Abstract
Concerns are arising in the United States that a majority
of secondary school students fail to achieve mathematics
and science proficiency due to teachers who lack
adequate knowledge of the subjects. The concerns over
shortages of mathematics and science teachers have also
reached new heights. In Texas high schools, the teaching
areas in mathematics and science have persisted as
being among the most critical shortage areas. For these
reasons a needs assessment was conducted in the spring
and fall semesters of 2013 for decision making purposes
in preparing highly qualified STEM teachers for high-need
school districts in South Texas. Student and Teacher surveys
were utilized to collect data.
Of the 56% of student participants that showed interest
in becoming a teacher, 72% of them indicated that
they would like to teach STEM subjects and 99.9% were
willing to teach in high-need schools. Financial assistance
was needed by 99.8% of the students to complete the
educator preparation program.
About 50% of teacher participants from the Teacher
survey thought that the funding designated for K-12
STEM education was insufficient. 40% of them also believed
that K-8 STEM education was inadequate and professional
development for STEM teachers was insufficient.
Teacher participants would like universities to provide
training or professional development for teachers such as
the implementation of vertical curriculum alignment and
the establishment of partnerships between universities
and school districts.
Keywords: STEM Education, Science, Technology, Engineering,
Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, South
Texas