| FOR RELEASE July 20, 1999 Contact: |
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RILEY NAMES GLENN COMMISSION MEMBERS
U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley today announced the appointment of the members to the new National Commission on Mathematics and Science Teaching for the 21st Century, to be chaired by former U.S. Senator and astronaut John Glenn. The year-long Commission will develop a strategy to raise the quality of mathematics and science teaching in all of the nation's classrooms.
With a surge in school-age population - "the baby boom echo" -- and a record number of teacher retirements, the U.S. will be facing a teacher shortage during the next decade as some 2.2 million additional teachers will be needed. The shortages are particularly acute in the areas of mathematics and science. The Commission will consider ways of improving the recruitment, preparation, retention, professional growth and support for mathematics and science teachers in K-12 classrooms nationwide.
Riley noted that today's announcement coincides with the 30th anniversary of the first landing on the moon. He said that the space race stirred America and led to increasing the commitment to improve mathematics and science education.
"Today we commemorate the historic achievement that challenged our nation to reach new heights in math and science," Riley said. "Now, we need to set the stage for advancements in math and science for the next thirty years. We need to ensure that we have a high quality teaching force to prepare our youth for the challenges they will face during their lifetime."
"A student who is not taught the potential, meaning, and magic of mathematics and science is a student who is denied the opportunity of broader learning and exploration, whose dreams go unfulfilled, and whose future is limited," said Riley.
Riley had called for the formation of the Commission to address the concern that far too many U.S. students finish high school without mastering the challenging mathematics and science necessary for success in higher education and the competitive knowledge-based economy of the 21st century. The Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) showed that, while U.S. fourth graders perform above the international average, performance in the middle grades is about average internationally, and by the end of secondary school, U.S. students score significantly below the international average in both general and advanced mathematics and science.
Increasing the number of highly qualified teachers across the nation is critical to improving student achievement in mathematics and science. The Commission, made up of prominent business, education, civic and government leaders as well as grassroots teachers and school administrators, will also address the fact that many mathematics and science teachers lack the appropriate licensure and credentials for the subjects they teach. Slightly more than 25% of America's current high school math and science teachers lack a major or a minor in the subject they teach. In high poverty schools, that figure is nearly 50%. Moreover, many teachers do not have regular opportunities to improve their professional practice by upgrading content and teaching skills.
The Commission will submit its findings to Riley in the fall of 2000. "The Glenn Commission holds great promise," Riley said. "I believe it will brighten the future of mathematics and science education in this country."
For more information, visit the America Counts Math Initiative web page at www.ed.gov/americacounts/.
National Commission on Mathematics and Science Teaching Home
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