From the time we are born we are constantly being measured. At first it is to make sure we are healthy and do not have any oddities. Then when we get into school we are measured in comparison to other students. And the question is asked, what are they worth? Will they grow up to be the next president of the United States, or are we going to label them as having no chance for success?
The United States has simple goals, that every citizen be able to fit into somewhere in the workforce. That way they have some worth so our society, or human capital. Whether that is in a factory, or a scientist in a laboratory, everyone has their place and makes money. Then when people have jobs and make money our economy is in a good place to be successful. …show more content…
Well pretty heavily, tests like the PISA, can define what are human capital is worth both directly and indirectly. The direct way is that assessments determine what classes you may be placed in at school. For example lets say there is child 1 and child 2. Child 1 is very disinterested in school in third grade when they begin tracking, he finds school boring because it is too easy for him and does not pay attention in class. He was placed on the lower track throughout elementary school, which hurt him later in high school when he was unable to take college readiness classes. He therefore is seen as having lower human capital because he cannot go to college without those classes and has to find a low paying job for the rest of his life, having less money also makes him a less adequate consumer which hurts the economy. Child 2 is good in school so they are placed on the fast track through their entire process of schooling. They graduate college and get a good paying job, so they can live out the "American Dream", and become a good consumer to boost the economy. Child 2 gets an interview in a European country, his competition in from Finland. The employer ultimatley decided to hire the worker from Finland because the PISA tests displayed that his country was at the top of the leader board in Math and Science and therefore produced better overall workers from their education
The United States has simple goals, that every citizen be able to fit into somewhere in the workforce. That way they have some worth so our society, or human capital. Whether that is in a factory, or a scientist in a laboratory, everyone has their place and makes money. Then when people have jobs and make money our economy is in a good place to be successful. …show more content…
Well pretty heavily, tests like the PISA, can define what are human capital is worth both directly and indirectly. The direct way is that assessments determine what classes you may be placed in at school. For example lets say there is child 1 and child 2. Child 1 is very disinterested in school in third grade when they begin tracking, he finds school boring because it is too easy for him and does not pay attention in class. He was placed on the lower track throughout elementary school, which hurt him later in high school when he was unable to take college readiness classes. He therefore is seen as having lower human capital because he cannot go to college without those classes and has to find a low paying job for the rest of his life, having less money also makes him a less adequate consumer which hurts the economy. Child 2 is good in school so they are placed on the fast track through their entire process of schooling. They graduate college and get a good paying job, so they can live out the "American Dream", and become a good consumer to boost the economy. Child 2 gets an interview in a European country, his competition in from Finland. The employer ultimatley decided to hire the worker from Finland because the PISA tests displayed that his country was at the top of the leader board in Math and Science and therefore produced better overall workers from their education