Response to "Rising Above the Gathering Storm"
Governor Schwarzenegger has requested that CCST help California respond to the National Academies report, Rising Above the Gathering Storm. CCST is convening four industry-led task forces to develop actionable items addressing each of the four principal recommendations related to increasing the science and technology talent pool, research base, and business climate in California. The task forces are scheduled to complete their work by the beginning of 2007.

California's Federal Laboratories: A State Resource
In February 2006, CCST released a report on California's major federally funded research facilities and their benefits to the state. The report also identifies challenges the laboratories are facing and ways in which the state could better work to support these important laboratories and make use of their expertise.

Healthcare Information Technology (HIT)
CCST has been focusing a discussion on HIT throughout the year, holding a joint meeting with the Institute of Medicine in October 2005; this meeting, along with subsequent meetings with representatives from the executive and legislative branches of government, led to the development of a proposed California Health Care Infrastructure Authority (SB 1338), currently under legislative consideration.

Policy Framework for Intellectual Property Derived from State-Funded Research
In response to Assembly Concurrent Resolutions 252 and 24, CCST convened a study group to develop intellectual property policy guidelines for the state. The final report was released in January 2006 with specific recommendations for what the state should consider in developing a comprehensive set of state IP policies.

California's Math and Science Teachers: A Critical Path Analysis
Scheduled for publication later in 2006, this report, addressed to California Secretary for Education Alan Bersin, analyzes the production and retention of elementary and secondary math and science teachers in California. The study builds upon the foundation of the original Critical Path Analysis of California's Science and Technology Education System and systematically analyzes the current teacher production system and the existing science and math teacher workforce.

Bioethics
At the request of the Assembly Select Committee on Bioethics, CCST convened a panel in December 2005 to assist the state in identifying issues a proposed state council on bioethics should consider, and recommended experts who might be appropriate to serve on or advise such a group. The results were later presented to the select committee in an informational hearing.

Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED)
CCST has joined a coalition led by the California Space Authority to implement a workforce development project funded by a new $15 million U.S. Department of Labor initiative. CCST's role will involve, among other things, developing an economic model, developing profi les on selected workers within major federal funded laboratories in California, and analyzing how local workforce investment boards could interface with education and industry.