lfm01

Although U.S. economic strength has been attributed Tiffany Elsa Peretti part to high levels of education, the workforce is lagging in the percentage of younger workers with college degrees, according to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development.But exactly how to raise the education levels of the U.S. workforce is a matter of debate. And whether learning Algebra II causes students to fare better in life, or Tiffany Elsa Peretti Star of David pendant it is merely correlated with them doing better - because smart, motivated kids take Algebra II - isn't clear. No state has pushed Algebra II more than Arkansas, which began requiring the class last year for most graduates and assesses how well students have done with a rigorous test - one of only Tiffany Elsa Peretti Starfish bracelet  states to administer the test. Only 13 percent of those who took the Algebra II test in Arkansas were deemed "prepared" or better, but state officials said they are aiming to raise that figure rather than lower standards. "All those numbers and letters, it's like another language, like hieroglyphics," said Tiffany Woodle, a Conway High School student Tiffany Cushion an aspiring beauty salon owner. "It obviously says something. I'm just not sure what, sometimes."Achieve and other educational groups, which spent years defining standards to better prepare students for college and work, quickly fastened on Algebra II as a fundamental component. One of the key studies supporting the Algebra II focus was conducted by Anthony Carnevale and Alice Desrochers, then both at the Educational Testing Service.