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 |
9.1.1 Research & Development and venture capital funding, Massachusetts |
In 2003, MA received $5.2 billion (up 21% from 2001) in federal R&D funds, second only to California. The percentage of US venture capital funds invested in MA rose 11% in 2001 to 14% in 2003, but fell back to 11% in 2005. An average of $2.6 billon in VC funds were spent each year from 2002 to 2005, half the nearly $5 billion invested in 2001. |
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9.1.2 Patents per capita, Massachusetts versus other Leading Technology States |
In 2006, 4,011 patents were granted to Massachusetts innovators, or 62 per 100,000 residents, placing Massachusetts ahead of other Leading Technology States in patents per capita, representing a partial recovery from a drop in patents during 2004 and 2005, but not a return to the levels seen in 2003. |
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9.1.3 Graduates with science and technology degrees, Massachusetts |
The number of engineering Master’s degrees awarded in Massachusetts increased by 14.7% between 2002 and 2004, before falling by 8% from 2004 to 2005. While Massachusetts leads in the number of degrees awarded, in 2003 the state was 8th in the total number of occupations in science and engineering (2nd on a percentage basis). |
9.2 Universal Access to Technology
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9.2.1 In-home access to computers and the Internet, Boston and Metro Boston |
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, Boston neighborhood
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In early 2007, jiWire.com listed 164 wireless Internet locations in Boston, up from 72 in 2004. Additional access is available at all 26 public libraries, 13 community centers, 106 CTCNet computer centers, and 40 Timothy Smith Fund supported computer centers. Mayor Menino’s citywide wireless task force was launched in 2006, and a pilot in Grove Hall was announced in late 2006. |
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9.2.3 Number of neighborhoods/communities with available broadband and wireless access, Massachusetts and Boston |
The growth in the number of high-speed lines in Massachusetts was 63% in 2001/2002, but slowed to 18% in 2004/2005, but resumed speed in 2005/2006 at 49%. This growth was less than the national average rate, but at almost 30%, Massachusetts has higher usage than the nation as a whole (21%). |
| 9.3 Use of Technology for Teaching and Learning |
9.3.1 Ratio of students per computer, Boston Public Schools |
In 2005/2006, Massachusetts averaged 3.4 students per computer, compared to 3.8 nationally. A 2006 assessment of technology in schools rated Massachusetts a “C” in access to computers. Boston reduced the ratio of students to computers from 63:1 in 1993 to 6:1 in 2004, and reduced it further to 4:1 in 2006. |
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9.3.2 Schools wired for high-speed Internet access, Boston Public Schools and Massachusetts vs. Leading Technology States |
Boston was the first city in the nation to connect all of its public schools to the Internet, and all new schools are completely networked. Statewide, the percentage of schools with high speed internet access increased from 53% in 2000 to 74% in 2003 and to 98% in 2006. |
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9.3.3 Teachers using technology in teaching, Boston Public Schools and Massachusetts vs. Leading Technology States |
As of June, 2004, all new teachers in Boston public schools must document basic technology competency. By 2006, 40% of Boston teachers had been trained to use information systems, with a goal of 70% by 2008/2009. According to an assessment based on 2005/2006 data, Massachusetts’ use of technology in education received a D+ grade, compared to a C+ for the nation as a whole. |
| 9.4 Technologically Skilled Workforce |
9.4.1 Workforce with New Economy skills, Massachusetts |
Massachusetts ranks among the top 8 states in the number of science and technology workers in 11 categories. However, in 2000 about one-third of Massachusetts workers lacked the skills to compete in the knowledge economy. From 2000 to 2005, the underutilization rate for workers without a high school diploma increased from 15.3% to 21.9%. |
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9.4.2 Demand for information technology workers, Boston and Massachusetts |
The Boston Metro Division lost 29% of its IT jobs (17,500 jobs) from 2001 to 2004. Of 8 major IT centers, Boston and Los Angeles were the only metros that lost jobs during 2003/2004, but Boston did gain 2,000 jobs in 2004/2005. The number of software companies declined from 3,000 to 2,800 from 1999 to 2004, and fell to 2,665 by 2005. |
| 9.5 Integration of Technology for Community Building and Information |
9.5.1 Use of the Internet for government and community information, Metro Boston |
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. |
| 9.6 Up-to-date Technology Infrastructure in the Nonprofit Sector |
9.6.1 Availability and use of technology in nonprofits, Metro Boston |
The number of nonprofit organizations with a technology budget rose form 34% to 59% between 2001 and 2004. Internet connections, organizational websites, and LANS have become almost universal among Boston’s nonprofits, but the number taking precautions with firewalls and backups declined. |
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9.6.2 Use of technology for electronic advocacy, activism, lobbying and organizing, Metro Boston |
A survey found that lack of expertise is the biggest barrier to the use of technology for advocacy – followed by the lack of equipment and the expense. Respondents’ sense of the effectiveness of the use of the Internet was rated as moderate. |
| 9.7 Financial and Other Support |
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Data and analysis to come. |
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