that the US, once the leader in education has now slipped to 18th place in the world when compared to other leading nations in the world.

Almost 50% do not make it to graduation.

Nobody to blame but we the people....it is not a priority as it once was.

The country as a whole is in that same trend....we have crested the hill and are on the slippery slope down with NO HOPE in sight of ANYBODY being interested in changing the trend. And I don't mean the new proposed standards they just put out yesterday.

No plan....no accountability...public apathy = not a chance.

One has to know life as we know it today is the best it will ever be looking forward.....how sad is that?

Somebody please help prove me wrong.

btk

I have been thinking about our educational system and its shortcomings also. I do know there are no single simple solutions to the problems. But I do think that two major problems need to be addressed. First education is a long,difficult,up and down process. Everything we do with and to kids today teaches them the exact opposite. Our technology,foods,and everyday life is opposite of what education is. Fast everything and instant gratification is what we both model and teach our young. Learning is not fast or instant. It is a long journey. In every way we have taught our young that there is no long journey.When schools try to keep cell phones out of schools parents are the first to complain. The office phone is not fast enough for them. The young have a famous word now for anything that is difficult or takes time "whatever". I think the second problem facing education is the fact that too much is being taught that has nothing to do with core education.Schools now teach hygeine,sex-education,proper eating,anti-bullying,health education and many other family subjects. These all take time from core curriculum classes.