When we say we want, as one popular literacy program "Success for All" puts it, what do we mean? If all children could reach their educational potential, what would society do with them. If sociologists are right and society needs low achievers for its own maintenance, all those excess high achievers could be a real problem. What would society do?
On the PBS show, Think Tank, on May 10, 2008, Natan Sharansky, the famous Soviet-Jewish dissident, said the nascent state of Israel had this very problem.
In order to prevail against antisemitism in the Soviet Union, Jews had to be the best at whatever they did. So the Jews that emigrated to Israel were the scientists, mathematicians, musicians, etc. They were the most educated group of immigrants in history. (my paraphrase, no transcript yet available)
Mr. Sharansky said the the problem of absorbing all these highly educated people was a major challenge for Israeli society. I have been researching this topic for hours and I have not found anything. A study of Israel's experience could prove helpful in helping America clarify its own goals. On the other hand, maybe the last thing thing America wants is clarity. If it turns out that Israel's excess scientists are driving taxis, it could suggest that high levels of achievement is untenable and American society might rather not know that. It could be that the first wave of Israeli immigration is moot and the new generation is demographically more evenly distributed. Does anyone have information?