SECTION I

THE CONTEXT

The slow job growth in the recovery from the Great Recession of 2008 underscores the disarray of the education and training system in the United States. This section explores how we arrived at this point—and how global economic competitors compare. As you read, please consider the following:

• How has the workforce readiness and development model evolved throughout the history of the United States?

• How do the education and skills of the workforce in the United States compare with the workforce in other developed nations?