The Economist’s Post

It’s a little bit obvious ... If public services are starved of funds, there’ll be many who’ll go without and a few that will head to the private sector. Innovation will be for those who pay. Health and education are good examples. My particular focus is education. Educating ALL children is THE responsibility we have today. - And it’s a little bit obvious that if they go to school hungry, and if their families are preoccupied with financial worries, you’ll find these same kids suffering, physically and mentally, and underperforming. - It's also a little bit obvious that, if we don't change what we mean by 'education', only a few will be prepared with the skills they need for the challenges ahead. For me, it’s a little bit obvious that there’s a structural problem across society. While so many people around the world are struggling to build solid foundations for their lives, asset values balloon and float effortlessly towards a minority. So why are we not demanding something different? Is there an obvious explanation? I just finished reading this 👇 I’ve also been watching the author’s Youtube channel: ‘Gary’s Economics’. Anyone else? #Foodforthought #economics #inequality #solutions #SDG4

The Economist.: “Faddish thinking is the enemy of rigour. One theory holds that technology such as AI will make traditional learning less useful, so schools should nurture “problem-solvers”, “critical thinkers” and students who work well in teams. Inspired by such talk, countries have adopted curriculums that focus on vaguely defined “skills” and play down the learning of facts as fuddy-duddy. (…) Policymakers should focus on the fundamentals. They must defend rigorous testing, suppress grade inflation and make room for schools, such as charters, that offer parents choice. They should pay competitive wages to hire the best teachers and defy unions to sack underperformers.”

A recent report by David Halpern (former president The Behavioural Insights Team) is easily missed but it's pretty important. He highlights a critical gap in education R&D: while global education spending is expected to reach $10 trillion by 2030, less than 0.1% of education budgets is invested in research - well below the OECD’s recommended 1% for R&D. This chronic underinvestment means that evidence based practices in education remain limited. Schools, universities, and policymakers are often left relying on outdated or untested methods. Read the report https://lnkd.in/gj3HEzMM #Education #Research #Investment #OECD #EvidenceBased #Policy #WhatWorks #EdChat

Yesterday I had the opportunity to speak on ABC Radio about the 2024 NAPLAN results. I don't think we need to be 'shocked', 'alarmed' or ' seriously concerned' because of the results from a single point of data that has generally remained stable over time. We should be questioning why we didn't act on the knowledge sooner to support students at risk of literacy and numeracy difficulties. What we can do in response is to ensure that the way we collect data and provide interventions is evidence-based. Let's work towards making sure schools have robust Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) that identify and respond to the students who need support. #MTSS #MultiTieredSystemsOfSupport #NAPLAN

What happens when we dare to challenge the post-secondary status quo beyond the binary choice of college versus trade school? Thought leaders like Brent Orrell and David Veldran emerge with the simple, but transformative ideas to take a nuanced approach toward post-secondary education. Their "both-and" approach is not an inferior or a short-term solution; high-quality credential programs COMPLEMENT a traditional college education, enhancing employability and the ability to adapt to future changes-- combined with social capital and personalized guidance navigating post-secondary options for teenagers' individual skills, interests, and financial situations can create a world of new opportunities filled with personal agency. Ben Wildavsky Brent Orrell American Enterprise Institute Jason Gaulden Katherine Haley Michael Strong Michael Horn https://lnkd.in/gx2zhm5N

Strongly recommend playing with the data in this. This should spur strong (reflective) dialogue about support systems, equity, and “best practice.” #HereForTheKids

The statistics are staggering: by 2030, the global cost of children lacking basic skills will reach a staggering US$10 trillion. This is not just a financial loss, but a wasted opportunity for generations to come. The consequences of inaction are clear: a less skilled, less productive, and less prosperous world. But there is hope. By investing in education now, we can turn this around and create a brighter future for all. Education is the key to unlocking human potential, fostering economic growth, and reducing inequality. Every dollar invested in education generates a return of US$10 in economic growth. Moreover, education helps break cycles of poverty, improves health outcomes, and fosters global citizenship. Let's act now to: - Increase access to quality education for all - Support teacher training and development - Harness innovation and technology to enhance learning Together, we can create a world where every child has the skills and knowledge to thrive. The future of our global economy and society depends on it. Let's invest in education today for a brighter tomorrow.

**Bottom Line** “While the percentage of Americans who express a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in higher education stabilized this year after significant drops in the previous two measurements, there has been some shifting, with fewer having mixed views and more expressing little or no confidence in it. The story is largely a political one, with relatively few Republicans expressing confidence in colleges and universities, primarily because they feel colleges are pushing liberal political agendas on students. But the drop in confidence extends beyond purely political motives to questions about the relevance to the workforce of what students are being taught and the high cost of college. To the extent these views are held by parents and young adults, it could lead to drops in college applications and enrollment. “People who retain trust in higher education appear to be those who value education, generally, and believe that colleges set graduates up for success in the workforce. They also point to the quality of U.S. higher education system, often regarded as the best in the world.” Gallup

Amplify’s latest middle-of-school-year data show progress slowing in early reading. With literacy already a concern in the U.S., this is not the time for slow progress. We cover it on the blog: https://lnkd.in/eXNgD93s

🔴 By 2030, the global cost of children lacking basic skills will hit US$10 trillion. Let's turn this around by investing in education now for a brighter future. Read “The price of inaction” to learn more: https://bit.ly/4embSGV