Irrespective of a state's physical size or population count, the budget supporting its system of mathematics, science, and technology education (MSTE) dwarfs anything a coalition can hope to acquire. Also, the coalition is just one of many projects and institutions working to improve that system.
To be effective - to add value to what others are doing - the action plan of a state MSTE coalition must take into consideration all major components of the state's system of MSTE. Its focus must be on improving the entire system and it must not duplicate or simply extend work that is being done or could be done by another organization. Clearly, no coalition can do all that needs to be done to improve the system; hence, it must have a plan through which it can make things happen by supporting, redirecting, and linking the work of other players.
The tools described below support the overall strategic planning process and provide state-specific examples of materials that have been developed to support the planning process.