Pursuit's Take
From 2010 to 2016, funding for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) has remained stable (~$3 billion). During this time period, the number of STEM programs declined from 209 to 163, “the portfolio underwent various changes, including program consolidations, creations, and terminations, according to GAO. In addition, “Nearly all STEM education programs in fiscal year 2016 overlapped to some degree with at least one other program in that they offered similar services to similar groups in similar STEM fields to achieve similar objectives.”
GAO found that the Committee on STEM Education is not meeting its responsibilities when it comes to assessing federal STEM education. “Specifically, the Committee has not reviewed programs’ performance assessments, as required by its authorizing charter, nor has it documented those assessments in its inventory, as required by law.”
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