1. Sandy Kress, longtime education reformer, warned that softening education expectations will
badly hurt the prospects of our young people in getting the best jobs."
According to Sandy Kress: "Some policymakers across the land have weakened academic
expectations for all students, apparently hoping that most students can get good jobs in
industries such as manufacturing without advanced knowledge and skills. First, the good jobs in
these industries do require advanced knowledge and skills, especially in math and science.
Second, these industries will not provide opportunity for most; manufacturing jobs, for
example, have dropped precipitously from 16% of the nation's jobs in 2000 to only 10% in
2014."
Kress stressed: "Most good paying jobs that are increasing in number require a postsecondary
credential. According to a recent Gallup poll, 70 percent of the public understand this reality,
saying that garnering a postsecondary credential or degree is very important."
"Yet," Sandy Kress concluded: "many policymakers are dumbing down course requirements for
students and weakening accountability for graduating students ready for college or good jobs.
This is disastrous for students. Instead of being competitive for the best jobs globally, under-
educated graduates may find that the only plentiful jobs that are generally available are fast
growing but extremely low wage jobs. Bottom line: young people in other countries will be
getting the good jobs our young people should have. Shame on all who are allowing this to
happen."