Why are students in the United States continually falling behind in mathematics and science?

Answer 1

So many reasons...one, youth just is not interested in science and math, and thats too bad. Economic pressure is lacking in most American families to drive students to acquire profitable technical educations. Another reason is that religious superstition such as "creation "science"" has been placed on a par with real science for political reasons, science, reality is debased and made to seem like a political tool or some kind of fantasy delusion. Its a shame. America will not be able to compete in the international market in future years because science and mathematics are just not treated as important either by the government, or the American people themselves. It will have its consequences and they won't be good.

Answer 2

There is a movement to get away from teaching the basic functions correctly to the point of mastering them in lower grades, in favor of experimental problem solving type open-ended type learning, which I feel is the root cause of math degradation. There is no stress put on the need for how math is applicable to what you need to know when you're an adult and how the different studies relate to them. You're just told what courses are available as either an elective or mandatory and expected to understand it from there. Someone could enroll in a chemistry class without having an algebra class as a prerequisite, leaving them dumbfounded as to the math principles involved. Science and the math disciplines should be tied together in the learning process so students can see their relationship as they progress.

Answer 3

We don't hold the teachers accountable, we don't hold the schools accountable and we don't hold the kids accountable. The bottom line is that we are not being accountable for the education our children are getting. Instead we get angry every time the schools demand discipline or hard work. Stop lowering the bar! Raise it instead then demand all meet the standards set.

Answer 4

Math and science are difficult subjects. I think we, as a society, are getting lazier. Thus, the lazy route would avoid pursuing math/science in schools and as a career.

Answer 5

One of the main failings of Liberalism, no accountability, teachers who can't teach are protected. Children who are not doing well are passed because it is wrong to hurt that Childs self esteem, because how we feel is the most important thing, not what we know.
Newsflash, life isn't fair and is difficult. You have to work your tail off if you want to be successful in life. No amount of psychobabble and feelings is going to change it.

Answer 6

1) lack of parental control

2) lazy bum students, young punks!

3) a crap, lackadaisical school system

We're so worried about being PC and 'fair' to the kids that we let them get away with murder.
Education just isn't as valued as it should be/once was.
We're entertainging ourselves to death. But I digress...
Plus, who the heck wants to read when American Idol is on?

Answer 7

Because U.S. schools are forced to teach everything from race relations to sex education. There is not enough time to teach math and science anymore.

Answer 8

I think because most people don't like to use their brains to think about things they need to know. Those are like the hardest subjects because they make you think a lot.

Answer 9

because todays youth are so ignorant they would rather foccus on their image and their parents and schools suporting that over an education.

Answer 10

i think our kids in the USA are doing well in math and science. its geography and grammer they are not doing well in its simple not tought here like it use to.