California Report on the Environment for Science and Technology (CREST)

The first comprehensive assessment of the state's science and technology indicators, CREST draws on extensive research and analysis and offers recommendations for how industry leaders, academic planners, and state policy makers can respond more effectively to a high-tech economy. CREST addresses the absence of a regularly executed strategic planning process for the California economy by providing essential information upon which strategic and tactical decisions can be based.

The CREST report clearly demonstrates the importance of high-tech industry to California's economy and its people. Nevertheless, the economic miracle is not benefiting all Californians. CREST found that:

• A significantly growing number of Californians do not have the educational preparation to enable them to benefit from high-tech job opportunities.
• The number of Californians being educated with the skills necessary to meet employer needs is insufficient.
• Many Californians graduating from K-12 and community college systems are not adequately prepared to enter the high-tech workforce.

Eleven experts headed research projects analyzing and gathering data for the CREST integrated report.

Principal CREST recommendations:

• State government must take a leadership role in sustaining California's high-tech future by supporting the science and technology infrastructure, by setting priorities in its R&D, and by coordinating its research policies.
• The problems of K-12 education must be addressed; K-12 classroom instruction and teacher training programs must enhance and expand emphasis on science and math education.
• Science and technology education in community colleges and in the state's colleges and universities must be expanded.