The US Math & Science CurriculumSTEPHANIE SANDOVAL

EDT 180 T, TH 1:30-2:45

Problems

The US Math and Science Curriculum is outdated and ineffective.

Out of 30 countries, the US placed 25th in Math scores, and 21st in Science scores (Ramirez).

The US ranked 19th out of 30 countries in the production of Scientists and Engineers (Ramirez).

Problems (cont.)

1950’s-60’s: US lead the Space Race, ranked extremely high in both Math and Science scores (Fabian).

Lack of change in our Math and Science curriculum since the Space Race has lowered our Math and Science scores.

Changes Over the Years

Social Technological Economical

Yet our Education System…

…remains the same.

As a result…

30% of Manufacturing

Companies struggled to find workers skilled enough for the jobs available.

35% CFO’s admitted to

outsourcing US jobs to foreign

countries.

Meanwhile…

Finnish Curriculum

Finland ranked the highest in global Math & Science Tests.

Finnish Teachers must attain a Master’s degree.

Only 10% of applicants for teaching-based jobs/programs are admitted (Lombardi).

Finnish Curriculum (cont.)

Finnish teachers:

-Labeled as experts in their field.

-Granted independence in classrooms.

-Hold exclusive authority in their educational system (e.g. 1996 LUMA implementation) (Lombardi).

Meanwhile…

30% of US High School Math and Science students

are taught either by teachers who did not major in the subject or were not

qualified to teach it (Zuckerman).

Video

Works Cited

Fabian, Nelson. "World Rankings of the U.S. … Education … NEHA." NEHA.org. NEHA. Web. 11 Nov 2012.

Gordon, Edward. "The Global Talent Crisis." Futurist. 2009: n. page. Web. 11 Dec. 2012.

Lombardi, Mike. "Finland’s education system is tops: Here’s why." BC Teacher's Federation. Web. 11 Nov. 2012.

McCarron, Suzanne. "Let’s solve our math and science challenges." Perspective. ExxonMobil, 08 2012. Web. Web. 18 Nov. 2012.

Ringle, Hayley. “PRIME Center program aids math, science education”. East Valley Tribune. 7 Oct. 2011. Web. Nov. 2012.

Ramirez, Eddy. "How to Solve Our Problem With Math." US News. 4 December 2008. Web. 11 Nov. 2012.

Zuckerman, Mortimer. "Why Math and Science Education Means More Jobs." US News 27 September 2011. Web. 11 Nov. 2012.

Works Cited (cont.)

"1950's Computer". N.d. Department of Natural Resources, Michigan. Web. 10 Dec 2012.

"Assembly Station". 2004. NebraskaHistory.org, Nebraska. Web. 10 Dec 2012.

“Finnish Students Score Extremely High On International Tests”. 2012. Edudemic. Web. 3 Dec 2012.

“Mathematics Education: Being Outwitted by Stupidity”. 2012. Education News. Web. 4 Dec 2012.

"Moon Exploration". N.d. National Geographic. Web. 10 Dec 2012.

“The Black Civil Rights Movement”. 2010. Wordpress.com. Web. 10 Dec 2012.