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New Benchmarking Study Shows Washington in Bottom Half of Tech States: National Leadership Positions in Jeopardy
Technology Alliance announces steps to sustain positions and build strong future
SEATTLE, May 12, 2003 - The Technology Alliance, a statewide consortium of business and community leaders, during its annual luncheon today released results from a major study assessing how well Washington is supporting technology-based development. The study compares Washington's performance against that of eight other states with technology-intensive economies and outlined a course of action for improving the state's performance. Washington ranks in the bottom half on almost every one of the indicators used to determine its strength in the three areas that drive technology-based growth: education systems, research capacity and entrepreneurial climate.
"The results are alarming," said Technology Alliance President Ken Myer. "In only one measure--strong work force--do we rank at the top of the technology states. This isn't good enough. We have to be excellent because we're competing against an elite group of states, who are working hard to attract the best companies, the most highly skilled workers, and the top researchers, facilities and ideas."
Using an academic system to grade Washington's performance against California, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Texas, and Virginia, the Technology Alliance gave Washington the following marks:
- K-12 Education: C-
- Higher Education: D
- Research Capacity: C+
- Entrepreneurial Climate: C+
"The Technology Alliance's study gives us a comprehensive picture of Washington's national positions and illuminates where we are most vulnerable," said John Stanton, chairman & CEO, Western Wireless. "Although we've been proud of our national rankings in the past, Washington needs to aggressively drive improvements if our state is to remain a technology center."
Steps to Success
The action plan begins by setting out four bold goals for the state. The Technology Alliance will measure and benchmark the state's progress toward each of them. They include: 1) improved K-12 math and science skills, 2) increasing access to an in-state institution for all citizens interested and qualified to pursue a bachelor's degree, especially in science and engineering, 3) dedicated state support for academic research and development, and 4) reestablishing Washington as a leader in creating and sustaining technology companies.
Myer also outlined five specific actions that the Technology Alliance will take toward these goals. The Technology Alliance will:
- Join Governor Locke and leading institutions to launch a public-private partnership that leverages Washington's strengths in life sciences and information technology/computer science, and takes advantage of the synergies between these sectors.
- Actively work with business, research, federal and state legislative leaders to recruit additional private and federal research activities and leading scientists to the state.
- Utilize its existing network of principals and school leaders to bring inquiry-based science and math into the classroom.
- Support greater flexibility for Washington's higher education institutions to manage their financial assets, and endorse increasing the state's bonding authority to build and repair college buildings.
- Partner with government and research leaders to develop policies and programs to improve technology transfer from the state's research institutions.
"As business leaders, we don't accept mediocrity in our businesses. Why should we be willing to accept it in our state?" said Steve Davis, chair, Technology Alliance, and CEO, Corbis. "Today, we call on all Washington's citizens and political leaders to take the steps necessary to ensure our state remains competitive with other high-tech states."
The grades and action steps reflect findings contained in a full report prepared for the Technology Alliance by economist Paul Sommers, "Drivers for a Successful Technology-Based Economy: Benchmarking Washington's Performance." This report compares Washington to eight peer states on more than forty measures. National rankings are also included as are comparisons against Washington's two neighbor states, Oregon and Idaho. Copies of the full report are available at www.technology-alliance.com or by contacting Kristin Osborne.