Missouri
Receives High Marks in
Science Education
MERIC
recently participated in a nationwide webinar hosted by the U.S.
Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. The
online discussion focused on the role of the workforce system in
promoting the fields of mathematics, engineering, technology, and
science. These fields are becoming more and more important to the
continued economic competitiveness of our state and nation.
According to data from the National Science Foundation, Missouri fares its best in early education science scores and advanced science and engineering degrees. Missouri holds high rankings in fourth grade science performance (tied 4th) and proficiency (tied 6th). The state fared almost equally as high in the same science categories for eighth grade students, ranking 6th in performance and 8th in proficiency.
|
Education Performance and Proficiency Scoring |
|
| Category | Rank |
| Fourth Grade Science Proficiency (Percent) | 6 |
| Fourth Grade Science Performance (Score) | 4 |
| Fourth Grade Mathematics Proficiency (Percent) | 11 |
| Fourth Grade Mathematics Performance (Score) | 8 |
| Eighth Grade Science Proficiency (Percent) | 8 |
| Eighth Grade Science Performance (Score) | 6 |
| Eighth Grade Mathematics Proficiency (Percent) | 11 |
| Eighth Grade Mathematics Performance (Score) | 10 |
In workforce categories, Missouri ranked among the upper half of states in several categories:
- Advanced Science & Engineering degrees as share of S&E degrees (10th)
- Bachelor's degrees per 1,000 18-24 year olds (12th)
- Computer Specialists as share of workforce (15th)
- Bachelor's degrees in Natural Sciences and Engineering per 1,000 18-24 year olds (18th)
- Net High-Technology business formations as share of all businesses (18th)
- Bachelor's degree holders as share of workforce (20th)
- Life and physical scientists as share of workforce (21st)
