What concerns did the report Rising Above the Gathering Storm raise about U.S. education?

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The 2005 report Rising Above the Gathering Storm, published by the U.S. National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, raised significant concerns regarding the competitive standing of the United States in the global economy.

The report highlighted that U.S. students were not achieving in STEM disciplines at rates comparable to their international peers. It warned of dire consequences for the nation’s future prosperity if it failed to produce a workforce adequately prepared for knowledge-intensive, science- and technology-dependent jobs. By emphasizing the link between continued innovation and economic success, the report underscored that the existing educational approach was insufficient to maintain the country's competitive edge.

Consequently, the report served as a catalyst for focusing national attention on science, mathematics, and technology research, as well as the educational policies necessary to cultivate a dynamic and well-educated workforce capable of driving constant innovation.1