Trusting the future generations to use logical reasoning and have sufficient understanding of science (including the science of mathematics), we can have faith in the future of research, business, economics, and virtually all aspects of human culture. If children are taught to think like scientists: to seek the truth and always question, not only will they understand their interests, they will be able to improve whatever fields they enter as an adult. Treating all occupations as science allows for critical thinking in all areas of life.
In an article about U.S. Science and Math scores on TIMSS and PISA from The Bent of Tau Beta Pi, Alan S. Brown and Linda LaVine Brown write that, "today’s students will be looking for jobs in an increasingly technology-oriented service economy where manufacturing and other traditional jobs are vanishing. They will need math to estimate projects and to interpret graphical information. They will vote on policies—stem-cell research, nuclear power, global warming, and teaching evolution—that hinge on an understanding of science"
http://www.tbp.org/pages/publications/Bent/Features/W07Brown.pdf
The article comments about the reality of U.S. scores on TIMSS and PISA surveys and how understanding the realities can help us improve the way that the U.S. teaches math and science
One of the most important things to acknowledge first is The Gap:
(on the number of eighth grade students who scored at the TIMSS intermediate level in math)
"The gross numbers show 93 percent of Singapore students and 64 percent of U.S. students reached these levels; U.S. males scored 65 percent, and females 64 percent. While 75 percent of white students rated intermediate status, only 35 percent of blacks and 45 percent of Hispanics did so. Wealthier school districts scored 86 percent, while poor districts rated 32 percent."
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