In the most recent issue of the Journal of Research in Science Teaching appeared an editorial entitled: Preparing the 21st Century Workforce: A New Reform in Science and Technology Education . After reading it, I thought I was teleported back to 1983 when I read the report A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform. In the current issue’s editorial, the authors used the “global economic competition” argument as the 21st Century’s Sputnik. In the aftermath of Sputnik, the USA funded science education reforms in the areas of K-12 curriculum development, and science and mathematics teacher education.

The authors of JRST editorial are concerned that America is/will fall behind and not be able to compete globally. Wait a minute! We’ve heard that before. In the 1983 report, A Nation at Risk, the authors start their report in the following way:

“Our Nation is at risk. Our once unchallenged preeminence in commerce, industry, science, and technological innovation is being overtaken by competitors throughout the world.”

So, 23 years ago, the National Commission on Excellence in Education called for a reform of education clearly no different than what the authors of the JRST editorial called for. The authors brought together “leading educators and scientists” to make recommendations for the 21st Century. It was a very tired editorial, and it did not report anything that has not been attemped since the Nation at Risk report, 23 years ago. And by-the-way, during the 80s, there were nearly a hundred reports on how to improve education.

I think the editors of the JRST need to look elsewhere for reform ideas. Where? I suggest some of the up and coming young science educators, scientists and teachers. Especially folks that are on the front lines of science and mathematics education.