Math, science panel makes recommendations to governor

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A panel appointed by Gov. Matt Blunt to recommend ways to get more youths excited about careers in math and science offered many ideas Tuesday, from helping students learn about jobs at a zoo to persuading parents that tougher courses are needed.

The group met with the governor Tuesday to discuss its recommendations. Key among them is creating a nonprofit organization to keep the focus on improving math, science, engineering and technology education and careers. The group also called for a public awareness campaign to help parents understand why students need to be challenged.

"It's important for us to focus on our students here in Missouri and preparing them for the global work force," said Debra Hollingsworth of AT&T Missouri, chairwoman of the panel.

The report, submitted Aug. 31 by the group of education and business people, followed a summit the governor called in April to look at the issue. Blunt said Missouri students need to improve their math and science skills for the state work force to compete in a global economy.

"If we don't do something to address this problem now, the next generation will not enjoy the quality of life Americans enjoy today," Blunt told the group Tuesday.

A key element underlying all the ideas was the need to improve technology in the classroom and ensure that teachers know how to make it part of their lessons.

"Technology makes learning relevant," said Stan Johnson, assistant commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Blunt said the group made solid recommendations and he would consider them as he prepares his budget proposal for the next year. Some of the ideas don't require state funding or changes in laws, but rather can be done through the state Board of Education or efforts of the nonprofit organization.

"They've wisely not suggested that we throw a bunch of money at this problem," Blunt said, but added some targeted spending makes sense.

The group calls for improving students' performance in math and science from preschool to graduate school. It says state expectations and assessments should be redone to be more focused and to follow globally accepted best practices.

It also suggests offering students real-world opportunities to learn about math and science careers by working with businesses, museums and zoos, and offer better rewards for those who excel in those subjects, including financial aid to pursue math and science degrees in college.

The panel also said incentives are needed to recruit and keep quality math and science teachers, including to help people in industry become teachers.

The report details steps the state can take, and when various tasks should be completed. It calls for greater coordination between K-12 schools and state colleges and universities, so students have the basic knowledge they need to learn and advance through the college years.

The plan also calls for creating a Web site that schools across the state can use as a resource for math and science materials.

The panel said the state should establish standard technology that all schools should have. That would allow schools to pool together for purchases, lowering the costs to upgrade as technology changes.

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On the Net:

http://gov.mo.gov/mets