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mission: math and science
The National Math and Science Initiative will expand proven education programs to strengthen U.S. competitiveness
March 8, 2007
In the global competition to educate students in math and science, Americans are losing ground.
Out of 32 countries ranked between 2000 and 2003, the United States dropped 5 places to 20th in undergraduate science degrees earned, and slipped 6 spots to 26th in undergraduate math degrees earned.
The outlook is also concerning. The 2005 National Assessment of Educational Progress showed that almost one third of American eighth graders are failing to achieve even a basic competency level in mathematics. The National Academies has described the situation as a "gathering storm."
Poor performance in math and science threatens the United States' long-term competitiveness and fails to equip young people to succeed in an increasingly technology-driven world.
It also undercuts American companies which depend on technological innovation. To produce and deliver energy supplies safely, reliably, and affordably, ExxonMobil employs more than 14,000 scientists and engineers. We will require more such talent in the future.
It is time we add to the number of U.S. math and science graduates, not subtract.
That's the mission of the National Math and Science Initiative, a non-profit organization created to improve math and science education in America's schools by scaling-up proven programs to the national level.
As a founding sponsor, ExxonMobil is today announcing our commitment to contribute $125 million to support the National Math and Science Initiative. These funds will help reach the goal of providing 15,000 new teachers with math and science skills by the year 2020. They will also help upgrade math and science programs in hundreds of school districts nationwide. It is an investment with the potential to impact and inspire an entire generation of young Americans.
Lifting math and science education standards — rising above the "gathering storm" — is a mission for all Americans. With support for the National Math and Science Initiative, we are beginning to fulfill that mission today.
