| American
Association for the Advancement of Science American
Association of Engineering Societies
American Association of Physics Teachers
American Astronomical Society
American Chemical Society
American Crystallographic Association
American Geological Institute
American Institute of Physics
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American Physical Society
American Society of Civil Engineers
American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Board on
Pre-College Education
Council on Undergraduate Research
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers,
Inc.-USA
International Technology Education Association
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Coalitions
National Association of Biology Teachers
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Triangle Coalition for Science and Technology
Education |
Intersociety Statement on
K-12 Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology Education
February 29, 2000
The science, mathematics, engineering, and
technology communities strongly urge federal policymakers to make improved student
learning in elementary and secondary science, mathematics, and technology education a
national priority. For the United States to sustain its economic growth and remain
competitive in an increasingly global and technology-driven economy, we need to ensure
that we have a scientifically and technologically literate citizenry and workforce.
Employers need workers who have critical reasoning
skills and an understanding of scientific inquiry and the concepts of mathematics. To
achieve this, our citizens must have a solid education in the sciences, mathematics,
engineering and technology.
Empirical evidence clearly shows that quality
teachers have a major impact on student learning. Accordingly, we urge a bipartisan
concerted effort that focuses on the recruitment, preparation, and professional
development needs of our nation’s science, mathematics, and technology education
teachers. In order to improve student achievement and the quality of their education, we
recommend that policymakers:
- Maintain a federal priority for the professional
development activities of science, mathematics, and technology education teachers.
- Increase the federal investment in professional
development programs that are intensive, long-term, content-based, and aligned with
challenging national or state standards.
- Provide increased resources and incentives for the
recruitment and preparation of science, mathematics, and technology education teachers.
- Encourage better coordination of efforts among
federal agencies that provide significant support for improving K-12 science, mathematics,
and technology education.
- Increase educational research to determine
effective science, mathematics, and technology education teaching strategies and how
students learn.
- Create incentives and opportunities for
partnerships between the private sector, universities and colleges, industry, schools and
teachers to develop quality educational programs for students and professional development
opportunities for teachers.
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