Numbers slipping in math and science performance

Approximately two-thirds of high school physical sciences students have teachers who did not major in the subject in college or are not certified to teach it, according to findings by the National Math and Science Initiative.

A hearing was held before the Education and Labor Committee on “Innovation in Education through Businesss and Education Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Partnerships.” Chairman George Miller (D-Calif.) said that the best way to help American children succeed in math, science and all over subjects is to invest more in the success of their teachers. Miller mentioned TEACH Grants which provide tuition assistance of $4,000 each year for outstanding students who commit to teaching math, science and other ‘high-need’ subjects in schools but also noted there was still more work to be done.

Phil Mickelson, professional golfer and co-founder of the Mickelson Exxon Mobil Teachers Academy, said it was important to equip teachers with effective teaching tools so they could inspire their own students. Mickelson also noted that children’s natural curiosity would be piqued if they realized how much math and science affects everyday activities such as sports and game equipment.

Sally Ride, Ph. D., president and chief executive officer of Sally Ride Science as well as former NASA astronaut, pointed out that the U.S. became a world leader largely due to its innovation in STEM subjects but now, the education system places very little emphasis on those very subjects. Ride also said that in fourth grade, 66 percent of girls and 68 percent of boys are still interested in science but those percentages drop significantly by the sixth and seventh grades.

Tom Luce, chief executive officer of the National Math and Science Initiative, said that the ‘math and science crisis’ cannot be addressed until dealt with on a national scale with successful programs. Luce said that reinforcing math and science was the best way for the U.S. to grow economically and to maintain its competitive edge.