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

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. 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:

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.

• Front Matter
• Executive Summary
• 1 A Disturbing Mosaic
• 2 Why Are Science and Technology Critical to America's Prosperity in the 21st Century?
• 3 How Is America Doing Now in Science and Technology?
• 4 Method
• 5 What Actions Should America Take in K-12 Science and Mathematics Education to Remain Prosperous in the 21st Century?
• 6 What Actions Should America Take in Science and Engineering Research to Remain Prosperous in the 21st Century?
• 7 What Actions Should America Take in Science and Engineering Higher Education to Remain Prosperous in the 21st Century?
• 8 What Actions Should America Take in Economic and Technology Policy to Remain Prosperous in the 21st Century?
• 9 What Might Life in the United States Be Like if It Is Not Competitive in Science and Technology?
• Appendix A Committee and Professional Staff Biographic Information
• Appendix B Statement of Task and Congressional Correspondence
• Appendix C Focus-Group Sessions
• Appendix 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
• Appendix E Estimated Recommendation Cost Tables
• Appendix F K-12 Education Recommendations Supplementary Information
• Appendix G Bibliography
• Index