Washington state ranks among the top states in the nation in the concentration of STEM jobs, and opportunities are increasing rapidly. By 2030, 70% of high-demand, family-sustaining wage jobs available in our state will require postsecondary degree credentials; 67% of those will require postsecondary STEM credentials. But Washington students are not equitably or adequately prepared to take advanta
ge of these opportunities. Today, only 40% of all students are on track to attain postsecondary credential. Worse yet, students of color, rural students, girls and young women, and students living in poverty still lack access to these pathways—they face disparities early on and fall further behind as they move through the education system. In our state STEM is at the forefront of discovery, on the frontlines of creative 21st century problem-solving, and serves as one of the largest pathways to family-sustaining wage careers and long-term economic security. STEM pathways have promise like few others in Washington and it is imperative that Black, Brown, and indigenous students, rural and low-income students, and girls have access. Washington STEM is working to ensure that all students have equal opportunity to benefit from the transformational possibilities that STEM has to offer. For more information, go to www.washingtonstem.org, and pass along the power of on Facebook and Twitter
