The NGA STEM Grant program was formed with National Priorities in mind. Innovation America, Rising Above the Gathering Storm, A Nation at Risk and other reports heavily influenced the foundation and structuring of the National Governor's Association initiative. These national reports focused on the state of the workforce and education in the United States.
Similarly, Pennsylvania's STEM Initiative was conceived and structured around standards unique to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania's Inspired Leadership (PIL) program is a state-wide, cohort-based continuing education program for School Leaders. The PIL initiative exists to help educators build their own capacity to improve student achievement. The Pennsylvania Department of Education Standards Aligned Systems is a methodology that, while acknowledging intangible components of education, identifies six common threads that are found in great schools and helps educators implement them.
