Tool to help find path to more tech graduates

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Policymakers and philanthropists have a new resource in the effort to increase the number of graduates in science, technology, engineering and math.

An online tool developed by Raytheon Company with help from Ohio State University debuted Monday.

It allows people to see what combinations of policies might create the most interest in such degrees and careers, such as retaining more teachers or starting an elementary science club. More than 200 research variables are included.

A national push is on to double the number of graduates in those fields by 2015.

The Business-Higher Education Forum is making the tool available free.

State-level data also are available for the first time for Texas, Arizona, California, Maine and Florida.

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