Thirteen technology sector associations are calling on the presidential candidates to beef up science and math education while also embracing trade policies that help U.S. companies grow.

In a May 4 open letter signed by the CEO of each association, the groups spelled out the issues they want to see addressed by the current contenders for the White House. Among the signatories were Victoria Espinel of BSA | The Software Alliance, Gary Shapiro of the Consumer Technology Association and Dean Garfield of the Information Technology Industry Council.

"This election season is a reminder that the pace of change has accelerated," the letter states. "Many Americans feel unprepared for the present, let alone the future. Thus, a central challenge of our time must be leveraging our strengths to expand opportunities and better prepare more citizens for the opportunities ahead."

The associations' "presidential platform" includes:

• Develop a technology workforce by strengthening science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education
• Improve the ability of companies to recruit highly skilled foreign workers by easing immigration barriers
• Pursue an "active trade agenda" by reducing barriers to free trade
• Update and simplify the U.S. tax code
• Pursue intellectual protection at home and abroad while reforming the system to prevent abuse by "patent trolls"
• Take steps to strengthen cybersecurity and enhance data privacy

The full letter is available at http://bit.ly/1T2CZYi

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