[FITZ]

I am grading tests from my entry level prealgebra class at a local Community college and better than half of the students cannot handle simple fractions!

Not just at the community college level. Here the 4 year "university" has 60% of it's students in remedial programs. I've seen with my own eyes a college graduate have to sit and use a pencil and paper to figure out the average between 44 and 46 ----add together and divide by two. I can see why businesses now come up with their own tests to screen their applicants ---even those with a diploma.

[kcar]

"I've seen with my own eyes a college graduate have to sit and use a pencil and paper to figure out the average between 44 and 46 ----add together and divide by two."

If true, there are a couple of future-effect implications to what you are reporting:
1) Expect an increase in the age of retirement beyond that what we have previously been prepared for. (They will sell this by celebrating our improved longevity).
2) In 2020, get a good warranty or buy from stores that have a good returns policy.
C) Something else so this equals a couple things.