A limited number of highly selective high schools specializing in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education have existed for many decades, encouraging youth with identified STEM talent to pursue careers as STEM leaders and innovators. As members of the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics,…

This dissertation is comprised of three independently conducted analyses of a larger investigation into the practices and features of specialized STEM high schools. While educators and policy makers advocate the development of many new specialized STEM high schools, little is known about the unique features and practices of these schools. The…

As a nation, society benefits from an educated populace. At a time when economic, environmental, social, and security issues are the focus of many conversations in businesses, industries, government offices, schools, and homes, policymakers turn their attention to the further development of human capital. Educators acknowledge that they have key…