Communications of the ACM
.s. Adults Fare Poorly in a Study of Skills
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U.S. adults are below average compared to adults in other developed countries in the mathematical and technical skills needed for jobs in the current economy, according to a study based on tests developed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
The tests were given to thousands of people aged 16 to 65 in 23 countries in 2011 and 2012. Although a skills gap between younger Americans and their international counterparts has been documented, this study shows that even middle-aged Americans, who boast more education than all of their global counterparts, are barely above average in terms of skills. The results "show our education system hasn't done enough to help Americans compete — or position our country to lead — in a global economy that demands increasingly higher skills," says U.S. Department of Education secretary Arne Duncan.
The tests included literacy and numeracy, with a third test on problem-solving in technology-rich environments given to 19 countries. Japan placed first in all three tests, and Finland was second in average scores. The United States claimed a middle rank in literacy, and came close to the bottom in numbers and technology.
From The New York Times
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