Psychology’s role in mathematics and science education. American Psychologist, 64, 538–550. doi:10.1037/a0014813 Papastergiou, M

United States has been a matter of national concern for over half a century. Psychology has a vital role to play in this enterprise. In this article, the authors review the kinds of contributions that psychology can make in four areas: (a) early understanding of mathematics, (b) understanding of science, (c) social and motivational aspects of involve-ment in mathematics and science, and (d) assessment of learning in mathematics and science. They also examine challenges to psychology’s playing a central and construc-tive role and make recommendations for overcoming those challenges