Business leaders in Maryland cannot find the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) talent they need to stay competitive. Students' lagging performance in K-12 is a critical reason why. The good news is that the nation's most effective STEM education programs can help turn the tide. The state's students have made at least some progress in math over the past decade, and the state leads the nation in the share of students taking and passing AP tests. Even so, not enough students--least of all minorities--get the chance to learn rich and challenging content that prepares them for college and careers. What's more, large achievement gaps separate students of color and their white peers, and students of color are least likely to be in schools that have the resources they need in math and science.