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Handbook on Problem Solving Skills

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Eglantina Zyka

In this article will be treated different skills for public administrators, during the process of decision making, which affect the effectiveness of their decisions, and thus will also affect the fulfillment of the objectives of the organizations they lead. The main purpose of the article is to identify the skills that demonstrate public administrators during decision making in order to define how good are their decison making process. On the basis of secondary and primary research, the authors would discuss the findings in order to identify the problems faced during these processes of decision-making public administrators

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In this paper we discuss how the interests and field theory promoted by public administration as a stakeholder in policy argumentation, directly arise from its problem solving activities, using the framework for public administration problem solving we proposed in [1,2]. We propose that calls for change of policy in public administration mainly arise from model-based diagnosis problem solving.

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Soft Skills: What They Are and How to Foster Them

• First Online: 12 January 2017

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• Shubha Jayaram 7 &
• Rose Musau 8  

Part of the book series: Technical and Vocational Education and Training: Issues, Concerns and Prospects ((TVET,volume 26))

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Soft skills, also known as behavioral or non-cognitive skills, are interpersonal skills that are increasingly seen as crucial to employability. While technical and cognitive skills are important in the workplace, transferable, non-cognitive skills such as communication, problem solving, punctuality, and flexibility are increasingly important – particularly for the informal economy (R4D, 2013a, 2013b). The significance of soft skills is gaining momentum particularly in the context of the post-2015 education debate, with an increased focus on what these skills encompass, how to measure them, and how to foster them. This chapter provides an overview of these issues, with two case studies presented to illustrate various mechanisms to foster these skills in youth.

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Summarized from Brown, E. J., Acedo, J. M. R., et al. October 2013. Pathways to Employability: Part II: Case Studies of Six Innovative Programs to Enhance Skills for Employability in Youth. Results for Development Institute. Accessible from: http://r4d.org/knowledge-center/innovative-secondary-education-skills-enhancement-isese-phase-ii-research

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Acknowledgment

Research support for this chapter was also provided by Duncan McCullough, Communications Associate at Results for Development Institute’s Center for Education Innovations.

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Shubha Jayaram

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Nitika Jain

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Jayaram, S., Musau, R. (2017). Soft Skills: What They Are and How to Foster Them. In: Jayaram, S., Munge, W., Adamson, B., Sorrell, D., Jain, N. (eds) Bridging the Skills Gap. Technical and Vocational Education and Training: Issues, Concerns and Prospects, vol 26. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49485-2_6

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5 Essential Soft Skills to Develop in Any Job

• Marlo Lyons

You don’t have to be in your dream job to advance your career.

If you’ve been laid off, you might find yourself working in a job outside your industry — for example, in transportation, health care, social assistance, accommodation, food service, etc. — to support yourself and your family. Even if that job’s responsibilities seem far afield from your chosen career path, this is an opportunity to develop or elevate skills that are needed in any industry. The author discusses five soft skills to focus on during your time outside your chosen field — teamwork, influencing without authority, effective communication, problem solving, and leadership — and how to position them on your resume.

Being laid off is a shock — even if you see it coming. If you’re eligible for severance pay, you might feel okay for a while, but there may come a point when you need to take a job outside of your profession to pay the bills (maybe in retail, food service, or hospitality). But landing a job outside of your industry can still move your career forward.

• Marlo Lyons is a career, executive, and team coach, as well as the award-winning author of Wanted – A New Career: The Definitive Playbook for Transitioning to a New Career or Finding Your Dream Job . You can reach her at marlolyonscoaching.com .

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Some topics you might be interested in, the importance of soft skills training for employees.

In the modern business environment, personal development and the enhancement of soft skills are essential for both individuals and organizations. Soft skills, also known as power skills, include critical thinking, problem solving, public speaking, teamwork, leadership, work ethic, and career management. These competencies are crucial across all professions and significantly impact both personal and organizational success. This article explores the advantages of soft skills training for employees and its contribution to enhanced performance and business growth.

Why Soft Skills Training Matters

Boosted employee performance.

Training in soft skills equips employees with the necessary tools to communicate, collaborate, and lead effectively. Programs that focus on these skills enhance interpersonal interactions and overall productivity. Employees with strong problem-solving  and critical thinking capabilities are better decision-makers, leading to more efficient operations and innovative solutions.

Enhanced Leadership Abilities

For employees aspiring to management positions, leadership soft skills are indispensable. Training in areas such as team management, conflict resolution, and strategic thinking helps develop strong leaders. Effective leadership not only boosts team performance but also fosters a positive work environment, increasing employee satisfaction and retention.

Higher Employee Engagement and Retention

Investing in the development of soft skills demonstrates to employees that their growth is valued, which boosts engagement. Employees who feel supported in their professional development are more likely to stay with their employer, reducing turnover. Additionally, soft skills training provides tools for better career management, helping employees advance within the organization.

Benefits for Organizations

Improved business reputation.

Organizations that prioritize soft skills training are seen as progressive and employee centric. This reputation attracts top talent and enhances the company's market standing. Employees with strong communication and leadership skills are more likely to provide excellent customer service and drive business growth.

Enhanced Team Dynamics

Soft skills training promotes effective collaboration and cooperation. Employees trained in this area work more cohesively, have better presentation skills , reduce conflict, and improve project outcomes. Teams that communicate well and understand each other's strengths and weaknesses are more productive and efficient.

Increased Adaptability to Change

In today's rapidly changing business landscape, adaptability is crucial. Soft skills training prepares employees to handle change and challenges effectively. Whether adapting to new technologies or shifting market conditions, employees with robust soft skills navigate transitions smoothly, ensuring continuous business operations.

Investing in soft skills training is a strategic move for any organization aiming for maximum potential and sustainable success. By enhancing employees' abilities in leadership, communication, and teamwork, organizations can create a more productive and positive work environment.

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2024 KIDS COUNT Data Book

2024 state trends in child well-being.

The 35th edition of the Annie E. Casey Foundation's KIDS COUNT ® Data Book examines the unprecedented declines in student math and reading proficiency brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on education . The latest data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress reveals that between 2019 and 2022, fourth-grade reading and eighth-grade math scores plummeted, representing decades of lost progress. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for action to address the growing academic disparities among U.S. students.

Today's students, who will comprise America's future workforce, are ill-prepared for the high-level reading, math and problem-solving skills required in a competitive global economy. The failure to adequately prepare our children will have dire consequences for their futures and for the economic vitality of our nation.

Learn more about pandemic learning loss and Casey's recommendations to ensure student success

National Trends in Child Well-Being

In 2022, as COVID-19 restrictions eased, the impact of the pandemic on child well-being became evident. Six indicators worsened between 2019 and 2022, including educational achievement and the child and teen death rate. Between 2019 and 2021, the percentage of children scoring proficient or above in reading and math declined sharply. While this trend may have stabilized in 2022, the data indicate a significant setback in educational attainment. The child and teen death rate also remained elevated in 2022, with 17.0 deaths per 100,000 children and adolescents, compared to 14.7 in 2019.

However, some positive trends emerged:

• Parents' economic security improved significantly, with 62.4% of children living in economically secure homes in 2022, compared to 58.4% in 2021.
• The child poverty rate decreased from 17.2% in 2021 to 15.9% in 2022, returning to pre-pandemic levels.

Health and Family

Positive trends were also observed in the family and community domains. Fewer children lived with parents lacking a high school diploma, and the number of children living in high-poverty communities decreased. The teen birth rate reached a record low in 2021 and remained stable in 2022 at 14 births per 1,000 teen females.

These positive changes demonstrate how effective policies that address the root causes of challenges can contribute to significant improvements and create a brighter future for young people.

Trends in Racial Inequities

Racial inequities in America persist, with American Indian/Alaska Native, Black and Latino children facing significant disparities. Nearly all well-being indicators show disparate outcomes by race and ethnicity, with American Indian/Alaska Native children and Black children experiencing the lowest well-being levels.

Generations of inequity and discrimination contribute to these disparities. Black children have higher rates of single-parent households and poverty, while American Indian/Alaska Native children are more likely to lack health insurance and live in resource-limited neighborhoods. Latino children have higher rates of obesity and live in households where the head may lack a high school diploma.

And despite overall better outcomes for Asian and Pacific Islander children, disaggregated data reveal significant disparities within this population. Burmese, Mongolian and Thai children experience higher rates of poverty and lack of high school diplomas in their households. Today, children of color constitute the majority of the nation's children, highlighting the importance of ensuring their success for the future of America.

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State Trends in Overall Child Well-Being

The Foundation calculates a composite index of overall child well-being for each state by combining data across four domains: (1) Economic Well-Being, (2) Education, (3) Health and (4) Family and Community. These scores are then translated into state rankings. Explore overall child well-being in the interactive KIDS COUNT Data Book .

Northeast States Rank High for Overall Well-Being

Distinct regional patterns emerge from the state rankings. Five of the top 10 states in terms of overall child well-being are in the Northeast — Vermont (fourth), New Jersey (sixth) and Connecticut (eighth).

Household Income Has a Direct Effect on Well-Being

States in Appalachia, as well as the Southeast and Southwest — where families have the lowest levels of household income — populate the bottom of the overall rankings. In fact, except for Alaska, the 15 lowest-ranked states are in these regions.

Some States' Rankings Vary Dramatically

Although most state rankings did not vary dramatically across domains, there are a few exceptions. For example, North Dakota ranks 40th in Education but first for Economic Well-Being. New York ranks 44th in Economic Well-Being and 8th for Health. For all states, the index identified bright spots and room for improvement.

Economic Well-Being

To help children grow into prepared, productive adults, parents need jobs with family-sustaining pay, affordable housing and the ability to invest in their children’s future. Explore economic well-being in the interactive KIDS COUNT Data Book .

The Child Poverty Rate Has Improved

Nationally, 16% of children (11.6 million) lived in families below the poverty line. The child poverty rate has improved since 2019 (17%).

When parents are unemployed or earn low wages, their access to resources to support their kids’ development is more limited, which can undermine their children’s health and prospects for success in school and beyond. The negative effects of poverty on kids can extend into their teenage years and young adulthood, as they are more likely to contend with issues such as teen pregnancy and failing to graduate from high school.

Parental Employment Instability Returned to the Pre-Pandemic Rate

In 2022, 26% or 18.6 million children lived in families where no parent had full-time, year-round employment. The large increase seen between 2019 and 2021 in parental employment instability was erased by the economic recovery the country experienced in 2022. The rate in 2022 returned to the pre-pandemic rate.

Secure employment is a key contributor to families' financial stability and well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic pushed the unemployment rate to near-record highs and caused millions to leave the labor market. In 2022, job openings reached a record high as the labor market recovered. Even so, employment insecurity is a reality for more than a quarter of families living in the United States. It disrupts daily living and relationships and limit families’ access to resources to invest in their children’s development, which can, in turn, diminish children’s achievement in school and chances of future success.

High Housing-Cost Burden Remains Unchanged

In 2022, 30% of children (21.8 million) lived in families with a high housing cost burden. The rate remained unchanged since 2019.

Housing is typically one of the largest family expenses. High housing costs weigh more heavily on low-income families, who are more likely to struggle with finding affordable housing, often spending more than 30% of pretax income on a home, whether they rent or own. Paying too much for housing limits the resources families have for other necessities such as child care, food, health care and transportation as well as their ability to save and achieve financial stability.

The early years of a child’s life lay the foundation for lifelong success. Establishing the conditions that promote educational achievement for children is critical. Explore educational well-being in the interactive KIDS COUNT Data Book .

Low-Income Families Continue to Lack Access to High-Quality Early Education

During 2018–2022, 4.3 million children, ages 3 to 4 were not in school. That accounts for more than half of all children in that age group (54%).

High-quality preschool programs for 3- to 4-year-olds help set the stage for future skill development, well-being and learning, particularly for those from low-income households. These programs play an important role in preparing children for success and lead to higher levels of educational attainment, career advancement and earnings. Although Head Start and the expansion of state-funded programs since the 1990s have increased access to preschool and kindergarten, many kids — especially 3-year-olds and children living in low-income families — continue to be left out, exacerbating socioeconomic differences in educational achievement.

Improvements in Fourth-Grade Reading Mastery Erased by Pandemic

Sixty-eight percent of fourth graders in public schools were not proficient readers in 2022, an alarming rate that increased from 2019, when 66% were not proficient. Any improvement made over the past decade was erased by the pandemic.

Reading proficiency by the end of third grade is a critical marker in a child’s educational development. By fourth grade, children use reading to learn other subjects. Therefore, reading mastery at this level becomes important for students to keep up academically. Children who reach fourth grade without being able to read proficiently are more likely to struggle academically and eventually drop out of school. Low reading proficiency also can reduce earning potential and chances for career success as adults. Although there have been some improvements since the early 1990s, progress has been slow on literacy gains, and racial and income disparities remain. Unfortunately, the pandemic has erased progress made in reading proficiency levels.

Math Achievement Worsened Across Eighth Grade Groups

Eighth-grade math achievement worsened across all racial and ethnic groups between 2019 and 2022. The largest percentage point drops in proficiency were seen among white and multiracial students.

As technology continues to transform the economy, the demand grows for a workforce with aligned math and science skills and training that can keep pace with technological advancement. Students with strong math and science skills are more likely to graduate from high school, attend and complete college, earn higher incomes and take advantage of future opportunities. Even for young people who do not attend college, basic math skills and numerical literacy help with everyday tasks and personal financial management and improve employability. Ensuring kids have early and ongoing access to high-quality math education is critical for their success in school and life.

Children’s good health is fundamental to their overall development, and ensuring kids are born healthy is the first step toward improving their life chances. Poor health in childhood affects other critical aspects of children’s lives, such as school readiness and attendance, and can have lasting consequences on their future health and well-being. Explore health indicators in the interactive KIDS COUNT Data Book .

The Rate of Low Birth-Weight Babies Increased

Nationally, low birth-weight babies represented 8.6% of all live births in 2022. An increase from 2019 (8.3%). This is the highest rate witnessed in the last decade.

Birth weight is an important indicator of an infant’s health. Babies born at a low birth weight (less than 5.5 pounds) have a high probability of experiencing developmental problems and short- and long-term disabilities. They also are at greater risk of dying within the first year of life. Infections, multiple births, obesity, poor nutrition, poverty, smoking, stress and violence can increase the chances of a baby being born at a low birth weight. Compared with other affluent countries, the United States has among the highest percentage of babies born at a low birth weight, right behind Japan, Greece and Colombia.

Close to Four Million Children Lacked Health Insurance

Across the nation, 5% of children aged 18 and under (3.9 million) lacked health insurance in 2022.

Children with health insurance are more likely to have a regular source of health care they can access for preventive care services and developmental screenings, to treat acute and chronic conditions or to address injuries when they occur. Children without coverage are less likely than insured children to receive care when they need it. Having health insurance can protect families from financial crisis when a child experiences a serious or chronic illness and can help kids remain active, healthy and in school ready to learn.

Child and Teen Mortality Rate Increase Stalled

In 2022, 23,137 children and youth ages 1 to 19 died in the United States, which translates into a mortality rate of 30 deaths per 100,000 children and teens. After seeing a 20% increase between 2019 and 2021, the child and teen mortality rate increase stalled in 2022.

Accidents, primarily those involving motor vehicles, were the leading cause of death for children and youth, accounting for 28% of all deaths among children ages 1 to 14.46 As children move further into their teenage years, they encounter new, and potentially deadly, risks. In 2022, accidents, homicides and suicides accounted for 76% of deaths for teens ages 15 to 19.47. For the second year, in a row firearm-related deaths are the leading cause of death among teens.

Family and Community

Children who live in nurturing families and supportive communities have stronger personal connections and higher academic achievement. Explore familial and community well-being in the interactive KIDS COUNT Data Book .

The Percentage of Children in Single-Parent Families Did Not Change

The percentage of children living in single-parent families remains unchanged between 2019 and 2022, at 34%. In 2022, 23.3 million children lived in single-parent families.

Even with the best efforts of parents, children growing up in single-parent families typically have access to fewer economic resources and valuable time with adults than children in two-parent families in which child-raising responsibilities can be shared. For example, in 2022, 28% of single-parent families had incomes below the poverty line, compared with 6% of married couples with children. The effects of growing up in single-parent families go beyond economics, increasing the likelihood of children dropping out of school, being disconnected from the labor market and becoming teen parents.

The Rate of Parents Who Lacked a High School Diploma Improved

In 2022, 11% of children lived in households headed by an adult without a high school diploma. This is a slight improvement from 2019, where the rate was 12%. While this is only a slight improvement, the rate has been cut in half since 1990, when 22% of children lived with parents who lacked a high school diploma.

Children growing up in households with highly educated adults are better positioned for future success. These parents often are better able to provide the financial stability and security they need to foster their children’s development. Higher levels of parental education are strongly associated with better outcomes for children, including kids’ own higher educational attainment and achievement.

Fewer than 10% of Children Lived in High-Poverty Areas from 2018–2022

During the period from 2018–2022, 8% of children lived in high-poverty areas, representing a total of 5.7 million children.

High-poverty neighborhoods — where poverty rates for the total population are 30% or more — come with several challenges that affect the children and families who live there. Residents of these neighborhoods contend with poorer health, higher rates of crime and violence, poor-performing schools due to inadequate funding and limited access to support networks and job opportunities. They also experience higher levels of financial instability. These barriers make it much harder for families to move up the economic ladder.

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