Students with disabilities are now just as likely as other students to enroll in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields when they enter higher education, recent research from the National Science Foundation reports. The study found that 11 percent of undergraduate degree pursuers have a disability, which Education Week indicates is on par with the 12 percent of K–12 students that have a disability.
As the STEM field clamors to add the expertise of those underrepresented, previous NSF research indicates that this expansion to disabled students is a win for these fields:
“First, the nation’s long-term prosperity is dependent upon ‘talented and motivated individuals who will comprise the vanguard of scientific and technological innovation.’ Second, every student in the United States ‘deserves the opportunity to achieve his or her full potential.’ … In short, excellence and equity in STEM education are interrelated.”
Recent updates to technology and education endeavors that boost accessibility could be helping to level the playing field for students with disabilities in K–12 schools, which could also lead them to more education.
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This article brought to you by Ed Tech Magazine. Originally published on edtechmagazine.com on March 10, 2017