Skills Mismatch in the St. Louis “BioBelt”: Mathematics and Science Attainment and Access to Biotechnology Jobs

• In Event: Urban Learning and Teaching

Abstract

This case study adapted Kain’s (1968) spatial mismatch hypothesis to investigate local youth’s equality of opportunity associated with the burgeoning biotechnology industry in metropolitan St. Louis, Missouri. Based on findings from previous literature (Cummings, 2004; Tate, 2008; Tate & Hogrebe, 2011), particular attention was given to black and low-income or poor youth residing near the St. Louis urban core. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was used to examine the geospatial distribution of biotechnology companies and of black and poor or low-income youth in 29 school districts across metropolitan St. Louis. GIS was also employed to examine youth’s mathematics and science attainment, as measured by the 2013 Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) Algebra I and Biology End-of-Course (EOC) Assessments. Results of the analysis demonstrated that black and poor or low-income youth were concentrated in several school districts with statistically significant clustering of biotechnology companies. Moreover, these youth attended schools in districts with low proportions of students with the level of Algebra I and Biology attainment required for entry-level biotechnology employment. Overall, findings suggest inequitable opportunity related to participation in the biotechnology industry for youth near the St. Louis urban core.

Author

• Brittni D. Jones, Washington University in St. Louis