Federally Funded Math and Science Materials

The federal government is an important sponsor of math and science education for elementary and secondary school students. GAO identified at least 61 federally funded projects that are designed to improve students' skills in these key areas. The materials in these projects are taught over the course of a partial school year, single school year, or multiple school years. Algebra, calculus, and basic math are a few of the subjects being taught students through grade 12. In the science programs, students are exposed to biology, astronomy, and natural science. Federal agencies generally support programs that are relevant to their own agency missions. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency funds programs that teach students about water quality and conservation, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration funds the Astronomy Village, a multimedia program that teaches students about stars and stellar evolution.