How is the United States Doing in Science? The Latest Data Tool Proves Useful

The National Science Foundation (NSF) released their newest data on Thursday regarding trends in education, science, and research in each of the country's 50 states. A division of the NSF used their state data tool that will gather telling results.

As of 2012, 15-year-olds in the United States failed to crack top 20 in the world based on tests that measure students' proficiency in reading, math, and science. Education week reported that the U.S. placed behind 29 countries in math and 22 in science. Being that mathematics and science are certainly an integral part of the future, this was not good news.

The report published by the National Science Foundation not only provides pertinent information on the issue, but it can also alarm legislators and policymakers on the current state of affairs, which could result in more money for science education nationwide. The NSF's National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics provided a state data tool that features 59 state indicators of performance in education, the scientific workforce, research and development (R&D), investments and activities, and high-tech business.

"These data can shed new light on policy discussions. If you're lagging behind neighboring states or the rest of the nation, it may inform your assessment of the quality of your educational system or workforce, and what you may need to do to enhance your economic position and competitiveness," said Dan Arvizu, Chairman of the National Science Board, in this NSF news release.

The state data tool provides information on a number of things: elementary and secondary education - achievement and expenditures; higher education - degrees, spending, and costs; workforce - higher education credentials and science and engineering workers; financial R&D inputs - levels of R&D activities and public support; R&D outputs - new doctorates and research activities; and science and technology in the economy - business activities and capital investments.

The results founded by the state data tool are included in the latest edition of Science and Engineering Indictors, which is a compilation of federal information and analysis of the nation's position in science and engineering education and research.

The U.S. should improve in the needed educational fields, especially since the NSF's budget for 2014 is $7.2 billion, which will give them the ability to further fund educational institutions.