If students who exit American schools determine the future of our country, it's time to look at some of the global trends in this arena. How does our system of education compare with countries like China and India whose populations are growing at a much faster rate? (Before you finish reading this article-60 babies will be born in the U.S., 244 babies in China and 351 babies in India).
If we compare these education systems by looking at occupational outcomes we might make the following common observations:
"All of my medical doctors are either Indian (from India) or oriental (from China)." Or
"Every time I call the number for technical advice for my computer or other electronic device, I have difficulty understanding the technical adviser because of his, or her, accent which is usually Indian or Chinese. But some of these are American companies!" Or
"Chinese and Indian students seem to outnumber American students enrolled in engineering programs at some of our best universities."
Statement like those above have become commonplace. Isn't it time to ask why?
"Millions saw the apple fall, but Newton asked why..." - Bernard Baruch
Parental expectations and support for education combined with elevating the teaching profession to the status it deserves is a major reason for the emerging success in China and India. Parents as well as government officials value education. In the U.S. parent support is erratic and government officials are doing very little to address the real needs of education. In 2002, Nintendo invested more than $140 million in research and development. The U.S. government spent less than half as much on research and innovation in education during that same period. If the future of our country depends on the education of our youth, government officials must begin to emulate those public and private sector organizations who are successfully and realistically facing the future.
Even Japan, once considered a dominant force in education, is looking to India for guidance. India, as reported by Martin Fackler of the New York Times, has become the Asian country many see as the world's next education superpower. In China 25% and India 28% of the student population are considered honors students. Translation - They have more honors students than we have students! (Apollo Ideas.com) Many of these students will later apply to colleges and universities to prepare for careers as professionals.
China also places a high value on vocational and technical education as the best path to gainful employment. In many provinces of China, the average salary for technical school graduates rivals that of university grads and more students are beginning to follow this path. In the U.S. career-technical (vocational) courses for high school youth are disappearing in favor of more academic courses to bolster test scores.
While the educated and trained middle class in China and India is growing, what is happening in the United States? The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that today's learner will have 10-14 jobs by the age of 38. One out of four employees today have worked for their present employer for less than one year indicating a 25% turnover rate. The average age of a beginning apprentice in the U.S. is 28. What has this 28 year old trainee been doing for 10 years?
We live in a world where the amount of technical information is doubling every two years. By 2010 it is predicted to double every 72 hours. The obvious conclusion is that education and training must be a continuous process. If America's future in this global economy is dependent on our system of education and the students exiting from this system, we may be in trouble.
Government support for education, parent training and stronger vocational training programs is just the beginning. It's time to call on all sectors of our community to support education.
