Mobilization for Math and Science Education: Anyone for $100 Billion?

For an earlier version of this post see Hake (2009). 

Stephanie Lee (2009) in an Inside Higher Ed report of 11 June wrote [bracketed by lines "LLLLL. . . . . . "; my insert at “. . . .[insert]. . . .”]:

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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 ] . . . . ., 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-IAS (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-IAS (2009) it is stated that (bracketed by lines "CCCCC. . . . .":

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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#Comments .

REFERENCES

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

Hake, R.R. 2009.  Mobilization for Math and Science Education: Anyone for $100 Billion? online on the OPEN! Math-Teach archives at http://mathforum.org/kb/thread.jspa?threadID=1953405&tstart=30  . Post of 11 Jun 2009 09:17:54-0700 to ARN-L, ASSESS, Biopi-L, Chemed-L, EDDRA, EvalTalk, Math-Teach, Net-Gold, Phys-L, PhysLrnR, Physoc, POD, & RUME. 

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

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 .