A new look at science and engineering in America
November 6, 2007
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Urban Institute
2100 M Street N.W., 5th Floor
Washington, D.C.
Fifty years after Sputnik went into space and launched thousands of young men and women into science and engineering careers, many are calling for a new "Sputnik Spike" to ensure America's continuing supremacy in global science, engineering, and innovation. The bipartisan America COMPETES Act, which President Bush signed into law on August 9, contains provisions aimed at recruiting more science and math teachers, refining the skills of current teachers, and developing master teachers. Future competitiveness, it is argued, requires an expanded science and engineering workforce, better science and math education, and attracting more high-skilled workers from around the world.
But these assumptions, assessments, and policy recommendations about the U.S. education system's shortcomings and the insufficient number of scientists and engineers don't fit the evidence, say a growing number of researchers. Moreover, they contend, U.S. students do quite well compared with students in other countries. Some analysts are also raising doubts that U.S. economic prosperity depends on an expanded technical workforce.
For more information, read "Into the Eye of the Storm: Assessing the Evidence on Science and Engineering Education, Quality, and Workforce Demand" by B. Lindsay Lowell and Harold Salzman.
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