Dr. Arthur M. Johnson, former University of Maine president, used to tell Maine teachers in his summer economic education workshops that “Maine’s major problem is that it has 19th century resources going into the 21st century.” In the 1970s and ’80s, Dr. Johnson’s analysis was correct, but, today, it is becoming increasingly clear that Maine has one of the leading resources – bright, capable students in mathematics and science – needed in the global economy and the information age. Maine elementary and secondary students consistently rank at or near the top on national tests in mathematics and science, but only a handful of them earn university degrees in chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics and physics.

According to National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data, Maine’s fourth-grade and eighth-grade students have scored above the national average on mathematics and science tests in 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2003. For example, in 1996, the Nation’s Report Card – NAEP – shows Maine fourth-grade mathematics average scale scores tied for first with Minnesota and Connecticut; and, at the eighth-grade level, tied with North Dakota for first place. In fourth-grade science tests taken in the year 2000, Maine students outperformed students in every state except Massachusetts; and, eighth-grade students outperformed students in all but six other states.

Based on national test score data, one would predict that Maine would have a relatively high percentage of its students majoring in engineering, mathematics, and science at the college/university level. However, Integrated Postsecondary Educational Data Systems (IPEDS) data show that Maine students are majoring in business, psychology and the social sciences rather than engineering, mathematics and science. IPEDS data for 2002-2003 show that Bates, Bowdoin and Colby granted a combined total of 27 bachelor degrees in chemistry, 17 in computer/information sciences, 2 in engineering, 36 in mathematics and 35 in physics.

The University of Maine at Orono, the University of Southern Maine, and the University of Farmington granted a combined total of seven bachelor degrees in chemistry, 41 in computer science, 155 in engineering, 84 in engineering technologies, 25 in mathematics and 8 in physics.

During the same year, 2002-03, Bates, Bowdoin and Colby granted a combined total of six bachelor’s degrees in business, 106 bachelor’s degrees in psychology and 365 bachelor’s degrees in the social sciences. The three University of Maine institutions cited above awarded a combined total of 308 bachelor’s degrees in business, 201 bachelor’s degrees in psychology, and 299 bachelor’s degrees in the social sciences.

Investing in S&E programs could not only help to turn the Maine economy around in a relatively short period of time, but it could also help to keep Maine kids in Maine. Many European and Asian nations with 19th century resources began investing in mathematics, science and engineering (S&E) programs two or three decades ago and, now, they are reaping the benefits. Finland, Ireland, Japan, South Korea, Spain, and Turkey, among others, have all invested heavily in S&E disciplines and are now growing their economies.

Large nations like China and India are also growing their economies at a rapid rate. Indeed, a child born today in Fort Kent, Millinocket, Old Town, Mexico … is in competition with a child born in London, Berlin, Peking, and Moscow … for jobs and

standard of living.

The Maine School of Science and Mathematics (MSSM) is one example of the kind of investment that Maine must make, if it is to become competitive in a global economy. Former Governor Angus King’s laptop computer partnership with Apple Corp. and Gov. John E. Baldacci’s REALIZE! are examples of the kinds of activities essential to the building of a strong S&E base. But charter schools like MSSM and laptop programs are only a beginning – much more needs to be done – and it is incumbent on the federal government to assist states like Maine that have a limited tax base.

Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe and Reps. Tom Allen and Mike Michaud could help enormously by initiating legislation that would establish a National Defense Education Act of 2005, patterned after the 1958 act and the 2002 Road Map for National Security: Imperatives for Change, the Phase III Report of The National Commission on National Security/21st Century. This act would have five major components: (1) reduced-interest loans and scholarships for students to pursue degrees in science, mathematics, engineering and foreign languages; (2) loan forgiveness and scholarships for those in these fields entering government, teaching or military service; (3) create at least four National Security Teaching Centers to foster science and mathematics teaching at the K-12 level, including on-line and DVD courses; (4) develop early admissions programs in science and mathematics in at least one university in each state; and, (5) promote a cooperative relationship between secondary schools and community colleges/universities, especially in S&E fields.

Dr. Johnson was adamant about one other point in his economic education workshop for teachers. “Maine has made a huge mistake over the years,” he said, “in harvesting our most precious national resources, shipping them out-of-state, and letting others profit from applying labor to the base product. We should have been providing employment for our own by processing in-state before passing the product on.”

Are we making a similar mistake today with our most precious resource, our youth? Are we going to fish or cut bait? If we are not going to fish, how can we attract the Jackson Labs of the future, the MBNA’s, Bath Iron Works, UNUM Provident…?

James R. Miller, Ph.D., lives in Denton, Texas, and is a seasonal resident of Newport. From 1968 to 1977, he was on the UMaine faculty in the College of Education. He is now dean emeritus and professor emeritus of the College of Education, University of North Texas, having retired in 1991. He is also the founder of the Texas Academy

of Mathematics and Science at UNT.