Math and Competitiveness

[monicalucido@comcast.net]

Well, from the looks of it, some of the focus of yesterday's testimony on math 
and science in education seems pretty good. Anyone want to take a shot at 
stating whether or not the message being sent to congress is quality? It SEEMS 
right on, but I could be missing something...

Joe Lucido
EPATA
Fresno (see below...)

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.?