[Theodore R.]

One can just declare the new education program as "reform," and the people will support it. The public does not understand that much of the problem in education is the lack of effort on the part of "students." Because their children get good grades, the typical parent has no idea that most of his children's high grades are bogus -- the result of grade inflation carried on by teachers at the insistence of administrators eager to curry favor with the public and taxpayers who underwrite the "education" bond issues. It's all in the money; isn't that what the liberals said about Watergate?

[summer]

Theodore, Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this thread. I respectfully disagree with some of what you said, especially about student effort. It's true that some students do not put forth as much effort as they should, but I think there is a greater failure on the part of adults to motivate some students. Motivating kids can be very difficult. But, that too is part of educating and parenting. Thanks again for your comments. :)

[summer]

the result of grade inflation carried on by teachers

And, yes, there is a problem in some schools with grade inflation -- check out all the recent articles about grade inflation at Harvard! Seriously. :)