This is an article that I obtained from 24/7 Wall Street in which they looked at NAEP scores 2003-2009 in Math and Reading. They noticed a decline in scores, number of people with bachelor degrees, and fewer residents who hold white collar jobs. I find it interesting that Colorado was number one, and Michigan was number two as states with the greatest decline. In studies like this one, it is hard to attribute the decline to one or two factors, but it could explain the unemployment rate in those areas. Certain states have jobs that need to be filled, but have high unemployment rates because the residents don't have the necessary skills to fill them.
http://247wallst.com/2011/02/07/the-ten-states-running-out-of-smart-people/
That is a shocking story as a teacher in Michigan, and you're right... it's hard to attribute the decline to one or two factors. As I hear about the budget problems our district is facing because of declining enrollment, it's no wonder when you look at the population change from 2000-2009! It's not just our small school losing students, it's the state.
ReplyDeleteI read this article too - and in all honesty, it didn't surprise me. We have had a lot of students leave the state due to their parents getting other jobs out of state. Unfortunately, these are the 'higher achieving' students! It is evident in the students applying for our program (accelerated math & science) as well. Sad on many levels.
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