The OECD just released its latest literacy survey, and the numbers do not look good for the US or for many other countries. How can economic growth and productivity surge if there is poor literacy, numeracy, and adaptive problem solving for any country. The US does not do well versus the OECD average or selected countries. What is very disconcerting is the high percentage of level 1 or below and this is a trend that is getting worse since the last survey. We have some very strong numbers at the high end of the survey, but they are supporting a growing percentage at the low end.
The dispersion in education performance has real economic consequences. Level 1 and below have lower job participation, lower income, and higher unemployment. The level 1 individuals have lower health, trust, civic engagement, and life satisfaction. Of course, this leads to more economic inequality, yet it may not be an issue of spending more money on education. The US is spending more than many other developed countries but does not have better results. There are bigger issues that are not being addressed.
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