Parents say rural Iowa students lag in science, technology, engineering and mathematics

How well are rural children prepared to take tests that measure proficiency in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM? Not well, at least in Iowa, according to a study by the University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State University. The study found that rural Iowa students struggle to get access to STEM teachers and programs, compared to urban schools, creating a gap between how well rural and urban parents feel their children are being prepared in the subjects, Mike Wiser reports for The Gazette in Cedar Rapids. (Gazette photo by Liz Martin: Iowa students participating in the state's Corridor STEM Initiative)

"According to the report, 62 percent of urban parents think their child is 'very well prepared' in STEM subjects, compared to 37 percent of rural parents," Wiser reports. "Ninety percent of the parents surveyed agreed their child 'does well in elementary math/science and has some advanced skills in high school STEM subjects.'"

Republican Gov. Terry Branstad told Wiser, “It does show we have a problem. This is an indication we don’t have enough teachers with the right background.” Wiser writes, "Branstad said higher starting teacher salaries required as part of the state’s education reform package should help the state recruit more teachers with STEM backgrounds. He added the new law allows school districts to start teachers with backgrounds in hard-to-fill positions, such as science and math, at higher levels." (Read more)