Global Competition

“In the 21st century, a quality education system is the centerpiece of a country’s economic development, and it can be the one thing that unites us a world.”

The above quote was said by Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education. He discussed the fact that in order to secure a common future, we must gain this through education. By giving our children a world-class education they can overcome the difference in backgrounds, cultures, and privileges, thus being able to work with other nations and collaborate. Our futures need to involve a healthy rivalry with other advanced nations so we can collaborate with them and use our smart power to regain the lead as the world’s most competitive workforce, as we once used to be.

At a foreign relations meeting in May 2010 Arne discussed two trends; international competition and international collaboration. These are two completely different trends, yet can have the same outcome with the correct guidance and leadership. Competition drives us as a country to do better; yet without learning from others, which is collaboration, we will not get anywhere. As diverse as America may be, we far too often rely on the dominance of English as the language of global business and higher education when looking toward the world which in turn puts us at a disadvantage. Without learning about our global neighbors we risk being disconnected from the contributions of other countries and cultures. Through education and exchange, we can become better collaborators and competitors in the global economy.

About 27% of American students drop out of high school, which is more than 7,000 a day. Only 40% of 25-34 year olds earn a two-year or four-year college degree, which is the same rate as a generation ago. America is ranked 10th in the rate of college completion for this age group. When looking at math literacy, our 15 year old students scored 24th out of 29 developed nations and 21st out of 30 nations in science. America is now 18th out of 24 industrialized nations for high school graduation rates. In order to change this pattern we must create a new era of innovation, growth and success.

Partnership for 21st Century Skills is a report designed to give policy makers a tool to help them work toward creating education, workforce development, and economic-development systems. The report indicates that American students need to learn a new set of skills, which includes innovation and cultural competence, in order to be competitive in a global economy. Therefore, in order for our students to begin learning these skills, this report was used to launch its vision with a set of key policy recommendations at the federal, state, and local level. The recommendations will hopefully be put into action so we can see a difference in economic development in the long run.

Overall, when discussing the topic of global competition, it can tend to have a negative outlook. If our future leaders show us that being more culturally aware and collaborating with other nations, then we can set the stage for future economic growth and success. In order to make this change we need to begin teaching our students cultural awareness and competence as well as being innovative. If we only learn from one another here in the U.S. we will not learn the diverse skills that take place in other nations, thus eliminating us from any assistance from other counties and cultures that would certainly help us advance.