Science Board Calls on Educators To Reach Consensus on Content

By Jessica Portner

The National Science Board last week issued recommendations that are intended to inject more expertise into science and math classes and swell the ranks of qualified teachers in those subjects.

In an attempt to raise the nation's disappointing student achievement levels in both science and mathematics, the governing body of the National Science Foundation took the unprecedented step of formally calling on educators, who have often been at odds over the best ways to teach those subjects, to work toward building consensus on what students need to know.

The board also urged colleges and universities to offer incentives for cultivating well-trained science and math teachers and encouraged national and local education leaders to set...