American Competitiveness & Education

Viewing top-rated science projects at the Loudoun Academy of Science

The 10th District is fortunate to be home to some of the very best public and private schools in the United States.  I am a strong supporter of our local schools and have worked closely with them to provide resources, especially for foreign languages and the sciences.  

However, I am concerned about America’s competitiveness in our increasingly global economy.  Specifically, the U.S. is falling dangerously behind in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.  Recent international indicators placed American students near the bottom of Western nations for STEM achievement.  

The U.S. cannot afford to ignore the numerous "warning signs" demonstrating our shortcomings in American STEM education and R&D.  Consider that:

•  The U.S. graduates only half the number of physicists that we did in 1956 -- before Sputnik spurred our last "great awakening" in science and engineering.  

•    One-third to half of those we graduate with science and engineering degrees are foreign students; and most of them will return to their home countries rather than applying their skills in the U.S.

•    U.S. patents are down and our companies are spending more on tort litigation than on research and development.

•    Tests still show that one-third of U.S. students lack the competency to perform the most basic mathematical computations.

•    Half of the money we made available for grants for college students in STEM fields is going unused.

•   Our edge in aerospace research is in danger.  Our historic prominence in automobiles and electronics manufacturing has long since eroded; we cannot afford to lose our aerospace leadership.

Over the last decade, I have worked hard as chairman and ranking member on the House Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations subcommittee to invest in STEM education and research.  

I was one of the founders of the "Rising Above the Gathering Storm" Commission -- led by former Lockheed Martin CEO Norm Augustine -- that sparked a national effort to bolster our federal STEM education and research and development programs.

Rep. Wolf's Floor Statement on H. Con. Res. 366, increasing math, science, and technology education
"Rising Above the Gathering Storm" Report
"Rising Above the Gathering Storm, Revisited" Report

These efforts culminated with the enactment of the first America COMPETES Act in 2007.   I also supported the Act’s reauthorization in 2010 when it came before the House.  This legislation built on past investments in key research and development programs that we have begun to make over the last decade.  

We cannot afford to fall behind our international competitors if the U.S. is to remain the world’s economic superpower in the 21st century.  

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION’S "STEM K-12 BEST PRACTICES":

For many years, I have been concerned about the loss of student interest in science around middle school.  Numerous experts have anecdotally commented that if you lose a student’s interest in science and math by 5th or 6th grade, you will never win it back.

That is why I included language in the FY 2010 appropriations bill directing the National Science Foundation to assemble a group of STEM education experts to review and report on the "best practices" for educating young Americans in science, math and engineering.

The "Gathering Storm" commission informed us that we have a serious problem; it is my hope that this report -- targeted to K-12 teachers -- will provide tangible ideas on how teachers can improve their science and math classes.

The final report was released in Fall 2011 and can be read online.  NSF is using this report to hold workshops around the country with policymakers, teachers and superintendents.  

It is my hope that this "best practices" manual will be a great resource to teachers and parents to better engage students of all ages in science and math.

Math and Science Loan Forgiveness in the Higher Education Act

A version of my legislation to forgive interest on undergraduate student loans for math, science and engineering majors who agree to work five consecutive years in their field upon graduation was signed into law as part of the Higher Education Act of 2008.

In addition, the 2008 Higher Education Act reauthorization created a grant program for higher education to recruit and retain teacher candidates in the math and science fields. The bill also included a similar provision at the K-12 level.