The United States’ economy is weakening as China’s and India’s have strengthened, and improving human capital through better education policies is a key to stemming the U. S.’ decline, says a new report.
Produced by the Center for the Next Generation and the Center for American Progress, two think tanks based in San Francisco and Washington, respectively, the report highlights challenges facing the U.S. economy and educational system, from the prevalence of poverty and health conditions like obesity to the 89 percent of workers without paid family leave. The report then points to indicators of educational improvement and economic growth in India and China.
The authors recommend that the American president make education a national priority and that policymakers learn from international best practices by setting rigorous achievement goals, investing in early-childhood education, and improving teacher quality.