Monday, March 15, 2010

Stupid In America; What's Wrong with the U.S. Education System?

The following video should be required viewing for every member in Congress, every teacher in the United States, and every parent with children in public education.

The video is 40 minutes long but I assure you that watching it will be time well spent. The video compares the U.S. public education system with that in Europe, and with magnet and charter schools vs. districts where there is no competition. The results are shocking. Please watch ....

Stupid In America

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx4pN-ai ... r_embedded

Here are a couple of select quotes:

From a parent: "I would not send my kids to an American public school, not even for a million dollars."

From a student: "I think it's a pity that American children don't have the same opportunities and the same choices that we have"

Parental Participation Is The Key

Here is an email from "Concerned Parent" about the U.S education system.

Concerned Parent Writes ...

Hey, Mish. Love your blog. Apologize in advance for the length.

I have two children, 7 & 10 in Clear Creek ISD public schools in League City, TX (near Houston). I have coworkers that live in Friendswood, Texas, which has a higher income (according to demographics). Many of my coworkers’ children are already in high school or college from many of the surrounding areas. As it stands today, my kids go to school with about 25% of the students at or near poverty.

As a parent with a vested interest in my children’s education, I’ve asked and read a lot about what it takes to get a great education. What I see and hear that make a difference hinges on one thing: parental participation. With it, the children succeed above average and in the range of their individual potential. Without it, they struggle or fail.

At my kids’ school, they have “gifted and talentedâ€