Summer 2007
The World Is Waiting… Will Our Children Be Ready? Education Takes Center Stage at the Technology Alliance Annual Luncheon
Since last fall, the Technology Alliance has been working with other business and labor organizations across the state as part of a coalition supporting the College & Work Ready Agenda, a set of shared priorities for building a world-class education system in Washington that prepares our students to be successful in the 21st century economy. We shined a spotlight on the importance of education to our collective future at the May 31st State of Technology luncheon, with a little help from Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.
“Important for us to get right – and right now”
Technology Alliance chair Marty Smith initiated the discussion when he took the podium to share details of the four priorities comprising the College & Work Ready Agenda – strengthen early learning, improve K-12 math and science education, increase bachelor’s degree capacity, and enhance support for university research and graduate education – and deliver an update on the coalition’s progress.
Smith applauded lawmakers for the progress made on the coalition’s priorities during the recent legislative session, particularly funding for creation of a voluntary quality rating system for early learning programs; expansion of the successful LASER program (Leadership and Assistance in Science Education Reform) to an additional 500 classrooms; new higher education enrollments in high-demand fields, and targeted investments in university research programs. However, he voiced concern over what he sees as a disconnect between what Washington requires of students graduating from high school and the knowledge and skills required in higher education and today’s workplace.
Noting that more than half of all states require at minimum of three or four years of mathematics for graduation, Smith drew attention to the inadequacy of Washington’s current two-year math requirement. “We must – I repeat, must – take steps now to align our graduation standards in this state to the requirements of college and the workplace if we want kids to reach their full potential and to be qualified for the jobs that are out there in today’s economy.”
Smith also addressed the ongoing WASL debate, citing it as an “unfortunate distraction” from the message that needs to be sent to students and the wider public: “Math and science achievement really do matter. This is not about getting a ticket punched so you can graduate from high school.”
Members of the audience received a homework assignment from Smith, who asked each of them to encourage a child they know to pursue the most rigorous curriculum in school that he or she can.
“That will really open doors and make a definitive difference in that child’s future.”
“Education, education, education, education”
Microsoft has been a strong supporter of the College & Work Ready Agenda, having produced a series of public service announcements focusing on why “math matters,” including one featuring the company’s irrepressible CEO. Ballmer himself hammered home the message onstage during a wide-ranging keynote conversation with TA board member and University of Washington computer scientist Ed Lazowska. Asked what he would do if he were chief executive of not just Microsoft but of the whole of Washington State, Ballmer identified higher education as one of his top priorities.
“The first thing you have to do is recognize that there is a capacity problem in our four-year institutions. We have plenty of capacity in our two-year institutions and not nearly enough in our four-year institutions…That’s number one.”
K-12 math and science were also high on his to-do list. Noting that he doesn’t design software for a living and yet, “everything I do involves math,” Ballmer dismissed the notion that, in today’s economy, students could graduate high school without a strong foundation in the subject.
“That can’t happen,” he said.
“At the end of the day, the most important thing in the context of what we’re talking about here is…education.”
Thank you to our 2007 State of Technology Luncheon speakers!
- Tom Alberg, managing director, Madrona Venture Group and chair emeritus, Technology Alliance
- Steve Ballmer, CEO, Microsoft
- Ed Lazowska, Bill & Melinda Gates Chair in Computer Science, University of Washington
- Susannah Malarkey, executive director, Technology Alliance
- Dan Rosen, president & CEO, Dan Rosen & Associates and chair, Alliance of Angels
- Marty Smith, chair, Technology Alliance
Did you miss it?!
Watch the State of Technology Luncheon program, including the keynote conversation with Steve Ballmer, online at www.tvw.org.
Get involved!
To learn more about the College & Work Ready Agenda and to view a selection of Microsoft’s “Math Matters” videos, visit the coalition’s web site at www.collegeworkready.org.
A Real Estate Brokerage with Altitude…um, Attitude: Redfin Wins Alliance of Angels 2007 Company of the Year Award
Each year, Alliance of Angels recognizes an outstanding company that has participated in the AoA program for its commitment to entrepreneurial excellence and impact on our regional technology economy. At the State of Technology Luncheon, we honored the achievements of Seattle-based Redfin, the online brokerage that is changing the rules of real estate.
New Fellowship Aims to Cultivate the Entrepreneurial Leaders of Tomorrow
At our State of Technology Luncheon, the Technology Alliance officially announced the launch of a new initiative to honor our organization’s founding chair and support the development of Washington’s future entrepreneurial leaders: the William H. Gates, Sr. Fellowship in Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Feed Your Head! Sign up for the 2007-2008 Season of the Science & Technology Discovery Series
Since 1997 the Science & Technology Discovery Series has been serving up hearty helpings of the latest in cutting edge research from Washington’s innovative companies and institutions. Starting in September, get YOUR recommended monthly allowance of science and technology for breakfast in Seattle and Spokane.
Did You Know…?
Last fall, the Technology Alliance began sharing some of the amazing discoveries and interesting facts gleaned from our Seattle Science & Technology Discovery Series speakers through our monthly “Did you know…?” feature. Here is some of what we learned.
