Visualizing Change

1. Goal: Much Higher Levels of Mathematics & Science Learning for American Students

The world has changed. In every sphere of life, Americans are finding that they need to know more and to learn continuously to keep pace with new demands. Our educational system needs to change, as well. Today, too few students get the preparation they need for the challenges of postsecondary education and an innovation- and knowledge-based global economy. A transformed educational system would raise levels of performance by all American students, providing them with a strong foundation for success in college and careers and enabling many more to pursue advanced training in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

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2. Goal: A U.S. Educational System Aligned for Performance

The current educational system is seriously misaligned. Relatively few American students attend schools where all the major components — curriculum, teaching, and school design—line up to serve all students well. The Commission therefore urges coordinated action to bring the major components of our national educational infrastructure into alignment: standards and assessments, which guide schools in curriculum decisions; teaching, professional learning, and human capital management; and school and system design. Schools and districts would then get the support they need to improve instruction, raise teacher performance, and implement new designs and innovations—thus providing many more students with opportunities for academic success.