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Important, But Not for Me:
Kansas and Missouri Students and Parents Talk About Math, Science and Technology Education
Alison Kadlec and Will Friedman with Amber Ott
There is growing consensus among the nation's business, government and higher education leaders that unless schools do more to train and nurture a whole new generation of young Americans with strong skills in math, science and technology, U.S. leadership in the world economy is at risk. But our new report concludes that Kansas and Missouri parents and students didn't get the memo.
Our study finds just 25% of Kansas/Missouri parents think their children should be studying more math and science; 70% think things "are fine as they are now." The report also explains why parents and students are so complacent in this area and what kinds of changes might be helpful in building more interest in and support for more rigorous MST courses.
CITIZEN RESOURCES
“Important, But Not for Me” is part of a three-year public engagement project on math, science and technology education conducted by Public Agenda and funded by The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Public Agenda has prepared a public engagement toolkit including video discussion starter guides for organizers, facilitators and participants. The materials are the centerpiece of community forums that will be held in Kansas and Missouri over the next three years.
Ready For 21st Century Careers: Improving Math, Science, and Technology Education For All Students
This video discussion starter guide for organizers, facilitators and participants is one of the centerpieces of community forums on the topic of math, science and technology education that will take place in Kansas and Missouri over the next three years.
This Organizer’s Guide offers principles, practical guidelines and carefully crafted materials that can help communities hold successful community conversations on improving math, science and technology education to help ensure that students are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the new job market.
Memo to the Kansas City Region: Engaging Stakeholders on Improving Math, Science and Technology Education
This memo offers recommendations for engaging communities on improving math, science and technology ("MST") education in the Kansas City region. It draws on years of hands-on experience working with communities nationwide to engage citizens on a wide variety of education issues.
Reality Check 2006: Are Parents and Students Ready for More Math and Science?
The first in a series of Reality Check reports finds that U.S. parents and students do not share the concern of business and government leaders about flagging math and science skills. In fact, parents' concern about math and science achievement has actually declined since the mid-1990s.
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation: A Philanthropic Innovator
The Kauffman Foundation's 10-year initiative on math, science and technology education in the Kansas City region is just one of it's efforts on these issues. The Kauffman website includes information about dozens of initiatives, grants, resources and learning tools.
About Education Insights
Public Agenda's Education Insights initiative helps those on the front lines of education reform -- teachers, parents, and school leaders -- work together more effectively to achieve key education goals.
