Basic literacy no longer enough
A teenager overcome by nerves is no reason for concern - the statistic is.
American youth lack the knowledge about world geography and international affairs that will keep them competitive in the global marketplace. Despite constant news coverage of the Iraq war starting in 2003, the most recent National Geographic-Roper Public Affairs survey showed 60% of young Americans could not locate Iraq on a world map; three-quarters did not know Mandarin is the most widely-spoken language; and 48% thought the largest exporter of goods and services was China - it’s the United States. An annual survey on public knowledge of current affairs from the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press found forty-one percent of college graduates could not name our Secretary of State or the Russian president.
Basic literacy is no longer enough, freshman starting school this week will soon be competing for jobs against scores of Indians, Chinese, Germans, and Brazilians; American educators must meet the challenge of preparing students for this global environment.
This letter has not been edited.
Literacy? Bah!
I don't not never need it
For my name is Keith.
--a haiku from...
Posted by the anti-Keith on September 5, 2007 03:54 PMThe girl is your tipical voter for democrats.18% of the people approve of the democrat led congress.That fits in the one in five ratio.Just like only 35% of the people approve of Bush,35% of the American people know that Thomas Jefferson was our third president.I'm glad I am part of the 35% not the 18% like that dumb-ass girl from South Carolina.Obviously the anti-keith falls into the 18%.catagory.
Posted by Keith on September 5, 2007 09:42 PMWill I for one am educated. I know for a fact Germny is in south amarica. Isn't that in the amazon somewhere? Or was it ebay?
Posted by Harry on September 5, 2007 11:17 PMKeith, did you know that 45% of all statistics are made up on the spot?
Posted by Sharon B. on September 6, 2007 12:20 AMThe problem is worse than Kavitha is sketching it, since to compete in a global market against skilled workers in other countries, the US worker starts off with a handicap of the dollar exchange rate.
Not only are there increasingly greater numbers of highly qualified workers available in places like India, Eastern Europe, and China (to name but a few), but those workers cost a fraction of a US-based worker. For $40,000 US, an Outsourcer can provide a top-notch worker from India for a job that pays $80,000 in the US. So a savvy (or greedy) investor can pick up a cool slice of savings and thus profit by simply moving many jobs offshore.
It depends on the position, Bango. I wouldn't say every outsourced replacement is "top notch." I've had two clients come back to me after trying to outsource what I do to cheaper labor in India and Pakistan. (I should add though, that, In general, my field isn't being outsourced.)
By the way, good to see you back!
I think one way to keep Americans competitive, indeed, leaders, is to increase environmental science studies and knowledge in our school's curriculum. I strongly believe that alternative energy, renewable technologies, and more efficient waste management are going to be huge needs in the coming years. Americans have led the way in so many aspects of industry; here is another tremendous opportunity for us to do so. But, we have to educate our children properly to follow this path, and I don't think relying on math and biology is going to do the trick. We need more nature and environmental studies incorporated into education, and that includes getting our children out into nature again.
A great book on the subject is "Last Child in the Woods." I can't recommend it enough (and do so a lot on these threads.)
Posted by mytwosense on September 6, 2007 09:33 AM” It depends on the position, Bango. I wouldn't say every outsourced replacement is "top notch."”
Fully agree, it’s not all roses, and there are all kinds of issues to consider.
However, in many disciplines (and increasingly so over time) it is possible to get a person just as qualified and adept in India for example, as you can in the US or UK. Five years ago you couldn’t get a good SAP person in India, now you can, and for less than half the price.
For the investors this is great news, because when you are fighting for fractions of a % on revenue, getting double digit cuts in cost is pure heaven.
I think you are right about American having led the way in many fields - even if they had to import some of the skills ;) , but underfunding and being scatterbrained about education is going to close the coffin lid on ability to compete.
The US need to find some new niche areas and really triumph in them.
Renewable technologies is maybe a good choice.
” By the way, good to see you back! “
Very kind of you!
I am in Asia at the moment, hence the weird posting timestamps.
I will keep an eye open for that book.
Posted by Bango Skank on September 6, 2007 10:53 PM