For jobs at every skill level and in many different occupations, the better-educated applicant has the edge, says "The College Advantage," from the Georgetown University Center on Educationa and the Workforce, and this is especially true during the recent recession and into its recovery.  The report calls on policymakers, employers and institutions to do more to produce the skilled talent necessary for the U.S to effectively compete in a global economy.  See more here: http://cew.georgetown.edu/collegeadvantage/.  The full report is attached.

Instead of reducing and flattening economic distinctions, globalisation has made them sharper.  The latest bit of commentary from Richard Florida. 

Read more on The Atlantic Cities website...

Attached is a fascinating executive summary of a report completed by the University of Illinois (U of I) for the Lumina Foundation.  The full technical report will be released in the near future.

Details on the overall project, completed by the U of I's Office of Community College Research and Leadership (OCCRL) is located here: http://occrl.illinois.edu/projects/nsf_applied_baccalaureate

Cornelia and Jan Flora have developed an interesting framework for examining seven forms of inter-related capital.  A synopsis is attached as a PDF.  For a longer exposition, consider their "Rural Communities: Leacy and Change" (3rd edition, 2007).  A 4th edition will be published in July.

Written in terms of the rural realm, this framework has broader application, particulary in regard to the development of Learning Cities.  

The term “smart growth” can sound like code for “the rest of you are dumb.”  Full article at:

http://www.theatlanticcities.com/politics/2012/03/how-talk-about-cities-...