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New ETS Report Predicts Significant Drop in Literacy Rate
According to a new report from the Educational Testing Service
(ETS), U.S. workers may be significantly less literate in 2030
than today. The report, released yesterday, predicts retiring baby
boomers will be replaced by a large wave of less-educated immigrants,
resulting in a downward shift in reading and math skills among
the U.S. workforce.
"There is no time that I can tell you in the last hundred
years" where literacy and numeracy have declined, said Andrew
Sum, director of the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern
University, in a Christian Science Monitor report. "But
if you don't change outcomes for a wide variety of groups, this
is the future we face."
The decline in literacy is one of three converging trends that
the ETS has labeled a "perfect storm" on the country's
horizon. The other two factors are a dramatically changing economy
driven by technological innovation and globalization and sweeping
demographic changes due to an ever-growing immigrant population.
Authors of the report suggest--among other things--increasing
attention on early childhood education, on continuing adult education,
and on programs that address the achievement gap.
Questions, ideas, or
in need of more information? Please contact Stacey
Pusey at 302-295-8349.
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"Coming
U.S. challenge: a less literate workforce"
The Christian Science Monitor
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