Committee on Education and Labor : U.S. House of Representatives

Press Releases

Stronger Math and Science Education Key to Boosting U.S. Competitiveness, Witnesses Tell House Education Committee
Congress should build on its commitment to improving math and science by fully funding America COMPETES Act

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

 

WASHINGTON, DC -- Improving the teaching and learning of mathematics and science in U.S. schools is vital to maintaining America’s global leadership, witnesses told the House Education and Labor Committee today.

“America won’t be able to maintain our great legacy of innovation and discovery, let alone compete in today’s global economy, unless we make investing in math and science education a top priority,” said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the committee. “Last year, Congress took a critical first step by enacting legislation to provide workers with the training and skills needed to compete in 21st century jobs. Now we must build on that down payment by working with business leaders and key stakeholders to help arm students with an excellent foundation in math, science, and other cutting-edge fields.” 

A report released in March by the National Mathematics Advisory Panel found that the nation’s system teaching math is “broken and must be fixed” if the U.S. wants to maintain its competitive edge. Among other things, the panel called for a comprehensive, systemic effort to strengthen math education, including improving teacher training and professional development.

“This truly is a “Paul Revere Moment” for our country – we must spread the alarm that our country is falling behind in math and science achievement and we must get moving with all possible speed to shore up our system,” said Tom Luce, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Math and Science Initiative, which partners with businesses to bring math and science education programs to a national level. “Math and science are the new foundational literacy for everyone.”

The panel of experts, which included business leaders, a teacher, and the first American woman to travel in space, recommended expanding partnerships between the business and education communities that focus on bolstering STEM education, and increasing training and support programs for teachers.

The witnesses also urged lawmakers to fully fund the America COMPETES Act, a law enacted by the Democratic Congress last year to provide education and job training for students and workers in math, science, technology, and engineering fields. Last year, Congress approved $193 million in funding for math and science education in the COMPETES Act, but President Bush vetoed that legislation.

Phil Mickelson, a professional golfer and the co-founder of the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy, explained how he uses math every day, and discussed how the academy he and his wife Amy launched helps teachers find creative ways to teach math and science: “Hands-on demonstrations and exercises not only help to bring math and science concepts to life, but also work to pique the teachers’ natural curiosity and awaken their sense of inquiry and problem-solving, also helping them to see these concepts through their students’ perspective.”

“We believe it essential to secure the technical talent pipeline for the future,” explained Brian H. Wells, the Chief Systems Engineer of Raytheon, which established a program to peak students’ interest in math through the internet. “MathMovesU is designed to engage middle school students on their own terms and make the connection between math, their interests, and ‘cool’ careers. The website is “immersive,” designed to create “aha” moments by presenting math in its relation to some of the topics middle school students care most about -- music, sports and fashion. It uses a variety of puzzles and games to encourage the development of math skill in fun and creative ways.”

 “If our students are to become our future engineers, computer scientists, mathematicians, and environmentalists, we need to change the way we approach the teaching of math and science,” said Dr. Ramona Chang, the Director of Curriculum for the Torrance Unified School District in California, where teachers have participated in the Mickelson Teachers Academy. “Academy teachers have been taught how to plan creatively, teach constructively, and reflect objectively. These skills rank in the proverbial “priceless” category for educators.”
 
“While both girls and boys have natural interests and abilities in science, math and technology, society does not yet have equal expectations for — or offer equal support to — girls interested in these fields,” said Dr. Sally Ride, a former NASA astronaut, and the first American woman in space, who runs Sally Ride Science, an organization that focuses on helping students pursue opportunities in STEM fields. “When both girls and boys are encouraged to pursue their interests, they are inspired to think about their futures and are better prepared to pursue a wide range of exciting opportunities in high school, college and beyond.”

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