Students in a World of Trouble

Though many American public school students are surrounded by diverse cultures and languages, two recent publications show that most “are likely to be unprepared to compete and lead in a global work environment,” according to the Committee for Economic Development’s report on the value of international studies. J. Michael Adams and Angelo Carfagna argue that maintaining a US hold in the global economy, as well as understanding the global nature of terrorism, depends on a greater understanding of international issues and foreign cultures. While the No Child Left Behind Act has resulted in increased attention on math and reading requirements in most US schools, officials deem international studies as expendable in the context of limited funds and time. International lessons are arguably just as important as math and reading, the authors argue, and more future jobs will require skills for competing in a globally driven work environment. Lacking international skills, US students will not contribute to the growing global transference of goods, services, people and ideas – and the entire country could struggle by trying to compete in a world that its citizens do not understand. – YaleGlobal