Although I do understand the point. They don't teach "making change".
Our schools had the kids counting and making simple change starting in first grade.
Like you, I am thoroughly impressed with our school system! In fact, I could email my kids' teachers right now and have a reply in less than 1 hour!
Same here. I'm very satisfied with the education my kids are receiving in my rural area. Almost every other family at my Baptist church homeschools, and I would say that my kids are on the same level as the homeschooled kids.
I think the key is (obviously) having the kids in a good school system, and then staying very involved as parents and working with them on homework and extra-curricular studies.
Fletcher J