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US still has a long way to go in human development.

Just came across this interesting article. I can't say I'm terribly surprised by any of this. I'm just glad I'm not one of the poor in this country (knock on wood).

Quote:

US slips down development index

Americans live shorter lives than citizens of almost every other developed nation, according to a report from several US charities.

The report found that the US ranked 42nd in the world for life expectancy despite spending more on health care per person than any other country.

Overall, the American Human Development Report ranked the world's richest country 12th for human development.

The study looked at US government data on health, education and income.

The report was funded by Oxfam America, the Rockefeller Foundation and the Conrad Hilton Foundation.

The report combines measurements of health, education and income into one measurement - the human development index - based on that used by the United Nations.

--------------------------

Among other findings:

* Of the world's richest nations, the US has the most children (15%) living in poverty
* Of the OECD nations, the US has the most people in prison - as a percentage and in absolute numbers
* 25% of 15-year-old students performed at or below the lowest level in an international maths test - worse than Canada, France, Germany and Japan
* If the US infant mortality rate were equal to first-ranked Sweden, more than 20,000 babies would survive beyond their first year of life

Read the whole article here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7511426.stm

Quote:

* 25% of 15-year-old students performed at or below the lowest level in an international maths test - worse than Canada, France, Germany and Japan

That is a stunning statistic, particularly regarding those students who performed below the lowest level...

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC (Post 1912485)

That is a stunning statistic, particularly regarding those students who performed below the lowest level...

And the ignorant 3rd world illegal aliens that drag down my local school system.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst (Post 1912531)

And the ignorant 3rd world illegal aliens that drag down my local school system.

There's a good chance most of them are US citizens. If they're born here, they're citizens. It's the law. But yes, I know what you're talking about. Europe is getting a lot of 3rd world immigrants as well, mostly the muslim kind.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC (Post 1912485)

That is a stunning statistic, particularly regarding those students who performed below the lowest level...

I'm not surprised. I remember when I took the ACT the math was pathetic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst (Post 1912531)

And the ignorant 3rd world illegal aliens that drag down my local school system.

We have the Mexican kind around here. Like cockroaches!:mad:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idolotor (Post 1912542)

We have the Mexican kind around here. Like cockroaches!:mad:

Yup, blame everything on the Mexicans.

Ok, let me stoop to explaining my first post: If a level is described as the lowest level, how does one perform below that level? If one indeed is performing below the aforedescribed lowest level, he has created a new "lowest level".

You can never perform below the lowest level, regardless of the quality of your performance. You can merely establish a new standard of "lowest".

Oh, screw this: I'm going for a latte.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC (Post 1912580)

I see no confusion on that topic. I imagine there are pre-determined levels to meet or scores if you will. 25% scored at or below the lowest level. What's not to understand? It seems that you're over-thinking this.

Gee and this is 40 years into the Great Society...

Way to go Liberals :D Putting self esteem before scholastic achievement, keeping the under class dependent on welfare hand outs, fostering a drug culture and the hoplessness of poverty, and SPENDING big bucks doing it.

( I just put on my 1960 vintage asbestos suit)

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselAddict (Post 1912606)

You still don't get it. I don't see any clearer way to explain it other than the way PC did.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselAddict (Post 1912574)

Yup, blame everything on the Mexicans.

You certainly can here. I work in a school district where some of our schools have over 90 percent Mexican students. You are not allowed to verify their citizenship but let's just say that so few of the parents speak any English that we have apparently stopped hiring non spanish speakers for the schools office staff. Unofficially of course, as doing so officially would be discriminatory.

- Peter.

Ah ha! So it's the Mexicans AND liberals who are to blame for everything that's wrong with this country, especially our poor health care and high obesity. :rolleyes:

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Doe (Post 1912745)

You still don't get it. I don't see any clearer way to explain it other than the way PC did.

It seems that you don't get what I was saying. But who cares? That's not even the main point of the article.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUVMBDiesels (Post 1912739)

Hmm time for some tough love.

Maybe thats why I always clash in school with people. I'm not very PC and into the whole hug people, self esteem thing.:D

Lots of problems can be fixed by curtailing the government...