[edchambers]

Would somebody like to explain to me how we have managed to become the most powerfull economic and military force the world has ever known with the worlds worst educational system?!Either education is nearly irrelevant or maybe our school system isn't that bad after all.Maybe the problems in our schools are over reported so the teachers unions can continue to demand more of my hard earned tax dollers.

[goodnesswins]

On the backs of the previously educated....I'm not really excited about kids getting out of school today....I don't think it's going to be a pretty picture, for many reasons. (Parents, included.) Take the "Because I want to" class! PLEASE! I worry about our maintaining the "most powerfull (sic) economic and military force the world has ever known..."

[narby]

Either education is nearly irrelevant or maybe our school system isn't that bad after all.

What makes us a powerful country and economy is the culture set up over the last 200 years. By this I mean the system of property rights that allows people to own homes they can borrow against, businesses they can make money from, etc.

I've heard of studies that show that the primary difference in the economic power of a country is the ability of individuals to keep and control property. This is the foundation that allows borrowing, capital buildup, etc.

Education is a good thing. But Bill Gates was a college dropout.

[Eska]

You will always see that top 15% in any school that have been raised with proper ideals/values that excell. I'm talking about that clean cut straight A student who will probably be offered a sports scholarship even though he doesn't need it. Then you see he has four brothers just like him, all over achievers. It starts in the home. They are our future leaders and why America is on top.

Most parents today want nothing to do with school or their kid's education. Schools are supposed to not just cover academics, but socialization also; since this isn't being accomplished in the home anymore.

Until you have spent some time in todays classroom and then look back on how it was 20 years ago; you have no clue. Its a reflection of our own societal dysfunction. Until America starts doing a better job raising kids; nothing in education will improve. Pay increases for teachers, benchmarks & testing, or privatization just circumvents the real problem which is how we have changed as a people.