Global Competency Education. Research Brief 2013-1

Every year in the United States, millions of students graduate with some type of postsecondary credential--certificate, associate, or bachelor's degree--and discover they are not, or are identified as not being, adequately prepared to compete in the increasingly global economy. A recent McKinsey & Company study, Education to Employment, reported that less than half of U.S. student respondents believe their postsecondary studies improved their employment opportunities and half of U.S. employer respondents say a skills shortage is a leading reason for entry-level vacancies--and this trend is worldwide. By 2018, the United States will need approximately 22 million new Associate's degrees or greater to fill new and replacement job projections, but will have three million fewer postsecondary degrees than needed. This reality brings forward the question: How do we ensure that those with a postsecondary credential are prepared for a rapidly changing and globalized economy? A first and necessary step is the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), which, at this time, have been adopted by forty-five states, the District of Columbia, four territories, and the Department of Defense. As is well-documented, CCSS raises college and career readiness expectations for all students in the United States. Curricula, assessments, and teaching, however, will need to include and integrate global competency skills to ensure that students are prepared to succeed in the workforce. Toward that end, this brief is intended to support educators in preparing the next generation of students for college and career in an interconnected and hyper changing world by highlighting key, relevant concepts germane to comparative education.