Politics: The Dark Ages edition

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by UofMfan

From Wikipedia:

The country has a reading literacy rate at 98% of the population over age 15,[5] while ranking below average in science and mathematics understanding compared to other developed countries.[6] In 2008, there was a 77% graduation rate from high school, below that of most developed countries.[7]

The poor performance has pushed public and private efforts such as the No Child Left Behind Act. In addition, the ratio of college-educated adults entering the workforce to general population (33%) is slightly below the mean of other developed countries (35%)[8] and rate of participation of the labor force in continuing education is high.[9] A 2000s study by Jon Miller of Michigan State University concluded that "A slightly higher proportion of American adults qualify as scientifically literate than European or Japanese adults".[10]

Competitiveness

The national results in international comparisons have often been far below the average of developed countries. In OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment 2003, 15 year olds ranked 24th of 38 in mathematics, 19th of 38 in science, 12th of 38 in reading, and 26th of 38 in problem solving.[97] In the 2006 assessment, the U.S. ranked 35th out of 57 in mathematics and 29th out of 57 in science. Reading scores could not be reported due to printing errors in the instructions of the U.S. test booklets. U.S. scores were far behind those of most other developed nations.

This is why sometimes I find it bothersome to conduct any sort of challenging discussion on here when all I get thrown at me is erroneous information supplied by the US school system. Of course there have been exceptions to this, and for that I am grateful.

Public school systems are politically driven.... it is how they get monies! Or, not... Today, our public schools are test-mills.

I was talking to a friend the other night that has taught elementary school for many years. She taught during a time when although, teaching required much work and dedication for really not a lot of pay, but a teacher remained dedicated because they did see the fruits of their efforts and were respected. This was prior to school administration credentials were developed in which a person never setting foot in a classroom can become a public school's top ruling administrator. People in these positions used to have years of classroom experience prior to becoming an administrator. It was a requirement! I honestly believe that this is part of the decline in US education. It created a mid-management and higher management model in education with those in charge of budgets and policies to be someone that has only a business background and that cannot relate well with classroom teachers. And the studies done about our educational systems are formed within this schema…. Based upon political considerations