[FrankR]

"Obama says kids in the U.S. spend too little time in the classroom, putting them at a disadvantage when competing with students in other countries."

The problem with education has less to do with how much time is spent in the classroom, and more as how that time is utilized.

What are we competing with the world over???? Who can put a condom on a cucumber in the fastest time, or the entire cradle to grave history of MLK and civil rights?

Maybe a closer focus on long division and less on diversity would be helpful. A couple of classes on business and job training and less on how to fill out welfare forms would be of a great advantage.

A little American history would go a long way in instilling pride into little American brains, and take the edge off worrying about the rest of the world for a while. Of course, the liberal have made it sinful to be proud of our country, haven't they.

Relatively speaking, very few people make their living singing and dancing; but the generation we have now all want to be "stars". We have raised a generation so starved for attention that they will sell their souls to the devil for one round of applause. Those who don't get it, turn to crime, drugs, or just plain bad attitudes because they didn't get theirs.

And last - but not least - DISCIPLINE. So long as the brats are disruptive with bad attitudes and gang/bullly mentalitites, then no learning will make it's way into the little "skulls full of mush".

[shredderman]

I guess this is why there are so many “Reality” shows now on TV. Everyone wants their 15 minutes in the spotlight, since Hippie Mom & Dad didn’t do it in the late 60’s and early 70’s. I’m glad I was born in 63. Both my Parents were able to teach my Brother and I some values that we still use. But with today’s kids? Fugettaboutit!

[itsahoot]

And last - but not least - DISCIPLINE.

Reading, and writing and arithmetic, taught to the tune of a hickory stick.

Worked well when I started school in 1944.