Many parents and students are unaware of just how necessary SMT education actually is for the workforce of today and that of the future. In their surveys and focus groups about SMT education, researchers have observed a considerable “urgency gap” between parents and students on the one hand, and business leaders and industry experts on the other. Students tend to find higher-level math and science classes to be the least relevant in “real life” of all their coursework, while parents think that the status quo of SMT education is adequate. The experts, however, are united in arguing that that these skills are increasingly necessary in the emerging job market and students are being insufficiently prepared.
As liaisons to the educational system, school board members have a responsibility to help educate their communities about the real urgency of strong SMT programs.
What is the urgency around SMT education?
What is the urgency gap?
How should we address the urgency gap?