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The United States has some of the best schools and research universities in the world and produces top professionals in every industry. The public education system has effectively developed a workforce for the industrial age, and its graduates have helped the United States become the most prosperous nation in the world.

However, the demands of the new information-based economy require substantial changes to the existing system. American businesses have pointed to a widening gap between the skills of graduates and modern workforce demands.¹ The U.S. Department of Labor predicts “occupations that usually require a postsecondary degree or award are expected to account for nearly half of all new jobs from 2008 to 2018.”² The 21st century workplace requires both a better-educated and a differently educated work force.³

While some U.S. students perform extremely well, the educational system as a whole faces huge challenges. Thirty-two percent of all public school students and nearly 50% of African American and Hispanic students fail to graduate from high school.⁴ A significant gap in achievement persists, with African American and Hispanic students trailing white students of the same age by two to three years.⁵ Measured against international benchmarks, the United States lags significantly behind other advanced nations in preparing its students, particularly in math and science (see Exhibit 11-A).⁶

Inside this Chapter, you'll find details regarding:

For more information and to read the Chapter in its entirety, please follow the following link:

http://www.broadband.gov/plan/11-education/