0. Will Pennsylvania seize the future?

1. Pennsylvania has a great future in STEM jobs

2. PA will enjoy robust STEM growth
As in much of the country, STEM jobs in Pennsylvania will enjoy robust growth
With a projected STEM growth premium of 71%, PA ranks 11th amongst all states
Projected growth puts PA among the top 6 states in the country in total engineering jobs

3. STEM jobs in PA pay more than non-STEM ones
PA’s STEM employees can earn nearly 50% more than their non-STEM contemporaries.
In other words, the advantage of having a STEM job pays considerably better.

4. PA has an excellent employment rate for STEM positions
PA enjoys very low unemployment, particularly for STEM jobs; ranking 8th in the nation!
While non-STEM jobs have a good employment rate, STEM positions have only 2.4% unemployment.
PA rank: 8th

5. Will Pennsylvania’s youth have access to the benefits of STEM jobs?

6. PA loses STEM talent at every education level
To the state’s credit, it performs better than most other states on high school and college graduation rates, as well as on the percentage of credentials offered in STEM fields.
That said, many young people fall off the education pathway before they earn valuable credentials.
PA ranks among the top 10 compared to all states, graduating two-thirds of those who enter bachelor programs.
PA rank: 8th in 2- and 4-year college graduation rate

7. PA needs more female engineers!
higher for men
Over 3X
Only 23 %
for women
Though Pennsylvania has increased the number of women earning engineering degrees since 2001, they still greatly trail their male counterparts.
In 2015, men earned about 2,700 more engineering degrees annually over 2001 levels; while women have seen an increase of less than 1,100 during the same period; widening the gender gap.
PA rank: 18th

8. PA needs more female IT talent!
higher for men
Over 3X
Was high
of 33%
Only 24%
for women
After achieving a high of 33% in 2003, the number of women earning computing degrees/certificates awarded has dropped steadily even as men surged back into the profession.
Since 2007, the percentage of women graduating in computing has flattened to a level of only 24%; a decrease of nearly 30%.
PA rank: 18th

9. Minorities scarce in computing
Represent 23%
of population…
…but only 11%
of degrees
Racial and ethnic minorities are badly underrepresented among those who get degrees and certificates from PA computing programs.
While they make up nearly 23% of college population, only 11 percent earn these degrees.
PA ranks in the bottom third as compared nationally – 33rd on this measure.
PA diversity score rank: 33rd

10. Minorities more scarce in engineering
Represent 23%
of population…
…but only 7%
of degrees
Racial and ethnic minorities are badly underrepresented among those who get degrees and certificates from PA engineering programs.
While they make up nearly 23% of college population, only 7 percent earn these degrees.
PA ranks in the bottom third as compared nationally – 33rd on this measure.
PA diversity score rank: 33rd

11. The challenge begins in K-12

12. Low-income students fall back in math after years of gains
Lower-income PA students score considerably lower than their higher-income counterparts,

13. Students of color slip in math after early gains
PA racial and ethic minority students rank near the bottom as compared to other states.
Urban 8th grade Pennsylvania students rank 51st nationally; the absolute last in the country!
PA rank: urban (51st; last in country; Black (tied with 3 states for 37th)

14. Urban students suffer steep decline in 8th-grade math
PA racial and ethic minority students rank near the bottom as compared to other states.
Urban 8th grade Pennsylvania students rank 51st nationally; the absolute last in the country!
PA rank: urban (51st; last in country; Black (tied with 3 states for 37th)

15. Lower-income PA students lag far behind in math
Proficiency levels in math for 4th and 8th grade students from lower-income families trail other students significantly.
Around 60% of students from PA higher-income families are at or above proficiency; while only about a quarter of lower-income peers are at or above proficiency
NOTE: Pennsylvania did not participate in the 2015 National Assessment of Education Progress in science.

16. Minority PA students also trail far behind in math
Proficiency levels in math for 4th and 8th grade minority students from trail other students significantly.
Black and Hispanic students lag their White counterparts in 4th grade by 38% and 32%, and 8th grade proficiency by 36% and 30%, respectively.

17. PA students—especially students of color—lack access to STEM education opportunities

18. PA elementary schools devote little time to science
PA minority students in 8th grade attend schools that report they need greater access to science labs with the proper supplies and equipment.
PA ranks near the bottom in this measure as compared to other states.

19. More PA students need access to challenging STEM classes
PA students need more access to challenging math classes, like calculus and physics.
Many schools with minority students lack the opportunity to take calculus and physics.
For Black students, nearly a third lack access, while a quarter of Hispanic students lack access to calculus and physics classes.

20. Large racial/ethnic disparities in access to teachers with math majors
Pennsylvania needs to have more 8th grade math teachers who hold undergraduate degrees in math.
This challenge is particularly evident for Black and Hispanic students and those in urban environments.
PA rank: overall (23rd, tied with 6 states), Black (47th), urban (43rd)

21. Racial/ethnic disparities in access to teachers with math resources
Note: We are showing 2011 data, because Pennsylvania did not participate in the 2015 National Assessment of Educational Progress in Science, from which we draw these survey data.

22. Minority students’ access to lab supplies very limited
PA 8th-graders whose schools say supplies/equipment for science labs are available “to a large extent,” 2011
NOTE: We are showing 2011 data, because Pennsylvania did not participate in the 2015 National Assessment of Educational Progress in Science, from which we draw these survey data.

23. Can Pennsylvania fulfill its promise in STEM?
Pennsylvania 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

24. Contact Information
Claus von Zastrow Facebook.com/changetheequation Twitter.com/changeequation