When we hear of the decline in US education, it is usually presented as relative to 1970 or some similar mid-late 20th century baseline.
This article, IT Skills Gap Is Really an Education Gap, from CIO magazine suggests that the US system has been in decline for much longer – since 1909.
Employers seem to remain the missing link in identifying the skill gaps for the educational institutions.
In 1991, the Secretary’s Commission on Necessary Skills (SCANS) described skills employers named as necessary for young people to succeed in the world of work: http://www.academicinnovations.com/report.html
The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 continues to provide inducements to businesses to participate in local delivery of workforce development services: http://www.doleta.gov/usworkforce/wia/Runningtext.cfm
Kris, I am not sure what you mean by the first comment.
While the very “specific” requirements vary, the basic parameters have been identified for a very long time. It is a cop out by government and academia to fall back on the old “you never told me”.
The 1991 report you linked to is “close enough for government work”. Twenty plus years is long enough to have made some real progress, but let’s face it, it has not happened.
We live in a period of rapid and accelerating technological change and no one knows precisely which computer language or application platform will dominate next year. We need to provide the basic skills of rational thinking and problem resolution together with an understanding, familiarity and interest in technology and its evolution. For the next period of time, it is clear the we will be living in the “everything is software” era and programming concepts and skills are requisite.
I wish I had the answer to how to make both the governmental programs and the educational system responsive to societies needs.
I am really concerned for my grandchildren, but at least they will get input and support from Karen and me (maybe even an iPhone and iPad to use at 4. How about the bulk of their cohorts and their parents who are being left behind by the information age?
My point is the lack of coordination between employers and the educational institutions with existing government inducements. As you mentioned and I agree, “it has not happened”.