Why isn't science and mathematics focal points of the school curriculum?

Question

Statistics say that the U.S. isn't fulfilling its requirements for the above areas. I, for one, agree. My high school puts more emphasis on English and history. I understand that the ability to communicate one's ideas is a necessity in today's society, but enough is enough. Students just don't give a rats banana about whether or not they learn the material(in trigonometry per say). I find it very troubling to have to constantly explain something time and time again to someone who refuses to grasp the most basic of concepts. It's just patterns and formulas. As a matter of fact, they tell you how to complete the problem in the instructions! Very cumbersome indeed. Also, educators review the homework, so after a while, you should be able to solve an equation. I wish that students would wise up and appreciate mathematics and science more. Furthermore, I'll never truly understand why fluent English speakers have trouble comprehending their own language. It doesn't take a rocket scientist.

Answer 1

First, the emphasis on language arts seems needed for you since you used isn't as opposed to aren't in your question.  

Furthermore, it all depends on the school district and/or state standards as to what is emphasized and at what grade levels.  If you want to see change, contact your school district and state level congressional representative, and/or board of education.

Answer 2

According to this man's feelings much else has been lost

http://www.amazon.com/Dumbing-Down-Curri...

My math teachers in high school were very unprepared to teach.  I didn't really get good at math til college.  I got c's in high school A's in college.

Answer 3

"I wish that students would wise up and appreciate mathematics and science more."

I think that is wish full thinking, unless the teaching / learning environment has sufficient motivation for more students. Even for the good students the motivation for math and science is often not more than the fact that they can easily get good grades. I do not see student come home and pick up a math or science book out of interest., unless they have a teacher or someone else that is able to make it interesting.

You should look at  Bloom's Taxonomy.

http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/bloo...

The cognitive domain involves knowledge and the development of intellectual skills. This includes the recall or recognition of specific facts, procedural patterns, and concepts that serve in the development of intellectual abilities and skills. There are six major categories, which are listed in order below, starting from the simplest behavior to the most complex. The categories can be thought of as degrees of difficulties.

That is, the first one must be mastered before the next one can take place.

And in my opinion, here we have the big problem.

Math and science have far more than most other  subjects a "cumulative organization".

And many students have hiatus in the knowledge that they have accumulated over the years and are after some time unable to really comprehend  what they suppose to learn and then they start imitating without understanding until also that does not work anymore when they have to analyze, compile and evaluate.

I have the impression that many teachers who are  teaching calculus in the lower grades do not  really comprehend it themselves.  

Just ask an explanation for the division of one half by one forth.  [  1/2 : 1/4 = ] many can give you an answer but no explanation.

What is absolutely needed to start with is upgrading the teachers.  And bringing the best math and science teachers together and have them made curriculum with the new electronic mediums available, that is interesting, motivating and based on the insights of thinking, learning and teaching that can be used throughout the country