I just read your article. I'm so impressed. I totally agree there is a huge need for the kind of assistance you offer to special needs kids, young adults. I'm hearing more and more where High School's are finally getting it....they need to prepare their students for the life after H.S. These kids are our future....shouldn't we take the responsibility to ensure they can and will succeed. I bet you would be interested in this article. North Carolina is such an interesting state (and nice to place to live :-) . Read on to how to see what they are doing to improve STEM knowledge for K-12 Education. Here is the link to the entire article and there is also a great link to STEM statistics in general in the U.S. with some interesting facts such as: Although U.S. fourth graders score well against international competition, they fall near the bottom or dead last by the time they are 12th graders in mathematics and science, respectively.

http://localtechwire.com/business/local_tech_wire/news/blogpost/7485199/

Preparing young people for citizenship, college, and careers is a never-ending challenge. Just determining what to teach is a major undertaking and, at best, is a bit of a guessing game. But one thing remains clear – what needs to be learned is secondary to how to use the information.

Problem solving, information processing, working collaboratively, and knowing what to do when you are not sure what to do are essential skills necessary to manage the dynamic setting of the 21st century. That’s where STEM comes in.

STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. However, it could also easily be redefined as “Strategies That Engage the Mind”.

STEM skills are vital to be successful in the 21st century and critical to our collective future. Every grand challenge our world faces today will be impacted by STEM. Every job, even the ones you wouldn’t expect, will require at least basic STEM skills.