Are we willing to pay? (Editorial).

A recent Gallup poll, commissioned by Bayer, reveals those taking part were either overwhelmingly astute about problems facing science and technology education in this country, or they were lying. It was sort of uplifting to see that large majorities were concerned that the S&T teaching throughout the primary, secondary and higher education arenas was lacking. Why doesn't this concern carry over into the voting booth where the reality is we're electing more and more anti-education legislators and voting down most help for school systems? I think people tell the survey takers one thing and vote another.

Consider that 87% are concerned that poor U.S. student performance in science and math may negatively impact the nation's security, and 90% say it will impact the future economic prosperity. A full nine in ten taking the survey believe that improving pre-college math and science education is a national priority that must be addressed. That is until they step into the voting booth to assist their local education districts.

The poll's emphasis was ascertaining what emphasis science and technology should have in national defense. It's different asking the question, "Is it important for the average American to be science literate in order to understand and deal with terrorist threats like bioterrorism, nuclear and cyberterrorism?" than asking the question, "Are you willing to give your local school district more money for science equipment?" More than 90% answered affirmative on the poll question. It would be interesting to hear the rationale from the 10% answering negatively.

The poll asked for remedies and found overwhelming support for more involvement from industry. 94% said it is important for companies that employ S&T workers to play an active role in improving pre-college science education; 98% would like to see company-employee volunteer programs to bring scientists into the classroom; 98% would like to see internship programs at the high school level, and 95% would like to see internships for K-12 science teachers.

The rubber industry has a good record of involvement with their local school systems. Bayer's Making Science Make Sense program sponsored the poll by Gallup, and hopes to use the findings in its work. The real problem lies in the way schools are under-funded in the U.S. At the rate some districts are going, science and technology courses will be considered extracuricular, requiring a higher fee. I think the results to many of those question that had a 90% affirmative response would change if prefixed with "Would you be willing to pay for ..."