Pacific Technology School bases its educational program on the understanding that our nation's economic future will require a highly trained workforce in math, science, and technology. According to a 2003 report from the National Science Board, "The Science and Engineering Workforce; Realizing America's Potential" analyses of current trends indicate serious problems lie ahead that may threaten our long-term prosperity and national security.

• Flat or reduced domestic student interest in critical areas, such as engineering and the physical, and mathematical sciences,
• Large increases in retirements from the science and engineering (S&E) workforce projected over the next two decades,
• Projected rapid growth in S&E occupations over the next decade, at three times the rate of all occupations,
• Anticipated growth in the need for American citizens with S&E skills in jobs related to national security, following September 11, 2001.

• Global competition for S&E talent is intensifying, such that the United States may not be able to rely on the international S&E labor market to fill unmet skill needs;
• The number of native-born S&E graduates entering the workforce is likely to decline unless the Nation intervenes to improve success in educating S&E students from all demographic groups, especially those underrepresented in S&E careers

In order to sense the scale of the risk in S&E workforce for the US and California it is important to define the extent of S&E workforce. It includes all jobs that require science and engineering skills even though the jobs themselves are classified as non-S&E jobs. Using this definition, a pre-college teacher with baccalaureate degree in a science field, a technical manager, a practitioner with a two-year degree or certificate in science, engineering and technology fields, and Ph.D.s appointed as postdoctoral scholars are all considered within the S&E workforce.

In 2005, National Academies re-emphasized this need strongly with the release of a report: Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future . The report’s conclusions are serious, noting that there is a serious risk that the United States may soon and irrevocably lose its lead in science and technology. Among the recommendations of the report is:

“Statewide specialty high schools. Specialty secondary education can foster leaders in science, technology, and mathematics. Specialty schools immerse students in high-quality science, technology, and mathematics education; serve as a mechanism to test teaching materials; provide a training ground for K–12 teachers; and provide the resources and staff for summer programs that introduce students to science and mathematics.”

California is a state that has an economy highly dependent on high technology, and therefore the future of S&E workforce in California is a big concern. In 2005, Governor Schwarzenegger has asked the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) to prepare a response to the report released by the National Academies, Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future. CCST formed Task Forces to address the recommendations made by the national Academies report. The report “Shaping the Future: California's Response to "Rising Above the Gathering Storm” released by CCST recommends to the governor to “Increase California’s talent pool by vastly improving K-12 science and mathematics education.”

The vision of Pacific Technology School Charter Schools is, therefore, “to inspire students to choose career paths in science and technology”.