Our Challenge » | The Math Gap » | The STEM Deficit » |
A Brighter Future
A recent study by Achieve, Inc. and the U.S. Department of Education revealed that Advanced Math skills were the best predictor of college completion. Findings showed that 95% of students who go beyond Algebra II in high school will proceed to graduate from college.
Click here to see how we are creating brighter futures for Boston youth
●By 2018, two thirds of all employment will require college education or better (Georgetown University)
●College Graduates are four times as likely to be economically self-sufficient (CollegeBoard, Inc.)
●There is a net benefit to society of $209,000 per college graduate (CollegeBoard, Inc.)
Bright Spots in the Media:
A December 7, 2013 New York Times article echos the common call to engage students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), citing a shocking statistic that “nearly 90 percent of high school graduates say they’re not interested in a career or a college major involving [STEM].” The article refers to studies similar to those referenced above which suggest that “finding ways to make math and science exciting for students who are in the middle of the pack could have a profound effect on their futures.” The solution? According to this article, we need to fundamentally alter the way that we are teaching these subjects, from elementary through middle school. We are proud to promote advanced mathematics in a number of ways discussed in this article, including offering differentiated methods of instruction in our afterschool programs and summer academy (“a more flexible curriculum”), coaching for Boston Public School teachers (“better teacher preparation”), and real world applications for STEM in the form of clubs and classroom activities during our Algebra Plus Summer Academy (“experience the real world”). Read the rest of the article here »