Gov. Bill Lee said that he wants to increase teacher pay and invest more money in programs for career, technical and agricultural education, but did not say how much that will cost. The leader expects to complete his first proposed spending plan in early February.

The gap between girls and boys in math performance is far smaller than many believe, even at the high school and college level where girls perform similarly to boys, according to research. Elementary schools are introducing their students to engineering principles, hoping to inspire a life-long interest in STEM fields. But it seems to be girls' confidence about their abilities in math and their interest in pursuing STEM careers that drops after middle school.

One of the oldest districts in the nation recently completed its first construction project in 15 years by rebuilding a school to accommodate STEM learning for grades 6 through 12. Administrators in Boston Public Schools wanted to make an existing school more STEM-driven, but since the building could not support the necessary renovations, it was demolished to make way for a new facility.

Two proposals that focus on school district regionalization have ignited a storm of protest in some communities. One bill under consideration would force municipalities with populations fewer than 40,000 to consolidate with another district.