An article (Mobilization for Math and Science Education) in today’s Inside Higher Ed news caught my eye. Briefly, the Carnegie Foundation completed a study that calls for better Math and Science education so that America will remain economically competitive into the 21st century. Specifically, their report tilted “The Opportunity Equation” calls for:

… the Carnegie-IAS Commission on Mathematics and Science Education challenges the nation to mobilize for coordinated action to:

• Establish common standards for the nation in mathematics and science—standards that are fewer, clearer, and higher—along with high-quality assessments
• Improve math and science teaching—and our methods for recruiting and preparing teachers and for managing the nation’s teaching talent
• Redesign schools and systems to deliver excellent, equitable math and science learning

This is a moment of urgency and opportunity, a chance for the United States to close the gap between the current state of educational achievement and the educational system our future demands. The world has shifted dramatically — and an equally dramatic shift will be needed in our schools. Download the report, or read it online for more examples of promising practices, resources, and opportunities for action.

This sounds good – pay teachers more, hire qualified teachers, design strong curricula and schools. The assessment part is what worries me, unless it becomes something more meaningful than scores on standardized tests. Other numbers would be more meaningful – like the number of students who go to college and major in math or science, or the number of students who end up in careers in math or science – but would perhaps take more time to collect.

The report itself is 72 pages – not exactly beach reading.  It also seems like a long road to haul in the current economy.