The document summarizes the key findings of a survey on public attitudes toward science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education in the United States. It finds that while most Americans see STEM skills as important for future opportunities, few see demand for STEM jobs currently. Parents want their children to take more STEM courses but priorities applied skills over advanced topics. There remains a gap between leaders seeing STEM education as urgent and the public being confident in their local schools' performance.

6. Studying advanced math and science is seen as important for college and future jobs. Note: Question wording in charts may be slightly edited for space. Full question wording is available at publicagenda.org/pages/math-and-science-ed-2010 . Percentages may not equal 100% due to rounding or the omission of some answer categories.

7. But only 3 in 10 see a demand for STEM-focused jobs in the current economy. Base: General public

8. Still, 9 in 10 Americans say studying math and science is useful even for students who don’t pursue STEM careers. Base: General public

11. Americans are receptive to national standards and additional course requirements. Percent of the public who say the following would improve math and science : A lot A little Requiring all students to take four years of math in high school 68 % 22 % Requiring students struggling with math or science to spend extra time to catch up 61 % 32 % Requiring all high school students to take a science class that includes lab work 59 % 31 % Requiring all students to take four years of science in high school 54 % 32 % Requiring all 8th grade students to take algebra 54 % 30 % Establishing a national curriculum in MATH so schools everywhere teach the same topics 53 % 27 % Requiring students to pass challenging tests in math and science in order to graduate 50 % 31 % Establishing a national curriculum in SCIENCE so schools everywhere teach the same topics 48 % 30 % Requiring all high school students to take at least one engineering class 39 % 38 %

12. There is also broad support for other ways to build awareness and strengthen STEM skills. Note: The full question list from this battery is available in the Full Survey Results at publicagenda.org/pages/math-and-science-ed-2010 . Percent of the general public who say the following would improve math and science : A lot A little Have local businesses provide internships and other business partnership programs, so high school students can gain practical job skills 71 % 22 % Putting math and science ideas in television, video games and other media directed towards children 60 % 29 % Attracting better math and science teachers by providing Full college scholarships to people who major in math or science and agree to teach these subjects in public school for at least five years 60 % 29 %

14. Most parents would like to see their local schools spend more money on a variety of STEM education improvements. Percent of parents who say schools should spend more money on: Up-to-date and well-equipped science labs [secondary school parents] 70 % More equipment for hands-on science learning [elementary school parents] 69 % Equipment to help students learn important computer and technology skills [all parents] 68 % Hiring more teachers who are knowledgeable about teaching math [all parents] 65 % Hiring more teachers who are knowledgeable about teaching science [all parents] 62 % Hiring more teachers who are knowledgeable about teaching reading and writing [all parents] 61 %

16. More parents say their school should be teaching a lot more math and science than in 2006, but a majority still say that “things are fine as is.” *Source: “Reality Check 2006: Are American Parents and Students Ready for More Math and Science?”

17. About a quarter of all Americans want to see money go to improving math and science, but other reforms are contenders for limited dollars. Base: General public

19. Although views have shifted a little, most parents still see behavior issues as more of a problem than low academic standards. Base: Parents of children in grades K-12 *Source: “Reality Check 2006: Are American Parents and Students Ready for More Math and Science?”

21. Despite receptivity to ramping up STEM education, most still do not see skills like physics and calculus as essential.

23. Elementary school parents see technology and hands-on STEM courses as a higher priority than just math concepts.

24. And nearly 7 in 10 Americans say science can wait until middle and high school. Base: General public