[Redleg Duke]

"The cream Will RISE TO THE TOP!"

While that is true, the problem is that the socialist NEA has been trying to prevent or discourage the cream from rising in the interest of total self-esteem in all students.

The advantage I had in the public school systems of the 1950s and 1960s was that they weren't afraid to categorize/group according to performance into the Advanced, Average and Slow-learner castes and then encourage us to "raise caste".

[litehaus]

"was that they weren't afraid to categorize/group"

Ditto for the 10 years prior to that ....AND, even for my kids, 70s, 80s there was still some 'grouping' going on....also no one ever came home and said " I am somebody" at our home...they brought the report cards home and all was fine... One aircraft mechanic (wanna be pilot), one intl analyst and lastly one math PhD investment banker type....It WILL rise! I am blessed beyond what I deserve and am Thankful to our Lord......

[Gabz]

The advantage I had in the public school systems of the 1950s and 1960s was that they weren't afraid to categorize/group according to performance into the Advanced, Average and Slow-learner castes and then encourage us to "raise caste".

Some still aren't afraid of those categorizations. while the "tags" may be slightly different, the concept remains the same.