Weighing in on technical education

As mentioned earlier in this blog and in our September issue, people including test-and-measurement industry leaders, professors, museum directors, and editors have ideas on promoting technical competence in this country–in the face of depressing news of scientific illiteracy. Now, a politician has weighed in. In an August 30 speech at Raytheon, as reported in the Boston Globe, Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney declared that the U.S. must improve its math and science education to remain an economic and military superpower. His suggestion: pay math and science teachers more than their counterparts in other disciplines. Perhaps it's worth a try, but it seems unlikely to foster a collegial atmosphere in our schools, where humanities teachers might have a role to play in encouraging–or at least not discouraging–scientific pursuits. My take: Romney's plan is less inspiring than Amazing Amanda. Your thoughts?