Disparities tied to education

Education Disparities Impact on Economics

Disparities Tied to Education and the Increasing Gap in Income Potential

Years ago, high school graduates had two paths to success. They could go to college, earn a degree and enter the field of their choice, or they could bypass college, get an entry position in the field of their choice and work their way up using that method. Either path provided the opportunity to learn, grow, and advance within the field. Both paths provided the ability to support a family and purchase a house, automobile and other life large ticket items. Several decades ago the nation began experiencing a change in the ability to choose to go to college and still have the same opportunities in life. As America continued to compete with European and Asian competitors in the technology field, education took on a new importance. It wasn't long before degrees were required even for the entry level positions in certain technical fields.

Fast forward to the current state of affairs and it is becoming required to have a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree to enter any professional field, as well as many of the vocational fields. In a recent RAND report, experts predicted that existing economic disparities that are tied to levels of education may begin to dramatically widen with the end result being a reduction in economic prospects for those that only complete high school (Morrison, 2006).

According to the report, these disparities may impact the nation by reducing individual opportunity and eventually shortchanging the nation of many scientific enterprises that could help shape and mold the future (Morrison, 2006).

What it Means to Educators

One of the things that experts around the world are recommending to strengthen the future ability to succeed, is for nations to work on bolstering the education and training of residents, instead of concentrating on erecting stronger trade barriers. They believe that strengthening the education abilities for all who desire an education, will narrow the currently expanding disparities in economic ability between those who went to college and those who did not (Bernanke, 2007).

A boost in the national interest in education will serve to strengthen the economy and its impact more than any other nationwide decision or interest according to some who have studied the situation and forecast the future.

In 1979, a full-time worker close to the top of the wage scale earned about 3.7 times as much as a full-time worker near the bottom of the wage rung. Reflecting the relatively fast growth of wages of higher-paid workers, workers near the top of the wage scale today earn about 4.7 times as much as those near the bottom, Bernanke said (Bernanke, 2007)."

And research indicates those earning near the top have education beyond high school.

Globally, statistics indicate that improving the educational opportunities of residents who are underserved worldwide, may do more than anything else to improve the economic conditions of those nations. For educators, this means using educational opportunities to bridge the gap between rich and poor.

A recent study involving 108 nations, supports this theory. The research examined data from a 30-year-period and concluded that the economic gap between those with college degrees and those without them is widening.

The United States is struggling with an education gap as well: A study of the literacy rates of 17 industrialized nations found the U.S. gap between highly and poorly educated adults to be the greatest. One factor in the rating: a large immigrant workforce that's responsible for more than 40% of labor-force growth in the United States since 1990(Global, 2002)."

The evidence is clear. A widening gap in education in the United States and other industrialized nations is creating a widening gap in economic ability as well.

If this trend is allowed to continue, the future of the United States and other nations could see situations that were seen in the former Soviet Union, in which the masses were divided into the very rich or the very poor, with no middle class to speak of. This could spell significant concern for many issues including the ability for the public to become so discouraged that it may lean away from a democracy.

In addition the welfare system will continue to be overtaxed through the increased need for benefits, by those who have not had the educational opportunities needed to improve their economic standing.

According to one panel of education and workforce experts, the disparity in education in the United States will eventually block access to the American Dream.

The American Dream not only impacts the residents of the United States, but is a worldwide phenomena that gives hope to the underprivileged who come to America to attain success (Becker, 2004).

Whereas, educators in past decades, did not correlate standardized testing and future job opportunities, the time has come for educators to understand the correlation that exists in that now. Those who perform well on standardized testing, are more likely to do well in the academic environment, and therefore more encouraged to move on to a university program according to statistical data (Becker, 2004).

This knowledge is important to educators, because it provides them with a foundational understanding of the importance of standardize test scores.

In recent years, standardized testing has come under scrutiny by those who want it banned. They argue that it encourages educators to "teach to the test" and not provide a well-rounded education. Research results now indicate that standardized test scores are an excellent indicator of a student's future in college, and further research indicates that college will provide economic opportunity more than ever before.

We need to work together to ensure that all families can touch the middle class. An essential way to achieve that goal is to make equality in education our highest priority. We have to figure out a way to level the playing field in education, "said one education expert at a recent roundtable discussion in Washington D.C.

In some cities in the U.S., there is a 40% illiteracy rate. This is a factor that must be addressed in the school system if educators hope to improve student opportunities to attend college and become economically stable as adults.

Educators can take several steps to improve this situation and improve the chances of their students moving on to a degree after high school.

Educators can begin by educating themselves about various learning styles and supporting efforts to present lessons in several styles at once. This will help to advance every student by presenting the information in the way that each student can best retain it.

Another method educators can use, to help insure their students are college bound, is to work closely with parents to determine what, if any assistance may be needed to help them parents support education (Williams, 2005).

Whether it is recommending after school programs, offering tutoring services or guiding the parents in having their child tested for learning disabilities that can be accommodated, each educator needs to tune into the peripheral contributors to education roadblocks and help clear the path to success.

Secondary education experts also want a focus placed on the colleges across the nation and what the students are focusing on once they are enrolled.

We have some 900,000 freshman in community colleges across the country focusing largely on developing workforce skills," said one college dean. "Vocational education through community colleges is now the dominant mode of higher education. We need to offer different learning opportunities. Less than 25% of the American population currently holds a bachelor's degree -- and that is a major concern for the future of our county."