A LETTER FROM DEAN GARFIELD, ITI PRESIDENT & CEO
Since the founding of our republic, America’s innovators have been at the forefront of global advancement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). From inventing the printing press, to eradicating polio, to landing a man on the moon and spurring the modern day Internet, our nation has created a blueprint for innovation that continues to transform hundreds of millions of lives.
Today, with U.S. math and science test scores on the decline and America’s competitive position in the world at risk, we must rethink our approach to this ever-changing landscape. As students across the country question the value of a STEM education, it’s time we begin a new conversation on the potential of the STEM fi elds to create jobs and drive economic growth within every sector of our nation’s economy.
Too often, Washington takes the short-term approach. Yet, for the millions of students who will face fresh challenges in an increasingly interconnected world, the opportunity to adopt meaningful ideas and policies is now. The future success of our nation’s economic recovery and long-term competitiveness depends on our ability to ensure American students have the skills they need to compete in the global job market.
Put simply, competition is only a mouse click away. Countries actively prioritizing investment in STEM education such as Russia, England and Japan, are besting the average U.S. eighth grade assessment score of 520 with scores of 530, 553 and 561 respectively. These countries are taking a national approach to harness the creativity of the private sector by making sure they have a pool of educated workers.
Nowhere do we have a better platform on which to build the information and communications technology sector (ICT), which is helping the U.S. emerge from a prolonged period of economic stagnation stronger and more competitive, while also laying the foundation for a new pro-growth economy.
Between 1999 and 2008, the ICT industry created more than 688,000 jobs. After initially predicting 3.3 percent growth, the research fi rm Gartner now estimates that global spending on technology products and services will rise by 4.6 percent to $3.4 trillion in 2010.
The ICT sector’s footprint – from employment and new occupations to productivity and cost effi ciencies – runs across all industries. If ICT solutions and services make students, innovators and enterprises more effi cient, then those enterprises become more successful. As they grow, they must employ more workers and further engage customers, suppliers and vendors, who in turn continue the economic ripple effect.
Educating the Innovators of Tomorrow: A High-Tech Industry Blueprint | 5
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