Earth Notes
(2007-12-11)
ANN ARBOR
(Michigan Radio) -
American math teachers don't measure up to their international colleagues. That's according to a study out Tuesday from Michigan State University that compared middle school math teachers in six countries. Researchers found American teachers scored at the bottom in math knowledge. MSU professor William Schmidt led the study. He said there's been a focus on helping students compete with their international peers. But Schmidt said most policymakers overlook the importance of teacher preparation.
"This does not bode particularly well as we put those teachers in more challenging situations such as teaching higher level standards," he said.
American teachers performed worst in algebra. Schmidt said that subject is at the heart of middle school math.
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