“Students in Rural Schools Have Limited Access to Advanced Mathematics Courses”

The research brief explores student access to advanced math courses in rural areas and small towns. It finds that nearly half of high school students these areas -- about 1.5 million students -- attend schools that offer only one to three math courses beyond algebra II and geometry.

According to report author Suzanne Graham, assistant professor of education at the University of New Hampshire, limited access to advanced math courses has serious educational consequences -- most notably a limitation of the number of qualified students for occupations in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The report comes on the heels of the launch of President Barack Obama's "Educate to Innovate" campaign, which seeks to promote student achievement in math and science.

The Carsey Institute, part of the University of New Hampshire, conducts policy and applied research on vulnerable families and sustainable community development. 

Read the report.