The numbers are in: American students and teachers spend a lot more time in school than their counterparts in the 46 OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) member countries. According to the report …

• The typical American student spends 8,884 hours to complete primary and lower secondary education—almost 1,300 more hours than the average in other countries, translating to more than a full school year.
• When it comes to preschool, 42% of U.S. 3-year-olds participate in early education vs. 77% in other OECD countries, while 66% of our 4-year-olds do compared to 88% elsewhere.
• Typically, our teachers are expected to work 2,000 hours, 400 more than the OECD average, and tying with Chile and Switzerland.
• Typically, a new-to-the profession U.S. teacher earns about $40,000, some $7,000 more than the global average. At the same time, a 15-year veteran U.S. teacher earns a bit more then $62,000 vs. just under $46,000 on average in the other OECD countries.
• 49% of U.S. 25- to 34-year-olds earned some type of post-high school degree vs. 44% of those in the other OECD member countries. Also, American students were more likely to earn associate degrees or certificates.
• Only 11% of U.S. young adults earned a master’s or doctoral degree vs. 15% in the OECD countries. Ironically, those with an advanced degree earn a whopping 131% more on average than those with just a high school degree in the U.S.

Food for thought, as politicians continue to tout and debate their education reform views, making schooling one of the top 2020 campaign issues.

With my many thanks, Carol (schoolwisebooks.com)