Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Goal IV--MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE

By the year 2000, United States students will be first in the world in mathematics and science achievement.

Objective

1. Mathematics and science education, including the metric system of measurement, will be strengthened throughout the system, especially in the early grades.
   
   Strategies
   
   1. implement the Missouri academic performance standards and frameworks for math and science
   2. develop and implement statewide assessments aligned to the state's content, performance, and skills standards
   3. expand active learning opportunities through the use of technology
   4. make performance assessments available for classroom use
   5. encourage frequent communication between schools and business/industry to assess math and science needs in the changing work force
   6. evaluate and disseminate effective math and science programs
   
   
   Objective
   
2. The number of teachers with a substantive background in mathematics and science, including the metric system of measurement, will increase by 50 percent.
   
   Strategies
   
   1. ensure authentic assessment training for all teachers
   2. increase the availability of math and science professional development activities aligned with the state's knowledge, performance, and skill standards
   3. encourage professional development activities that promote effective, research-based teaching strategies in math and science
   4. institute competency-based teacher certification
   
   
   Objective
   
3. The number of Missouri's undergraduate and graduate students, especially women and minorities, who complete degrees in mathematics, science, and engineering, will increase significantly.
   
   Strategies
   
   1. emphasize science, math, and technology literacy for all students
   2. develop and train teachers to use classroom practices which foster gender and racial equity in math and science
   3. encourage math and science careers for women and minority populations
   4. model positive attitudes regarding gender and racial equity in math and science
   5. identify quality math and science programs that address both gender and racial equity
   6. encourage grants from private resources for women and minorities to complete degrees in mathematics, science, and engineering

Benchmarks -- Revised Benchmarks 1997

• increase ACT Math scores
• increase ACT Science scores
• increase MMAT Math scores or Performance-Based Math assessment depending on availability
• increase MMAT Science scores or Performance-Based Science Assessment depending on availability
• increase the percentage of public school 8th graders who scored at the Proficient or Advanced level in mathematics compared with the 3 highest achieving nations
• increase the percentage of public school 8th graders whose teachers reported that they do these activities in mathematics class:
  • work in small groups at least once a week
  • work with measuring instruments or geometric solids at least once a week
• increase the percentage of public school 8th graders
  • whose mathematics teachers heavily emphasize
    • algebra and functions
    • developing reasoning ability to solve unique problems
    • communicating mathematics ideas
  • who have computers available in their mathematics classroom
  • who use calculators in mathematics class at least once a week
• increase mathematics and science degrees as a percentage of all degrees awarded to:
• all students
• minorities (Blacks, Hispanics, American Indians)
• females

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