America's Wasted Talent: A Karplus Lecture

• Published in: Journal of science education and technology Vol. 7; no. 4; pp. 287 - 295
• Main Author: Drew, David E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Plenum Publishing Corporation 01.12.1998; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Academic Achievement; Academic Aptitude; Academic Failure; College mathematics; College students; Conferences (Gatherings); Consciousness Raising; Course Evaluation; Curricula; Curriculum Development; Educational Assessment; Educational Change; Educational Technology; Equal Education; Evaluators; High school students; Influence of Technology; Intelligence; Intelligence Tests; International Assessment; Lecture Method; Lectures; Mathematical Aptitude; Mathematical Concepts; Mathematics; Mathematics Achievement; Mathematics Education; Mathematics Teachers; Minority Group Students; Negative Attitudes; Poverty; Science and Society; Science Curriculum; Science Education; Science Instruction; Secondary Education; Statistics; Student Costs; Students; Teachers; Young adults
• ISSN: 1059-0145; 1573-1839
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1021863007422

Millions of young people who could achieve in mathematics and science are being discouraged or prevented from studying these subjects. Access to jobs, status and power in a hightech, information economy depends upon mastery of these fields, but erroneous beliefs about aptitude are limiting the options for young women, students of color and students from poverty. Curriculum reform efforts are exciting, much-needed improvements, but the single most important change we need is a national consciousness raising. We should hold high expectations for all students and expect virtually all of them to achieve. Outdated and false notions about which groups possess the aptitude for technical subjects should not be used as barriers to access.