As we begin the second century of flight and approach half a century of space exploration, our Nation maintains its commitment to excellence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM, education to ensure that the next generation of explorers and innovators is fully prepared to join our workforce while contributing to national needs.

The May 2005 report by the National Academies, Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future, proposes four broad recommendations to enhance the science and technology enterprise so that the United States can successfully compete, prosper, and be secure in the global community of the 21st century: 1) increase America's talent pool by vastly improving K-12 science and mathematics education; 2) sustain and strengthen the Nation's traditional commitment to long-term basic research; 3) make the United States the most attractive setting in which to study and perform research; and 4) ensure that the United States is the premiere place in the world to innovate. NASA is taking a leading role to inspire interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, as few other organizations can through its unique mission, workforce, facilities, research, and innovations. The agency is also taking a leading role to make significant impacts in engaging underserved and underrepresented communities in STEM.

The framework details an Agency-wide approach to education. It aligns NASA's total education portfolio with the Agency's Strategic Plan, provides a coordination structure, and creates an Agency-wide strategic planning, implementation, and evaluation framework for the Agency's investments in education. The document builds on the education goals identified in the Agency 2006 Strategic Plan and identifies three specific and measurable Outcomes to allow achievement of those goals. The plan encompasses all education efforts undertaken by the Agency, and guides our relationships with external education partners, including Minority Serving Institutions, professional associations, universities, school systems, industry, and other federal agencies. The requirements and management principles contained in this framework will instill the discipline and organizational rigor needed for education's role in inspiring students toward the path to the Moon, Mars, and other exploration objectives.

Based upon the framework, the Agency has identified outcomes, objectives and metrics that will be used to measure our performance and track the Agency's investment in education.