Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in Ohio

STEM education and retention is both a family issue and an equity issue.  Unemployment has hit Ohio men especially hard, and these men find it difficult to find a new job.  Usually, their families have suffered more than a 50% reduction in income.  What might explain this?

A family issue

Ohio is not among the leaders in high technology that dominates our economy. The Ohio Board of Regents Policymaker's Guide states, "In a recent survey by the Milken Institute, not one Ohio metropolitan area ranked among the top 50 high-tech metros relative to high-tech real output growth in 2002."  Why, not?  In 2004, Ohio ranked 40th among all states on the percentage of the state's population who have completed a bachelor's degree or higher - 23.3% versus 27% for the nation. Only ten states have a lower baccalaureate attainment rate.  Business looks for a trained workforce.

An equity issue

Men still dominate higher-paying fields such as science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM).  According to a 2008 U.S. Department of Labor report, women make up 45 percent of the U.S. work force. In business and industry, however, they are employed in only 12 percent of the science and engineering positions and 20 percent of the information technology positions.

STEM education and retention is, indeed, a family issue and an equity issue.  AAUW advocates for equity of access to higher education in Ohio, for increasing the number and diversity of women in STEM fields, and for improvements to retain them in them in these fields.

Opportunities

Math & Science