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Technology Alliance Releases Results of Study of Washington Higher Education
K-12 preparation a major concern of business leaders; long-range vision is called for to transform Washington education and remain competitive
SEATTLE, July 21, 2004 - The Technology Alliance (TA), a statewide consortium of leaders from high tech and related businesses and research institutions, released its report detailing the complete findings of its latest study of Washington higher education today. The study, while demonstrating that business leaders share a strong understanding of the importance of higher education to the future of our state's technology-based economy, found that weaknesses in K-12 education are among the top concerns of Washington's business community.
The executives interviewed as part of the study were concerned that the quality of K-12 as well as higher education will affect Washington's competitive position in the future. The majority of study participants expressed particular concern that Washington's students are not adequately prepared at the K-12 level to pursue rigorous coursework, including science and technology-related subjects, at the college level. Seventy-five percent of those interviewed ranked K-12 preparedness as an issue of high importance.
"In light of the results of our 2003 benchmarking study, we decided to undertake a closer examination of higher education in our state combining data with real-world feedback from industry leaders on the challenges they face now and expect to face in the future, and what role higher education plays in helping to meet those challenges," said Karen Lane, consultant with Cedar River Group and co-chair of the TA's Higher Education Study Committee. "The interview results were eye-opening. While we found there is widespread interest in the quality of higher education among Washington business leaders, they are as concerned with K-12 education in our state. Participants highlighted weaknesses in the K-12 pipeline as one of the biggest threats to our future competitiveness, and the data suggests their concern is well-founded. Thus, we are challenged both to improve quality in K-12 and increase access and quality in our state's colleges in order to achieve our competitiveness goals."
Recent results on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) confirm that a large proportion of our students are not adequately prepared to pursue higher education coursework in subjects like science, mathematics and engineering. In 2002-03, 60% of 10th grade students statewide failed to achieve a passing grade on the mathematics WASL, and nearly 70% did not pass the new science WASL. Course taking data further illustrates the point. Washington ranked behind six of its peer states in the proportion of SAT-takers - students who are presumably college-bound - who took four or more years of math in 2003, at 62%. Washington also lags behind its peers in the percentage of SAT-takers who studied biology, chemistry and physics.
Business leaders expressed willingness to help achieve the quality of education in Washington that will sustain the technology-based economy, including pursuit of more effective partnerships between industry and higher education. Long-term success, however, will depend upon the coordinated pursuit of a strategic, long-range vision that involves K-12 and higher education, industry and government. "If our goal is to compete globally in today's economy, to ensure jobs for our children, then we need a clear vision, a commitment to achieve, and a strong partnership with our political leaders and the education community," said Brad Smith, General Counsel for Microsoft and co-chair of the Higher Education Study Committee. "CEOs share this concern and are willing to do their part in shaping a shared vision with government and academia."
The report is the product of a two-part study to benchmark Washington against eight peer states and gather perspectives from business leaders across the state on their needs and expectations from higher education. The peer states against which Washington was benchmarked are California, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Texas and Virginia. The study was sponsored by Microsoft, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, and Hitachi Consulting. Pro bono services, including business leader interviews and analysis, were delivered by Hitachi Consulting. Benchmarking data research and analysis was performed by Paul Sommers, Ph.D.
The full report can be found online at www.technology-alliance.com.