It's been well known for quite some time that the U.S. falls behind other countries when it comes to science and math skills, part of the reason behind the recent accelerated push to support STEM learning. 

But according to a recent study, U.S. adults also fall behind in something a little more surprising: technology skills.

According to a new assessment from the Program for International Assessment of Adult Competencies, U.S. adults rank dead last on technology skills in comparison to 20 other countries.

U.S. adults also performed below average on both reading and math assessments as well.

"Relative to the 20 countries in the study, US adults scored closest to the international average (but just below!) on literacy skills. Americans also placed fifth-to-last on the numeracy test. The US results come from more than 8,000 adults who supposedly reflect the general population," said Ed Surge.

The test highest performers? None other than the usual suspects- Finland and Japan.

"The report confirmed assumptions about the relationship between education, employment and skills. Across the world, those with postsecondary degrees are more likely to score on the highest proficiency level across all three skills. There’s also this troubling stat: many more white Americans reached the top proficiency level than their peers of non-white backgrounds," Ed Surge said.

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Article by Nicole Gorman, Education World Contributor

3/11/2016