FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: American adults dumber than average human

It’s long been known that America’s school kids haven’t measured well compared with international peers. Now, there’s a new twist: Adults don’t either.

In math, reading and problem-solving using technology – all skills considered critical for global competitiveness and economic strength – American adults scored below the international average on a global test, according to results released Tuesday.

Adults in Japan, Canada, Australia, Finland and multiple other countries scored significantly higher than the United States in all three areas on the test. Beyond basic reading and math, respondents were tested on activities such as calculating mileage reimbursement due to a salesman, sorting email and comparing food expiration dates on grocery store tags.

http://nypost.com/2013/10/08/us-adults-are-dumber-than-the-average-human/

‘Quite distressing’

The results are “quite distressing,” says Harvard University’s Paul Peterson, co-author of Endangering Prosperity, a recent book on education and international competitiveness. “Other countries have been catching up for some time,” he says. “At one time, we had a really significant lead, but those people are disappearing from the workforce.”

“Adults who have trouble reading, doing math, solving problems and using technology will find the doors of the 21st century workforce closed to them,” Education Secretary Arne Duncan says. “We need to find ways to challenge and reach more adults to upgrade their skills.”

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/08/literacy-international-workers-education-math-americans/2935909/

Read more at http://investmentwatchblog.com/federal-government-american-adults-dumber-than-average-human-quite-distressing/#kprKbxDSeiKUSzal.99