Fighting the fall

Missouri's schoolchildren lag behind many other students in this country and abroad in math and science. In today's high-tech world, that's a recipe for disaster, says the state's Alliance on Math, Engineering, Technology and Science Education.

Appointed by Gov. Matt Blunt earlier this year, the 20-member group recommended in August that the state's public school curriculum in math and science be strengthened and a greater effort be made to train qualified math and science teachers.

The alliance has recommended the state encourage inquiry-based instruction from preschool through college. Such instruction focuses on having students take an active role in finding the answers to questions rather than waiting for the teacher to give them the answers.

No curriculum changes have been made at this point. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education would be involved in any curriculum changes concerning public school districts.

A number of financial incentives have been proposed to spur improvements in math and science, but no price tag has been mentioned.

Russell Grammer, who teaches fourth grade at Jefferson Elementary School, and Cape Girardeau businesswoman Kathy Swan served on the group.

They continue to be involved in the alliance's effort to set up a not-for-profit coalition to raise money to help spur improvements in math, engineering, technology and science education, or METS.

"Companies say they can't find qualified workers," Grammer said, so they are going to India to hire engineers.

(Graphics by Diane L. Wilson)

American fourth-grade students score high in math and science compared to their counterparts in other countries. But by 12th grade, American students score at the bottom globally in those fields. Missouri students mirror that statistic, alliance members say.

Forty-three percent of fourth-graders in Missouri's public schools scored proficient in math in 2005. But by eighth grade, only 16 percent tested proficient. In 10th grade, only 17 percent scored proficient.

In science, proficiency dropped from 53 percent in third grade to only 8 percent in 10th grade, the alliance reported.

Grammer and Swan said such statistics can't be ignored.

"We are quickly falling behind," Swan said.

The alliance has focused on five major goals to combat such numbers:

* Improve the performance of all students, preschool through graduate school through better teaching.

* Increase the number of students motivated to pursue METS careers through such things as career counseling and field trips to METS businesses.

* Increase the number of METS educators through financial incentives to students and colleges.

* Establish a technology plan that, among other things, would set the standard as to what computers and other equipment should be added to classrooms so students can learn the skills needed for increasingly high-tech careers.

* Increase public awareness of the value of METS knowledge on the lives of all Missourians and highlight the importance of METS-related industries and jobs.

The ultimate goal is to have a highly trained work force, said Randy Maier, manager of community and education relations for the Boeing aviation company in St. Louis.

"It is about economic development, work force development and keeping this country and state competitive in this high-tech world," said Maier, who worked with the alliance to help address the issue.

METS-based industries accounted for three-quarters of Missouri's $10.6 billion in products and services exported in 2005, the alliance said.

Maier said Boeing and other high-tech companies need employees who are well-rounded in science and math, can work in a team environment and be critical thinkers.

Only about 5 percent of college students in Missouri and nationwide are interested in pursuing engineering degrees, the alliance said.

In addition, relatively few education majors are focused on math and science.

Most Missouri teacher education programs produced three or fewer physical sciences teachers in 2005. Only three teacher preparation programs in Missouri produced 10 or more secondary math teachers, the alliance said. One of those was Southeast Missouri State University.

The alliance suggested the payment of bonuses, loan-forgiveness programs and other incentives to recruit more math and science teachers.

It also recommended the state create an incentive fund to reward public colleges in Missouri that increase the number of students graduating with METS-related degrees starting with the 2010 graduating class.

Swan said the alliance believes schools need a more rigorous science and math curriculum. "We have to start in elementary school," she said.

The alliance also wants classrooms upgraded with high-tech equipment such as computers, Swan said. But she acknowledged that will require substantial funding.

"We recognize the use of technology in the classroom can enhance learning," she said.

Grammer believes American society is partly to blame for students' low math and science skills.

"We don't value education in our culture," he said.

"We have a society that is based on, 'Give me something quick for the least amount of effort.'"

An award-winning teacher, Grammer said the alliance rightly concluded that students need to be more involved in their own education.

Students need to encouraged to ask the questions and find solutions, he said. "That is really the best method of learning," Grammer said.

Both Grammer and Swan said the developing METS coalition will help keep the issues before the public and work to implement programs to help foster a work force with needed skills in math, science, technology and engineering.

The coalition plans to engage a public relations firm to create a campaign to highlight Missouri's future in METS industries, encourage students to take rigorous courses and enter math, science, technology and engineering fields.

The alliance believes there needs to be stronger partnerships between teachers and education colleges in an effort to improve instruction of math and science in the classroom.

Grammer said METS students would benefit from partnerships with businesses, including tours of high-tech manufacturing firms like Boeing.

Ultimately, he said, the public has to embrace the goals for the alliance plan to succeed.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123