America’s Education Problem

• The generation of scientists and engineers who were motivated to go into science by the threat of Sputnik in 1957, and the inspiration of JFK to go to the moon are reaching their retirement years and are not being replaced at the rate needed to keep our advanced economy ahead of the pack. The number of 18-24 year olds who receive science degrees has fallen from 3rd to 17th in the world. Only 31% of degrees in US are in science or engineering as opposed to 60% in China. Historically we have made up for the lack of home grown people by importing foreign talent. In a flat world, however, foreign talent can stay home and innovate. In addition, visas for foreign students have been harder to get since 9/11/2001.

Share this: