For the last several years, concern has been brewing about America's underinvestment and underperformance in science, technology, engineering and mathematics--the fields collectively known as STEM. STEM can be described as an initiative for securing America's leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields and identifying promising strategies for strengthening the educational pipeline that leads to STEM careers. There is a significant challenge in American culture to attract students to actively pursue STEM careers. In an always-growing, flattening, global economy, the United States is facing strong international competition in STEM areas. Fortunately, schools and colleges in the U.S. are rising to the challenge by offering rigorous, relevant career and technical education (CTE) programs with content strong in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. CTE programs have a valuable role to play in addressing the STEM challenge and securing the nation's leadership in innovation. Through the thoughtful investment in STEM-intensive CTE programs, America can readily increase its supply of motivated and prepared students entering STEM-related fields and strengthen the general STEM literacy of the emerging U.S. workforce. (Contains 10 endnotes.)