Internationally, America’s students have been lagging in Math and Science skills for over a decade. However, the New York Times reports that New York City students have displayed significant improvement in math, leading experts to believe that earlier emphasis and better teaching have put America back on the mathematical map. As the great philosopher Bertrand Russell put it, mathematics “possess not only truth, but also supreme beauty.” It is the building block upon which our society functions. Accounting, computers, construction, engineering, finance, insurance, and pharmaceuticals all involve a strong grasp of mathematical concepts. Improvement by our nation’s students in math is an improvement in our nation’s potential.

The report is based on the results of a state math test given to students in elementary schools. It showed that 82% of New York City students passed, up eight percentage points from last year. Also, the overall state pass rate was 86%, up five percentage points from the year before. Although the results are very positive, many officials recommend keeping the balloons and noisemakers in their holsters. America has had a miserable record in Math for a very long time. According to The New York Times, in the last decade:

“the most comprehensive and rigorous international comparison of schooling ever undertaken reveals American high school seniors to be among the industrial world’s least prepared in mathematics and science. Particularly devastating, the American officials said, was the bleak performance of the best American students in advanced subjects. In physics and advanced mathematics, not one of the countries involved — including less well-off nations like Greece, Cyprus and Latvia — scored lower than the United States. In general knowledge of mathematics, American 12th graders did better than those in only two countries, Cyprus and South Africa.”

However, the dark days are hopefully behind us. As our students continue to improve, there is no room for complacency in our formula for success. School administrators are making sure that this isn’t the case either, stepping standards up a notch. In fact, the chancellor of the state Board of Regents is thinking about raising the pass rate for the test even higher to challenge students and teachers to be the best they can be.

Another terrific result of this testing has been the way minorities have showed improvement by raising their own bar for success. In 2006, the average grades of a black and white child were separated by 31 percentage points. This year black students tightened that gap to 17 percentage points. The gauntlet has been dropped, and minorities as well as the student body and school administration have answered mightily.

Math is the only universal language. It unified people all around the world with one common dialect. To intensify the emphasis on mathematical education with better teachers and better funding is what America needs to give its students a fighting chance at a successful future. As Einstein wrote, “one reason why mathematics enjoys special esteem, above all other sciences, is that its laws are absolutely certain and indisputable.” Well there is definitely not dispute about the importance of math in our classrooms – it’s the key to our country’s future success. Be a part of the winning equation. Become a teacher and make a difference.