At the dawn of a new century that promises great rewards for excellence in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, American children, and minorities in particular,
remain behind their global counterparts. The good news is that opportunities abound to close this gap once and for all.
President Barack Obama has set forth an aggressive plan to make higher education and workforce training more readily available. While the president is attacking the need to grow the nation’s workforce, here at home, Houston Community College provides an effective and affordable bridge to STEM fields and is actively reaching out to high school students with innovative programs such as the Male Minority Initiative.
However, we will never close this gap without shared responsibility. Now is the time for communities, teachers and parents to come together to encourage their children, and for students to work harder and dedicate themselves to their own education and our country’s future.
According to the Trends in Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) released in December 2008 by the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. fourth-graders ranked in the 70th percentile in math among 36 countries surveyed, while U.S. eighth-graders ranked in the 80th percentile among 48 countries surveyed. In science, U.S. fourth-graders ranked in the 78th percentile, and eighth-graders ranked in the 77th percentile.
Overall, U.S. students trail those in Hong Kong SAR, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Japan, the Russian Federation and England in both fields at both grade levels. And while the TIMSS report indicates that U.S. students have improved since 1995 in both math and science, we must do better than a “C” average.
To ensure that our country continues to thrive and innovate in today’s global marketplace, we must fill the shortfall in our scientific and technical capabilities, and there are ways we can all help.
As a professional in the STEM fields, you can mentor, teach or simply encourage youngsters in your community to pursue a science, technology, engineering or math major. Houston Community College has a number of innovative initiatives that allow professionals in the field to assist and inspire youngsters in these fields, especially those in our Hispanic and African-American communities, only a fraction of whom are academically eligible to seriously pursue engineering and other STEM fields at the college level.
As a student in the STEM fields, consider teaching as a career choice after graduation. Research proves that students excel in math and science when they are taught by teachers with a degree in that subject area. Obama’s plan to improve education in the STEM fields includes a provision to recruit math and science degree graduates to the teaching profession and support efforts to help these teachers learn from professionals in the field.
As a youth or guidance counselor, enlighten students regarding the opportunities in a STEM field, not only for career advancement but also for breakthroughs that benefit our world in medicine, alternative energy, and technology. The new administration will soon launch an online database to provide information about financial aid opportunities available in the science and technology fields through the federal government as well as public and private resources.
For those who are unemployed, consider a career or additional training in the STEM fields. Recent changes to federal aid for a college education or training may allow you to keep your state unemployment benefits while going to school. College financial aid officers have also been instructed to expand their use of “professional judgment” to provide assistance to unemployed workers.
For the rest of us — parents, teachers, and community members — let us encourage, support and assist those who dedicate themselves to the STEM fields. Together we can restore the promise of America’s public education system and ensure that our children once again lead the world in achievement, creativity and success.
Austin is a native Houstonian who has served on the Houston Community College Board of Trustees since 1989. Spangler is the chancellor of Houston Community College.
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