Math literacy
According to the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), America’s 15-year olds rank 24th for math literacy
and 26th for problem solving ability worldwide, and they were below the international average for every aspect of math literacy.
Broadband
The U.S. ranks 24th globally for percentage of households with a broadband Internet connection. Even FCC Commissioner Michael Copps admits, “In broadband, we’re not even an also-ran.”
High tech trade deficit
The U.S. runs a trade deficit in virtually every category of high-tech goods. China out-exports the U.S. in high-tech by
$406 billion to $284 billion.
Support for R & D
America ranks #17 among OECD countries who offer tax incentives to companies for establishing R & D facilities. And as measured by % of GDP invested in basic research, we are #11 worldwide. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), China now outranks the U.S. as a choice for offshore R&D facilities.
Our funding ability
Our foreign debt has tripled since 1999 to nearly $3 trillion, dramatically reducing our ability to invest in R&D, education
and infrastructure. The debt service alone on our trade deficit is some $2 billion a day. And the American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that $1.3 trillion is needed just to bring our national infrastructure to “acceptable” conditions.
Academic success
The U.S. ranks 17th globally in high school graduation rates and 14th in college graduation rates.