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The National Academies Global Forum on Innovations in Health Professional Education held a public workshop in November 2023. Speakers explored how health professional educators and providers with health systems science (HSS) training can prepare learners to work together within health systems, resulting in better patient care, improved population health, and enhanced health professional well-being. Organizers hosted a public pre-workshop in October 2023 to create a foundational understanding of HSS prior to their workshop. [This activity was supported by contracts with Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, American Academy of Nursing, American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, American Board of Family Medicine, American Council of Academic Physical Therapy, American Dental Education Association, American Medical Association, American Nurses Credentialing Center, American Occupational Therapy Association, American Physical Therapy Association, American Psychological Association, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Association of American Medical Colleges, Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, Association of Schools of Advancing Health Professions, Athletic Training Strategic Alliance, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Council on Social Work Education, George Washington University, Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, National Academies of Practice, National Association of Social Workers, National Board for Certified Counselors and Affiliates, National Board of Medical Examiners, National Council of State Boards of Nursing, National League for Nursing, National Register of Health Service Psychologists, Physician Assistant Education Association, Society for Simulation in Healthcare, Texas A&M--San Antonio, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and Weill Cornell Medicine--Qatar.]

Increasing the number of Black men and Black women who enter the fields of science, engineering, and medicine (SEM) will benefit the social and economic health of the nation. On May 2-3, 2022 the Roundtable on Black Men and Black Women in Science, Engineering, and Medicine of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened a workshop to highlight promising financial and supportive services and programs throughout various stages of career development. Sessions followed student progression through the major stages of education and career development, and identified policies and practices that aim to mitigate and alleviate long-standing barriers to the full participation of Black students in SEM at the K-12, undergraduate, and graduate and professional levels. [Lynne M. Holden and Louis W. Sullivan served as Rapporteurs. Contributors Policy and Global Affairs; Health and Medicine Division; and Roundtable on Black Men and Black Women in Science, Engineering, and Medicine.]

People with disabilities are the largest minority group in the United States. While nothing about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, jobs, or workplaces would seem to inherently exclude people with disabilities, in practice, stigma and discrimination continue to limit opportunities for disabled people to fully contribute to and be successful in the STEM ecosystem. The planning committee for Beyond Compliance: Promoting the Success of People with Disabilities in the STEM Workforce of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, with funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation, organized a hybrid national leadership summit and virtual workshop series to address and explore issues of accessibility and inclusivity in STEM workplaces. Across the 5 days of workshops, dozens of panelists spoke about their personal and professional experiences of ableism and barriers to full participation in the STEM workforce, as well as identified positive examples of mentorship and efforts to create fully inclusive STEM spaces in education, labs, the private sector, and professional development settings. [Taylor Kate Brown and Melissa E. Wynn served as Rapporteurs. Additional contributors include Policy and Global Affairs; Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education; Board on Higher Education and Workforce; and Board on Science Education.]

Efforts over the last several decades to increase the participation and leadership of Black men and women in the scientific and medical workforce have had limited results. Despite many individual successes, the number of Black professionals in science, engineering, and medicine (SEM) fields has not reached a level that corresponds with African American representation in the country at large. Structural racism affects progress at all stages along the pathway--from young children through graduate and medical students through faculty and clinicians at all levels. Beyond entry into educational programs or recruitment into workplaces seeking to diversify, challenges persist to achieve equity and inclusion for Black males and females. Moreover, psychological barriers confound the engagement of Black men and women in SEM fields. To explore these issues and suggest solutions, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine launched the Roundtable on Black Men and Black Women in Science, Engineering, and Medicine. Over the past 2 years, the Roundtable has convened workshops on K-12 education, the impact of COVID-19, financial burdens to pursuing SEM careers, and other topics. Sessions during each of these workshops identified psychological factors related to those specific topics. To have a more targeted discussion, the Roundtable convened a virtual workshop on September 14-15, 2021. As summarized in this proceedings, panelists and participants identified policies and practices that perpetuate these factors and explored solutions toward achieving and maintaining wellness, especially among students and young professionals. [Evelynn Hammonds, Shirley Malcom, Vivian Pinn, and Paula Whitacre served as Rapporteurs. Caro T. Laurencin served as Editor. Additional contributors include the Roundtable on Black Men and Black Women in Science, Engineering, and Medicine; Policy and Global Affairs; and Health and Medicine Division. Additional support was provided by the University of Pittsburgh.]

On September 22, 2022, the National Academy of Sciences held a symposium entitled Endless Frontier 2022: Research and Higher Education Institutions for the Next 75 Years. The event was a follow up to a February 2020 NAS symposium convened to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the landmark report Science, the Endless Frontier. Building on the 2020 symposium and on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, the September 2022 symposium sought to generate tools, strategies, and actionable steps that people and institutions can implement to ensure that science and technology continue to serve the public good. The symposium was designed to progress from broad perspectives that encompass the entire science and technology enterprise to consideration of more specific issues. This proceedings summarizes the 2022 symposium. [This activity was also supported by the Kavli Foundation. Jeena M. Thomas and Steve Olson served as Rapporteurs. Policy and Global Affairs was a contributor to this report.]

Research shows that that children learn science and engineering subjects best by engaging from an early age in the kinds of practices used by real scientists and engineers. By doing science and engineering, children not only develop and refine their understanding of the core ideas and crosscutting concepts of these disciplines, but can also be empowered to use their growing understanding to make sense of questions and problems relevant to them. This approach can make learning more meaningful, equitable, and lasting. Using cases and shorter examples, Rise and Thrive with Science shows what high-quality teaching and learning in science and engineering can look like for preschool and elementary school children. Through analyses of these examples and summaries of research findings, the guide points out the key elements of a coherent, research-grounded approach to teaching and learning in science and engineering. This guide also discusses the kinds of support that educators need to implement effective and equitable instruction for all children. This book will provide inspiration for practitioners at the preschool and elementary levels to try new strategies for science and engineering education, whatever their level of experience. Rise and Thrive with Science will be an essential guide for teachers as they organize instruction to enable young children to carry out their own science investigations and engineering design projects, determine the kinds of instruction that lead to meaningful learning, and try to engage every one of their students. [Contributors include: Heidi Carlone, Elizabeth A. Davis, Ximena Dominguez, Eve Manz, and Carla Zembal-Saul. Amy Stephens and Heidi Schweingruber, Editors. Board on Science Education; Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education

Foreign-funded language and culture institutes exist on U.S. campuses beyond Confucius Institutes (CIs)--Chinese government-funded centers established by the Chinese Communist Party to extend the reach of Chinese language and culture and to enhance worldwide opinion of China through offering classes in Mandarin Chinese and highlighting positive aspects of Chinese culture. Regardless of the sponsoring nation, foreign-funded language and culture institutes may pose risks for U.S. host institutions regarding academic freedom, freedom of expression, governance, and national security. This is particularly true if the values of the sponsoring nation do not align with the democratic values held in the United States and if the sponsoring nation is suspected of engaging in activities adversely affecting human rights, academic freedom, freedom of expression, association, dissent, and U.S. national security. This report explores the role of other foreign-funded institutes at U.S. institutions of higher education, describing characteristics and features of such institutes; determining characteristics and features of foreign-funded institutes at U.S. institutions of higher education that could be flags for institutions to engage in further deliberation and vetting prior to entering into a partnership; identifying implementable practices for U.S. institutions of higher education to ensure appropriate operations; and continuing exploration of what role the sensitivity of the research conducted on campus should play in determining which foreign-funded partnerships are appropriate. Foreign-Funded Language and Culture Institutes at U.S. Institutions of Higher Education recommends actions that U.S. colleges and universities can take to minimize risks associated with hosting foreign-funded language and culture institutions, such as a CI, on or near campus and protect academic freedom and national security. [Contributors include: Committee on Confucius Institutes at U.S. Institutions of Higher Education; U.S. Science and Innovation Policy; Policy and Global Affairs.]

Despite calls to increase diversity throughout the engineering education enterprise and years of efforts by and collaborations between universities, K-12 schools, and professional societies and other education- or equity-related organizations, Black or African-American individuals, American Indian or Alaska Native individuals, and Hispanic or Latine individuals of any race do not participate in engineering education and occupations at parity, defined as the same proportions as their representation in the US population. To review current and past efforts and explore ways to progress to a more diverse engineering profession and reach parity in comparison to the US population, the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) convened a virtual 3-day workshop series on March 18, March 30, and April 20, 2022. Attendees considered existing collaborations between extramural initiatives that support engineering student success and universities seeking to recruit and retain these students in undergraduate and advanced engineering education. Participants also shared potential new approaches for enhancing coordination among the various levels of the engineering education system to reach parity. This publication summarizes the presentation and discussion of the workshop. [Komal Syed, Elizabeth T. Cady, and Cameron H. Fletcher served as Rapporteurs.]

The National Academies Global Forum on Innovation in Health Professional Education hosted a multi-day workshop series in March and April 2023 to explore the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in health professions education. Speakers at the workshops provided background on AI; discussed the social, cultural, policy, legal, and regulatory considerations to integrating AI into health care and training; considered the skills health professionals will need as educators and providers to effectively use AI in practice; and explored needs for educating the next generation of health workers. Speakers took consideration of the bias, burden, health equity concerns that introducing AI into clinical education would bring. This Proceedings of a Workshop summarizes the discussions held during the workshop. [Patricia A. Cuff and Erin Hammers Forstag served as Rapporteurs. Contributors include Global Forum on Innovation in Health Professional Education; Board on Global Health; Health and Medicine Division. Numerous organizations sponsored this work and the full list can be seen in the document.]

On October 14 and 15, and December 8, 2021, the Board on Science Education at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine held a virtual Summit entitled Taking Stock of Science Standards Implementation. Participants explored the landscape of state science standards implementation, identified where there have been successes and challenges, and determined next steps and the resources needed for continuing or re-invigorating implementation efforts. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussion of the event. [Erin Hammers Forstag served as Rapporteur. Contributors of the report include the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education; and the Board on Science Education.]

Land-grant colleges and universities play a crucial role in addressing the complex challenges facing the U.S. agricultural system and global food security. Multidisciplinary collaboration involving a diversity of land-grant institutions has the potential to accelerate scientific progress on those challenges. However, historical and current funding disparities have prevented Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Tribal Colleges and Universities from being full partners in multi-institutional collaborations. This report, produced by request of the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture acting on a congressional directive, examines how enhanced cooperation across the land-grant system could deepen and expand the impact of its agricultural work, which is critical to address evolving industry and environmental challenges, as well as demands from consumers. The report concludes that many investigators are unaware of potential partners with complementary expertise across the system. The report states that adopting a culture of collaboration could improve the coordination in the land-grant system. Key report recommendations include improving systems and incentives for facilitating academic partnerships, providing dedicated support for collaboration across the land-grant system, and enhancing outreach strategies for communicating about the beneficial outcomes of collaborative research. [Contributors to the report include Committee on Enhancing Coordination Between Land-Grant Universities and Colleges; Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources; Board on Higher Education and Workforce; Division on Earth and Life Studies; and Policy and Global Affairs.]

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other minority institutions (MIs) represent a valuable resource to expand the Department of Defense's (DoD) government and extramural workforce and science and technology enterprise. The more than 400 public and private HBCUs, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and other two- and four-year MIs are positioned to make strong and uniquely important contributions to the defense research enterprise, offering DoD an opportunity to widen its talent pool and diversify STEM research and ultimately strengthen its ability to support national security. "Defense Research Capacity at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Other Minority Institutions" examines the status of DoD research at HBCUs and MIs, including the methods and means necessary to advance research capacity at these institutions in order to comprehensively address the national security and defense needs of the United States. This report offers recommendations to guide DoD, Congress, HBCU/MIs, and partnering entities in supporting and strengthening the role of these institutions in defense research. A strategic commitment will translate into increased opportunities for HBCU/MIs to diversify the future American academic, industrial, and government STEM workforce upon which DoD will depend. [Contributors to the report include the Committee on Defense Research at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Other Minority Institutions; the Board on Higher Education and Workforce; and Policy and Global Affairs.]

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) -- often called "The Nation's Report Card" -- is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what students in public and private schools in the United States know and can do in various subjects and has provided policy makers and the public with invaluable information on U.S. students for more than 50 years. Unique in the information it provides, NAEP is the nation's only mechanism for tracking student achievement over time and comparing trends across states and districts for all students and important student groups (e.g., by race, sex, English learner status, disability status, family poverty status). While the program helps educators, policymakers, and the public understand these educational outcomes, the program has incurred substantially increased costs in recent years and now costs about $175.2 million per year. "A Pragmatic Future for NAEP: Containing Costs and Updating Technologies" recommends changes to bolster the future success of the program by identifying areas where federal administrators could take advantage of savings, such as new technological tools and platforms as well as efforts to use local administration and deployment for the tests. Additionally, the report recommends areas where the program should clearly communicate about spending and undertake efforts to streamline management. The report also provides recommendations to increase the visibility and coherence of NAEP's research activities. [Contributors include the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education; Committee on National Statistics; and Panel on Opportunities for the National Assessment of Educational Progress in an Age of AI and Pervasive Computation: A Pragmatic Vision.]

In 2002 Congress passed the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA), authorizing the creation of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) as the research, evaluation, statistics, and assessment arm of the Department of Education, and crystallizing the federal government's commitment to providing national leadership in expanding fundamental knowledge and understanding of education from early childhood through postsecondary study. IES shares information on the condition and progress of education in the United States, including early childhood education and special education; educational practices that support learning and improve academic achievement and access to educational opportunities for all students; and the effectiveness of federal and other education programs. In response to a request from the Institute of Education Sciences, this report provides guidance on the future of education research at the National Center for Education Research and the National Center for Special Education Research, two centers directed by IES. This report identifies critical problems and issues, new methods and approaches, and new and different kinds of research training investments. [Contributors include the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education; Board on Science Education; and Committee on the Future of Education Research at the Institute of Education Sciences in the U.S. Department of Education.]

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated challenges in the early care and education (ECE) sector, including: preexisting structural flaws; insufficient funding mechanisms; sector fragmentation; inadequate support for the workforce; and inequalities, such as the lack of access to high-quality care among low-income, rural populations, and communities of color. Addressing the impacts of the pandemic and the resulting economic recession on the ECE sector will require that state, local, and tribal decision makers use available COVID-19 relief funds to mitigate those impacts while also laying the foundation for longer-term solutions. This rapid expert consultation identifies mitigation strategies that could be implemented to achieve these goals. These strategies include: (1) Reduce the rate of closures; (2) Assist the ECE workforce; (3) Modify subsidy reimbursement and payment policies; (4) Improve coordination of the ECE sector and funding systems; and (5) Integrate data systems across provider and funding types.

In November 2020, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened a multi-day virtual symposium on imaging the future of undergraduate STEM education. Speakers and participants pondered the future and the past and shared their goals, priorities, and dreams for improving undergraduate STEM education. Expert speakers presented information about today's students and approaches to undergraduate STEM education, as well as the history of transformation in higher education. Thoughtful discussions explored ideas for the future, how student-centered learning experiences could be created, and what issues to consider to facilitate a successful transformation. This publication summarizes the presentation and discussion of the symposium. [Kerry Brenner, Alexandra Beatty, and Joe Alper served as Rapporteurs. Contributors include the Board on Science Education and the Board on Higher Education and Workforce.]

Academic preparation is critical to increase Black representation in Science, Engineering, and Medicine, but so, too, are such interrelated factors as providing mentoring and role models in sufficient numbers, adequately funding school and community support services, and analyzing the intentional and unintentional consequences of a range of policies and practices. To address these issues, the Roundtable on Black Men and Black Women of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened a virtual workshop on September 2 and 3, 2020. Titled "Educational Pathways for Blacks in Science, Engineering, and Medicine: Exploring Barriers and Possible Interventions," the workshop provided a platform to explore challenges and opportunities, beginning in the earliest years of life through K-12 schooling, undergraduate and postgraduate education, and into the workforce. Presenters throughout the workshop provided perspectives from research and from their own experiences to discuss the need for systemic solutions inside and outside of formal education institutions. This publication summarizes the presentation and discussion of the workshop. [Olujimi Ajijola, Charles R. Bridges, Jr., Lynne M. Holden, and Paula Whitacre served as Rapporteurs. Caro T. Laurencin served as Editor. Additional contributors include the Roundtable on Black Men and Black Women in Science, Engineering, and Medicine; Policy and Global Affairs; and the Health and Medicine Division. Additional funding by Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and UConn Health.]

The education landscape in the United States has been changing rapidly in recent decades: student populations have become more diverse; there has been an explosion of data sources; there is an intensified focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; educators and policy makers at all levels want more and better data for evidence-based decision making; and the role of technology in education has increased dramatically. With awareness of this changed landscape the Institute of Education Sciences at the U.S. Department of Education asked the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to provide a vision for the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)--the nation's premier statistical agency for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating statistics at all levels of education. "A Vision and Roadmap for Education Statistics" (2022) reviews developments in using alternative data sources, considers recent trends and future priorities, and suggests changes to NCES's programs and operations, with a focus on NCES's statistical programs. The report reimagines NCES as a leader in the 21st century education data ecosystem, where it can meet the growing demands for policy-relevant statistical analyses and data to more effectively and efficiently achieve its mission, especially in light of the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 and the 2021 Presidential Executive Order on advancing racial equity. The report provides strategic advice for NCES in all aspects of the agency's work including modernization, stakeholder engagement, and the resources necessary to complete its mission and meet the current and future challenges in education. [Contributors include Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education; Committee on National Statistics; and Panel on a Vision and Roadmap for Education Statistics.]

Scientific thinking and understanding are essential for all people navigating the world, not just for scientists and other science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals. Knowledge of science and the practice of scientific thinking are essential components of a fully functioning democracy. Science is also crucial for the future STEM workforce and the pursuit of living wage jobs. Yet, science education is not the national priority it needs to be, and states and local communities are not yet delivering high quality, rigorous learning experiences in equal measure to all students from elementary school through higher education. "Call to Action for Science Education: Building Opportunity for the Future" articulates a vision for high quality science education, describes the gaps in opportunity that currently exist for many students, and outlines key priorities that need to be addressed in order to advance better, more equitable science education across grades K-16. This report makes recommendations for state and federal policy makers on ways to support equitable, productive pathways for all students to thrive and have opportunities to pursue careers that build on scientific skills and concepts. Call to Action for Science Education challenges the policy-making community at state and federal levels to acknowledge the importance of science, make science education a core national priority, and empower and give local communities the resources they must have to deliver a better, more equitable science education. [Contributors include Committee on the Call to Action for Science Education; Board on Science Education; Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education.]

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a global pandemic. From that moment, leaders of institutions of higher education have had to make quick decisions about how to provide high-quality educational experiences for their students while protecting the health of their students, faculty, and staff and maintaining the fiscal stability of their institutions. Institutions of higher learning took various approaches to the COVID-19 pandemic, which raised two questions: what factors informed decisions at these institutions, and what new initiatives or practices seem to be effective for students during the COVID-19 pandemic? To explore these questions and others regarding the effect of higher education's current COVID-19 response on students in undergraduate and graduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine held a virtual workshop consisting of four online sessions that took place between September 22 and October 6, 2020. Organized by the Board on Science Education and the Board on Higher Education and Workforce, the virtual workshops provided an opportunity for participants from a range of institutions to share strategies and lessons learned. This publication summarizes the presentation and discussion of the workshop. [Kerry Brenner, Maria Lund Dahlberg, and Joe Alper served as Rapporteurs. Contributors include Board on Science Education; Board on Higher Education and Workforce; Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education; and Policy and Global Affairs.]

Student wellbeing is foundational to academic success. One recent survey of postsecondary educators found that nearly 80 percent believed emotional wellbeing is a "very" or "extremely" important factor in student success. Studies have found the dropout rates for students with a diagnosed mental health problem range from 43 percent to as high as 86 percent. While dealing with stress is a normal part of life, for some students, stress can adversely affect their physical, emotional, and psychological health, particularly given that adolescence and early adulthood are when most mental illnesses are first manifested. In addition to students who may develop mental health challenges during their time in postsecondary education, many students arrive on campus with a mental health problem or having experienced significant trauma in their lives, which can also negatively affect physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing. The nation's institutions of higher education are seeing increasing levels of mental illness, substance use and other forms of emotional distress among their students. Some of the problematic trends have been ongoing for decades. Some have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic consequences. Some are the result of long-festering systemic racism in almost every sphere of American life that are becoming more widely acknowledged throughout society and must, at last, be addressed. "Mental Health, Substance Use, and Wellbeing in Higher Education" lays out a variety of possible strategies and approaches to meet increasing demand for mental health and substance use services, based on the available evidence on the nature of the issues and what works in various situations. The recommendations of this report will support the delivery of mental health and wellness services by the nation's institutions of higher education. [Contributors include Policy and Global Affairs; Health and Medicine Division; and Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Wellbeing in STEMM Undergraduate and Graduate Education.]

Faculty in science, technology, engineering, and medicine (STEM) are expected to excel in their technical work, teaching, and professional service. Their career advancement is often determined by academic peers evaluating accomplishments in these three areas. Recently, however, there is a growing concern that the evaluation of those accomplishments and traditional incentive systems are misaligned with some of the values and missions of higher education institutions, such as student learning, public engagement, and innovative research. Debates about current advancement systems also point to a body of research on the negative effects of traditional advancement criteria on the academic environment and workforce, including the influence of systemic and individual biases on the promotion and advancement of women and individuals from underrepresented populations. To examine and potentially re-envision advancement pathways for all STEM faculty, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened academic leaders, scientists, engineers, medical professionals, scholars, philanthropists, and representatives from higher education associations and research funding agencies in October 2019. The Convocation on Re-envisioning Promotion and Advancement for STEM Faculty: Aligning Incentives with Values addressed challenges with the current system of faculty advancement and considered changes to promotion practices. Particular emphasis was placed on aligning faculty reward pathways to institutional and departmental missions and values. This publication highlights the presentation and discussion of the convocation. [This workshop was also supported by The Kavli Foundation. Maria Lund Dahlberg and Lida Beninson served as Rapporteurs for this report.]

In its 2018 report "The Integration of the Humanities and Arts with Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in Higher Education: Branches from the Same Tree", a committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine pointed to an emerging body of evidence suggesting that integration of the arts, humanities, and STEMM fields - science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine -- is associated with positive learning outcomes that may help students enter the workforce, live enriched lives, and become active and informed members of a modern democracy. On April 12, 2019, the National Academies held a national convening in Washington, DC, to review, extend, and disseminate the committee's findings. At the convening, which was part of a series of events held across the United States, committee members, students, faculty members, and others discussed the future of higher education, the benefits of integration, and examples of integration that have proven to have positive effects. In addition, the convening featured dramatic readings that illustrated some of the issues involved with integrating the arts, humanities, and STEMM fields. This publication highlights the presentations of the event. [Steve Olson served as Rapporteur.]

Teachers play a critical role in the success of their students, both academically and in regard to long term outcomes such as higher education participation and economic attainment. Expectations for teachers are increasing due to changing learning standards and a rapidly diversifying student population. At the same time, there are perceptions that the teaching workforce may be shifting toward a younger and less experienced demographic. These actual and perceived changes raise important questions about the ways teacher education may need to evolve in order to ensure that educators are able to meet the needs of students and provide them with classroom experiences that will put them on the path to future success. "Changing Expectations for the K-12 Teacher Workforce: Policies, Preservice Education, Professional Development, and the Workplace" explores the impact of the changing landscape of K-12 education and the potential for expansion of effective models, programs, and practices for teacher education. This report explores factors that contribute to understanding the current teacher workforce, changing expectations for teaching and learning, trends and developments in the teacher labor market, preservice teacher education, and opportunities for learning in the workplace and in-service professional development. [Contributors include Committee on Understanding the Changing Structure of the K 12 Teacher Workforce; Board on Higher Education and Workforce; Policy and Global Affairs; Board on Science Education; and Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education.]

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges to the nation's K-12 education system. The rush to slow the spread of the virus led to closures of schools across the country, with little time to ensure continuity of instruction or to create a framework for deciding when and how to reopen schools. States, districts, and schools are now grappling with the complex and high-stakes questions of whether to reopen school buildings and how to operate them safely if they do reopen. These decisions need to be informed by the most up-to-date evidence about the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19; about the impacts of school closures on students and families; and about the complexities of operating school buildings as the pandemic persists. "Reopening K-12 Schools During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Prioritizing Health, Equity, and Communities" provides guidance on the reopening and operation of elementary and secondary schools for the 2020-2021 school year. The recommendations of this report are designed to help districts and schools successfully navigate the complex decisions around reopening school buildings, keeping them open, and operating them safely. [Additional support from the Brady Education Foundation.]

The COVID-19 pandemic is resulting in widespread and ongoing changes to how the K-12 education system functions, including disruptions to science teaching and learning environments. Students and teachers are all figuring out how to do schooling differently, and districts and states are working overtime to reimagine systems and processes. This is difficult and stressful work in the middle of the already stressful and sometimes traumatic backdrop of the global pandemic. In addition, students with disabilities, students of color, immigrants, English learners, and students from under-resourced communities have been disproportionately affected, both by the pandemic itself and by the resulting instructional shifts. "Teaching K-12 Science and Engineering During a Crisis" aims to describe what high quality science and engineering education can look like in a time of great uncertainty and to support practitioners as they work toward their goals. This book includes guidance for science and engineering practitioners--with an emphasis on the needs of district science supervisors, curriculum leads, and instructional coaches. "Teaching K-12 Science and Engineering During a Crisis" will help K-12 science and engineering teachers adapt learning experiences as needed to support students and their families dealing with ongoing changes to instructional and home environments and at the same time provide high quality in those experiences.

On July 21, 2020, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's Committee on Science, Engineering, Medicine and Public Policy hosted a virtual workshop, Reopening U.S. Research Universities: Confronting Long-Standing Challenges and Imagining Novel Solutions. Attracting more than 500 participants, the workshop provided an overview of the current situation facing U.S. research universities and explored key questions that the research enterprise must address to build a more effective and resilient 21st century research university. This publication highlights the presentation and discussion of the workshop. [Anita Eisenstadt, Steven Kendall, and Anne-Marie Mazza served as Rapporteurs.]

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is one of the United States' leading federal science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) agencies and plays an important role in the landscape of STEM education. In 2015, NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) created the Science Activation (SciAct) program to increase the overall coherence of SMD's education efforts, to support more effective, sustainable, and efficient use of SMD science discoveries for education, and to enable NASA scientists and engineers to engage more effectively and efficiently in the STEM learning environment with learners of all ages. SciAct is now transitioning into its second round of funding, and it is beneficial to review the program's portfolio and identify opportunities for improvement. "NASA's Science Activation Program: Achievements and Opportunities" assesses SciAct's efforts towards meeting its goals. The key objectives of SciAct are to enable STEM education, improve U.S. scientific literacy, advance national education goals, and leverage efforts through partnerships. This report describes and assesses the history, current status, and vision of the program and its projects. It also provides recommendations to enhance NASA's efforts through the SciAct program. [Contributors include Committee to Assess Science Activation; Board on Science Education; and Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education.]