The need to improve math and science education in the United States

play videomission: math and science

Excellence in math and science education in the United States has a direct correlation to the country's ability to successfully compete, prosper and be secure in the global community of the 21st century. The United States ranks behind other countries in terms of the proportion of students who perform well in math and science and pursue degrees in these subjects. Additionally, many teachers in the United States do not have the benefit of strong content knowledge and training specific to mathematics and science.  The National Academies of Science, in their 2007 report, Rising Above the Gathering Storm, found:

  • About one-fifth of the 4th graders and one-third of the 8th graders lacked the competence to perform basic mathematical computations;
  • About 30 percent of high school mathematics students and 60 percent of those enrolled in physical sciences have teachers who either did not major in the subject in college or are not certified to teach it. The situation is worse for low-income students: 70 percent of their middle school mathematics teachers majored in some other subject in college;
  • The U.S. ranks 16th of 17 nations in the proportion of 24-year-olds who earn degrees in natural science or engineering as opposed to other majors; and,
  • Those undergraduates who switch from science and engineering majors to other majors “are often among the most highly qualified college entrants, and they are disproportionately women and students of color.”

Rex W. Tillerson, Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil, has said that "continuing to make focused and aggressive improvements in both the way the subjects are taught and learned will make a vital impact in retaining the nation’s economic competitiveness and reassuring young people of a secure future".

ExxonMobil focuses much of the company’s math and science outreach on programs that address these concerns and emphasize:

  • Encouraging students to take an active interest in math and science education and careers;
  • Motivating all students to learn and perform well in math and science courses;
  • Providing math and science teachers with professional development opportunities; and
  • Supporting the development of highly qualified teachers in the math and science fields.