Business leaders in Louisiana 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. Louisiana students have made some progress in math over the past decade. Yet not enough get the chance to learn rich and challenging content that prepares them for college and careers. Few eighth graders have teachers with an undergraduate major in math or science, and many teachers of both subjects report low parent involvement in education. What's more, those teachers and their students are much less likely than their peers in other states to have access to resources and equipment they need to succeed.