National Math & Science Ed Commission Makes Recommendations

Thirty years of disappointing results in U.S. math and science education is enough, according to Before It’s Too Late, the final report of the National Commission on Mathematics and Science Teaching for the 21st Century (commonly referred to as the Glenn Commission, after its chair, former Senator John Glenn). The Commission states in the report that it “makes only a few straightforward points, but it makes them urgently and insistently” if the United States is to improve math and science education.

Through a year-long study, the Commission has concluded the greatest opportunity for change and improvement lies in the quality of the teaching pool for math and science education, “Many classes in these subjects are taught by unqualified and underqualified teachers.” As a result, the Commission has outlined several specific action strategies along three broad goals:

• Establish an ongoing system to improve the quality of mathematics and science teaching in grades K-12 (by conducting state-by-state needs assessments, establishing summer institutes, building district level inquiry groups, creating leadership training programs, opening a dedicated Internet portal, establishing a nongovernmental coordinating council to implement and assess the above recommendations, and initiating reward and incentive programs);
• Increase significantly the number of mathematics and science teachers and improve the quality of their preparation (by developing strategies to identify and replicate exemplary models of teacher preparation, attracting more qualified candidates into teaching; and creating 15 competitively selected math and science teaching academies); and
• Improve the working environment and make the teaching profession more attractive for K-12 mathematics and science teachers (by developing focused induction programs, fostering district/business partnerships, and creating incentives, bonuses and rewards for deserving math and science teachers).

The full report, Before It's Too Late, can be downloaded from: http://ed.gov/americacounts/