The majority of STEM-related programs throughout the federal government did not conduct comprehensive evaluations since the GAO last took a close look at the various STEM programs in 2005, according to the report.

The GAO credited the Obama administration for naming nationwide STEM education a “crosscutting goal,” but warned that “it will be important to finalize a governmentwide strategic plan so agencies can better align their performance plans and reports to new governmentwide goals.”

Nationwide studies have shown that about two-thirds of STEM educators leave the field within five years due to job dissatisfaction.