Report shows some progress, room for improvement in Iowa’s STEM program

DES MOINES - A new report gives a mixed review of Gov. Terry Branstad's initiative to encourage more student interest and better performance in science, technology, engineering and math.

The report, released Monday, says student achievement in math and science is improving since Branstad launched the STEM program in 2011.

But the report also says disparities persist. In particular, minority students and those from low-income families are proficient in math and science at a lower percentage than the overall rate.

'Amidst plenty of good news, there's also reminders that our work is not done and there's more to do,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, a co-chair of the administration's STEM Advisory Council. 'So while we have made progress, and that's something that we can celebrate, we know that we still have work to do.”

The third annual report was prepared by research scientists from the state's three public universities.

Reynolds said the report helps provide data to show where the program is succeeding and where improvements are needed.

Other notable points in the report:

' Interest in STEM careers is higher among elementary-school students than middle- and high-school students.

' Nine of 10 students who participated in a STEM 'Scale-Up” program in 2014-2015 reported a higher interest in at least one STEM subject or career.

' More than three of five Iowans surveyed had heard about an effort to improve science, technology, engineering and math education in the state.

'STEM is in expansion mode across Iowa,” said Jeff Weld of Cedar Falls, the executive director of the STEM Advisory Council. 'It's been a great year.”

Branstad said his administration will 'continue to look at additional things we could do” to address the performance disparities among minority students and those from low-income families.”

'I'm very sensitive to the need for that,” Branstad said. 'We want every kid to have these opportunities.”

Branstad fielded multiple questions from reporters about his recent veto of $56 million for schools to use in their 2015-2016 budgets. Branstad and Reynolds said the state has invested $5.2 million in the STEM program - and also leveraged funds from grants and private-sector donations - and the vetoed funding will not have an impact on the STEM program.

Branstad once again defended the veto based on budgeting principles and said his administration is trying to allocate school funding in a more targeted fashion.

'We're putting more money into education,” he said. 'But we're trying to do it in a strategic and specific way.”

To read the full STEM report, click here.

Other topics from the Branstad news conference:

Vice President Branstad?: Branstad chuckled when asked by a reporter whether he would accept an invitation to run as the vice presidential nominee with the eventual winner of the 2016 Republican presidential primary, but he did not rule it out.

'I'm not seeking it,” Branstad said. 'I'm not ruling anything in or out.”

Issues should trump attacks: Branstad said he will be watching this week's Republican presidential primary debates to hear the candidates talk about issues such as agriculture and renewable energy policies.

When asked how GOP candidates should address Donald Trump, the front-runner in national polls who has frequently flung barbs at other candidates, Branstad said all candidates should stick to the issues and avoid attacks.

'I would tell (the candidates) to focus on the substance of the issues and not on the other candidates, and I think that will score points with people,” Branstad said.