March 2008 — News
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Gates to Congress: Improve Math, Science Education
He cited low graduation rates--particularly among underrepresented groups--along with a low level of college preparedness as two troubling factors in education impacting students. He said that fewer than 40 percent of graduating high school students are prepared to enter college without taking remedial courses in material "they should have learned in high school."
He added: "Our record on high school math and science education is particularly troubling. International tests indicate that U.S. fourth graders rank among the top students in the world in science and above average in math. By eighth grade, they have moved closer to the middle of the pack. By 12th grade, U.S. students score near the bottom of all industrialized nations.1 As a result, too many U.S. students enter college without even the basic skills needed to pursue a degree in science and engineering."
He stressed three factors in improving the quality of education in secondary schools:
- Measurements of progress, which he said are sorely lacking;
- Alignment of state standards to the demands of higher education (which is not presently happening); and
- Improvements to "support, working conditions, and incentives necessary for teachers to be truly effective."
In higher education, he said, the quality is there, with the United States boasting some of the best colleges and universities in the world. But too few students are being graduated with STEM degrees.
Immigration Reform Could Alleviate 'Grave' Situation
Education, however, is only part of the issue, according to Gates. He said that improving education is one thing, but keeping those we educate in this country once they've been graduated is another issue altogether--one that must be addressed through immigration reform.
"At a time when talent is the key to economic success, it makes no sense to educate people in our universities, often subsidized by U.S. taxpayers, and then insist that they return home," he in a statement released to coincide with his testimony. "To address the shortage of scientists and engineers, we must ... reform our education system and our immigration policies. If we don't, American companies simply will not have the talent they need to innovate and compete."
In his testimony, he blamed the situation on arbitrary H-1B caps.
"Congress's failure to pass high-skilled immigration reform has exacerbated an already grave situation. For example, the current base cap of 65,000 H-1B visas is arbitrarily set and bears no relation to the U.S. economy's demand for skilled professionals. For fiscal year 2007, the supply ran out more than four months before that fiscal year even began. For fiscal year 2008, the supply of H-1B visas ran out on April 2, 2007, the first day that petitions could be filed and [six] months before the visas would even be issued. Nearly half of those who sought a visa on that day did not receive one."
