Maintain America's Competitive Edge in the Global Economy

While the U.S. workforce demonstrated its ability to adapt to technological changes and new competitive forces in the 20th century, the combination of international competition and new skill demands are changing the rules of the game. Innovation and a strong and skilled workforce are the keys to maintaining the economic advantage in the 21st century global knowledge-based economy. Having a better-educated workforce makes it easier to adapt to changes brought on by the new economy and find the qualified innovators and creators needed to remain competitive.

Although two-thirds of new jobs created in the United States by 2012 will require some college education, only one-third of America's current workforce has any college experience. As skill requirements continue to rise for employment, so too must education achievement and attainment. Yet American students are failing to complete their high school diplomas and college degrees at the same rates as students in competitor countries. And far too many students who do earn the credentials still do not have the skills needed for success in the workplace and college.

For example, less than 20 percent of American 12th-graders scored at or above the proficient level on the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) assessment in science. The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study place the United States in the middle of the world pack and behind many third-world and developing nations in math and science achievement. The U.S. high school and college graduation rates significantly trail those of competitor countries.

Even highly paid jobs requiring significant skills are going unfilled - or going offshore. If current education trends continue, one researcher has estimated that, by 2010, 90 percent of the world's scientists and engineers will live in Asia. Bill Gates and other chief executives have publicly stated that they cannot find American workers to fill the engineering, creative and technical senior positions they need.

By partnering with educators and policymakers to improve public schools now, U.S. companies can help reverse the U.S. declines in education achievement and attainment and ensure the nation's continued global leadership in producing ideas and innovations.