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March 14, 2008
Gates advises Congress on education, immigrationBoardBuzz isn't sure where to begin. Let's start with the facts. Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates paid a visit to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to testify before the House Committee on Science and Technology. He presented a wish list that you may recognize from last year. Gates wants more money for math and science education, more funds for research, and more visas for skilled foreign workers. His testimony focused much on global competitiveness and the need for the U.S. to drastically reform its immigration program. As the Washingont Post reports:
In his last scheduled testimony to Congress before he retires, Gates said those provisions are necessary for the United States to maintain a competitive edge in technology innovation. He said some of the most talented graduates in math, science and engineering are temporary residents and cannot get the visas they need to take jobs with U.S. companies.
This perspective has incited much debate about immigration and the "offshoring" of jobs. However, Gates brings up an interesting point. "U.S. innovation has always been based in part on foreign-born scientists and researchers," he said. "The fact that their smartest people have wanted to come here has been a huge advantage to us, and in a sense, we're kind of throwing that away."
BoardBuzz is reminded that some of "America's" greatest minds were in fact foreign nationals at one time. Albert Einstein probably being the most prominent. However, there certainly is a difference between seeking to incorporate great minds into our workforce and simply sending jobs overseas.
The debate over this issue surrounds Gates's demand to increase the number of H-1B visas issued annually. Currently, only 65,000 visas may be issued, and that number is generally filled within the first day the visa process opens. H-1B visas allow employers to hire foreign workers with specific skills. Last year, Microsoft was not able to get visas for about one-third of its prospective foreign employees, claims Gates. Microsoft even went so far as to establish a Canadian outpost for these workers just across the border.
Critics have said the H1-B program takes jobs from Americans and pushes down wages. They are strictly opposed to any growth of the program. The Post illustrates some of the contention within Congress over this issue:
Rep. Steven R. Rothman (D-N.J.) asked Gates if he thought there should be any limit on the number of visas issued, and facetiously asked if IQ tests should be administered to determine who is worthy of earning permanent-resident status.
As Ars Technica summarizes:
It remains to be seen whether Gates will get the increase he has requested. Proposals to increase skilled immigration have been debated before, but the limit of 65,000 H-1B visas has not changed in recent years.
Education reform was also a major component of Gates's speech. Science and math education must be improved, says Microsoft. Gates praises Congress for passing the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science Act of 2007 (America COMPETES Act). The America COMPETES Act contains provisions for training new teachers in STEM subjects and to provide additional resources to science, technology, and engineering research through the National Science Foundation. Now Congress must follow through by fully funding the legislation’s educational initiatives because only the government has the resources needed "to effect change on a broad scale," said Gates.
But Bill Gates has a less than optimistic view of our education system:
"Like many others, I have deep misgivings about the state of education in the United States. Too many of our students fail to graduate from high school with the basic skills they will need to succeed in the 21st Century economy, much less prepared for the rigors of college and career. Although our top universities continue to rank among the best in the world, too few American students are pursuing degrees in science and technology. Compounding this problem is our failure to provide sufficient training for those already in the workforce."
Gates cited low graduation rates and a lack of college preparedness as two troubling factors impacting students. Fewer than 40 percent of graduating high school students are prepared to enter college without taking remedial courses in material "they should have learned in high school," claims Gates. BoardBuzz suggests that you look to the Center for Public Education for the straight story on high school graduation rates.
Education reform was the final component of Gates's speech. To improve the competitiveness of our workforce, Gates advocated changes to public schools and colleges. He touted a number of initiatives undertaken by his foundation. Working with several nonprofit organizations, the Gates Foundation has funded programs to measure student achievement, improve graduation requirements, and recruit and retain effective teachers. He also highlighted three cases in which the Gates Foundation has directly supported the creation of new math- and science-focused schools:
Finally, Gates emphasized the importance of basic research:
Federally funded research supports the education of the next generation of scientists and engineers, those who will largely determine whether the United States remains innovative and globally competitive, said Gates. Therefore, he asked Congress to increase federal funding, and to renew and make permanent the research and development tax credit, which allows private companies to write off research-related expenses. According to his written testimony, in inflation-adjusted dollars, federal funding for physical sciences research has been flat for two decades. This stagnation in spending comes at a time when other governments, such as in China and the EU, are increasing their public investments in R&D.
BoardBuzz thinks Gates is a great visionary and philanthropist, but we aren't sure what to make of his stance on immigration or his seemingly dim view of public education. Leave us a comment and tell us your opinion.
Microsoft offers a transcript of his oral testimony if you'd like to read it in full.
Posted March 14, 2008 2:21 PM | Curriculum | Education Technology | Teachers
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Comments(1)
Posted by: Dorothy on March 15, 2008 12:10 PM
I, too, have a rather dim view of public education. Although I'm not sure where the problem originates, I have seen too many high school students that can't spell or write complete sentences. I have sat with a State Senator (in CT) who told me 70% of Community College freshmen spend most of their first year reviewing subjects they should have gotten in High School. What's up with that? There's definitely issues with high school education...
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