Science should come first

Leaf-Chronicle, Clarkesville, Tenn.: Throughout his adult life -- as University of Tennessee president, state governor, U.S. Secretary of Education -- Sen. Lamar Alexander has been a crusader on behalf of improving education. Now, he's sounding the alarm that the United States must concentrate more on math, science and engineering in education.
Alexander spoke to a gathering of higher education officials at "A National Dialogue: The Secretary of Education's Commission on the Future of Higher Education" in Nashville. He cited a 20-point recommendation from the National Academy of Science's "Augustine Report." Among its major suggestions are the recruitment of 10,000 new science and math teachers, increased federal funding for basic research in the physical sciences and research and development tax credits for U.S. companies so that they keep their jobs here rather than move them overseas.
The world is in the midst of a science and technology age. If the United States does not invest enough in education and training, this country could one day fall economically behind other nations such as China that are making the investment.