Tips for parents on how to encourage children to learn math and science outside the classroom will be among the topics covered in the U.S. Education Department's monthly TV show, "Education News Parents Can Use," airing Tuesday and available on broadcast, satellite and cable outlets as well as the Web.

The program will feature interviews with department officials and guests on how the landmark No Child Left Behind Act is helping improve math and science instruction, as well as giving parents information on appraising their local school's math-science offerings.

A number of cable services across the nation will carry the program -- many live -- from 8-9 p.m., EDT. In Washington, the show will appear live on Channel 28, the D.C. Public Schools cable channel.

A complete listing of viewer options is posted at http://registerevent.ed.gov/. In addition, the program will be webcast at www.connectlive.com/events/ednews/.

"It is paramount that America graduate greater numbers of young people who are strong in mathematics and science," said U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige. "Our future depends on them to lead the way in developing strategies and technologies that will keep us safe and prosperous for generations to come."

Tuesday night's broadcast comes after the nation's first summit on K-12 science education, a meeting to discuss the latest trends, methods and best practices of the sciences, laying the groundwork for creating solutions to more effective science teaching and learning.

The TV show will explore:

• How can parents encourage their children to learn math and science outside of the classroom?
• How does the No Child Left Behind Act help to improve math and science instruction and teacher qualifications?
• What does high-quality mathematics and science instruction look like?
• Why is it so important for all children to become "literate" in mathematics and science in the 21st century?
• What should students be learning in mathematics and science at the elementary, middle and high school grades? What must change in the way these subjects are currently being taught?
• What does the research say about the connection between rigorous mathematics and science course selection and future college success, particularly among low-income students?

Guests include:

Susan Sclafani, counselor to the secretary and assistant secretary for vocational and adult education; Jerry Wheeler, executive director of the National Science Teachers Association; Sheila Byrd, director of the American Diploma Project; Dennis Young, principal of Meadowland Elementary School in Sterling, Va.; and Betsy Menickelly, a parent at Meadowland Elementary.

Also, Charlesetta Deason, principal of Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions in Houston; and William Schmidt, co-director of the Education Policy Center at Michigan State University.

Details about the "Education News Parents Can Use" TV series can be found at http://www.ed.gov/news/av/video/edtv/index.html.

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