Math, science problems plague state, nation

Paper shows education of skills required for BRAC jobs inadequate

By JOSHUA STEWART, Staff Writer

Capital Gazette Communications

Published 09/29/08

Unless the state's public schools offer dramatic changes to science, math and engineering education, students are going to be limited in the careers they can have, an economist told the Fort Meade Alliance last week.

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Maryland schools are part of a nationwide problem that is potentially creating a crippling gap in the workforce in the science and engineering fields, two sectors vital to the nation's defense and security, Anirban Basu of the Sage Policy Group said Thursday.

"Anything mathematical isn't an option," as a career choice, he said.

And the ultimate result is a decline in American ingenuity...

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Math Mastery - 2008-09-30 15:26:44

Attitude toward learning is formed in the first few years of school. Because math teachers, who have a passion for math, do not normally teach students in these first few years, this subject is often pushed to the background. By the time a student reaches 4th grade and has not found a high level of success or a natural knack for mathematics, he/she looks at math as drudgery and not the exciting subject it can be.

There is a program called Opting for Opportunities which allows any student to not only excel in math but reach heights not seen very often. Second grade students are completing all math up through 6th grade level using mental efficiency. All students of all ability levels are finding high success.

If we want to pull ourselves out of mediocrity, Americans have to shake loose from antiquated pedagogy and use ingenuity. This approach which is low in cost and NCLB aligned, guarantees mastery by using said ingenuity. It can run parallel with any existing program.

Problem: Educational leaders are just afraid of high success as they are of failure. Because schools are fashioned as socialistic hotbeds we want everyone to be the same-we do not celebrate excellence because we do not celebrate our differences. If 3rd graders are beginning pre-algebra, it throws a monkey wrench into the traditional mix which is too much for most administrators to handle.

Note: Hispanics have a natural affinity for the patterning of mathematics. Jaime Escalante said in Stand and Deliver, "math is in your blood." Yet we see no one matching his accomplishments.

For more information on Opting for Opportunities, please feel free to contact via email.

Thanks to all those who help our students succeed.

Ms. Mac
Jeanine McGregor
Educational Researcher
Additional information www.fortword.com
msmac@multiplymemory.com