CSOS | The Center for Social Organization of Schools

General Information
Accelerating the K-12 Mathematics and Science Curriculum:
Agenda for the 21st Century
3rd Annual Johns Hopkins Education Summit

Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Sponsored by The Johns Hopkins Council on K-12 Education and the Center for Social Organization of Schools
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  Mathematics and science education are more in the national spotlight than ever. Elected officials and education leaders agree that all of America’s students need a deeper understanding of mathematics and science to make the U.S. competitive in the 21st Century.

   Many American students are making progress. The percentage of students taking challenging mathematics and science courses has grown over the last 20 years, as has the number of students taking and passing Algebra as a high school requirement. But the improvement is neither fast enough nor broad enough. Many students lack the skills and motivation to succeed in high school mathematics and science courses. These students find themselves at a disadvantage, ill-prepared for college and productive careers.

   The challenge confronting America’s educators is complex. How do schools and teachers address the needs of poorly prepared students while continuing to propel advanced students to even higher levels? Is the answer more math? Or is it different math? Is it more science requirements, or a new sequence?

   How do teachers build on a young child’s natural curiosity? How do they motivate students early and keep them engaged in these subjects through high school? How can current and future teachers be supported with better professional development, more effective instructional materials and regular expert coaching? How can instruction be organized to prepare students for required tests, while giving them a deep understanding of these subjects?

   These are the challenges and questions that we will confront in this day-long conference, showcasing both theoretical and practical approaches to mathematics and science education from preschool through high school. We invite you to help us tackle these questions. Together we can find answers.



General Information Summit Agenda Presentations and Papers	General Information Accelerating the K-12 Mathematics and Science Curriculum: Agenda for the 21st Century 3rd Annual Johns Hopkins Education Summit Tuesday, May 23, 2006 Sponsored by The Johns Hopkins Council on K-12 Education and the Center for Social Organization of Schools _________________________________________________________ Mathematics and science education are more in the national spotlight than ever. Elected officials and education leaders agree that all of America’s students need a deeper understanding of mathematics and science to make the U.S. competitive in the 21st Century. Many American students are making progress. The percentage of students taking challenging mathematics and science courses has grown over the last 20 years, as has the number of students taking and passing Algebra as a high school requirement. But the improvement is neither fast enough nor broad enough. Many students lack the skills and motivation to succeed in high school mathematics and science courses. These students find themselves at a disadvantage, ill-prepared for college and productive careers. The challenge confronting America’s educators is complex. How do schools and teachers address the needs of poorly prepared students while continuing to propel advanced students to even higher levels? Is the answer more math? Or is it different math? Is it more science requirements, or a new sequence? How do teachers build on a young child’s natural curiosity? How do they motivate students early and keep them engaged in these subjects through high school? How can current and future teachers be supported with better professional development, more effective instructional materials and regular expert coaching? How can instruction be organized to prepare students for required tests, while giving them a deep understanding of these subjects? These are the challenges and questions that we will confront in this day-long conference, showcasing both theoretical and practical approaches to mathematics and science education from preschool through high school. We invite you to help us tackle these questions. Together we can find answers.