President Obama wants 10,000 new science and math teachers

President Obama said his Administration will attempt to recruit and train 10,000 new science and math teachers over the next two years.

The ambitious target is part of the administration's continuing focus on improving education in science, mathematics, engineering and technology (STEM). President Obama pointed out that American students are currently 21st in the world rankings for science education and 25th in math and called those numbers " a sign of long-term decline that has to be reversed. "When I came into office, I set a goal of moving our nation from the middle to the top of the pack in math and science education. Strengthening STEM education is vital to preparing our students to compete in the 21st century economy and we need to recruit and train math and science teachers to support our nation's students," President Obama said. He argued even suburban and well-performing schools have seen their students' performance in math and science decline at a time when those fields are increasingly vital to the nation's economic interests. He said his administration would be placing a heavy emphasis on getting better teachers in those fields and providing with the support and incentives they need to remain in the field. President Obama also said he believes American students should have longer school years, noting that U.S. schools currently give students a month more for summer break than most advanced countries.