The History of Specialized STEM Schools and the Formation and Role of the NCSSSMST

The creation of specialized Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) schools over the past decades has largely been related to economic, political, and educational concerns. The recent CitationAmerica COMPETES Act (2007), for example, intends to strengthen public secondary educational opportunities in science, technology, and mathematics by creating additional statewide specialized high schools. Specialized STEM schools have often served the interests and needs of students, who are gifted, talented, and motivated in STEM fields, and today such schools are also often expected to inform and enhance pedagogical practices in public education. The purpose of this article is to (a) present the history of specialized STEM schools and the National Consortium of Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology; (b) consider the efficacy of these schools; and (c) explore the possibilities for research and inquiry within these schools to enhance understanding of gifted and STEM education.