Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future

This congressionally requested report by a pre-eminent committee makes four recommendations along with 20 implementation actions that federal policy-makers should take to create high-quality jobs and focus new science and technology efforts on meeting the nation's needs, especially in the area of clean, affordable energy



In a world where advanced knowledge is widespread and low-cost labor is readily available, U.S. advantages in the marketplace and in science and technology have begun to erode. A comprehensive and coordinated federal effort is urgently needed to bolster U.S. competitiveness and pre-eminence in these areas.

Recommendations:
1) Increase America's talent pool by vastly improving K-12 mathematics and science education;
2) Sustain and strengthen the nation's commitment to long-term basic research;
3) Develop, recruit, and retain top students, scientists, and engineers from both the U.S. and abroad; and
4) Ensure that the United States is the premier place in the world for innovation.

Some actions will involve changing existing laws, while others will require financial support that would come from reallocating existing budgets or increasing them. Rising Above the Gathering Storm will be of great interest to federal and state government agencies, educators and schools, public decision makers, research sponsors, regulatory analysts, and scholars.

Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1 A DISTURBING MOSAIC
Cluster 1: Tilted Jobs in a Global Economy
Cluster 2: Disinvestment in the Future
Loss of Human Capital
Higher Education as a Private Good
Trends in Corporate Research
Funding for Research in the Physical Sciences and Engineering
Cluster 3: Reactions to 9/11
New Visa Policies
The Use of Export Controls
Sensitive but Unclassified Information
The Public Recognizes the Challenges
Discovery and Application: Keys to Competitiveness and Prosperity
Action Now
Conclusion
2 WHY ARE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CRITICAL TO AMERICA’S PROSPERITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY?
Ensuring Economic Well-Being
Creating New Industries
Promoting Public Health
Caring for the Environment
Water Quality
Automobiles and Gasoline
Refrigeration
Agricultural Mechanization
Improving the Standard of Living
Electrification and Household Appliances
Transportation
Communication
Disaster Mitigation
Energy Conservation
Understanding How People Learn
Securing the Homeland
Conclusion
3 HOW IS AMERICA DOING NOW IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY?
Science and Engineering Advantage
Other Nations Are Following Our Lead—and Catching Up
International Competition for Talent
Strains on Research in the Private Sector
Restraints on Public Funding
Expanded Mission for Federal Laboratories
Educational Challenges
K–12 Performance
Student Interest in Science and Engineering Careers
Balancing Security and Openness
Conclusion
4 METHOD
Review of Literature and Past Committee Recommendations
Focus Groups
Committee Discussion and Analysis
Cautions
Conclusion
5 WHAT ACTIONS SHOULD AMERICA TAKE IN K–12 SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION TO REMAIN PROSPEROUS IN THE 21ST CENTURY?
10,000 Teachers 0 Million Minds
Action A-1: 10,000 Teachers for 10 Million Minds
Action A-2: A Quarter of a Million Teachers Inspiring Young Minds Every Day
Part 1: Summer Institutes
Part 2: Science and Mathematics Master’s Programs
Part 3: Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Pre-AP/IB Education
Part 4: K–12 Curricular Materials Modeled on World-Class Standards
Action A-3: Enlarge the Pipeline
Effective Continuing Programs
Conclusion
6 WHAT ACTIONS SHOULD AMERICA TAKE IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCH TO REMAIN PROSPEROUS IN THE 21ST CENTURY?
Sowing the Seeds
Action B-1: Funding for Basic Research
Action B-2: Early-Career Researchers
Action B-3: Advanced Research Instrumentation and Facilities
Action B-4: High-Risk Research
Action B-5: Use DARPA as a Model for Energy Research
Action B-6: Prizes and Awards
Conclusion
7 WHAT ACTIONS SHOULD AMERICA TAKE IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING HIGHER EDUCATION TO REMAIN PROSPEROUS IN THE 21ST CENTURY?
Best and Brighest
Action C-1: Undergraduate Education
Action C-2: Graduate Education
Action C-3: Continuing Education
Action C-4: Improve Visa Processing
Action C-5: Extend Visas and Expedite Residence Status of Science and Engineering PhDs
Action C-6: Skill-Based Immigration
Action C-7: Reform the Current System of “Deemed Exports”
Conclusion
8 WHAT ACTIONS SHOULD AMERICA TAKE IN ECONOMIC AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY TO REMAIN PROSPEROUS IN THE 21ST CENTURY?
Incentives for Innovation
Action D-1: Enhance the Patent System
Action D-2: Strengthen the Research and Experimentation Tax Credit
Action D-3: Provide Incentives for US-Based Innovation
Action D-4: Ensure Ubiquitous Broadband Internet Access
Conclusion
9 WHAT MIGHT LIFE IN THE UNITED STATES BE LIKE IF IT IS NOT COMPETITIVE IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY?
“The American Century”
New Global Innovation Economy
Emerging Markets
Innovation-Based Development
The Global Innovation Enterprise
The Emerging Global Labor Market
Aging and Entitlements
Scenarios for America’s Future in Science and Technology
Scenario 1: Baseline, America’s Narrowing Lead
Scenario 2: Pessimistic Case, America Falls Decisively Behind
Scenario 3: Optimistic Case, America Leads in Key Areas
Conclusion
APPENDIXES
A Committee and Professional Staff Biographic Information
B Statement of Task and Congressional Correspondence
C Focus-Group Sessions
D Issue Briefs
• K–12 Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education
• Attracting the Most Able US Students to Science and Engineering
• Undergraduate, Graduate, and Postgraduate Education in Science, Engineering, and Mathematics
• Implications of Changes in the Financing of Public Higher Education
• International Students and Researchers in the United States
• Achieving Balance and Adequacy in Federal Science and Technology Funding
• The Productivity of Scientific and Technological Research
• Investing in High-Risk and Breakthrough Research
• Ensuring That the United States Is at the Forefront in Critical Fields of Science and Technology
• Understanding Trends in Science and Technology Critical to US Prosperity
• Ensuring That the United States Has the Best Environment for Innovation
• Scientific Communication and Security
• Science and Technology Issues in National and Homeland Security
E Estimated Recommendation Cost Tables
F K–12 Education Recommendations Supplementary Information
G Bibliography
INDEX