That should be "this is an All-Time Whopper." Just kidding. Having a little fun this morning.
One thing stands out in one of your posts. You give the statistic that there are more high school graduates in the year 2000, as compared to 1950. That seems like a very hollow statistic standing on it's own merit with nothing more to add to it.
What is more important is the quality of education that the diploma represents, not how many diploma's are given out on any particular year or generation.
I once read that the high school graduate of yesteryear was the equivalence of a second year in college today. Many educators complain that a large percentage high school graduates of today need remedial classes to catch up to college standards and they are shocked at what the high school graduates don't know.

Now, this is a generalization and your miles may vary, but I have personally talked to 20 and 30 year olds and I am amazed at what they do not know. When did they stop teaching the basics?
Now before you get your panties tied in a knot, I, in no way, am blaming the teachers as much as I am questioning the people who construct the curriculum.
Do any teachers here agree or are they so deeply entrenched in the system that they do not see the trees from the forest?