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Technology: Goals & Measures
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Indicator Measures
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How are we doing?
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9.1.1 Research & Development and venture capital funding
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In 2003, MA received $4.6 billion (up15% from 2001) in federal R&D funds, second only to CA’s $15.7 billion. The percentage of US venture capital funds invested in MA rose 11% in 2001 to 14% in 2003 – but were still only about half the nearly $5 billion invested in 2001. Almost one-third of all VC investment in MA in 2003 was in the biotechnology sector, up from 10% in 2001. Software held steady at 22% in both 2001 and 2003.
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9.1.2 Patents per capita
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In 2003, 3,909 patents were granted to MA innovators, or 61 per 100,000 residents, placing MA ahead of other Leading Technology States and reflecting a 6.6% increase over 2001. The highest percentage – 28% – was in health care. However, patents are a form of increasingly mobile intellectual capital and do not necessarily translate into local start-ups and jobs. |
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9.1.3 Graduates with science and technology degrees
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The number of engineering Master’s degrees awarded in MA increased by 7.5% between 2002 and 2003, but this is substantially less than the US increase of 14.5%; and overall, the US ranks only 17th in the proportion of people 24 and older with degrees in engineering and science – a drop from third place in 1975. |
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9.2.1 In-home access to computers and the Internet
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In 2003, about two-thirds of Boston-area residents had a computer at home, and most of those had an Internet connection, with little change since 2001 overall. The “digital divide” is narrowing. Between 2001 and 2003, the percentage of black households with a computer increased from 50% to 61% and Latino households from 36% to 47%, with no change in white and Asian households. |
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9.2.2 Public access to computers and the Internet
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In 2004, there were 72 locations, 42 of them free, in Boston with wireless Internet access. Newbury Open promotes free wireless access along Newbury Street, and the Boston Public Library offers public access to computers and the Internet. Of 82 MA community computer centers, 54 are in Boston and 40 of these are Timothy Smith Centers located in Greater Roxbury. Mattapan, South Boston, East Boston, and Allston-Brighton have the lowest levels of public access. |
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9.2.3 Number of neighborhoods/communities with available broadband and wireless access
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The number of high-speed lines in MA grew by 48% in 2001, 39% in 2002, and 29% in 2003 – less than the average US rate of growth. Codman Square, Dorchester, Lower Roxbury and the Boston Public Schools are experimenting with wireless networks to improve Internet access. |
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9.3.1 Number of students per computer
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In 2003, MA averaged 3.6 students per instructional computer, placing the Commonwealth among the top 20 states. High poverty schools and schools with a higher-than-average number of students of color are averaging 2.9 computers per student nationally. Boston has reduced the ratio of students to computers from 63:1 in 1993 to 6:1 in 2004. |
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9.3.2 Schools wired for high-speed Internet access (public, charter, parochial)
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Boston was the first city in the nation to connect all of its public schools to the Internet, and 98 of its 136 schools have received complete electrical upgrades. All new schools are completely networked. Statewide, the percentage of schools with broadband or T1 lines increased from 53% in 2000 to 74% in 2003. However, MA lags behind several other Leading Technology States, such as Minnesota (90%), Colorado (84%), New York (85%), and the US average (80%). |
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9.3.3 Teachers using technology in teaching
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As of June, 2004, all new teachers in Boston public schools must document basic technology competency or participate in summer workshops prior to their first day of teaching. Over 1,500 (40%) of Boston teachers also have completed curriculum integration projects and received additional classroom computers through participation in further professional development focusing on technology integration. |
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9.4.1 Workforce with New Economy skills, Massachusetts
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MA ranks among the top 8 states in the number of science and technology workers in 11 categories. However, about one-third of MA workers lack the skills to compete in the knowledge economy.
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9.4.2 Demand for information technology workers
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Employment in the software and telecom industry grew by 19% between 1999 and 2001, but has declined in each subsequent year. MA software employment was 10% lower in 2004 than in 1999. However, two-thirds of MA’s 2,800 software companies surveyed in 2004 intend to increase employment. |
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9.5.1 Use of the Internet for government and community information
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Nationally, 51% of the population used email in 2003, up from 45% in 2001. In the Boston region, 42% of respondents to the Current Population Survey used the Internet to find government information in 2003, the most recent data available. Also, 21% said they used the Internet for job searches. Most people used the Internet from home or work; however, 13% said they used the Internet at a public library. |
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Data and analysis to come. |
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