Achieve Applauds New Report Challenging the United States to Transform Math and Science Education

Wednesday, June 10, 2009Printer-friendly version

CONTACT:

Sandy Boyd, (202) 419-1542, sboyd@achieve.org

WASHINGTON – June 10, 2009 – Achieve today praised the findings and recommendations of The Opportunity Equation: Transforming Mathematics and Science Education for Citizenship and the Global Economy, a new report issued by the Carnegie Corporation of New York - Institute for Advanced Study Commission on Mathematics and Science Education. The report was issued during an event in Washington D.C. to mark the beginning of a national mobilization to achieve significantly higher levels of math and science learning.

"The Commission report rightly calls for a transformation of math and science education, and its focus on mobilizing for higher academic achievement comes at a critical time for our nation," said Michael Cohen, president of Achieve. "With economic and employment uncertainty awaiting students, it is critical that high school graduates master these subject areas to be well prepared for college, careers and citizenship. America needs a strong knowledge base in science technology, engineering and math if we are to continue to compete and innovate in the global marketplace."

Achieve, since its founding over a decade ago, has been assisting states in their efforts to improve math, science and English standards, as well as assessments, so that high school graduates are prepared for postsecondary success.

Cohen went on to note that Achieve, along with other partners, is in the process of developing common state math standards, one of the Commission's recommendations. More focused and rigorous science standards and aligned assessments must be the next step for states.

Specifically, the Commission report lays out a critical set of recommendations to raise math and science achievement for all American students, including:

  • Establishing new common standards in math and science that are fewer, clearer and higher, coupled with aligned high-quality assessments.
  • Improving teaching and professional learning - supported by better school and system management. Redesigning schools and school systems to deliver excellent, equitable math and science learning more effectively.
  • Initiating a national mobilization that includes public awareness campaigns, increased public understanding about the links between effective math and science learning and the job market, and a focus on improving outcomes among historically underperforming groups through new benchmarking to evaluate school improvement efforts at all grade levels for all students.

View the full report here. For more information about Carnegie Corporation of New York or Institute for Advanced Study, visit www.carnegie.org or www.ias.edu.

 

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Created in 1996 by the nation’s governors and corporate leaders, Achieve is an independent, bipartisan, nonprofit education reform organization based in Washington D.C. that helps states raise academic standards and graduation requirements, improve assessments, and strengthen accountability. Achieve is leading the effort to make college and career readiness a national priority so that the transition from high school graduation to postsecondary education and careers is seamless. To make college and career readiness a priority, in 2005 Achieve launched the American Diploma Project Network. Starting with 13 original states, the Network has now grown to include 35 states educating nearly 85 percent of all U.S. public school students. Through the ADP Network, governors, state education officials, postsecondary leaders and business executives work together to improve postsecondary preparation by aligning high school standards, assessments, graduation requirements and accountability systems with the demands of college and careers. For more information about the work of Achieve, visit www.achieve.org.