All Students Need Advanced Math © September 2008

2 Advanced Math = College Success

3 More Students Now Expect to Graduate From College Source: National Center for Education Statistics. (2004). The Condition of Education Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education. (p. 137, Table 15-1) 10th Graders who Expect to Earn a Bachelors Degree

4 Earnings Boost from a College Degree Has Grown Significantly Source: Mortenson, T. (2007, November). Average Family Income by Educational Attainment of Householder 1967 to Postsecondary Education Opportunity, 185. (p. 15) Change in Average Family Income from 1973 to 2006

5 Advanced Math Boosts College Grades - Even Outside of Math Courses nYears of mathematics instruction was a significant predictor of performance across all college science subjects, including introductory college biology, a discipline not traditionally associated with strong mathematics preparation. nOnly high-school mathematics carries significant cross-subject benefit. According to a 2007 study published in Science: Source: Sadler, P. M. & Tai, R. H. (2007). The Two High-School Pillars Supporting College Science. Science, 317,

6 Effect of High School Science and Mathematics on College Science Performance. Advanced Math Boosts College Grades - Even Outside of Math Courses

7 Advanced Math Boosts College Completion Source: Adelman, C. (2006, February). The Toolbox Revisited: Paths to Degree Completion from High School through College. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education. (p. xxvi).

8 More Students Who Took Algebra II Say They Were Well Prepared Source: Peter D. Hart Research Associates/Public Opinion Strategies, Rising to the Challenge: Are High School Graduates Prepared for College and Work? prepared for Achieve, Inc., High school graduates reporting they were well prepared for the expectations of college

9 Advanced Math = Career Opportunity

10 Fastest-Growing Occupations Require Advanced Math nProfessional and related occupations. This group is projected to add more jobs (5.0 million) than any other major group and to share the fastest growth rate. nOf the eight subgroups constituting professional and related occupations, health care practitioners and technical occupations are projected to add the most new jobs (1.4 million), while computer and mathematical occupations are expected to grow the most quickly (with a 24.8 percent growth rate). According to the U.S. Department of Labor: Source: Dohm, A. & Shniper, L. (2007, November). Employment Outlook: 2006–16. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (p. 895)

11 Fastest-Growing Occupations Require Advanced Math nNetwork systems and data communications analysts 140,000 new jobs nComputer software engineers325,000 new jobs nFinancial analysts and personal financial advisors147,000 new jobs nComputer systems analysts146,000 new jobs nDatabase administrators34,000 new jobs nPhysician assistants and physical therapists65,000 new jobs Among the 30 fastest-growing jobs through 2016: Source: Dohm, A. & Shniper, L. (2007, November). Employment outlook: 2006–16. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (p. 895)

12 Advanced Math Improves Earnings Source: Rose, H. & Betts, J. R. (2004, May). The Effect of High School Courses on Earnings. The Review of Economics and Statistics, 86(2), Based on data in Table 2 on p Earnings Boost From Taking Advanced Math Courses

13 Advanced Math Improves Earnings Source: Rose, H. & Betts, J. R. (2004, May). The Effect of High School Courses on Earnings. The Review of Economics and Statistics, 86(2), Based on data in Table 2 on p Earnings Boost From Taking Advanced Math Courses

14 Many Blue Collar Jobs that Pay Well Require Strong Math Skills nThe testing company ACT examined the math skills required by electricians, construction workers, upholsterers, and plumbers and concluded they match the skills necessary for success in freshman college courses. nThe Association of General Contractors says electricians, pipe fitters, sheet metal workers, and draftsman all need courses like algebra, geometry, and trigonometry to be successful on the job. Sources: ACT, Inc. (2006). Ready for College or Ready for Work: Same or Different? Iowa City, IA: Author. Association of General Contractors of New Hampshire website,

15 Screening Test for Electrical Apprenticeships Source: National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for the Electrical Construction and Maintenance Industry,

16 More Workers Who Took Algebra II Say They Were Well Prepared Source: Peter D. Hart Research Associates/Public Opinion Strategies, Rising to the Challenge: Are High School Graduates Prepared for College and Work? prepared for Achieve, Inc., High school graduates reporting they were well prepared for the expectations of work

17 Nearly Half of Grads Entering the Workplace Regret Not Taking More Advanced Math Courses in H.S. Knowing what you know today about the expectations of work … Would have taken more challenging courses in: Would have taken more challenging courses in at least one area Source: Peter D. Hart Research Associates/Public Opinion Strategies, Rising to the Challenge: Are High School Graduates Prepared for College and Work? prepared for Achieve, Inc., Math Science English

18 Advanced Math = Strong Economy Advanced Math = A Strong Economy

19 Helping U.S. Students Become Globally Competitive in Math and Science Would Boost Economic Growth If it took 10 years to meet goal If it took 20 years to meet goal If it took 30 years To reach goal Total U.S. K-12 spending Percent Addition to GDP from Raising Math and Science Scores to Top in the World NOTE: K-12 education expenditures are assumed to be constant at the level attained in These data show that economic benefits from a 1989 reform that raised the U.S. to the highest levels of test performance would cover the cost of K-12 education by Source: Hanushek, E. A., Et Al. (2008, Spring). Education and economic growth. Education Next, 8(2), (p. 69)

20 Advanced Math Could Increase Opportunity and Decrease Income Gaps nThe math curriculum appears to be responsible for around 27 percent of the earnings gap experienced by students from lowest-income families relative to middle-income families. nThis finding is important because it suggests a toolnamely the math curriculumfor increasing the degree of equity in students earnings opportunities later in life. Source: Rose, H. & Betts, J. R. (2004, May). The Effect of High School Courses on Earnings. The Review of Economics and Statistics, 86(2), Based on data in Table 2 on p. 501.

All Students Need Advanced Math © September 2008