Falling behind in education jeopardizes the future competitiveness of the region and country, especially in STEM fields where the U.S. already lags some other nations.
In Illinois, only 25.8% of students in grades 3-8 met or exceeded state standards in math, down 6.2% from 2019, according to the 2022 Illinois Assessment of Readiness.
Falling behind in education jeopardizes the future competitiveness of the region and country, especially in STEM fields where the U.S. already lags some other nations.
It’s critical for the community to come together to address this issue and expose children to learning opportunities and diverse role models. This is especially true for underserved students and girls, who entered the pandemic behind their peers in STEM participation.
The challenges — and opportunities — cannot be understated. If we invest in education today, Illinois, and the U.S., will be positioned to fill the pipeline of future jobs, prevent ongoing labor shortages and continue to lead the world in technology.
Read the rest of Ann Vogel’s letter to the editor in the Chicago Sun Times.