From Council of Graduate Schools 2007

Graduate Education: The Backbone of American Competitiveness and Innovation (Council of Graduate Schools) –

This report outlines an agenda for improving graduate education. It presents a series of goals for universities (encouraging graduate students to apply knowledge in “real world” settings, attracting more minority students to science fields) and policy makers (providing more financial support, reforming visa rules), as well as for business leaders. 

Visit:  http://www.cgsnet.org/portals/0/pdf/GR_GradEdAmComp_0407_EMB.pdf

From U.S. Department of Education May 2007

Report of the Academic Competitiveness Council (U.S. Department of Education)

Officials from federal agencies with education programs aimed at improving America's competitiveness in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) engaged in a yearlong endeavor to assess their programs' success and to identify areas for improvement for current and future programs. Note: a cross-agency OSTP committee issued a similar report and findings 15 years ago.  The Administration could use the report as a hammer to hold or reduce STEM education budgets.  Visit:  http://www.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/competitiveness/acc-mathscience/report.pdf

From American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 2007

AAAS Report XXXII: Research and Development in FY 2008 (Intersociety Working Group) –

This annual reference work provides a comprehensive analysis of R&D in the President’s budget for FY 2008, including specialized analyses by theme, major agency, and discipline.  The report consists of 25 chapters and appendices, with nearly 40 tables, including a chapter on Education and Human Resources in the FY 2008 budget.

Visit:  http://www.aaas.org/spp/rd/rd08iwg.htm

From National Science Foundation 2007

New Formulas for America’s Workforce: Girls in Science and Engineering – Volumes 1 and 2 (National Science Foundation) –

Published back in 2003, “New Formulas” covered about 220 grants from 1993 through 2001, reporting on the state of gender diversity in science and engineering, the critical role of education in preparing the workforce, and the constraints on national competitiveness that can result from failing to address issues of participation in STEM.  “New Formulas 2” updates the first volume describing the roughly 100 grants made from 2002 through 2005.

Visit:  http://www.nsf.gov

2005-2006 Biennial Report to Congress (Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering, National Science Foundation) –

This biennium refocuses CEOSE priorities, which were informed by a comprehensive review and analysis of 25 years of NSF programs, CEOSE’s activities and recommendations, and national trends in participation.  The priorities are: (1) assessment of impact and accountability of NSF programs, (2) institutional transformation, (3) widening creative pathways into STEM, and (4) improved communications about CEOSE and its mandate.

Visit:  http://www.nsf.gov/od/oia/activities/ceose/reports/2006_Biennial_Report_Print.pdf

From IHEP Publications April 2007 and The Chronicle on Higher Education 4/18/07

College and University Ranking Systems: Global Perspectives and American Challenges (Institute for Higher Education Policy [Editor]) -

Over the decades since higher education rankings first appeared, numerous debates have surfaced about their methodologies, objectivity, impact on colleges and universities, and role in the structure of accountability within nations that use them.  While such rankings are growing in the frequency and popularity, greater understanding about how these ranking systems function is needed to ensure greater transparency.  The report consists of three papers: (1) history of the U.S. News rankings; (2) trends in international comparison; and (3) the effect of the stratification of higher education institutions.

Visit: http://www.ihep.org/Pubs/PDF/College_and_University_Ranking_Systems_Final_Report.pdf

From Science Diversity Center and Diverse Online 4/19/07

A One Stop Shop –

The Science Diversity Center (SDC) is a web-based comprehensive one-stop STEM educational resource tool designed: (1) to assist federal agencies that fund STEM education initiatives in sharing timely program and project information in a user-friendly format with stakeholders, (2) to serve as a tool for sharing information on strategies that address the nation’s STEM workforce needs, and (3) to foster increased participation in STEM fields by individuals from groups underrepresented in STEM fields of study.  The focus on funding opportunities is prominent.

Visit:  http://www.sciencediversitycenter.org

From Science Education Forum, 4/27/07

The Pipeline: Benefits of Undergraduate Research Experiences (Susan H. Russell, Mary P. Hancock, and James McCullough) –

Surveys indicate that undergraduate research opportunities help clarify students’ interest in research and encourage students who hadn’t anticipated altering their direction toward a PhD.

Visit:  http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/reprint/316/5824/548.pdf

From SWE, Magazine of the Society of Women Engineers Summer 2007

Women in Engineering: A Review of the 2006 Literature (Lisa M. Frehill, Nicole Di Fabio, Peggy Layne, Ane Turner Johnson and Sarah Hood) –

This research compendium consists of SWE’s annual review of the past year’s literature covering women in STEM, based on an examination of more than 400 items, including 70 peer-reviewed journals in disciplines such as engineering, education, psychology, management, sociology, science and technology studies, women’s and gender studies, and general social sciences.

Visit:  http://www.swe.org