How States and Districts Can Use ESSA to Advance STEAM Education
March 4, 2020
The Education Commission of the States released an outline providing states and districts with a broad overview of how they can leverage funds from ESSA and Perkins V to support their STEAM education efforts. According to the report, ESSA section 4107 3-c-vi permits local education agencies to incorporate STEAM programming as part of a well-rounded education by “integrating other academic subjects, including the arts, into STEM subject programs to increase participation in STEM subjects, improve attainment of skills related to STEM subjects, and promote well-rounded education.” Pennsylvania’s ESSA’s plan, as an example, supports STEAM education while also funding the “creation of community learning centers” to provide additional academic opportunities for high-poverty, low-performing communities.