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2006-07 NGA Chair Gov. Janet Napolitano’s Initiative. Innovation America

In today’s economy, competition between nations is less relevant than competition
between regions of innovation — groups of high wage, rapidly growing businesses
that are closely linked through collaboration, research efforts, common products
and services.
Exporting firms in Northern Virginia are as apt to compete with the region around
Bangalore, India as they are with firms along Route 128 around Boston,
Massachusetts. While the United States remains the world leader in innovation,
formidable competitors have emerged and are emerging as technology breaks down
barriers and accelerates change. As a result, we face serious competition from all
corners of our increasingly interconnected world.

China overtook the U.S. in 2004 to become the leading exporter of informationtechnology
products.

In 2005, only four American companies ranked among the top 10 recipients of
patents granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Finland, Israel, Japan, South Korea and Sweden each spend more on research and
development as a share of GDP than the U.S.
Not only are we potentially losing our current edge, but in the future the
challenge may be more serious.

In 2005 in both mathematics and science, fewer than two-fifths of U.S. 4th and
8th grade students performed at or above a proficient level.

U.S. 15-year-olds ranked 24th out of 39 countries that participated in a 2003
examination, which assessed students’ ability to apply mathematical concepts to
real-world problems.

Approximately 1/3 of math teachers and 1/5 of science teachers in grades 7-12
lack a postsecondary major or minor in their respective subject-matter.

Both short- and long-term strategies are necessary to ensure the U.S. maintains its
competitive edge. To maximize our strengths as a nation, governors must partner
with the business community to ensure state policies complement and reinforce
private sector innovation. States must enable our students to gain the science,
math and technology skills that support this new growth strategy— with an equal
focus not just on what students are expected to learn but also on how knowledge is
transferred in our classrooms and into local economies.

America’s business environment is becoming increasingly global and highly
competitive. To remain viable in the international marketplace, we must adopt a
new growth strategy that maximizes the rate of discovery and innovation. The
United States has the most flexible economy in the world, one of the best education
systems and one of the most efficient private sectors. We have much to
build on, and the time to act is now.

Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano

National Governors Association Chair, 2006–2007

http://www.nga.org/files/pdf/06NAPOLITANOBROCHURE.pdf

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