High school enrollment figures show increases between 1990 and 1994 in the proportion of students taking more-challenging mathematics and science courses:
- Higher-level math: As of 1994, 60 percent of high school students had, by graduation, reached the third year of high school mathematics--Algebra 2 or Integrated Mathematics 3. From 1990 to 1994, eight states’ enrollments in Algebra 2 or Integrated Math 3 increased 10 or more percentage points. Nationally, the average increase was 11 points.
- Higher-level science: By graduation, 51 percent of high school students took a third year of science by 1994, as indicated by enrollments in chemistry. Nationally, the percentage of students taking chemistry increased 6 percentage points from 1990 to 1994.
- Decline in lower-level math: In 1994, 13 percent of high school students took general, remedial, or consumer math. In 1990, 19 percent of students took such courses.
“State Indicators of Science and Mathematics Education” is available for $18 prepaid from the Council of Chief State School Officers, Publications Office, 1 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20001; (202) 336-7016.
