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Is School Work Too Easy?

By Dr. Marcience Mattleman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Nearly one-third of 8th grade math students nationwide report that their math work is often or always too easy and almost a third of those in 8th grade read less than 5 pages a day or write lengthy answers to test questions.

Most teenagers don't have access to key science and technology opportunities at a time when STEM subjects - science, technology, engineering and math - have become national priorities.

Less than two thirds of middle school students and just fewer than 50% of 12th grade students report that they are learning in math class. Yet many don't understand teacher's questions.

While 74% of higher income 4th graders say they often or always understand what their science teacher is saying, compared with only 56% of lower income students. This student state-by-state feedback from student surveys released by the Center for American Progress provides important information on academic rigor, found by the Gates Foundation as a good indicator of teacher performance.

Read more at AmericanProgress.org.

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