastrow@changetheequation.org 202.626.5740 www.changetheequation.org Facebook.com/changetheequation Twitter.com/changeequation