Quote of the Day (Nov. 17, 2007)

"America risks jeopardizing its prosperity, security, and indeed its very way of life if we do not improve the math and science literacy of our students. Mathematics is a critical gateway subject for college success and business and technical careers at all levels. The sciences provide both a method of approach to problem solving and basic knowledge needed in our complex society. It should be unacceptable to each of us that we spend more per pupil than nearly any other nation, yet the performance of American students in math and science continues to compare poorly relative to their peers overseas."

— Carnegie Corporation of New York president Vartan Gregorian

Comments

[Rich Polt]

I agree that advancing the math and science literacy of our Nation's students is of paramount importance. That said, I feel like math and science (along with English) are the few remaining subjects that our public schools actually still emphasize by way of standardized testing. Just as important, I believe, are the arts, history, social sciences, civics, and physical education...subjects which some schools have phased out due to lack of funding.

[Matt]

The subjects certainly remain, but some of the most basic calculations (e.g., percentages and ratios, scientific estimation) that are the foundation of engineering and research are lost on average students. Ask a kid at the supermarket to make change in his head and he can't do it. It's scary!