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If you had to explain Americas economic success with one word, that word would be education. In the 19th
century, America led the way in universal basic education1). Then, as other nations followed suit2), the high school
revolution of the early 20th century took America to a whole new level. And in the years after World War II, America
established a commanding position in higher education.
But that was then. The rise of Americas education was, overwhelmingly, the rise of public educationand for the
past 30 years Americas political scene has been dominated by the view that any and all government spending is a waste
of taxpayer dollars. Education, as one of the largest components of public spending, has inevitably suffered.
Until now, the results of educational neglect have been gradual
a slow-motion erosion of Americas relative position. But things are
about to get much worse, as the economic crisis deals a severe blow to
education across the board.
There has been a flurry3) of reporting recently about threats to the
dominance of Americas elite universities. What hasnt been reported to
the same extent, at least as far as Ive seen, is Americas relative decline
in more mundane4) measures. America, which used to take the lead in
educating its young, has been gradually falling behind other advanced
countries.
Most people, I suspect, still have in their minds an image of America
as the great land of college education, unique in the extent to which
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The
Uneducated American
30
By Paul Krugman /
Even without the effects of the current crisis, there would be every reason to 1. universal basic education
expect America to fall further in these rankings, if only because they make it so hard
2. follow suit
for those with limited financial means to stay in school. In America, with its weak social
3. flurry [5flQrI] n. ()
safety net6) and limited student aid, students are far more likely than their counterparts
in, say, France to hold part-time jobs while still attending classes. Not surprisingly, 4. mundane [7mQn5deIn] adj.
given the financial pressures, young Americans are also less likely to stay in school and
more likely to become full-time workers instead. 5. at large
But the crisis has placed huge additional stress on Americas creaking7) educational
6. social safety net
system. 7. creak [kri:k] vi.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States economy lost 273,000
jobs in September 2009. Of those lost jobs, 29,000 were in state and local education. That 8. dire [5daIE(r)] adj.
9. shortfall [5FC:tfC:l] n.
may not sound like much, but education is one of those areas that should, and normally
10. centrist [5sentrIst] n.
does, keep growing even during a recession. Markets may be troubled, but thats no
reason to stop teaching their children. Yet thats exactly what Americas doing. 11. A m e r i c a n R e c o v e r y a n d
Theres no mystery about whats going on: education is mainly the responsibility Reinvestment Act
8) 20092
of state and local governments, which are in dire fiscal straits. Adequate federal aid
could have made a big difference. But while some aid has been provided, it has made
7,870
up only a fraction of the shortfall 9). In part, thats because back in February 2009,
centrist10) senators insisted on stripping much of that aid from the American Recovery 12. a. k. a.= also known as
and Reinvestment Act11), a. k. a.12) the Stimulus Bill.
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2009927.3
2.9
20092()