Prospective teachers can typically obtain a license to teach elementary school without taking a rigorous college-level STEM class such as calculus, statistics, or chemistry, and without demonstrating a solid grasp of mathematics knowledge, scientific knowledge, or the nature of scientific inquiry. This is not a recipe for ensuring students have successful early experiences with math and science, or for generating the curiosity and confidence in these topics that students need to pursue careers in STEM fields. To improve STEM learning, it is important to strengthen the selection, preparation, and licensure of elementary school teachers. Higher standards for selection are needed into teacher preparation programs that include demonstrated proficiency in math and science at a level far higher than current teacher candidates. Elementary grade teacher preparation programs must include more--and more rigorous--math and science courses in both content and pedagogy, and teacher candidates must perform in these courses at the high levels. Furthermore, states must strengthen their licensure requirements so that teachers cannot obtain a license without passing the math and science sections of the exams. Recommendations for improving global competitiveness and strengthening elementary school teachers in math and science are offered.