Business leaders in Arkansas cannot find the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) talent they need to stay competitive. Students' lagging performance in K-12 is a critical reason why. The good news is that the nation's most effective STEM education programs can help turn the tide. Students in Arkansas have made real progress in math over the past decade. Yet not enough students, least of all minorities, are getting exposed to challenging content to prepare them for college and careers. The stakes in the state are very high. While the number of college degrees and certificates in the state rose almost dramatically in the last decade, it actually fell in STEM, particularly among women.