National Reports about Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education

The undergraduate education report described below may be read online at Transforming Undergraduate Education in Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology.  The teacher preparation report may be read online at Educating Teachers of Science, Mathematics, and Technology: New Practices for the New Millennium for the one about teacher preparation.  Printed copies may be borrowed from the Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education, 212 McKay Education Building, telephone 724-738-2315.

April 26, 2001
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Vincent Science Hall, Room 221

Educating Teachers of Science, Mathematics, and Technology: New Practices for the New Millennium:
A National Research Council (NRC) Report Summary
by
Jeffrey Lehman, Chair
Department of Secondary Education/Foundations of Education

In the recent national election, much attention was focused on plans to improve K-12 education.  Efforts to ensure that the students of our nation would lead their international peers in mathematics and science achievement by the beginning of the 21st Century were funded in the Goals 2000: Education America Act passed by Congress in 1994.  As demonstrated by the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMMS) in 1995 and again in 1999, the failure to reach this goal has heightened the public's criticism of schools.  Because teachers are seen as key to any reform, their education is also being scrutinized.  A report published in 2000 by the NRC synthesizes what is known about the quality of mathematics and science teaching, draws conclusions about the need for changing teacher preparation, and outlines recommendations for accomplishing goals through partnerships of school districts with colleges and universities.  Scientists and mathematicians should join teacher educators in contributing to the improvement of K-12 education.  Dr. Lehman will summarize these NRC recommendations.  After his presentation, there will be time to ask questions and discuss ideas. PowerPoint presentation can be viewed by clicking here, or the HTML by clicking here. 

The dawn of the new millennium marks an unprecedented era in which issues concerning science and science education have a spotlight on the national stage.  The cyclical nature of the education system in the United States, one in which the student of today becomes the teacher of tomorrow, is a powerful motivator for sustained attention to science education from the national to the local level.  A report published in 1999 by the NRC provides a succinct account of the relation between public policy issues and practices in undergraduate science and mathematics education.  Recommendations are made about undergraduate education designed to meet the national goal of creating a science-literate populous.  Dr. Shaevitz will summarize these NRC recommendations.  After his presentation, there will be time to ask questions and discuss ideas.  Transparencies may be viewed as a word document by clicking here.

Funded by the National Science Foundation, Division of Undergraduate Education
Collaborative for Excellence in Teacher Preparation Project.
NSF Cooperative Agreement #9986753