Eric.ed.gov – In the National Interest: The Federal Government in the Reform of K-12 Math and Science Education.

This report is about the serious shortcomings in U.S. math and science education, and what the federal government can and should do in order to play a much more effective role in the national effort to remedy those shortcomings. The task force responsible for this document believes that math and science education should receive priority attention as a specific focus area in federal pre-college education reform initiatives. However, math and science educational improvement must be undertaken in the context of systemic reform of K-12 education as a whole: teacher capability and diversity, school structure and management, and student motivation. Federal programs in general school reform and in math and science education should be concurrent, coordinated efforts. Sections include the following: (1) “The Social Context for a Federal Reform Movement”; (2) “Inadequacies in Pre-College Math and Science Education: A Chronic and Serious Threat to the Nation’s Future”; (3) “Assumptions to Guide Federal Strategy and Organization”; (4) “Federal Activities in K-12 Math and Science Education”; (5) “Priority Roles for the Federal Government in Math and Science Education”; (6) “Strengthening the Key Federal Agencies”; (7) “Deciding Administration Policy and Oversight”; and (8) “Building a National Strategy for Improving Math and Science Education.” Descriptions of four alternative assignments of federal management responsibility for K-12 math and science education and the reasons they were not recommended are appended. (KR)