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Science Education: Preparing Students for the Global Economy - Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Time: 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM ET
… Students lose interest in math and science the further
they advance through the educational system. Reform cannot wait.
-Margaret Spellings, U.S. Secretary of Education
For some time, business leaders have sounded the alarm that our schools are failing to provide the kind of rigorous education in science needed to produce graduates ready to meet the demand of the 21st century marketplace. Of the 20 fastest-growing occupations projected for this decade, 15 of them require substantial science or math preparation. The phenomenon of American business leaders looking to other countries for workers with high-level science and math skills has moved from a developing trend to a common practice. With the advent of the information age, virtually all jobs—not just those in scientific fields—are demanding a deeper understanding of science than was necessary in previous generations. The challenge of the 21st century will be to ensure that all students develop an appreciation for and mastery of science subjects.
To help address this need and encourage the preparation of U.S. students as science, technology and engineering professionals, the president is calling for a renewed focus on improving science instruction. In addition, in the year 2007, statewide assessments of students in science will be required under the No Child Left Behind Act. Further, data indicates that we will need over 2 million new teachers in this decade, including 240,000 specifically prepared to teach math and science. With states reporting alarming shortages in the number of math and science teachers meeting the “highly qualified” provisions under No Child Left Behind, America faces a time of challenge, yet opportunity, in its quest to remain the leader of the world economy in the next generation and beyond.
The May broadcast of Education News Parents Can Use will focus on these key questions:
- What comprehensive strategies are elementary, middle and high schools using to increase proficiency levels in science and science-related coursework for all of their students’?
- What strategies do effective teachers use to focus on science skills across the curriculum?
- How does No Child Left Behind address science instruction and teacher qualifications?
- What innovative practices have been successful in improving student performance on science assessments?
- What is the administration’s plan to improve both science education and the number of high school graduates that go on to pursue careers in science- and math-related fields?
- What efforts are being made by industry and community leaders to encourage more students to enter high-tech, high-need science-related fields?
- What resources are available to parents to help foster an interest and aptitude for the sciences in their children?
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