This book highlights and interrogates the continued interest and
scrutiny of mathematics and science education. National debates on
excellence and equity tend to focus largely on underachievement in
mathematics and science rather than subjects in the arts or music: this
is due to a belief that these curriculum areas are central to individual
workplace success and national development in a competitive economic
environment. The authors explore the history of these assumptions, as
well as the debates based around claims that student achievement levels
in these subjects has fallen. Spanning the United States, New Zealand,
Australia and the United Kingdom, the chapters question how such debates
are sustained and amplified: how has this perceived 'crisis' been
articulated and spread across national borders? This comprehensive book
will be of interest and value to scholars of mathematics and science
education, as well as international education debates.