Budget Amendment ID: FY2021-S4-108

EDU 108

STEM Starter Academy Program

Ms. DiZoglio, Mr. O'Connor and Ms. Moran moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, by inserting after item 7066-0025 the following item:

“xxxx-xxxx For science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) Starter Academy programs to be implemented through the department of higher education at the Massachusetts community colleges to benefit student populations identified by the department as having expressed a high level of interest in STEM majors and STEM careers and yet are underperforming on STEM academic assessments; provided, that the STEM Starter Academy program shall incorporate best practice design elements from established STEM career pathways initiatives including, but not limited to, those recognized by the Massachusetts’ Plan for Excellence in STEM Education and any subsequent STEM plans recognized by the department; provided further, that the STEM Starter Academy shall incorporate employer and industry collaboration to address workforce needs in high-demand fields, industry contextualized STEM curriculum, embedded mathematics and English language remediation and student supports and other STEM education research-based strategies that promote enrollment, enhance retention and increase post-secondary graduation rates and pathways to job placement or transfer to four-year degree programs; provided further, that appropriated funds may be expended for programs or activities during the summer months; and provided further, that the house and senate committees on ways and means, the joint committee on higher education and the joint committee on education shall receive an evaluation of this program and its impact not later than September 30, 2021…………$5,883,238".