Better Stay in School...

Every few years, the OECD conducts an international student evaluation called the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). In the latest round of testing (2006), the United States scored statistically significantly below the OECD average in both math and science (the reading portion was not counted due to a printing error in the test booklet), as well as below many non-OECD countries. The results of this study, combined with the meritocracy-enhancing effects of globalization, do not bode well for the economic future of the United States.

With globalization's help, meritocracy is on the rise. With the technological and infrastructural advances in communication over the past fifteen years, the significance of geographical location has fallen. The proliferation of high-speed internet access and falling software prices have helped shape a world where many jobs can be done from anywhere. Consequently, competition for many jobs has shifted to a global scale. While these developments are encouraging for economic efficiency; for the US economy, they are less so.

A basic lesson of economics is that standard of living depends on the level of productivity. Shifting from older, less productive industries, to newer, cutting-edge industries increases productivity, and thus standard of living. Thus, the strongest economies are those with the most brainpower, on the cutting-edge of innovation and productivity. In the recent past, this has been the United States. Recent trends in globalization and the recent PISA results, indicate that US's term as the world's strongest economy could be nearing its end. Specifically, a significant threat appears to be brewing in east Asia as China, Korea, and Japan are all among the top scorers in math and science.

The new global dynamics of our world will present the US with an unprecedented level of economic competition in terms of innovation and knowledge. The US has been detrimentally complacent in coming to terms with this reality. Regrettably, real change in the form of education reform will probably only come once the consequences of this complacency become tangible.

PISA Results: OECD PISA 2006 Report.