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Are you smarter than a fifth grader? Today, a fifth grade curriculum equates to an eighth grade curriculum thirty years ago. The fact is, this year we will have a graduating class that is smarter than their leisure suited counterparts of 1978.

In 1960, during the "good old days", 65% of the population between the ages of 25-29 had become high school graduates. That number has been hovering around 80% for the last ten years or so. As for the future, the National Center for Educational Statistics estimates

"Between 200304, the last year of actual data, and 201617, the number of high school graduates is projected to increase nationally by 5 percent."

That's good news, but it doesn't stop there.

Students are being taught better writing skills. A typical fifth grader is being taught how to write a persuasive essay. Sadly, my generation didn't do this until high school.

The Harry Potter series is a sensation. Children are reading again, big words, lots of pages AND they understand what they are reading.

Students today have surpassed the previous generation in understanding and using technology. They are given instruction in "keyboarding" in elementary school. There are eleven year olds who type at 40 words per minute. Miraculously, they text at the speed of light. Back in the day, most people couldn't even operate a typewriter. It was a skill that was only taught in secretarial school.

Literacy is high and holding steady. Despite calls for improvement, 99% of the population of the United States can read and write at a basic level. Comparatively, it is estimated that the number for the rest of the world is 82%.

In 1947, 11% of African Americans living in the United States were illiterate. That number decreased to 3.6% in 1969 until finally it is around the 1% mark today.

Functional illiteracy is estimated to be around 13%. For the rest of the world, that number is close to 50%.

But what if a child is falling behind?

There is more support, more analytics, more tests, and basically more help for the child than ever before. For example, thirty years ago, dyslexia was hardly ever diagnosed properly. Today, testing gives us such an accurate snapshot of a child's abilities that even the term "dyslexia" has been abandoned by most professionals. It's far too inaccurate a term to use.

"Home Economics" doesn't exist anymore at many schools. "Human Ecology" and "Life Science" classes now teach students of both sexes how to care for infants. They carry around dolls and learn about the realities of parenthood.

Most high schools today focus on college prep. "Shop Class" has been replaced by "SAT Preparation". In towns all across America, workshops are offered on subjects ranging from "How to Apply" to "Paying for College".

The skills needed for the future are good communication, computer literacy, and multi-tasking. The fact of the matter is that our schools are turning out smarter, faster thinkers with better communication skills. They have the ability to multi-task and absorb information like sponges.

Our children get more support from our teachers than ever before. We have done our educators a grave disservice with the constant doom and gloom reporting.

No time in our history has our population been more prepared to face an uncertain future. We have our schools to thank for that.

Learn more about this author, Neal Acito.
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