A new buzz word in education and the world of academia is “STEM”…but
many parents wonder, what exactly does it mean and how does this affect my
child’s education.
STEM stands for Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Recent studies have shown that America’s students are falling behind in
STEM disciplines and are also far less interested in STEM than their
international peers. This can be evidenced by a report entitled “Prepare
and Inspire: K-12 Education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
(STEM) for America’s Future” that was issued in September, 2010 by the
President’s Council of Advisers on Science and Technology. This reports cites the following facts:
* On the National Assessment of
Educational Progress, less than one-third of U.S. eighth graders show
proficiency in mathematics and science.
* Only about a third of bachelor’s
degrees earned in the United States are in a STEM field, compared with
approximately 53 percent of first university degrees earned in China, and 63
percent of those earned in Japan.
* More than half of the science
and engineering graduate students in U.S. universities are from outside the
United States.
Suddenly, the ears of education perked up and STEM programs
were initiated and underway in US schools almost immediately. But the question
remains, why are our 8th graders falling behind? Randi Weingarten
offers this idea in an article in the Washington
Post (12/13):
“While the intentions may have
been good, a decade of top-down, test-based schooling created by No Child Left
Behind and Race to the Top — focused on hyper-testing students, sanctioning
teachers and closing schools — has failed to improve the quality of American
public education,” said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation
of Teachers.”
Thus it becomes clear as glass. Testing and more testing, penalizing schools and teachers has taken all of the attention off of the most important component: the student. While principals haggle their teachers to push the standards only noted on the test and the state pushes principals to push teachers; who is pushing the students in the classroom? Are then being challenged at school? Are they being challenged at home? Are parents demanding that their students be taught well and not taught to be test takers?
ITS ABOUT THE KIDS!
A 14 year old can be pretty self-sufficient. Waking up on
their own, preparing their own breakfast, making their way to school on their
own, it’s a sign of growing up. However, parents, they are NOT mini adults and
eyes over the shoulder are still needed, a parental presence in their life and
in their classroom IS needed.
I propose that by maintaining a strict interest in our
adolescent and young adults until the day they walk across the stage is
imperative. Utilize the online grading system provided my most schools to check
on your students’ progress. Voice your concerns about lagging grades to the
teacher and if your concerns aren't heard move up to the administration and
talk to them. Hold your school accountable, not just for preparing your child
to pass a state test but passing the major test of living and working in a
world with a rapidly changing global economy. Parents Make Some Noise!
STEM is vital, but encouraging our student to do their very
best and expecting their teachers to provide outstanding life-long lesson is
just as valuable. What good is a school with an outstanding STEM program if in
the end, seniors graduate from high school only to find themselves in remedial
college classes trying to catch up with their cohorts?
Does your child school have a STEM program? Find out exactly
how they are implementing the program, how it benefits your student beyond just
taking a test, ask: HOW WILL THIS HELP MY CHILD’S FUTURE?
Paula Sanders
Dallas, Texas
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