Obama: STEM education a must-have

“We’ve got to do such a better job when it comes to STEM education,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons that we had our first science fair at the White House…because we want to start making science cool. That’s how we’re going to stay competitive for the future.”

Recent federal efforts, including programs such as Race to the Top and Investing In Innovation, have encouraged districts to think creatively, examine each aspect of their education system, and come up with solutions to better inform teachers and to keep students actively engaged in learning.

The Race to the Top program is one of the administration’s hallmark education initiatives. Districts apply for funds and submit plans detailing how they will be accountable for top-notch education in all areas, from teacher training and recruitment, to professional development, to data collection and decision-making.

“I think the Race to the Top stuff that you guys have done is one of the most under-appreciated and most important things that your administration has done,” said Zuckerberg, while reading a question about overhauling the U.S. educational system so that it meets the needs of modern students.

“The most important thing to a good education is making sure we’ve got a good teacher in front of that classroom,” Obama said. “And so providing more support for teachers, recruiting the best and brightest into teaching, making sure that they’re compensated, but also making sure that they’re performing–that’s hugely important.”

Obama said that constant feedback, along with usable data about student achievement, is necessary to inform instruction.

School leaders need access to “real, good data that you can present to the teacher while they’re still teaching that child and say, ‘You know what, this child is falling behind in math; here are some ways to…improve their performance,’” he said.

With the No Child Left Behind reauthorization creeping closer, Obama said he hopes a federal education law “that will embody some of the best information that we have about how to initiate good school reform” will be in place before the 2012 election.

Previous 1 2 3 Next