INNOVATE - A Blueprint for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in California Public Education - May 2014

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Ben

INNOVATE: a Blueprint for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in California Public Education presents a structured report prepared for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction by Tom Torlakson’s STEM Task Force. The guidance outlines STEM education context in the United States and California, then addresses professional learning, curriculum and instruction, student assessment, and business and community partnerships. It concludes with recommendations, next steps, references, acknowledgements, and supporting appendices, including task force membership and recommendations detail.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages52

Reading Time2 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

Letter from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson

Letter from Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla

Executive Summary

STEM Education in California

The STEM Task Force: Primary Recommendations

STEM Education in the United States and in California: The Context

Professional Learning

Curriculum and Instruction

Student Assessment

Business and Community Partnerships

STEM Education in California: A Call to Action

Recommendations and Next Steps

References

Acknowledgements

Appendices

The STEM Task Force

STEM Task Force Recommendations

Footnotes

A Blueprint for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in California Public Education A report by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson’s STEM Task Force INNOVATE MAy 2014 CAlIFornIAnS DEDICATED To EDuCATIon FounDATIon Publishing Information INNOVaTE: a Blueprint for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in California Public Education, a Report to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction was prepared under the direction of the Professional Learning Support Division, California Department of Education. This publication was originally edited by Faye Ong and John McLean, working in cooperation with Jim Greco, Senior Fellow, STEM Initiative. The Glen Price Group provided additional editing and final report preparation support. The report is published by the Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation, 11501 Dublin Boulevard, Suite 200, Dublin, California 94568 and distributed under the provisions of the Library Distribution act and Government Code Section 11096. © 2014 by the Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation all rights reserved ISBN 978-0-8011-1739-8 Ordering Information Copies of this publication are available from the Professional Learning Support Division at [http://www.cde.ca.gov/](http://www.cde.ca.gov/)[ ](http://www.cde.ca.gov/)[pd/ca/sc/stemintrod.asp](pd/ca/sc/stemintrod.asp. For prices of other publications and ordering information)[. For prices of other publications and ordering information](pd/ca/sc/stemintrod.asp. For prices of other publications and ordering information), please visit the Department Web site at [http://www.cde.ca.gov/RE/pn/rc/](http://www.cde.ca.gov/RE/pn/rc/ or call the sales office at 1-800-995-4099. Prices on all publications)[ or call the sales office at 1-800-995-4099. Prices on all publications](http://www.cde.ca.gov/RE/pn/rc/ or call the sales office at 1-800-995-4099. Prices on all publications)[ ](http://www.cde.ca.gov/RE/pn/rc/ or call the sales office at 1-800-995-4099. Prices on all publications)[are subject to change.](are subject to change.) Notice The guidance in INNOVaTE: a Blueprint for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in California Public Education, a Report to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction is not binding on local educational agencies or other entities. Except for the statutes, regulations, and court decisions that are referenced herein, the document is exemplary, and compliance with it is not mandatory. (See Education Code Section 33308.5.) TABLE OF CONTENTS LETTER FROM STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION TOM TORLAKSON ......... 2 LETTER FROM ASSEMBLYWOMAN SUSAN BONILLA .................................... 4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................ 5 STEM Education in California ......................................................... 5 The STEM Task Force: Primary Recommendations .......................................... 5 1 . STEM EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES AND IN CALIFORNIA: THE CONTEXT ........ 7 1 . 1 . Defining STEM Education ...................................................... 7 1 .2 . STEM in Society ............................................................ 10 1 .3 . Access to ST EM in California Learning Environments ................................ 11 1 .4 . STEM and The Changing Landscape of Learning and Assessment in California ............. 11 2 . PROFESSIONAL LEARNING .................................................. 14 2 .1 . Professional Learning: Current Status of STEM Education ............................. 14 2 .2 . Professional Learning: The State’s Future Needs and Opportunities ...................... 16 2 .3 . Professional Learning: Key Recommendations ..................................... 17 3 . CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION ............................................ 18 3 .1 . Curriculum and Instruction: Current Status of STEM Educat

FAQs

Who prepared INNOVATE and for whom was it created?

INNOVATE was prepared under the direction of the Professional Learning Support Division, California Department of Education, for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction by Tom Torlakson’s STEM Task Force.

What major areas does the report cover besides the executive summary?

The report covers STEM education context, professional learning, curriculum and instruction, student assessment, and business and community partnerships.

Is the guidance in the report mandatory for local educational agencies?

No. The guidance is not binding on local educational agencies or other entities, and compliance is not mandatory except where statutes, regulations, or court decisions referenced apply.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Ben

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