Session Date: August 17, 2005
Bill Gates Urges Legislators To Strengthen K-12 Education
Microsoft founder also gave advice on how to better use technology
SEATTLE - Microsoft founder and CEO Bill Gates urged state legislators on Wednesday to strengthen K-12 education systems in order to both keep the nation competitive and to attract bright minds to their states.
University of Washington President Mark Emmert interviewed Gates before a packed auditorium of primarily state legislators and legislative staff at the National Conference of State Legislatures' "Strong States, Strong Nation" 2005 Annual Meeting.
Gates discussed the past and future of technology; research and development; and Web security, among other issues. But he answered many of Emmert's questions by saying that education is key.
"There's no more important topic for the future of the country," Gates said.
Workforces abroad are becoming better educated, and if the United States wants to maintain its place in the IT world, high schools must be improved, Gates said. "We need to change the high school system," he said. "That's probably the top issue for the U.S. If we do that well, that will keep us where we want to be."
Specifically, Gates suggested that states make sure schools are measuring excellence. And they should have strong math and science programs. Interest in these fields is down in the U.S., he said. "That scares me a bit."
Gates stressed that the United States has strong higher education system. Twenty-five of the top 30 universities in the world are here, he said. And top universities attract skilled workers to their vicinities.
"The IT and biotech industries are far more sensitive to quality of talent than it is about tax incentives," he said. "California is No. 1 not because they have the most friendly tax policies there. For areas where the difference is coming up with the breakthrough medicine or not, if you don't come up with it, you're nowhere, and if you do, there's enough money to go around no matter what state you're in."
Gates recommended that legislators look into how the best schools are using technology. He also gave them advice on using it themselves. He encouraged them to take the time to learn how to use advancements and to implement best practices in their state governments. And he suggested that they think about how technology will evolve when planning capital projects.
"There's a huge gap," he said, "between the technology that exists today and how it's being used."
NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.
This summary was written by NCSL public affairs staff. It is offered for information purposes only.
### |
