American Education

[Sage]

Just got this idea from the "Impossible Math" thread. Why is the American Education system so... bad? I'm lucky that I go to a good school and I've had good luck with getting very good teachers, but still... I can't help but think how much smarter I might be if I took classes in say, Japan (currently the most educated country in the world). I'm at the top of my school (academically), yet I don't consider myself a genius at all. And, to top this all off, despite our lacking education, we are still the world's most powerful country. Isn't that... odd?

(I can hear the Canadians and Europeans laughing at me right now)

 

[Tom M]

It's not so much that we are not a well educated country, it's that we're a pack of morons "On average." People with either money or drive have access to some of the best schools in the world here in the US. People without money or drive tend to wallow in ignorance. With our current public school system it will be difficult to improve our worldwide standing without a major infusion of government money. And considering the current state of the economy I don't think that will be happening any time soon.
My advice to you is to work your butt off because you do have access to fine schooling, you just may have to earn it though.

Btw, Japan also has the highest rate of Teen suicide centered around High school Graduation. (Because everyone finds out whether they are a scientist, or a street sweeper. )