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Back to School Special: American Competitiveness and a Changing World - Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Time: 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM ET
“We need to encourage children to take more math and science, and to make sure those courses are rigorous enough to compete with other nations…If we ensure that America’s children succeed in life, they will ensure that America succeeds in the world."
-President George W. Bush
As America’s students go back to school this fall, they are faced with more challenges than ever before. Outside the classroom awaits a rapidly changing world, one driven by technology and innovation, filled with new competitors around the globe who are challenging America’s economic leadership. With global competition accelerating at a pace never before seen, we must ensure that our students graduate with the mathematics, science and technical skills necessary to succeed in a 21st century workforce where 90 percent of the jobs will require some postsecondary education. Recent education statistics, while heralding the groundbreaking effect that No Child Left Behind has had on reading and math achievement in the early grades, vividly illustrate the need to better prepare our nation’s high school students for tomorrow. For example:
- Reading and math scores for 17-year olds have remained flat since the early 1970’s;
- Seventy-five percent of high school students surveyed said they don’t feel challenged by their coursework;
- Nearly half of high schools nationally offer no Advanced Placement courses; and
- Three out of ten students overall fail to finish high school on time—a number that jumps to five out of ten for minority students.
We know the solution to these challenges: raised expectations, higher standards, and rigorous coursework for every student, not just a few. That’s why the President has proposed the American Competitiveness Initiative, which aims to increase the number of highly qualified math and science teachers in America’s classrooms; expand Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs in math and science; create incentives for students to major in high-tech and engineering fields; and increase funding for programs that provide extra help for students struggling in math and science.
The September 19th edition of Education News will explore questions such as:
- What does “global competitiveness” mean, and why is it important to schools and families?
- Why is it critical that students take more mathematics, science and critical language courses in high school? How can parents encourage this, along with Advanced Placement and other challenging coursework?
- How will the American Competitiveness Initiative help to prepare students for academic and career success in the fields of math, science and engineering?
- What can parents do in the home and outside of school to increase their children’s interest in math and science courses and careers?
- Now that summer has passed, what steps can parents take to help their children successfully transition back into school?
- What should students be learning in math and science at the elementary, middle and high school grades?
How can parents find out their child’s math or science teacher is “highly qualified?”
Disclaimer
Programs produced by the U.S. Department of Education are in the public domain. Use, duplication, and distribution are free and unrestricted. Thank You!
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