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Online Extra: Staying Competitive

June 2008

Trends in Math and Science | Teachers with Majors in Assigned Fields | Scoring High in Science and Math

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Results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress show steady improvement in mathematics since 1990. The proportions of 4th and 8th grade students reaching the proficient level on the national test have more than doubled during that period. By contrast, science performance remained largely steady in grades 4 and 8 from 1996 to 2005, while 12th graders posted declines.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

SOURCE: National Center for Education Statistics
 

Meanwhile, nearly four in 10 public school teachers assigned to teach math in grades 7-12 lack a college major in the subject, and nearly a quarter of secondary school teachers of science lack that credential. ("Teachers With Majors in Assigned Fields,"  March 27, 2008.)

Scoring High in Science and Math
Nationwide, just 6.6 percent of 8th graders scored at the advanced level on the 2007 National Assessment of Educational Progress in math. Massachusetts led the pack with 14.9 percent of its 8th graders scoring advanced. In science, an average of only 2.9 percent of 8th graders scored at the advanced level nationally on the 2005 NAEP. Massachusetts again ranked No.1, with 5.8 percent of its 8th graders scoring at the advanced level.


As first appeared in Education Week, Technology Counts 2008. Reprinted with permission from Editorial Projects in Education.

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