 |
 |
|||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||||||
 |
 |
| ||||||||
 |
|
|||||||||
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Herman Trend Alert October 1, 2008 The Leader Stumbles For years, the United States held the position as "the leader of the free world". Now, when we look at various current statistics, it is difficult to make that case. The US has fallen behind in some key areas that are critical to its competitiveness on the world stage. For years now, we have reported about the deficits in the US system of education, especially compared to those in other countries. According to the most recent assessment of students by OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development), the US ranks 25th in math and 21st in science among students from 30 member countries. Reflecting this situation, China has more honor students than the US has students. Over half of the graduate students in science and math fields are from abroad. Foreign students used to stay in the US post-graduation to take jobs offered to them by US firms. Restrictive immigration policies now prevent most from staying. The solution begins with early childhood education. According to the Partnership for America's Economic Success, no other investment in society comes close to the 16 percent return realized when these investments are made. Our schools need to emphasize the STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), similar to what the FIRST initiative supports. (See our Herman Trend Alert from April 4, 2007, "Robots Teach Kids Gracious Professionalism") The performance of the US in the area of healthcare is even more dismal. In spite of having the highest percentage of GDP spent on healthcare in the world (16.0 percent), the US has the second highest rate infant mortality, 6.30 per 1,000 births, behind China at 21.16. The country is seventh in life expectancy at 78.14 years, behind France (80.87), Sweden (80.74), Israel (80.61), Norway (79.81), Germany (19.10), and the United Kingdom (78.85). Singapore even beats France at 81.8 years. Moreover, when it comes to digital infrastructure, Internet access, and cell phone coverage, the US does not rank well there either. All of these shortfalls reflect serious vulnerability. At some point in the future, US government leaders will realize the seriousness of this situation and take decisive action. What is needed is much more than a Band-Aid™. The situation demands systemic change. Unfortunately, the current economic situation may well postpone that response.
© Copyright 1998- by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurist. 1.336.210.3548 or https://hermangroup.com. To sign up, visit https://HermanTrendAlert.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc."
HEAR JOYCE SPEAK TOMORROW AT 11:30 AM EDT
GET COACHING FOR YOUR PEOPLE FOR LESS THAN $1/DAY!
JOYCE IS ON THE RADIO EVERYDAY NOW To read this Herman Trend Alert on the web: https://hermangroup.com/alert/archive_3-29-2023.html.
Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers. New subscribers are always welcome. There is no charge for this public service. The Herman Trend Alert is read by over 30,000 people in 90 countries, including other websites and printed periodicals. Click here to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert. Do you enjoy receiving this weekly e-mail update? Contact us about our co-branded Herman Trend Alert service.
|
 |
|
7112 Viridian Lane |
|
Web site design by WebEditor Design Services, Inc.
Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert