Resources

Explore the issue

Many of the best-paying and most interesting new jobs require advanced skills in math and science. Local employers say that they consistently have to hire outside our region because not enough young adults are prepared upon graduation to succeed in these fields.

Read Public Agenda's Research Report: Important, But Not For Me: Parents and Students in Kansas and Missouri Talk about Math, Science and Technology Education

See How U.S. students compare to their peers in other countries:

Watch the video

Community Conversations resource center

Community Conversations Organizer's Guide (8MB)
This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to plan and carry out a successful Community Conversation.

Public Engagement: A Primer from Public Agenda
This primer provides an introduction to Public Agenda's community engagement methodology and offers a brief summary of the essential elements of successful public engagement efforts.

Case Studies
Read about the impacts of Community Conversations in other communities.


Discussion topics:

  1. what is being done now to improve student achievement in math, engineering, technology and science;
  2. what still needs to be done to improve our kids' education and test scores; and
  3. how parents, students, educators, employers and other community leaders in Wyandotte County can work together to improve opportunities for young people and support economic growth in our region.