Topic
Follow the latest stem developments across US K-12 education. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics programmes.
Last updated: October 6, 2026
As of October 7, 2026, K-12 News has published 10 stem stories over the last 30 days, across 7 states and 7 organizations. The most active states are Georgia, Iowa and Nevada.
Canarelli Middle School’s remodeled STEM lab was supported by the College Football Playoff Foundation and School Specialty. STEM math teacher Cortnee Goodlin also received a $1,000 classroom supply gift card.
Saddleback High School plans to use Hyundai funding to help build a half-acre learning farm, with a greenhouse, irrigation and composting stations for lessons in science, sustainability and agriculture.
Connecticut’s education department selected 42 agencies from 70 applicants for tutoring funding. The state-funded program expands intensive math support from grades 6–9 to grades 6–10.
Clark County School District offers fire science programs at three high schools, where students use professional equipment and study fire protection and prevention to prepare for firefighting careers.
When Trust Is the Target: Understanding Social Engineering
McClure Health Science HS café team receives award for excellence in school nutrition
Jessica Howard, who teaches business and computer science at Lone Tree, was selected from nine regional finalists for the statewide honor. She brings industry experience to career-connected learning.
Colorado’s education board voted 7-2 to send MESA K-8’s application back to Jeffco for reconsideration and 6-3 to deny Koson Schools’ appeal to open a STEM high school in Littleton.
September 08, 2026 In this issue, read about the SR&R Signature Sheet, SAT School Day, and applications to Thomas Jefferson High School of Science and Technology.
The 44 Iowa elementary students selected for a 10-year math enrichment program will receive mentoring and learning support. They come from 18 public school districts and four accredited nonpublic schools.
Connecticut students posted gains in math, science and English language arts in 2025–26. Chronic absenteeism fell to 16.4%, down from 23.7% in 2021–22.
The Mississippi Department of Education released state assessment results for 2025-26, showing improved science performance, steady English language arts results and a slight drop in math proficiency.
Colorado released spring 2026 assessment data showing gains in elementary math and literacy across many student groups. Achievement gaps persisted, and middle school English language arts scores declined.
Missouri education officials presented preliminary 2025-26 assessment results showing modest gains in English language arts, math, science and government across grade-level and high school exams.
August 12, 2026 In this issue, read about New Student Device Requirements, Math Textbooks, and Football Game Safety Measures.
August 7: The Work Is Working: APS Ranks No. 1 in Atlanta Metro for Year-Over-Year Academic Gains In Math, Science and Social Studies
New York's education department has published initial data for statewide tests in English language arts, math and science. The results are preliminary.
For the 2026-27 school year, Mississippi education officials designated 15 elementary schools as Emerging Science of Reading Schools and one as a Science of Reading School.
Board Member
business and computer science teacher
Math Teacher
Governor
States are funding educator recruitment and preparation and changing certification pathways: Kansas received an $8.4 million federal educator-pipeline grant, while Illinois allocated $15 million for recruitment and retention in 100 districts accounting for about 77% of reported teacher vacancies. Pennsylvania joined the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact to reduce certification barriers for eligible out-of-state teachers, and Connecticut opened registration for a free six-week paraeducator preparation academy. Teacher recognition programs also progressed from regional selections to finalists and statewide winners in Missouri and Iowa, while Colorado announced finalists and Hawaii, Kansas, Indiana, New York and Florida named 2027 Teachers of the Year.
Connecticut is expanding K–3 reading interventions and educator coaching through a five-year, $10 million grant covering 75 elementary schools, while Massachusetts is continuing early literacy tutoring funding for 338 schools and awarded nearly $25 million for literacy instruction. Nine Pennsylvania teacher preparation programs received accreditation aligned with structured literacy standards, and Mississippi designated science-of-reading schools and is implementing a statewide adolescent literacy initiative for 2026–27. Indiana reported its fifth consecutive year of rising literacy rates, while Colorado reported elementary literacy gains alongside persistent achievement gaps and declining middle school English language arts scores. In Maine, the number of students earning biliteracy recognition rose 18 percent, and the number of high schools offering it grew 11.5 percent.
State math results varied in 2025–26: Connecticut reported gains, Colorado recorded elementary math gains across many student groups, and Mississippi saw a slight decline in math proficiency. Mississippi is implementing the Mississippi Math Act statewide in 2026–27, while Iowa selected 44 elementary students from 18 public districts and four accredited nonpublic schools for a 10-year math enrichment program with mentoring and learning support. New York released preliminary statewide mathematics test data.
State and district education leaders are making appointments and involving teachers and students in governance: Florida named a new education commissioner, New York City appointed an early childhood deputy chancellor, Missouri added its first active classroom teacher to the state board, and Illinois selected a student advisory council. Technology policies differ across jurisdictions, with New York City announcing a generative AI moratorium while Illinois issued nonbinding AI guidance and Connecticut recommended bell-to-bell limits on personal devices without a statewide mandate. Illinois increased school funding and awarded teacher recruitment and retention grants, while New York City expanded pre-K special education and Mississippi began implementing statewide math and adolescent literacy initiatives for 2026–27. Maryland reported a four-year decline in chronic absenteeism.
Connecticut and Missouri reported 2025–26 assessment gains across multiple subjects, while Colorado reported gains in elementary math and literacy but declining middle school English language arts scores and persistent achievement gaps. Mississippi reported higher science performance, steady English language arts results and a slight decline in math proficiency. Connecticut’s chronic absenteeism fell to 16.4%, down from 23.7% in 2021–22. Kansas received federal approval to pilot assessments administered throughout the school year.
Open enrolment, charter authorisation, vouchers, education savings accounts and enrolment shifts.
Based on: $10,000 Hyundai grant supports Saddleback High’s plans for outdoor STEM learning
Based on: Canarelli MS Unveils New STEM Lab
Based on: Connecticut State Department of Education Awards $2 Million in High-Dosage Tutoring Grants to 42 Local Education Agencies
Based on: Forty-four mathematically extraordinary students named Iowa’s 2026 National Math Stars in first-in-the-nation state partnership
Based on: MDE names Mississippi Science of Reading School Awardees for 2026-27
Based on: Renaissance and Discovery Education Announce Partnership to Advance Instructional Coherence and Unified Assessment Insight
