America is way behind other countries in education.
And the prospects of improvement are saddening.

US competitiveness in the world markets is weakening. A non-partisan committee, at the request of Congress, looked at the issue five years ago, and again this year.

“The unanimous view of the committee members participating in the preparation of this report is that our nation’s outlook has worsened. . . Many other nations have been markedly progressing, thereby affecting America’s relative ability to compete effectively for new factories, research laboratories, administrative centers—and jobs.” Gathering Storm 2010

In the earlier report, the committee had recommended big boosts to basic science research and K-12 education in the US. Now they point out that

“Thirty years ago, ten percent of California’s general fund went to higher education and three percent to prisons. Today, nearly eleven percent goes to prisons and eight percent to higher education.”

“The United States ranks 27th among developed nations in the proportion of college students receiving undergraduate degrees in science or engineering.”

“The World Economic Forum ranks the United States 48th in quality of mathematics and science education.”

“Almost one-third of U.S. manufacturing companies responding to a recent survey say they are suffering from some level of skills shortages.”

They provide 60 more such factoids. Together they show a country that is rapidly sinking in its ability to export – and create the jobs that those exports would require.

But exports are not all that depend on being competitive.

“It is emphasized that actions such as doubling the research budget are investments that will need to be made if the nation is to maintain the economic strength to provide for its citizens healthcare, social security, national security, and more.”