An Analysis of Course Offerings and Enrollments as Related to School Characteristics. Contractor Report.

Overview & Synopsis

This report provides information on the current status of mathematics, science, vocational education, and computer science in the secondary schools in the United States. The introductory chapter briefly discusses the decline in mathematics and science education and possible solutions to stop the decline. An overview is also presented of course offerings and enrollments in these subjects. Chapter two presents definitions both at the conceptual and operational level of mathematics, science, vocational education, and computer science. Chapter three offers an overview of study findings pertaining to course offerings and course enrollments in mathematics, science, vocational education, and computer science. The fourth chapter describes offerings in these subject areas as related to school characteristics. Chapter five describes enrollments in these subjects as related to school characteristics. Technical appendices present brief descriptions of the sample designs, data sources, data adjustments, procedures for calculating standard errors, and a complete list of the courses which were encompassed under various mathematics, science, vocational education, and computer science instructional programs. (JD)