The Best of Our Knowledge # 952

Albany, NY – "DO THE MATH: SECRETS, LIES, AND ALGEBRA" -

Today's debilitating financial crisis is a prime example of why the next generation urgently needs financial literacy. Why don't schools teach more about everyday money handling, right alongside math, trig and algebra? Stats show: the number of 18 to 24 year olds declaring bankruptcy has increased 96% in just the past ten years; and more people declare bankruptcy each year, than graduate from college. If there were ever a time to focus on math literacy, now is it.

Our featured guest today is the author of six novels for young readers. Wendy Lichtman teaches writer's workshops, speaks nationally about math and literacy, and even does some algebra tutoring.

This second novel in her "Do the Math" series came out earlier this year. Lichtman weaves mathematics into tales of mystery, intrigue and romance that have become irresistible reads for children ten years of age and older. These are not unlike the television series, "Numbers."

She joins us from her home in Berkeley, California.

Glenn Busby reports. (11:43)

**(Attention listeners and program directors. For those who would like to know more about the above story, Wendy's website is: www.wendylichtman.com.)**

EDUCATION HEADLINES AND UPDATES -

In concert with our show theme today about math and financial literacy, the economic crisis is playing out in varied ways at colleges and universities all across the country. While school officials scramble to patch up immediate leaks, they are also expressing concerns about the future.

Administrators are discovering that many of their revenue streams are under pressure, including government funding, tuition payments, and donors' gifts. Schools are rethinking fundraising campaigns, construction projects and tuition levels. At the same time, they hope to at least maintain, or perhaps increase, financial aid so their schools can continue to attract and retain students.

Meanwhile, the Project on Student Debt just released its third annual report. The Project found that the average student loan debt facing graduating seniors increased faster than did the average starting salaries offered recent college graduates. It also forecasts the average student loan debt for this year to be close to $21,000.

Because of these facts, and all the concerns about the economy, the Bush administration has agreed to extend backwards by five years, a financial-bailout authority that lets student-loan companies sell their portfolios to the federal government. The extensions of the six-month old financial rescue plan, reflect the education department's growing concern about the future availability of federally subsidized student aid. We plan to have more on this at the top of next week's program.

In other quick headlines, in her waning days as Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings, has announced final regulations she says will strengthen and clarify No Child Left Behind. NCLB reauthorization is two years overdue, and no indication how long that process will take with the incoming Congress and administration. Spellings says the new regs focus on improved accountability and transparency, uniform and disaggregated graduation rates, and improved parent notification for Supplemental Education Services and school choice.

Glenn Busby reports. (2:15)

MATH EDUCATION RESEARCH: MATHEMATICS ADVISORY PANEL -

Since we're talking about math on this show, a new study just out by the American Mathematical Society, asserts that the U.S. is failing to develop math skills of both girls and boys, especially among those who could excel at the highest levels.

The study suggests that while many girls have exceptional talent in math, the talent to become top math researchers, scientists, and engineers they are rarely identified in the U.S. The major reason? According to the study, it's because the American culture does not highly value math talent.

In conjunction with that study, we also wanted to spend a moment on the National Mathematics Advisory Panel. It presented its final report earlier this year to U.S. Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings. The report, titled "Foundations for Success", culminated two years of work.

Among the final report's recommendations are those that urge a more streamlined early-education math curriculum, and a refocusing of standardized tests to better emphasize algebra skills. And ironically, it honed in on the same middle school age range as did the author in our first story today.

Members of the panel acknowledged that whether the federal report has any influence, depends on if its message is accepted by the nation's often divided math community.

The report says there is not enough tangible research on the subject to benefit policy decisions. And adds, that significant debates on the merits of math-education practices have "devolved into matters of personal opinion rather than scientific evidence."

Glenn Busby reports. (4:07)