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America is still at the top of the game when it comes to university and college educations, and I’d fathom a guess and say that it would take at least a couple of generations before that could change significantly. Although, I have heard rumblings from professors who don’t like the push for AP classes in high school as the classes themselves tend to only teach to the exam. This leaves something to be desired given that students are allowed to skip courses they haven’t mastered. Especially when AP classes are replacing what were once challenging Honors courses that prepared students in the fundamentals which were then enhanced or solidified once in college.
Back to my point, America will continue to educated the most qualified professional in the world, even with a deplorable public school system in place. In essence, there is no pragmatic necessity to fix the public school system since it seems to play little or no part in providing us with the academics and professionals which make this country great.
That being said, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t a certain sad state of affairs here. It is a shame that a teenage girl could probably tell me in detail about Britney Spears love interests, but the same teenager is unlikely to be able to name the axis and allies in world war II (I might count it a victory if she could tell me which side we were on). It’s also a shame that some middle aged white men know more about Martin Luther King than some high school age black males.
Who is to blame for this? I think it’s society in general, we as a people. When was the last time you took an active interest in the schooling of the people you know? Do you ask your nieces and nephews what they’re doing in school? Do you volunteer your time or donate money to your local library? Do you know who your kids teachers are, who their classmates are? Do you go to the art museum or do you go to the bar on Saturdays? When was the last time you had an intellectual conversation with your friends? Do you encourage the people in your life to further their education if they’re interested in something? Do you take the time to learn new things by yourself? Do you find it more important to improve your looks rather than your knowledge? It’s been pointed out to me a few times that the nice people here at tfp tend to not fit into any one category. Therefore, the “you” that I used is a generic you directed at no one here in particular.
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