Education, Careers & Professional News
More Emphasis On High School Math, Science Is Necessary
More Emphasis On High School Math, Science Is Necessary
We see nothing wrong with challenging Iowans to expect more from their kids in the classroom.
Raising the bar by requiring tougher courses in our public high schools only will benefit students - and the state … and the nation - in the long run. As technology continues its rapid advance and economic competition from places like China and India continues to grow, a strong math and science background will become even more important for high school graduates, for Iowa and for America.
Testifying at a United States House Committee on Education and the Workforce hearing on high school reform in Washington, D.C., last week, Gov. Tom Vilsack said state government in Iowa is strongly encouraging local school districts to adopt more demanding curricula, with additional requirements for math and science.
He said many parents are resistant to a more demanding high school education for their children. Teachers, administrators and school boards get it, he said, but parents do not.
Vilsack said many parents are reluctant to require that students take harder courses such as trigonometry, physics and calculus because they fear that will conflict with part-time jobs, high school sports and other after-school activities. They also fear, he said, that a more rigorous course load will result in a lower grade-point average for their child and thus impact his or her ability to get a college scholarship. Vilsack acknowledged the latter was a legitimate concern because college is expensive.
But ignorance, he added, is more expensive.
The president of the Iowa PTA disagreed with the governor.
Im sorry, Mr. Vilsack, but that hasnt been my experience speaking with parents, Sherry Brown was quoted as saying in published reports on the governors testimony.
We dont know whether Iowa parents are standing in the way of tougher local school district requirements in Iowa, but we do know this: Vilsacks central message is important and deserving of discussion and action.
Collectively, Americans should be educating students in the most effective way we can and that includes emphasizing and making a priority - requiring, if necessary - a strong load of math and science classes at the high school level.
Iowa, which arguably is as well known for its education system as for its agriculture, should be leading the way and setting an example in that regard. We dont advocate federal or state government imposing mandates. Rather, those decisions should be left to local school districts. When local school districts in this state take the proper steps to strengthen math and science requirements, we hope the PTA presidents assessment of Iowa parents is correct and they support those steps.
Doing that not only will benefit students, but it will contribute to a better state and nation.
The world is changing. Technology and global economic competition are all around us. To retain its edge, America must not simply keep pace, but run faster than everyone else.
Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, testifying before the same committee as Vilsack, said some 4,400 American citizens receive doctorates in physical science and engineering each year, compared with 24,900 citizens of Asian countries. On his web site, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich warns that one of the five greatest threats to Americas future is losing economic supremacy to China and India and calls for incentivizing advanced math and science excellence in our schools.
The best way for America to prepare for the future is to do the absolute best job possible of preparing those who will be entrusted with that future - our kids.