The problem we have come to call scientific and mathematical illiteracy will produce repercussions for many years unless we address it promptly. Many states have attempted to remedy the situation by increasing their high‐school graduation requirements in science and mathematics. Unfortunately, this effort may fail, for two reasons. Not only are there too few qualified science teachers to teach the new classes, but the average age of science teachers in the system is increasing—and no source of new teachers is immediately identifiable.

Topics
Educational assessment, Teaching
1.
B. Illingworth, “Demographic Survey of 1985 Physics Teaching Resource Agents,” Prospect High School, Mount Prospect, Ill. (1986).
2.
Y. A. Van Hise, AAPT Announcer, September 1985, p. 19.
3.
1987 Physics Teaching Resource Agent Grant Proposal, table 1.
4.
P. Hickman, S. Hamlin, The Physics Teacher, March 1987, p. 144.
5.
J. Layman, J. Wilson, principal investigators, 1987 Physics Teaching Resource Agent Grant Proposal: Honors Workshop for Physics Teaching Resource Agents.
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© 1988 American Institute of Physics.
1988
American Institute of Physics
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