Integration of reading and mathematics in business courses.

Abstract

This study dealt with the integration of mathematics and reading in secondary school business courses. The main purposes were to determine (1) the type and amount of preparation secondary education business teachers have to teach reading and math skills, (2) the extent of reading and math integration in business courses, and (3) the individual(s) responsible for teaching reading and math at the secondary level. The population included a sample of secondary school business teachers in Kansas and university business teacher educators from across the U.S. Both secondary business teachers and university business teacher educators agree that is it quite important to teach reading and math skills in business courses. The majority of secondary business teachers and business teacher educators believe they are adequately prepared to teach reading. Over 50 percent of the business teachers and 90 percent of business teacher educators believe integrating math and reading skills in business courses is very important. Over 50 percent of secondary business teachers integrate reading and math at least once a week. However, secondary business teachers integrate math instruction less frequently than reading instruction. Reading skills are integrated more often on a daily basis than math skills. Methods used most frequently by secondary business teachers to teach reading were summarizing (26%) and note taking (26 %). Math skills taught most frequently by secondary business teachers were addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. About 48 percent of secondary business teachers were taught to integrate reading and math after receiving their teaching certificate/license through in-service training even though the majority of university business education programs currently teach integrated reading methods in professional education courses (66 %) and teach math skills (59 %) within business education programs. Secondary business teachers and university business teacher educators believe that teaching reading and math is the joint responsibility of all teachers including English and math teachers, all academic teachers, and career/technical education teachers.