Student Loan Dodgers

If you’re interested in science, technology, engineering or mathematics, your country needs you! According to the results of a 2005 study, more than one in five American college freshmen enrolls in a remedial mathematics course in college, and the proportion of degrees in science, math and engineering awarded to American students is dropping.

In contrast, students from other countries where math and science are emphasized in elementary and secondary schools, the proportion of students who go on to receive degrees in math and science is much higher. Additionally, the demand for skilled graduates in the sciences, engineering and mathematics fields is steady. Employers are increasingly forced to hire foreign workers to fill these positions because no fewer qualified American graduates are available.

Some colleges and universities are responding by redesigning their mathematics curriculum to appeal to American students and to improve their success in mathematics. One such campus, the University of Missouri- St. Louis, redesigned its college algebra program and has increased its student success rate without making the course less challenging.

As part of the redesign, the University’s introductory college algebra course was converted from a three-lecture-per-week format to a single lecture per week and two one-hour laboratory periods where students work on algebraic concepts, using math software designed to challenge and engage students. The software in the mathematics labs provides instant feedback so students know when they understand the concepts being presented. Over a three-year period, student success in the algebra course increased from about 55 percent to 75 percent.

Currently, middle school and secondary school mathematics teachers are in high demand. Some school districts are paying bonuses to recruit and retain qualified high school mathematics teachers, and those graduates who opt to teach in high-need areas are eligible for Federal student loan forgiveness. If you have an aptitude for mathematics, and can apply your skills in a science, engineering or mathematics field, you may find yourself in a career that provides multiple rewards.