Innovation and ingenuity have long been hallmarks of the U.S.' economy. Our competitive strength is built on the legacy of great innovators--from Alexander Graham Bell and Lewis Latimer to the Wright brothers and Steve Jobs. The U.S. has prized its status as a leader in developing creative thinkers and entrepreneurs, but by many estimates, it is losing ground. In 2012, foreign companies filed more than half of U.S. technology patent applications, continuing a trend that first began in 2009. In addition, the U.S.' share of high-tech exports is decreasing. Today, China is the single largest exporter of high-tech products. A rigorous education is a key component of developing the next generation of entrepreneurs and scientists. In a recent survey, 97 percent of voters agreed that improving the quality of science education is important to our country's ability to compete globally. The education demands of careers are rapidly advancing, and jobs across the economy are requiring greater levels of technical skill and education than ever before. Unfortunately, recent data show that U.S. students are not prepared for these increasing demands. Our students do not have sufficient mastery of core science content to be prepared for college and careers, and the U.S. has fallen behind in science achievement on international assessments even as other countries accelerate. To ensure that students are capable of taking on the challenges of tomorrow, investing in a rigorous and focused science education is critical.