Are Americans Working With Very Little? A look at the 2013 Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC)

Earlier this month, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an international agency that helps governments across the world tackle social and economic challenges of the globalized economy, released the 2013 Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). The survey provides an international snapshot and country comparison of adult’s proficiency levels in literacy, numeracy, and problem solving abilities. The survey was administered to over 150,000 people from ages 16 to 65 across 24 countries. For Americans, the results from this report are disquieting.

- Despite many years spent in school, a large proportion of adults in the United States scored poorly (below average) in math, reading, and problem solving compared to other developed countries.

- On average, the United States scored far behind Japan and Finland performers in mathematical competencies.

- Younger American students, between ages 16-20, were found to have far fewer skills than adults between ages of 50-65. This is especially disturbing as younger adults enter the workplace and older adults retire.

- PIAAC results that compare educational levels and social background indicates that responders with less educated parents are more likely to stay that way.

- Lower scorers had higher rates of unemployment or underemployment.

In another article, Arne Duncan, the U.S. Secretary of Education, stated:

“These findings should concern us all. They show our education system hasn't done enough to help Americans compete -- or position our country to lead -- in a global economy that demands increasingly higher skills… the findings shine a spotlight on a segment of our population that has been overlooked and underserved: the large number of adults with very low basic skills, most of whom are working.”

Interfaith’s Model: Providing Skills to the Overlooked & Underserved

These findings concern us and is a chief reason Why WE Do What We Do. We take concerted action to improve skill proficiency levels of every member of the working poor families that we serve. For adults, that means providing scholarships so that they may acquire additional academic skills (e.g. GED attainment) and other trainings/technical skills that are necessary to earn a livable wage, and more importantly, basic skills that focus on and maintaining employment. For older children and teens, we provide programming so that they can gain basic workplace skills. Through the I.D.E.A. program, teens receive basic and practical workplace experience and develop marketable skills to build a solid work ethic. All school-age children are periodically cultivated academically, socially, and behaviorally.

Last year alone, one resident obtained a GED (two are currently in the process of completing GED training); three residents completed Pharmacy Tech/Medical training; one resident acquired a Dental Assistance certification, just to stoplight a few. Similarly, all residents receive monthly training to ensure that they have all the necessary skills to be successful in the workplace environment.

Taking a holistic approach to the family is the most effective way of providing the skills needed to shift the paradigm and disrupt generational poverty and economic inequality.

Let’s continue to look and serve by providing opportunities that support long-term self-sufficiency.