Blaming Low Wages on Bad Schooling Is a Neoliberal Myth
For the past 40 years, privately funded interest groups and lawmakers have promoted the idea that US schools are failing and causing economic dysfunction. The story provides cover for the real culprits of inequality: wealth-hoarding bosses.
Business interests and neoliberal politicians have argued that education is the only and best way to address inequality, providing cover to poverty’s real drivers: bosses who pay starvation wages. (Jon Cherry / Getty Images)
“Bachelor’s degree holders generally earn 75% more than those with just a high school diploma,” asserts a stats-packed CNBC article with the beleaguered-sounding headline “College is still worth it, research finds.”
“The future is STEM,” scolds an op-ed on the education website the 74, cautioning that American students are lagging behind Chinese students in their acquisition of data science — and it’s jeopardizing national security.
“The U.S. does not have enough high-skilled workers to meet demand for computer-related jobs, and employers are seeking immigrant talent to help fill that gap,” warns yet another data-heavy CNBC piece.
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