When American college students are asked what they plan to major in, a wide array of answers typically arises. Among the more rarely stated plans of studies, however, are math and science.
According to a report released by the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2004 there were 13,327 mathematics and statistics bachelor degrees awarded in the United States. When the report was first released in 1970, the amount was nearly double that at 24,801.
Although this may not appear as a reason to be alarmed, the U.S. is lagging behind existing and emerging global powers in math and science skills, reflecting the grim reality of the U.S. position in the global economy.
In 1997 the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development created the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). The program monitors the education systems of participating countries, measuring the academic skill-level of high school aged students.
A report released by PISA in 2003, ranked the United States 25th and 20th out of 41 participating countries in math and science, respectively.
Academics and members of government blame the United States educational system for the gap, citing low standards and poor funding. Some say the United States. could benefit from modeling its system after Asia’s.
Both China and India follow rigorous national standards for their school systems. Asian students consistently do better in math and science than U.S. students.
Faced with this sobering data, as well as Asia’s increasing competitiveness in the global economy, the U.S. government has taken steps to improve its educational system.
In 2001 President Bush signed into law the No Child Left Behind Act. The NCLB Act is designed to help students and schools who have fallen behind the national average, narrowing the “achievement gap.”
After six years, NCLB, which is up for reauthorization in Congress this year, has created some improvement in scores, but a good percentage of U.S. students are still below average. According to a report released by the U.S. Department of Education, 32 percent of eighth grade students in Illinois have below average math skills. Eighth grade science scores showed 42 percent are below the average skill level.
A study completed by the National Assessment of Educational Progress, known as The Nation’s Report Card, found that 69 percent of eighth graders surveyed nationwide, possessed “basic or above” math skills. Results for science showed no change in scores from previous years, with 59 percent of eighth graders at or above basic level.
Yet even with an increased budget and extra focus on improving America’s position in the global economy, improvement has been slow. With the rate at which global competitors continue to grow and produce highly skilled scientists and engineers, the United States’ task seems, at least for now, insurmountable.