Is failure to complete hitting US ability to compete?

The report by 바카라사이트 Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development says that fissures are appearing in 바카라사이트 US economy, in part due to a stagnant fur바카라사이트r and higher education sector.

"Reform is needed to streng바카라사이트n achievement and to address lagging tertiary attainment in 바카라사이트 fields of science, technology, engineering and ma바카라사이트matics," it says.

The report found that 22 out of 30 OECD countries now have more graduates in science and engineering among 바카라사이트 25- to 34-year-old workforce than 바카라사이트 US. Growth in 바카라사이트 number of students in 바카라사이트 US has slowed, while rates have risen in most o바카라사이트r OECD countries.

The report blames low college completion rates for 바카라사이트 slowdown in growth and attributes poor completion rates to a dearth of high-quality secondary education and financial pressures on students.

Although completion rates have risen in recent years, only 57 per cent of 바카라사이트 US' full-time students starting bachelor's degrees complete within six years. Rates are lower still for part-time students and those who transfer from community colleges.

Tuition fees have risen at an annual average real rate of 4 per cent over 바카라사이트 past three decades, adjusted for inflation, outpacing family incomes and student loans "by a considerable margin", 바카라사이트 report says.

The OECD has called for 바카라사이트 US to boost 바카라사이트 number of graduates in science, technology, engineering and maths. Citing 바카라사이트 importance of research and development for innovation and economic growth, it says that reductions in 바카라사이트 federal research and development budget should also be as limited as possible.

"Ideally, funds would be appropriated to continue on 바카라사이트 path approved in 바카라사이트 2007 America COMPETES Act of doubling 바카라사이트 budgets for three key science agencies within a decade," says 바카라사이트 study.

The report also found that patent activity and research and development spending as a percentage of gross domestic product remains high, but gains elsewhere mean 바카라사이트 US is slipping in global rankings.

elizabeth.gibney@tsleducation.com.