Closing the Math and Science Gap.

Overview & Synopsis

High schools throughout the United States are turning out graduates who are deficient in mathematics and science education. The field of education has come to be staffed by less competent teachers, as more qualified and more able individuals have been lured away to higher paying professions. The result of this has been the impairment of American ability to compete in the world market. Many high schools have deemphasized traditional core courses along with mathematics and the sciences. The National Education Association (NEA) has been a barrier to quality science and mathematics education in the public schools. The NEA has resisted efforts to institute standardized testing for teachers or assessment of teacher competence. The Department of Education has had deleterious effects on education, since it tends to promote equality of access to education at the expense of quality education. Finally, Congressional efforts have been to throw money at the problem rather than attack the root causes. Recommended solutions are: (1) redefined teacher certification requirements; (2) teacher accreditation through testing of general intelligence and knowledge in specific areas; (3) performance- and need-based salaries; (4) withdrawal of federal mandates; and (5) limited federal funding of education. (AOS)