The Level Playing Field An American Myth Archived

The Level Playing Field: An American Myth Archived Information William H. Schmidt Michigan State University October 8, 2003 © 2003 Michigan State University

A Typical TIMSS Geometry Item © 2003 Michigan State University

Relationship between Parents’ Education and Student Achievement © 2003 Michigan State University

Relationship between Parents’ Education and Student Achievement © 2003 Michigan State University

Relationship Between Mostly Algebra Instruction and Student Achievement © 2003 Michigan State University

Relationship between Curriculum, SES, & Student Learning © 2003 Michigan State University

High Achieving Countries’ Mathematics Standard © 2003 Michigan State University

21 States’ Mathematics Standards © 2003 Michigan State University

Mathematics is cumulative. Ø Properly done, the topics in each year depend on the topics covered in previous years. Ø When one fails to take this cumulative nature into account, the study of mathematics degenerates into a relatively meaningless list-making and memorization of unconnected factoids – something particularly damaging for weaker students. James Milgram, Professor of Mathematics, Stanford University MSU Education Policy Forum, Washington, DC, June, 2003 © 2003 Michigan State University

Percent (standard error) of U. S. 8 th Grade Students in Schools Offering Each Type of Mathematics Course © 2003 Michigan State University

Percent of Students Taking Algebra I for the First Time © 2003 Michigan State University

Minimal Standards? l One course in each: Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics l Algebra II/Biology/Chemistry/Physics l Less than 30 % of ALL Students l Less than 5 % of Voc/Tech Students l About 15 % of General Academic Students l About 40 % of College Preparatory Students © 2003 Michigan State University

Minimal Standards? l One course in each: Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics l Algebra II/Biology/Chemistry/Physics l Less than 20 % of ALL Black Students l Less than 5 % of Black Voc/Tech Students l About 11 % of Black General Academic Students l About 32 % of Black College Preparatory Students © 2003 Michigan State University

College Preparatory Standards? l One course in each: Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics l Pre-calculus/Biology/Chemistry/Physics l Less than 20 % of ALL Students l Less than 2 % of Voc/Tech Students l About 10 % of General Academic Students l About 30 % of College Preparatory Students © 2003 Michigan State University

Percent of Teachers Indicating That They are Well-Prepared Academically to Teach 12 Basic Mathematics Topics © 2003 Michigan State University