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Got Math? Plenty, Say Kids, Parents -- And Science, Too, Poll on U.S. Schools Finds

Posted on: Thursday, 16 February 2006, 15:00 CST

By Ben Feller Associated Press / Mark Watson contributed

WASHINGTON - If improving science and math education is a national priority, someone apparently forgot to tell the parents and the students.

In a new poll, 57 percent of parents say "things are fine" with the amount of math and science being taught in their child's public school. High school parents seem particularly content - 70 percent of them say their child gets the right amount of science and math.

Students aren't too worried, either, according to the poll released Tuesday by Public Agenda, a research group that tracks education trends.

Only half of children in grades six to 12 say that understanding sciences and having strong math skills are essential for them to succeed in life.

This is not what the nation's leadership wants to hear. Lawmakers, governors, corporate executives, top scientists - all of them have urgently called for schools to raise the rigor and amount of math and science taught in school. President Bush has made the matter a priority.

While public officials and employers see slipping production in the sciences as a threat to the nation's economy, parents and students don't share that urgency. Such a disconnect could undercut the national push for more science and math.

"There's energy and leadership at the top, but there is a task to be done in getting parents and kids to understand some of the ideas," said Jean Johnson, executive president of Public Agenda. "You can do a lot from the top, but you can't do everything. Schools are local. The leadership needs to reach out and help the public understand the challenge."

In theory, parents and students say, more math and science education is a good thing.

The story changes, though, when parents talk specifically about their kids' schools, and when the children relay their own experiences.

Students put a lack of science and math near the bottom of problems they see at school. They are much more worried about bad language, cheating or the pressure for good grades.

In 1994, 52 percent of parents considered a lack of math and science in their local schools to be a serious problem. Now, only 32 percent say the same thing.

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Greater Memphis Reacts

University of Memphis Provost Dr. Ralph Faudree said the Associated Press survey surprised him:

"Our output is not where it needs to be to keep even with where we are now, and we know demand is going to increase."

Dr. Joe Sumrall, University of Mississippi Department of Curriculum and Instruction interim chair:

"Knowing mathematics really well is becoming more and more essential in our ever-increasing technological world."

Jack Coleman, Crichton College assistant professor of education:

"Children are having to take three math and science courses, whereas previously, it was just one or two."

- Mark Watson

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Source: Commercial Appeal, The

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