> Basic, decent, somewhat cross-discipline education is the cornerstone of civilization.
Totally agree. This can be done by 8th grade. In fact, it was mostly done by 8th grade in the US until about 100 years ago.
> But getting everyone reasonably literate and 'through high school' - is probably the #1 thing any nation could do to improve the standard of living in their citizenry.
You say this based on what?
In every high school I have interacted with (usu. as an observer or researcher), high school is largely a holding pen for those who are not college bound (and even for many who are). There is very little education happening in the classroom since the content is largely decoupled from the learners' day-to-day existences (both present and perceived future).
The course content is largely college prep or reheated versions of middle school curricula. The main focus is usually on some sort of preparation for a test (of questionable validity) that the school will be judged on.
As I have mentioned before, schools (esp. high schools) serve most HN folks and their communities to a more or less acceptable standard. The other 70% of the (US) folks... I really don't think so.
Totally agree. This can be done by 8th grade. In fact, it was mostly done by 8th grade in the US until about 100 years ago.
> But getting everyone reasonably literate and 'through high school' - is probably the #1 thing any nation could do to improve the standard of living in their citizenry.
You say this based on what?
In every high school I have interacted with (usu. as an observer or researcher), high school is largely a holding pen for those who are not college bound (and even for many who are). There is very little education happening in the classroom since the content is largely decoupled from the learners' day-to-day existences (both present and perceived future).
The course content is largely college prep or reheated versions of middle school curricula. The main focus is usually on some sort of preparation for a test (of questionable validity) that the school will be judged on.
As I have mentioned before, schools (esp. high schools) serve most HN folks and their communities to a more or less acceptable standard. The other 70% of the (US) folks... I really don't think so.