Goals
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Indicator Measures
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How are we doing?
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9.1 Sustaining Metro Boston’s competitive edge |
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9.1.1 Research & Development, and venture capital funding |
In 2001, Massachusetts’ corporations spent $8.4 billion to develop technologies for healthcare, information, computers and communications. About 55% of 1st quarter 2002 VC investment ($745 million total) was spent in software, biotech, networking and equipment. |
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9.1.2 Patents per capita |
About 4,000 patents were granted to Massachusetts innovators in 2001. |
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9.1.3 Graduates with science and technology degrees |
In 1999, Massachusetts was ahead of other Leading Technology States with 1% of its workforce as scientists and engineers and grew 2.1% from 2000-2001. |
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9.2 Universal Access |
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9.2.1 In-home access to computers and the Internet |
From 1998 to 2001, in-home access to the Internet increased 31.9% for Boston residents and 30.3% in the Metro region. |
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9.2.2 Public access to computers and the Internet |
With over 115 public access centers, Boston has one of the highest rates of public access to computers among comparable cities. |
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9.2.3 Number of neighborhoods/communities with available broadband and wireless access |
In 2002 Boston had more DSL service availability (over 87%) than most Eastern Massachusetts communities, and 95% of its households are connected to cable. |
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9.3 Use of Technology for Teaching and Learning |
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9.3.1 Number of students per computer |
Although Massachusetts is a Leading Technology State, its schools rank 40th among student access to computers and Internet. In 2002, Boston had a ratio of five students per computer. |
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9.3.2 Schools wired for high-speed Internet access (public, charter, parochial) |
As of September 2002, every one of Boston's public school classrooms was wired and networked, and as of September 2003, 106 of 136 schools will have full electrical upgrades. |
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9.3.3 Teachers using technology in teaching |
As of June 2002, 4,300 (90%) of Boston teachers completed at least 50 hours of computer training and have computers on their desks; and 1,500 (40%) completed curriculum integration projects and received additional classroom computers. |
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9.4 A Technologically Skilled Workforce |
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9.4.1 Workforce with New Economy skills, Massachusetts |
Massachusetts ranks among the top in high- skilled IT workers out of 50 states but skills gap persist for entry level skills. |
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9.4.2 Demand for information technology workers |
Between 2000 and 2002, demand for IT workers continued despite the weakening economy, with hiring in smaller-sized IT companies and non-IT companies. |
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9.5 Integration of Technology for Community Building and Information |
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9.5.1 Number of hits at key web sites offering community-relevant web content |
Data not available at this time. |
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9.6 Up-to-date Technology Infrastructure in the Non-profit Sector |
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9.6.1 Availability and use of technology in non-profits |
More Metro Boston area non-profits formed an IT strategic plan, but less have IT budgets for support. |
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9.6.2 Use of technology for electronic advocacy, activism, lobbying and organizing |
Survey found E-mail to be most-often-used tool and cited as the most effective by local non-profits. |
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9.7 Financial and Other Support |
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9.7.1 Funding for technology expansion and resources from all sectors |
Data not available at this time. |
