Congressional leaders and the Obama administration have courageously faced down one of the problems that would sustain a continuous downward spiral - the inadequate use of technology in educating our children. Ironically, our schools, where the next generation of workers will be taught to learn and work, are dead last among all industries in using technology effectively. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act recognizes that technology in our schools can be a powerful accelerator of change by spurring innovation, creating jobs, and giving our children the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills that will allow them to take their place in the world economy as winners, not runners-up.
This measure has the potential to turn around the current picture: less than 50% of high school graduates are prepared for the workforce or college; more than 30% never graduate from high school; next year more than 90% of all scientists will be living in Asia, while we rank 20th in the world for producing men and women with graduate degrees in engineering, science, technology and math. This incredible waste of human resources, talent and lost opportunity is more the picture of a developing nation than a country professing to be a world leader.
How do we know technology makes a difference? Look at the numbers, because they don't lie. In Greene County, North Carolina, schools provided students with a 24/7 laptop, and ensured that teachers had access to high quality, on-going professional development. When the program began five years ago, the college-going rate was 24%. Technology has brought about dramatic change and the percentage of students enrolling in college has increased from 24% to 84% in 2007. In addition, Greene County was second in North Carolina for the number of teenage pregnancies and has dropped to #18 in the state; test scores in middle and high schools have increased; and an increase in economic development, allowing the county to build its first public park. Floydada Independent School District in Texas also provides students with a 24/7 laptop. In this low income community, only 57% of adults have a high school degree, but close to 50% of the senior class are taking reduced rate college courses offered through the high school. This not only saves families an estimated $60,976, but represents a three-fold increase in college courses taken by students in this school reflecting interest and enthusiasm about college by students who never thought they would go on to higher education. On the state standardized tests, 6th grade math scores increased by 29 points and 10th grade standardized math scores increased by 36 points.
Greene County and Floydada are just two examples of how technology is impacting student achievement and the overall well being and future of youth. There are success stories like this happening all across the country and this kind of momentum adds up to better jobs, fewer layoffs, additional revenues from the development of new hardware and software products and people to service them - in short, a revitalization of towns and cities throughout this nation. Isn't that exactly the stimulus we need to bring hope and prosperity back to our citizens?
Next time, we'll discuss responsible spending.