U.S. adults lag behind counterparts overseas in skills

[sinkingfeeling]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/08/literacy-international-workers-education-math-americans/2935909/

A first-ever international comparison of the labor force in 23 industrialized nations shows that Americans ages 16 to 65 fall below international averages in basic problem-solving, reading and math skills, with gaps between the more- and less-educated in the USA larger than those of many other countries.

The new test was given to about 5,000 Americans between August 2011 and April 2012. The results show that the typical American's literacy score falls below the international average, with adults in 12 countries scoring higher and only five (Poland, Ireland, France, Spain and Italy) scoring lower. In math, 18 countries scored higher, with only two (Italy and Spain) scoring lower. In both cases, several countries' scores were statistically even with the USA.

The oldest Americans in the sample turned in a higher-than-average performance in reading, with 9% of test-takers between 55 and 65 years old scoring at the top proficiency level, compared to just 5% worldwide. In math, however, they were even with the 7% international average.

The problem, the new findings suggest, is with younger U.S. workers, who lag in nearly every category.

While those gaps may not show up immediately in productivity totals, Peterson says, in time they'll have an effect. "There's a 20-year delay between the quality of the educational system and its impact," he says. "It's sort of like watching a car crash in slow motion."

[Old and In the Way]

1. I bet we're better on Bible testing, though....

This is what happens when you outsource your jobs...the thinking skills for society goes with them.

[djean111]

2. Yes, dumbing down the schools and eliminating things like shop are working nicely.

Pretty soon we will feel obliged to ship our jobs away.
We could invest in free training, free college, or at least heavily subsidized further education, better public schools, but that will never happen now. College and technical training becomes more expensive, more and more public schools are dumbed down AND converted to charter schools with no accountability. This runs counter, looks like to me, to the rest of the world.
Well done, one percent!

[sweetapogee]

3. Basic Skills

reading and math are generally mastered in primary school. This is a study about basic skills, not college level work.