by Pam Thomason

Created on: December 28, 2009

If you think Americans are stupid then I'd look in the mirror.  We are preparing students for jobs that aren't even made yet.  Technology and information given to students is like never before, and some of these students are on overload.  Yes, as Americans we have issues, but remember we teach every child, and give them a chance for a high school diploma and further education.  It is not the same in some other countries.  It is selected at a fairly early age what the child will do in life and only the cream of the crop goes on to higher education.  We teach all ethnic backgrounds and all socio-economic groups. 

If you look at our results it only looks bad if you cherry pick the results.  If you look at the scores from 1991-2000 conducted by the University of Pennsylvania that tested math, science, reading and civics the United states scored above average when compared to 22 other industrialized nations and scored highest of all in civics.  Only 13% scored higher in reading and in the critical math and science the United States was in the middle of the pack.  No gold star but clearly not a crisis.  All western countries scored behind Japan, maybe an east-west issue instead of just an American issue.

The United States is improving and has shown so in the tests for as shown in 1191, 1995 and 2003.  It is important that we improve, and we are.  There are other factors to consider such as poverty, special education students, diet, lack of parent involvement.  Are we improving?  Yes, but the schools are not the only places students learn, and we are teaching things that some students aren't up to learn.  If you live in poverty and you family has for generations how important do you think education is in many of those families?  If you are learning disabled how many do you think will do well on a geometry test?  If you had a ho ho for lunch and a soda to wash it down how well are you going to pay attention?  If you parents aren't educated and see no need of it, or if you have no idea where you are going to spend the night because your family is homeless, what can I teach you?

Has bad schooling compromised Americans competitiveness?  The World Economic Forum survey of economics usually rates the United States first, this year it was 6th.  The drop had nothing to do with education.  The results were based on the American deficit, the lack of savings, tax cuts and the federal government's increased spending on homeland security and defense.

If it appears that Americans are stupid; it just isn't true.  Do we have problems?  Yes, the main problem is we teach every child, and give every child a chance.  That is the American way.  Are people more inundated with information, instant gratification, communication, and general technology?  Yes, that is very true.  However, we are also working hard to teach students how to cope with all of this and how to improve their minds so they are ready for the upcoming job market, whatever that may be.

Learn more about this author, Pam Thomason.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.