Math Standards: Better at numbers

This state's children will gain from stronger mathematics standards. For a state that has serious problems providing young people with community college and baccalaureate degrees, math gains could translate into better-prepared citizens and workers.

Time and again, students graduate high school meeting math expectations only to find they need remedial work in college. That detour has a marked effect on the numbers achieving degrees.

The state Board of Education gave a final review Monday to new statewide math standards for students through eighth grade. High school revisions will follow shortly. The state superintendent of public instruction will offer training to teachers in the advanced standards.

As the board acted, Education Trust President Kati Haycock visited Seattle, stressing the need for more rigorous content in math and in general education. But Haycock was surprised by Washington's low expenditures per student. The governor and the Legislature need strong guidance on that point from a task force headed by former state Treasurer Dan Grimm later this year. Like students, politicians need to do better with numbers, in education budgets.