In December, Congress sent the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act (formerly called America COMPETES) to the President for signature. The legislation, signed by the President, authorizes research investments and the STEM education investments of various science mission agencies such as NASA. The Afterschool Alliance worked to ensure that language supportive of afterschool is included in the bill. Specifically, the Title III section of the bill on STEM education encourages non-profit, out-of-school, and informal STEM partnerships. Implementation of the America COMPETES Act may provide openings for placing college students on a pathway to STEM teaching in after school programs to gain critical teaching experience. Additionally, the bill creates openings for out-of-school and informal STEM educators to participate with the National Science and Technology Council’s Committee on STEM Education (Co-STEM) to inform federal investment and measures of success in STEM learning.  Read more, here.