Purpose

The purposes of this Act are— (1) to expand access to advanced courses and programs at under-resourced elementary and secondary schools; (2) to advance equitable enrollment practices, so that all students who are ready to engage in more rigorous coursework can benefit from advanced courses and programs; and (3) to equip dramatically more students, especially students from historically underrepresented groups, with twenty-first century skills in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (referred to in this Act as STEM) needed to succeed in college and a competitive global workforce.