The National Science Foundation established the Centers for Learning and Teaching (CLT) program to address national needs in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce. NSF recognized two problems, the large number of educators expected to retire over the next decade, and the growing number of educators inadequately prepared to teach STEM courses. They also highlighted the growing number of doctoral-level professionals needed to educate the K-12 instructional workforce and to conduct research related to learning and teaching in STEM areas. Finally, as the K-12 student population becomes increasingly diverse, the K-12 instructional workforce has not reflected the diversity of the student population. Nor has the K-12 instructional workforce substantially increased its ability to provide appropriate instruction for diverse learners. The CLT program has three goals, based upon stated national needs. First, Centers are expected to renew and diversify the cadre of national leaders in STEM education. Second, Centers will increase significantly the number of highly qualified K-12 STEM educators. Third, Centers will conduct research on the nature of learning, teaching, educational policy reform, and outcomes of standards-based reform. To meet these goals CLTs must include four components: (1) A PhD program; (2) A teacher education component; (3) Linkages with K-12 schools; and (4) A research program.