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07/22/2007
Education pushed as a catalyst
Randall Stephenson, chairman and CEO of AT&T, speaks during the second day of the annual meeting of the National Governors Association at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa in Acme. ACME — Chiefs of Google and AT&T urged governors to focus on education among other factors to spur economies through innovation. The heads of the two technology-driven companies delivered their remarks during an opening session Saturday at the National Governors Association's annual meeting. AT&T Chairman Randall Stephenson said it's a struggle to find qualified candidates and the educational system is not keeping pace with global market demands. Strengthening the now "fat and lazy” kindergarten through 12th grade curriculum is especially important, he said. Stephenson also told governors that an affordable and efficient communication system and free, open markets are keys to economic growth. "Again, investment flows when the regulatory burdens are light and the opportunity to earn a return exists,” he said. Google's Eric Schmidt encouraged the expansion of broadband technologies. Education, too, must evolve to teach students how to research and access information instead of memorizing facts. Dozens of the nations' governors convened at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa to listen to the speeches, part of the association's "Innovation America” theme that will run throughout the four-day conference. Governors sat at a long tables arranged in a square in the midst of the resort's Governors' Hall. A backdrop of flags flanked a podium, where Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano detailed the innovation initiative. The NGA chairwoman told fellow governors that states must reconsider how they approach kindergarten through twelfth grade education. The initiative aims to amp-up math and science curriculums, better prepare college students for the workplace and promote business investment. Michigan, said its Gov. Jennifer Granholm, is "focused like a laser” on innovation. New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine asked the business chiefs about online oversight to deal with Internet predators. Schmidt said online safety should be taught at school and law enforcement officials trained to respond. Internet safety is the topic of the governors' education committee, to meet today. Also on the agenda today are discussions on climate change and economic development.
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