Some attribute poor student performance to an inadequate supply of qualified
teachers. This appears to be the case with respect to subject-matter knowledge:
many U.S. math and science teachers lack an undergraduate major or minor in those
fields — as many as half of those teaching in middle school math. Indeed, postsecondary
degrees in math and physical science have steadily decreased in recent
decades as a proportion of all STEM degrees awarded. Although degrees in some
STEM fields (particularly biology and computer science) have increased in recent
decades, the overall proportion of STEM degrees awarded in the United States has
historically remained at about 17% of all postsecondary degrees awarded.
Meanwhile, many other nations have seen rapid growth in postsecondary educational