March 27, 2014 

The acronym STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) has recently become a part of our education lexicon. It is now heard in virtually every serious debate addressing reform...So, what will be STEM's contribution? Will the United States become the premier scientific nation with cures for cancer and heart disease? Will one of our masterminds invent a pill that will make us smarter and more physically fit? Will an act of Congress thrust us into global prosperity?

The rationale is clear and generally compelling; as a recent Pew study reiterated, people who graduate from college earn significantly more than those who do not...College graduates are also healthier, more involved in their communities, and happier in their jobs. Thus, in the reformers' bible, the greatest sin is to look a student in the eye and say, "Kid, I'm sorry, but you're just not college material." But what if such a cautionary sermon is exactly what some teenagers need? What if encouraging students to take a shot at the college track-despite very long odds of crossing its finish line-does them more harm than good?

New federal civil-rights data reveal a racial disparity in access not to just high-level math and science courses, but also "core" math and science courses, such as Algebra 1 and 2, biology, and chemistry. In addition, the data indicate that racial minorities were also underrepresented in gifted-and-talented programs and Advanced Placement classes, implying that, when it comes to college- and career-readiness, these student groups are at a disadvantage.

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From jelly beans to coins, apps, and even lunch time fun, here are 10 ways to get your kids interested and liking math.

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