“Overentertained and distracted — that’s right,” - Sen. Harkin

Many Nations Passing U.S. in Education, Expert Says

Andreas Schleicher, a senior education official at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris, testified before the Senate education committee regarding the United States' declining educational advantage relative to other developed nations. Schleicher informed the committee that even Canada, where their 15 year olds remain a year ahead in school compared to the 15 year olds in the United States. Among the 30 OECD countries, "only New Zealand, Spain, Turkey and Mexico now have lower high school completion rates than the U.S.,” Schleicher stated.

Charles Butt, chief executive of a supermarket chain in Texas, also testified concerning employers who faced increasing difficulties in hiring qualified young workers. Although Butt's expertise remains in management and not sociology, he claimed that America's culture undervalues education, saying " “Schools are inheriting an overentertained, distracted student." Rumors are circulating among Washington interest groups that he will make an appearance in Claremont, California in coming weeks to expand on his testimony.

Senator Tom Harkin agreed with Butt's cultural criticism, contending " “Overentertained and distracted — that’s right. The problem lies with many kids before they get to school, and if we don’t crack that nut, we’re going to continue to patch and fill.” Harkin has not specified how to "crack that nut," but early childhood education programs seem to have potential.