TV Show Spotlights Math Education in Preparing Students to Succeed in the Knowledge Economy

March 17, 2008 -- In today's 21st-century marketplace, where your earnings are tied to your education, knowledge of and proficiency in math has never been more important. Accordingly, this month's TV program spotlights math education: Preparing Students to Succeed in the Knowledge Economy.

The program will be carried from 8 to 9 p.m. ET Tuesday on the Dish Network, dozens of PBS stations and numerous cable outlets. Others, including The Learning Channel, will broadcast the show on a tape-delayed basis. A complete listing of viewing options is available at ed.gov/edtv. In addition, the program will be available as an archived webcast at connectlive.com/events/ednews/.

This program will examine:

* How does No Child Left Behind strengthen the teaching of mathematics?
* How does No Child Left Behind strengthen the teaching and learning of mathematics?
* What is the National Mathematics Advisory Panel? What are the critical findings of Panel?
* What is the "global economy" and what new demands does it place on our students and our schools?
* How will the American Competitiveness Initiative help to improve math instruction, student competence and achievement, and ultimately close the achievement gaps?
* What should students be learning in mathematics and what needs to change in how it is taught?
* How can parents encourage their children to learn mathematics outside the classroom?
* How can we encourage all students-especially girls and minority students-to pursue math careers?

U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings will open the show with a taped greeting, followed by a live conversation with U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Ray Simon, which will feature information about the nation's progress towards NCLB's goal of having every child doing math at grade level by 2014, and the significance of the National Math Panel's Final Report and how it helps improve student mathematics achievement in the country.

Also, Simon will discuss the current status of mathematics instruction in the nation's schools with award winning educators Dianne McWain, principal, Clark Middle School, Chickasaw, Ala., and Vern Williams, teacher and National Math Panel member, Longfellow Middle School, Falls Church, Va.

There will also be a taped interview with Larry Faulkner, chair, National Math Panel, who will discuss the panel's findings from two years of examining scientific evidence on improving the teaching and learning of pre-K through 8th-grade mathematics.

The month's show also features a round table dialogue with Simon; Francis (Skip) Fennell, professor of education, McDaniel College and president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics; and, Tasha Inniss, professor of mathematics, Spelman College, about the significance of the panel's findings for parents; what children should be learning and doing in math at each grade level; the questions parents should ask teachers and school administrators to ensure their children are receiving high quality math instruction; how to encourage more girls and minorities to pursue math and science career fields; and, the range of tools and resources available to help families encourage their children to be math literate and successful in the knowledge economy.

The Education News Parents Can Use TV series airs monthly during the school year.

Source: Dept. of Ed.

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