journal #5

U.S. is reported to be lagging in science- tech graduates

A newly published report states that the high-profile push by business groups to double the number of U.S. bachelor's degrees awarded in science, math and engineering by 2015 is not coming close to the expected numbers. In 2005 15 business groups warned that the lack of this graduates would pose a threat to the United States competitiveness against other countries. They stated that the U.S. would need to add 400,000 graduates annually in these fields to stay competitive. The current rate is around 220,000 annually. The arguement is being made that this problem is caused by lack of funding and support from the government. The government created the "America Competes Act" which was a program in which encouraged students to take the path of math and science by rewarding them with scholarships, job opportunities etc. but its being accused of not continuing to support it. I find this article very interesting as we find ourselves living in the world surrounded by computers. I would of thought the amount of graduates would be at an all-time high as there is such a high demand for computer skills etc. I don't know if its because we have slowed down from the initial "boom" of the technology age or what. I would have to imagine Computer Science to be included in their category of math and science graduates. I could see where the need for math graduates may be decreasing, but that would be a result due to the rise of computers. So its kind of like you would lose math graduates but it would be due to the rise of computers, resulting in more computer science graduates, so I do not see where we would have such a big fall out of graduates.


http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/07/15/science.degrees.ap/index.html