Tomorrow's workforce is in California's public schools now. How well these students are educated in math and science will help determine the quality of not only their lives, but also the state's future. Performance data indicate some progress in math and science enrollments and performance, but the magnitude of the challenge ahead is also clear.

This report looks at current projections for California's workforce needs in several important STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. It also provides a comprehensive examination of how California's standards-based reforms have affected student achievement in math and science. It focuses in on higher-level courses students take beginning in 8th grade and includes data on Algebra 1 enrollment and proficiency rates, comparisons of students' proficiency based on the standards-aligned math course-taking path, and enrollment and achievement data for science courses. It also reviews the performance of traditionally low-achieving student subgroups and of the highest-achieving students. And it takes a look at the extent to which California's postsecondary system ultimately is producing graduates in these key fields.

 
EdSource thanks The Noyce Foundation for underwriting the research, development, and dissemination of this publication.