effects of math anxiety thus encouraging student self-defeating behaviors of procrastination and reluctance to ask for help; (c) recognition of best practices that included faculty education, use of technology, and early identification of at risk students. The recommendations for practice include the adoption of early preparation and retention strategies by college educators and officials to identify and assist at risk students early in their higher education careers and the continuation of qualitative research across a broader spectrum of participants, with the optimal goal of moving closer to fairness and equality in educational achievement across gender to enhance the global economic balance of our society.

Inequality of gender representation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers continues, despite the narrowing of the gender achievement gap. This chapter showcases original qualitative research that provides clearer insights into origins and effects of math anxiety as the reason females are less likely to choose (STEM) majors and related careers. The role of instruction methodology of the academic organization in perpetuating marginalization practices limits women's STEM achievement. The stage environment fit (SEF) theoretical model probes the relationship of the policies and procedures of the academic organization to the likelihood of female adult-student success in higher education. The American Statistical Association's (ASA) funding of the Guidelines for Assessment and Instruction in Statistics Education Report (GAISE) mandates reforms for mathematics instruction among the information about new research opportunities and the current state of STEM education in the United States.

Inequality of gender representation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers continues, despite the narrowing of the gender achievement gap. This chapter showcases original qualitative research that provides clearer insights into origins and effects of math anxiety as the reason females are less likely to choose (STEM) majors and related careers. The role of instruction methodology of the academic organization in perpetuating marginalization practices limits women's STEM achievement. The stage environment fit (SEF) theoretical model probes the relationship of the policies and procedures of the academic organization to the likelihood of female adult-student success in higher education. The American Statistical Association's (ASA) funding of the Guidelines for Assessment and Instruction in Statistics Education Report (GAISE) mandates reforms for mathematics instruction among the information about new research opportunities and the current state of STEM education in the United States.

Within the global business environment there is a critical need for a diverse pool of employees with higher education degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Unfortunately, in the United States, graduation statistics suggest marginalized groups are underrepresented in the awarding of STEM degrees. This chapter explains why diversity in STEM careers is reported to be a critical need for U.S. economic sustainability and competitiveness in the global business arena. It highlights the major challenges and barriers in STEM education related to instructional design that severely limit student engagement and derail degree attainment in STEM disciplines, especially for marginalized groups. The chapter also explains how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) acts a template for improved instructional design and introduce the LEVEL instructional model, which was created based on the principles of UDL and, when utilized in higher education coursework, promotes active learning and support for diverse learning styles.