Science and Math in Schools: Mile Wide and an Inch Deep

Studies show American students are less adept at math and science than their counterparts in many other developed countries. One reason is revealed in a study released this week by the National Science Foundation. Analyzing 1,000 textbooks used in 45 countries, it concluded U.S. schools teach too many math and science concepts and cover them superficially.

For instance, the five topics most emphasized by eighth-grade math teachers in the United States take up less than 50% of the instructional year, while in Japan the key topics accounted for 75% of the year’s lessons.

The Los Angeles Unified School District has already begun a trial program aimed at deeper coverage of fewer scientific concepts. To get students to think scientifically, the program emphasizes hands-on learning instead of rote memorization.

Such programs, however, are difficult to implement in California, where class sizes are large (a 1994 study reported that 27.4% of California’s science classes had more than 30 students, compared to 1.1% in New Jersey) and the base of experienced science teachers is small.

California school leaders should consider some practical solutions.

* Raise standards. While typical eighth-graders are being taught arithmetic and fractions in America, their counterparts in Japan and Germany are studying algebra and geometry. LAUSD made some headway in June by releasing its first guidelines on which concepts students should be expected to master at different grade levels. Because the district lacks the class space to hold back underperforming students, however, the guidelines are not directly tied to a student’s advancement to the next grade level or to graduation.

* Work with private industry. California business leaders have long complained that public schools are failing to provide them with an adequate base of scientifically skilled workers. They could be part of the solution by funding scientific literacy projects, as NASA is now doing through its Project Endeavor program.

Surely California, whose scientific achievements eclipse those of most nations, can find the way to a higher level of learning.