Thursday, July 31, 2008
U.S. Falling Behind in Education...
A couple days ago, the New York Times (July 29, 2008; "The Biggest Issue"), David Brook observed that the biggest issue in the campaign should be education. He commented on how for decades America had dominated the world in education, and that this edge “boosted productivity and growth”.
Then Brook observed… “But the happy era ended around 1970 when America’s educational progress slowed to a crawl. Between 1975 and 1990, educational attainments stagnated completely. Since then, progress has been modest. America’s lead over its economic rivals has been entirely forfeited, with many nations surging ahead in school attainment.
“This threatens the country’s long-term prospects. It also widens the gap between rich and poor….The pace of technological change has been surprisingly steady. In periods when educational progress outpaces this change, inequality narrows. The market is flooded with skilled workers, so their wages rise modestly. In periods, like the current one, when educational progress lags behind technological change, inequality widens. The relatively few skilled workers command higher prices, while the many unskilled ones have little bargaining power…. “
America rose because it got more out of its own people than other nations. That stopped in 1970. Now, other issues grab headlines and campaign attention. But this tectonic plate is still relentlessly and menacingly shifting beneath our feet.
What do you think? Do you agree with Mr Brook's opinion about education in our country?
A couple days ago, the New York Times (July 29, 2008; "The Biggest Issue"), David Brook observed that the biggest issue in the campaign should be education. He commented on how for decades America had dominated the world in education, and that this edge “boosted productivity and growth”.
Then Brook observed… “But the happy era ended around 1970 when America’s educational progress slowed to a crawl. Between 1975 and 1990, educational attainments stagnated completely. Since then, progress has been modest. America’s lead over its economic rivals has been entirely forfeited, with many nations surging ahead in school attainment.
“This threatens the country’s long-term prospects. It also widens the gap between rich and poor….The pace of technological change has been surprisingly steady. In periods when educational progress outpaces this change, inequality narrows. The market is flooded with skilled workers, so their wages rise modestly. In periods, like the current one, when educational progress lags behind technological change, inequality widens. The relatively few skilled workers command higher prices, while the many unskilled ones have little bargaining power…. “
America rose because it got more out of its own people than other nations. That stopped in 1970. Now, other issues grab headlines and campaign attention. But this tectonic plate is still relentlessly and menacingly shifting beneath our feet.
What do you think? Do you agree with Mr Brook's opinion about education in our country?
// posted by Tammy Wachter @ 3:27 PM 
