Rising Above the Gathering Storm - Revisited

Gentlemen, we have run out of money. It is time to start thinking.
Sir Ernest Rutherford, Nobel Laureate—physics

Key messages from Rising Above the Gathering Storm—Revisited : Approaching Category 5, National Academies Press available at WWW.nap.edu

The original report sponsored by members of congress of both parties painted a bleak picture of our situation competitively. There were two glaring problems where recommendations were made. One was to increase government support for basic scientific research. The second and the biggest single cause of the problem was the poor performance of American K-12 schools. The initial report came out in 2005. The committee that prepared this new report unanimously agreed that our nation’s outlook has worsened.

“Further, . . . our overall public school system, or more accurately 14,000 school systems—has shown little sign of improvement especially in math and science. Finally, many other nations have been markedly progressing, thereby affecting America’s relative ability to compete for new factories, research laboratories, administrative centers—and jobs.” Thus, we are falling behind the competition because they are improving rapidly and we are plodding in a comfortable circle getting nowhere.

Thus, if Americans wish to continue our lifestyle we have to be competitive.

A sampling of factoids listed in the report:

• The World Economic Forum ranks the United States 48th in quality of math and science education.

• In 2009, 51% of United States patents were awarded to non-U.S. companies.

• Of Wal-Mart’s 6000 suppliers, 5000 are in China.

• United States consumers spend considerably more on potato chips than the US Government spends on Energy R&D.

• In 2000 the number of foreign students studying physical science and engineering in United States graduate schools surpassed the number of United States students.

• GE has now located the majority of its R&D personnel outside the United States.

• In the 2009 rankings of the Information technology and Innovation Foundation the U.S. was in sixth place in global innovation-based competitiveness, but ranked fortieth in rate of change over the past decade.

• Sixty-nine percent of United States public school students in 5th through 8th grade are taught mathematics by a teacher without a degree or certificate in mathematics.

• Ninety-three percent of United States public school students in 5th through 8th grade are taught physical science by a teacher without a degree or certificate in physical science.

• The United States ranks 27th among developed nations in the proportion of college students receiving undergraduate degrees in science or engineering.

• The United States ranks 20th in high school completion rate among industrialized nations and 16th in college completion rate.

• According to the ACT College Readiness report, 78% of high school graduates did not meet the readiness benchmark levels for one or more entry-level college courses in mathematics, science, reading, and English.

The Gathering Storm (2005) concluded that the best measure of competitiveness is Quality Jobs. Jobs to a large degree define the quality of life of individual citizens. The evidence is that good jobs are created as a direct or indirect of advances in science and technology. A variety of studies over the last decades indicate that over 50% of quality jobs are a direct result of technological innovation. Advancement in communication speeds and travel and shipping speeds has meant that we now have to compete with those who are half a world away. Delhi, Beijing, and Denver are next door neighbors now.

“[T]he committee . . . expressed its commitment to help America to be among those nations whom it hopes will enjoy a truly global prosperity. In [that] regard, the committee concluded that the United States appears to be on a course that will lead to a declining, not increasing standard of living for our children and grandchildren.”

Recommendations, I am only listing the first one because without it all the rest will be futile.

• Move the United States K-12 education system in mathematics and science to a leading position by global standards.