I have to say I've always been somewhat skeptical of the claims that the US educational system is completely falling apart. I know in part those calls are used by the right to back up their case for religion in schools and voucher programs, etc. And, by the left to push for more funding, more teachers, less "teaching to the test", etc...and I admit I've used the claims for those reasons, myself. But, perhaps in my zeal to save our schools from the right, I've gone a bit too far without realizing all the great things coming out of our educational system. That's not to say that I don't fully realize there are some legitimate, major problems and issues to fix (I see them as bright as day in Cleveland, where schools are closing, buildings routinely fall apart, teaching is secondary to politics and gang violence and corruption have taken hold...and no one seems to really care all that much, except for the teachers and some of the students/parents). Education in our poorer areas is very much in trouble. It's not all roses in the suburbs, either, but it's usually substantially better off.
Here's an
interesting commentary from a CIS professor which I believe contains some pretty good arguments as to why the "education has died" crowd aren't exactly being completely honest (including myself at times). I don't agree with everything said in the article, but his points about the H1B visas, his thoughts on "American institutions" and the fact that we do produce many talented graduates are spot-on in my view.
At the same time, I strongly agree that our educational system is in need of quite a bit of TLC. Funding methods must be changed to make schools more equal and all schools must be made places where learning can actually take place without fear of gang violence or a columbine-like incident. Punishing schools for not measuring up to synthetic tests isn't all that great in my opinion. Extra-curricular music and other activities need to be an integral part of every school, not just the wealthy schools in secluded suburbs. We need more of a focus on all the basics of education. It does no good to make science and math education more rigorous if our students can't write coherent sentences. If we only teach history as a series of facts with no real-world implications how will our future leaders ever begin to understand the real problems they will face in human terms, not simply at economic worries or political hurdles.
I'm not saying I have the answers, I don't imagine I even have a clear view of the real issues. I just wanted to vent my thoughts after reading a thought provoking article and perhaps get some discussion going and say thanks to all the genuine, professional educators that have truly touched my life, all the way from my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Spiller, to my favorite university professors.