NSF calls for changes to the teaching of S&T courses

The policy-making arm of the US National Science Foundation (NSF) has released sweeping recommendations on how to improve the teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses. The report — A National Plan for Addressing the Critical Needs of the U.S. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education System — calls for a national council to be created by congressional legislation and presidential approval. It also recommends increasing compensation for STEM teachers, including incentives such as federal tax credits and developing national teacher certification standards. It asks the NSF to generate a national road map to improve STEM education from kindergarten to the post-secondary level. US data show that 30% of first-year university students require remedial math and sciences courses to prepare them for future learning. FMI: www.nsf.gov/nsb/edu_com/report.jsp....