21st Century Strands & Strategies
Chapter: Strands & Strategies: Deep Dive
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importantly, mathematics should be a gateway, not a gatekeeper, to a successful
college education or career.
For that reason, this school year DoDEA
ramped up its efforts to increase student
proficiency in mathematics by increasing
graduation requirements in mathematics
and by adding four new courses (Algebraic
modeling, Advanced Functions, Financial
Literacy, and Engineering Applications). We
want students to see mathematics as an
essential aspect of their everyday lives, no
matter what their field of study, and to
believe, “I can understand this, I can do this,
and this is important to know now, for my
future, and for life.”
By the same token, we will expand efforts to
support an effective STEM-focused
approach to existing curricular resources in
the K-12 environment through implementing
the Common Core State Standards in
Mathematics and Next Generation Science Standards. We recognize that the
implementation of the new standards will require a transdisciplinary approach for
teaching and learning.
How do partnerships contribute to advancing STEM in DoDEA?
Partnerships with STEM professionals
connect K-12 students and teachers with
real world experiences in science,
technology, engineering and
mathematics. Research shows that
providing opportunities for students to
see themselves excelling in STEM
activities and exposing them to
professionals with similar cultural
backgrounds increases the potential in
students, especially for girls and under-represented minorities, to develop foundational
skills in STEM.
The Department of Defense is poised to make a tremendous difference in STEM
education. The Department employs tens of thousands of scientists, engineers and
mathematicians at state-of-the-art research facilities and is the leader in technological
