BLS DAILY REPORT, TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2000
RELEASED TODAY: The number of employed youth 16 to 24 years old increased
by nearly 2.2 million between April and July. This year's seasonal
expansion in employment of 16- to 24-year-olds brought the
employment-population ratio for the group to 65.0 percent, about what it had
been in July 1998 and July 1999. The number of unemployed youth normally
grows at this time of year as well and this year increased by 469,000. ...
The Bureau of Labor Statistics says Americans in nonagricultural industries
spent a weekly average of 39.5 hours at work last year. That compares with
1989's 39.4 hours and the 40 hours logged in 1967. People may work harder
and faster. But, as for overall reported hours, "it really hasn't changed
in 15 years," says Randy E. Ilg, a BLS senior economist. ... (Wall Street
Journal,
Work Week," page A1).
This fall, 53 million children will enter public and private elementary and
secondary schools, the highest enrollment in U.S. history and further
evidence that school crowding and teacher shortages will be top issues in
localities nationwide. The growth trend is outlined in a Department of
Education report, which estimates that school enrollment will continue to
grow. ... The report casts light on the ability of communities to handle
the influx of students: (1) Crowding is hampering efforts to reduce class
sizes. Some elementary classrooms have 40 or more pupils, more than double
what is considered ideal. (2) About 2.2 million teachers will be needed in
the next decade to meet rising enrollment and replace retiring teachers.
The highest concentration of teachers is in the age range of mid-40s to
early 50s, so many will be retiring within 10 years, the report said. (3)
School construction is fast becoming a top issue in many communities, and
portable classrooms are increasing in popularity. ... (USA Today, page 1A).
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