About the Santa Barbara County P-20 STEM Council

Mission

The Santa Barbara County P-20 Science Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Council consists of a network alliances to improve academic achievement, expand post secondary preparation and access, bolster civic engagement, and strengthen career/economic earning capacity of Santa Barbara County students, especially those who are underserved or underrepresented.  

Impact

The Santa Barbara County P-20 STEM Council collaboratives seek to:
(1) influence student academic performance and preparation for post-secondary and career opportunities;
(2) inform/advocate for regional and state policies that sustain or support the development of innovative, promising and empirically supported Pre-K - 20 STEM initiatives.

Additionally, efforts should result in sustained cross sector partnerships that leverage resources around our common vision, value, and mission that support aligned regional efforts resulting in the establishment of college going cultures within educational service networks. Our special focus, STEM achievement, is particularly important for student success in the 21st Century.

Situation

The Santa Barbara County P-20 STEM Council efforts address inequities and performance disparities (in the form of achievement gaps) that exist when student academic performance is segmented by ethnicity, income, gender, language and immigrations status. Such trends result in academic cultures where low-academic performance and diminished post secondary expectations are routinely present, modeled and/or replicated. Within such climates low rates of high school graduation or college enrollment exists; additionally, student preparation for college enrollment is limited and, in some instances, inadequate. We also look for opportunities to accelerate the learning of youngsters with special talents in the STEM area. Accordingly the Santa Barbara P-20 STEM Council regional network efforts are framed around commitments to:

  • Decrease achievement gaps, particularly in math and science, that exist within the region
  • Increase knowledge regarding a to g requirements; as well as the successful attainment of these requirements by all students so that their life choices are expanded.
  • Establish college-going cultures that influence academic service delivery, dissemination of information, and efficient mobilization of regional resources.
  • Develop clearly defined and responsive linkages between education and career opportunities.
  • Disseminate evidence supporting the importance of high levels of STEM literacy to all county residents

Activities

The Santa Barbara County P-20 STEM Council activities support:

  • Development of college-going cultures rich with math and science experiences.
  • Provision of STEM enrichment and college readiness services to students.
  • Recruitment and professional development efforts to increase the capacity of the region to excel in STEM achievement.
  • Alignment of regional educational services and assets.
  • Provision of services that enhance parent and family understanding of activities and services related to the academic preparation and college readiness of their children.
  • Research and evaluation tasks essential to document of outcome of collaborative efforts.

Short-Term Outcomes

  • Increase student academic performance, particularly in achieving proficiency in Algebra I by the end of ninth grade.
  • Increase the college readiness, enrollment, and matriculation of students who are underserved and/or under-represented on UC and CSU Campuses.
  • Enhance access to high level STEM learning experiences (high school academies, special programs, integration of language skills with math and science) for all youngsters

Long-Term Outcomes

  • Improve the regional service alignment of education and college preparation systems so that postsecondary and career opportunities are more accessible to county youngster.
  • Strengthen capacity to efficiently mobilize, align, share, and sustain regional resources that support the efficient, inclusive, and effective implementation of P-20 STEM experiences so that all students regardless of background have equitable access to cutting edge science and math preparation.