Just two generations ago, only the United States of America fulfilled the criteria to be considered a superpower, after World War II and the Cold War.  A superpower is considered to be a country with a leading position in the world (economically, politically, and militarily) and the ability to influence events and project power on a worldwide scale. 

• We produced the highest performing students in reading, mathematics, and science.
• We had the highest high school and college graduation rate in the world.
• We owned all of the world's largest corporations.
• We had the highest number of patent applications and made the largest investment in research and development in the world.

National Trends in Education

A recent study among the 24 most advanced and prosperous nations in the world yielded the following results:

1. Overall Student Performance:  America - 18th of 24
2. High School Graduation Rates:  America - 19th of 24

America spends an average of $8700 per student.  The only country who spends more money per student than America in the entire world is Switzerland, who ranks 6th in the world in overall performance.

American Students spend an average of 26% less hours in school than students in the highest performing countries.

The TIMSS Advanced Study (Trends in Mathematics and Science Study), measures how students are doing in math and science around the globe.  American results have been poor.  In the most recent Advanced Survey, students from only two countries scored lower than U.S. school kids:  Cypress and South Africa. (*The United States quietly decided last year to drop out of the test citing cost constraints.)

30% of American high school students do not graduate.  Every year, more than 1.2 million students drop out of high school.

The United States produced 1.3 million college graduates last year.  The Top Three Majors - Business, Psychology, and Elementary Education.  China graduated 3.3 million college students last  year.  India graduated 3.1  million college students last year.  Their Top Three Majors - International Business, Engineering, and Computer Science.

Sources:  UNICEF International Education Survey, 2007;Wall Street Journal, Ed in '08
Colorado State Governor's Office of Higher Education; China Daily