[justshutupandtakeit]

As the world becomes more complicated and more information accumulates it requires more time to assilimate that knowledge. Of course, we have a vastly different educational course of study now than 200 yrs. ago. How could we not? There are whole cultures that this era knew nothing of. No knowledge of the beginnings of civilization in the Fertile Crescent, little knowledge of Ancient Egypt, almost nothing about China or India or Japan.

200 years ago there was no science taught to speak of, no American history except the Revolutionary period, no American literature, little art, no study of statistics or calculus, physics was in its infancy as was chemistry and biology.

Now even 12 yrs. is not sufficient to do more than learn the basic. A Batchelors Degree is just scratching the surface in most disciplines. Education back then was heavy on Greek, Latin, the classics, philosophy, rhetoric, logic and Theology most of which is essentially irrelevant to modern life. Such an education today would prepare one for nothing though I might enjoy it.

Public schools back then, as now, were run by local authorities. Schools are as close to the people as any institution in American life. When you condemn public education you are, in fact, condemning participatory democracy. That is fine but let's be honest as to what is implied here.

[CyberCowboy777]

Now even 12 yrs. is not sufficient to do more than learn the basic.

Not true, when was the last time you were in a classroom? 60% of the time is spent on non-educational activities or administration of the classroom or non-essentials. When they are studying the curriculum is dumbed down to the point of ridiculous. Thus 80% of graduated students do not have the most rudimentary knowledge of the subjects you pointed out in your first two paragraphs. Government schools do not work and waste time and money.

Look at the statistics of illiteracy, history testing and math testing among seniors. The statistics are reprehensible and those numbers are propped up by "part-time" students (Home Schooled students who take one or two classes at the high school yet whose entire scores effect the schools average) The majority of PS graduates do not know who wrote the Declaration of Independence or even who it was a declaration of independence from. And Math, do you know where the US ranks in math scores?

Science? Do you know the stories of education of times greatest scientist? Edison, Einstein, Franklin and others, how did they "learn". Do you know where the US stands on basic physical science?

Do you know the number of students that must take basic classes at a community college in order to gain full entrance? Public schools back then, as now, were run by local authorities. Schools are as close to the people as any institution in American life.

You obviously have no idea how schools are run or funded. All rules, regulations, curriculum and policies are handed down by either the state or federal government. Parents can have a choice.....of options approved by the Government. There can be no defense of Government schools of today. They are complete and total failures as proven by their own testing and the results shown by seniors.

I would however possibly endorse public education strictly on a state level (the federal government has no constitutional place in education) if it was:

A purely Classical education (prep school/private school style), no fluff, no "social programs", no religious exceptions

Run by local school boards consisting of citizens only, no bureaucrats

Voluntary

Parents responsibility

Without homework

Strict and Exclusionary - Violence, drugs and other non-academic activities will be prosecuted by the police if crimes or and if not an immediate cause of expulsion.