Goal 1:
To be a Learning Enterprise in which all Louisiana businesses, institutions and citizens are actively engaged in the pursuit of knowledge

	Objective 1.6 - To increase student achievement and the number of students completing courses in the following fields: science, engineering, information technology, and entrepreneurship
		As technology is growing in importance in nearly every industry and career, it is becoming increasingly important for states to have a workforce that excels in the fields of science, engineering, and information technology. Between 2000 and 2010, jobs in science and engineering occupations are expected to increase at three times the rate for all occupations, according to the National Science Foundation (NSF). Furthermore, technology-intensive jobs pay on average 95 percent more than other jobs (The Mercedes and the Magnolia, Preparing the Southern Workforce for the Next Economy, Southern Growth Policies Board, 2002). For state investment purposes, there is also a close link between the number of Ph.D. scientists and engineers that graduate in a state and those that remain and become employed in a state’s workforce. Lastly, the most cost-effective job growth often comes from within a state’s borders, by passionate, civic-minded entrepreneurs. Louisiana must nurture and encourage entrepreneurial activity by supporting programs that teach the basic skills of starting, operating, and growing a business. Many states are targeting scholarships and funding dollars to increase enrollment and achievement in these fields.
	Benchmarks to track progress toward Objective 1.6 include:
			Science and engineering bachelor degrees awarded per million people as a percentage of the national average
			Percentage of civilian workforce with a recent bachelor's degree in science or engineering
			See also the benchmarks under Objective 2.5 for entrepreneurship