The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is launching a “progressive dialogue” to identify ways to improve K-12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics in New York state. Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the progressive dialogue begins in June 2009 with a summit of leaders from education, government, business and industry, foundations, and not-for-profit organizations to discuss educational challenges facing the state, as well as potential strategies to create a more diverse workforce to remain competitive in the years ahead. In a second phase of activity, the progressive dialogue will broaden to other educators and community leaders across the state. The discussions will lead to a set of recommendations for implementing a statewide systemic initiative focused on increasing the number of students – especially those coming from minority and low-income backgrounds – aspiring to and prepared for STEM disciplines.
In 2003, RPI redesigned its instructional core to meet 22 student learning outcomes. These outcomes are not discipline- or content-specific but instead capacity-driven and applicable to a range of disciplines. A redesigned core curriculum focuses on building capacities of inquiry, critical thinking, analysis, and problem-solving as they apply to a range of content areas.