[RUME] Mobilization for Math and Science Education: Anyone for $100 billion?

[Richard Hake]

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Stephanie Lee (2009) in an Inside Higher Ed report of 11 June writes 
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. . ."]


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Math and science education throughout the country must improve 
dramatically if America hopes to compete in the 21st century, 
according to a study released Wednesday. The report, conducted by the 
Carnegie Corporation of New York . . . . . .[and the Institute for 
Advanced Study (IAS) for the Advanced Study Commission on Mathematics 
& Science Education <http://tinyurl.com/l7nlce>] . . . . ., outlines 
a comprehensive and ambitious plan to advance math and science 
learning. The main objectives include establishing high and common 
assessment standards in those subjects across all 50 states, as well 
as aggressively recruiting and supporting teachers.

More than 70 organizations from a variety of sectors, including 
government, schools, philanthropies and businesses, have lent their 
support to the recommendations of the study, titled "The Opportunity 
Equation: Transforming Mathematics and Science Education for 
Citizenship and the Global Economy.". . . . .[Carnegie-AIS (2009)]. . 
. . . Higher education organizations include the Association of 
American Colleges and Universities, the American Association of 
Community Colleges and the University of Southern California's 
Rossier School of Education.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

With the economy sinking into a recession and state budgets 
continuing to shrink, pinning down funding for education reform grows 
trickier by the day. But Phillip Griffiths . . . . [Professor of 
Mathematics and Past Director, Institute for Advanced Study 
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_A._Griffiths>]. . . ., chair of 
the commission that produced the study says that the money is out 
there -- mainly in the form of the $100 BILLION IN EMERGENCY ECONOMIC 
STIMULUS AID. . . . . .[Lederman (2009)]. . . . for public schools 
and colleges signed by President Obama in February. It just has to be 
spent efficiently, Griffiths said.
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At Carnegie-AIS (2009) it is stated that:

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The "opportunity equation" means transforming education in the United 
States so that every student reaches higher levels of mathematics and 
science learning. The nation's capacity to innovate for economic 
growth and the ability of American workers to thrive in the global 
economy depend on a broad foundation in math and science, as do our 
hopes for preserving a vibrant democracy and the promise of social 
mobility for young people that lie at the heart of the American 
dream. [The report] challenges the nation to:

a. establish common standards for the nation in mathematics and 
science-standards that are fewer, clearer, and higher-along with 
high-quality assessments,

b. improve math and science teaching-and our methods for recruiting 
and preparing teachers and for managing the nation's teaching talent, 
and

c. redesign schools and systems to deliver excellent, equitable math 
and science learning.

This is a moment of urgency and opportunity, a chance for the United 
States to close the gap between the current state of educational 
achievement and the educational system our future demands. The world 
has shifted dramatically - and an equally dramatic shift will be 
needed in our schools. Download the report, or read it online for 
more examples of promising practices, resources, and opportunities 
for action. . . . . . [The 72 page full report is online at 
<http://www.opportunityequation.org/TheOpportunityEquation.pdf> (5.5 
MB).] . . . . .
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There is a provision for comments at Lee's Inside Higher Ed article 
at <http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/06/11/study>.

Richard Hake, Emeritus Professor of Physics, Indiana University
24245 Hatteras Street, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Honorary Member, Curmudgeon Lodge of  Deventer, The Netherlands.
<rrhake at earthlink.net>
<http://www.physics.indiana.edu/~hake/>
<http://www.physics.indiana.edu/~sdi/>
<http://HakesEdStuff.blogspot.com/>


REFERENCES
Lee, S. 2009."'Mobilization' for Math and Science Education" Inside 
Higher Ed, 11 June; online at 
<http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/06/11/study>.

Lederman, D. 2009. The Final Stimulus Bill" Inside Higher Ed, 13 
February; online at 
<http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/02/13/stimulus>.

Carnegie-IAS. 2009."The Opportunity Equation: Transforming 
Mathematics and Science Education for Citizenship and the Global 
Economy," online at <http://www.opportunityequation.org/>.