Education.
Increasing percentages of students have completed high school, from 69% in 1980 to 85.3% in 2009 (http://factfinder. census.gov/servlet/IPTable). “Every child in America deserves a world-class education.” With these words, President Obama signed A Blueprint for Reform: The Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act in March, 2010. This blueprint challenges the nation to embrace education standards that would put America back on a path to global leadership in education. It provides incen- tives for states to adopt academic standards that prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace, and create accountability systems that measure student growth toward meeting the goal that all children graduate and succeed in college. It has three key priorities:
• Raising standards for all students—every student should gradu- ate from high school ready for college and a career, regardless of income, race, ethnic or language background, or disability status
Table 2–4 May 2010 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates for Selected Major Occupational Groups
Major Occupational Group