NSBA Issue Brief: Competitiveness

BACKGROUND

New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman sparked a national discussion about workforce readiness and U.S. competitiveness in a new, global economy with his 2005 best-seller, The World Is Flat. Since then, many business groups and scientific organizations have voiced concerns about student achievement in the United States relative to other countries around the globe, particularly in the fields of math and science.

RECENT LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

During the 109th Congress, legislators held numerous hearings and considered multiple proposals on how to strengthen America’s global competitiveness in science, technology, math and engineering—the “STEM” fields. The leading piece of legislation, the PACE Act (Protecting America’s Competitive Edge), built upon recommendations to increase the national investment in these areas, contained in a high-profile report from the National Academies entitled, Rising Above the Gathering Storm. While this bill was never brought to the floor for a vote, many of its legislative provisions were included in the America “COMPETES” Act of 2007 (Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science Act of 2007).

Congress passed the America COMPETES bill (H.R. 2272) in August 2007 and President Bush promptly signed the measure into law. The bipartisan legislation contains a number of education provisions aimed at improving teacher quality and increasing opportunities for students in math and science.

Specifically, the law authorizes new grant programs to expand access to AP and IB classes, enhance math education in elementary and middle schools, and assist states in implementing programs for secondary schools. These programs would provide additional resources to help districts develop and sustain AP and IB curricula, implement rigorous math curriculum, hire qualified staff, expand targeted professional development, and supply instructional materials and assessments.

In addition, it authorizes grants to states to align elementary and secondary school curriculum, and authorize scholarships of up to $10,000 a year for three years for prospective teachers to earn a bachelor’s degree in STEM fields with a concurrent teaching credential.

Despite the new law’s wide appeal, appropriators have been slow to fund many of these new programs. It remains to be seen in the FY 2009 appropriations cycle if any of the new initiatives will receive money to be implemented.

In recent months, the competitiveness debate has turned toward how to improve academic content standards and the supply of qualified teachers in the STEM fields. Numerous bills have been introduced including the Enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Act of 2008 (S. 3047) by Senator Obama (D-IL). This legislation would increase coordination of federal STEM education efforts and create a new voluntary multi-state led Consortium that will develop rigorous common content standards in STEM education for grades K-12.

NSBA POSITION

NSBA believes that more emphasis on pre-k through 12th grade investments and interventions are needed to help prepare students with the skills that they will need to be successful in the 21st century world economy. In 2007, NSBA testified before the House Subcommittee on Research and Science Education of the Committee on Science and Technology about the importance of ensuring that students receive the education and skills, particularly in math and science that they will need to become productive workers, good citizens, and intelligent consumers in the 21st century.

NSBA believes that the COMPETES bill is a step in the right direction and supported various provisions in the bill. NSBA has also outlined other education initiatives to improve America’s competitiveness such as targeted investments in technology and early education. NSBA does not support federal efforts to development common or national standards.

In responding to the needs of the global market, NSBA believes that it is important not to lose focus on educating the whole child. Not all children will pursue math- and science-specific careers, nor could our economy support this. Nonetheless, it is important to provide the opportunity for all students to develop their interests and prepare them with the skills that they will need to be successful in professions of their choosing.

As Congress moves forward in addressing education initiatives related to global competitiveness and 21st century skills, NSBA strongly urges adequate funding not just for any new initiatives, but for current critical education programs such as Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

September 2008