High School, College Graduates Lack Basic and Applied Skills, Employers Say

[1 December 2006 - School Reform News - The Heartland Institute] High school and college graduates lack basic and applied skills, say business leaders, according to two surveys released in October. On October 2, the Conference Board, a global business membership and research organization, released the results of its survey of 431 employers on recently hired high school and college graduates. While basic knowledge and skills such as reading comprehension and mathematics were deemed important, employers said applied skills--such as work ethic, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking--are even more essential to workplace success. According to the survey, new job entrants lack both. More