December 9 - The Academy of Medicine, Engineering, and Science of Texas today released a report recommending ways to improve math and science education in the state of Texas. The report was developed in response to the National Academies' 2005 report Rising Above the Gathering Storm, which called for reforms to U.S. science and math education and a greater investment in basic research, steps that are needed to keep the nation economically competitive.
The Texas academy's report recommends ways to attract, train, and retain strong math and science teachers. It also urges the state to take action to interest more K-12 students in math and science fields, to support advanced-placement classes, and to help align K-12 math and science curricula with the needs of higher education and industry.
Norman Augustine, retired chair and CEO of Lockheed Martin and chair of the committee that produced the Gathering Storm report, stated that "since the National Academies study was conducted, many other nations have increased their spending on education and research, thus making the U.S.' ability to compete for jobs in the 21st century knowledge economy even more tenuous. The Texas science academy's report provides a valuable roadmap to help the state and the nation reverse these trends."
Rising Above the Gathering Storm argued that without a major push to strengthen the foundations of America's competitiveness, the U.S. will soon lose its position in the global economy. The ultimate goal is to create new, high-quality jobs for U.S. citizens by developing new industries that stem from the ideas of exceptional scientists and engineers.
Last April a convocation hosted by the Academies with support from the National Math and Science Initiative gathered leaders from government, education, and business to take stock of what has and hasn't been done to implement the report's recommendations. A podcast summarizing the convocation, Rising Above the Gathering Storm Two Years Later, can be found at http://media.nap.edu/podcasts/.
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