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Timothy White |
Guest columnist |
Almost half of Idaho's higher-education students need to catch up on math and science before they can tack college-level work. Universities can do their part, but the Idaho Legislature should respond as well, writes Timothy White.
Two-thirds of new jobs will require education beyond high school. Yet 40 percent of students entering Idaho's higher-education institutions today must take remedial courses before beginning college-level work.
For our state to continue to grow and attract businesses that produce high-wage jobs -- and to sustain "traditional" jobs across all economic sectors by increasing the use of advanced technology -- we need a better educated and more highly skilled work force. Math and science are critical areas.
Idaho will prosper in the global economy if our work force is better prepared in the areas of math, science, technology and engineering.
Critical-thinking and reasoning abilities -- cornerstones of an educated citizenry and work force -- are also dramatically aided by strong math and science skills. Yet the only subject in Idaho required throughout high school is English. The State Board of Education wisely passed a rule for improvement in this regard. Now resources from the Legislature are needed to improve the high school curriculum and develop the necessary pool of teachers.
The University of Idaho is doing its part in many ways.
The Gateway to Mathematics program provides middle school teachers an opportunity to improve their math knowledge and teaching skills through interactive distance technology.
The Gateway to Calculus program offers rural high school students an opportunity to learn calculus -- in an interactive and personalized way -- when their schools don't offer such courses.
Students at UI are engaged in a new way as learners in the Polya Mathematics Learning Center, providing them opportunities to master entry-level mathematics in an interactive way with the combined use of advanced technology and one-to-one access to instructional staff. Our innovative approach recognizes and accommodates a large range of learning styles (and phobias) that exist about mathematics, has a striking success rate and has gained national acclaim.
Our College of Engineering also exemplifies our efforts to create the ideas, innovations and work force for a stronger tomorrow. Our engineering programs have educated approximately 8,000 graduates for careers in the U.S. and more than 50 countries.
UI is distinctive as it provides students with a well-rounded education that arms graduates with critical-thinking skills, leadership experience and the ability to work in a team. Our work is shaped by a passion for knowledge, innovation and creativity. We are firmly committed to produce graduates ready for the jobs of today and tomorrow as informed, engaged and productive members of a global society.
But we will do an even better job preparing our graduates for meaningful careers and catalyzing a globally competitive economy if the Legislature will commit to improving math and science education before students step into our classrooms.
The strength of our state's and nation's future depends on it.
White is president of the University of Idaho. You can write to him at AD 105, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844. |