the failure of american schools

[Azazello1313]

 

very revealing article, by the former chancellor of the NYC school system.

[BeeR]

Haven't read it all but IMO the main problem is not complex or mystical: our society has become increasingly permissive, spoiled and lazy, and more to the point, parents' ability and/or even willingness to properly discpline their children (including an emphasis on the importance of education) has on the whole shrivelled. Second, we have all but shredded the schools' (and esp the teachers') authority/discplinary ability, so teachers are far less likely or willing to bring a child under control for fear of being fired, sued, ad nauseum. Therefore, throwing money at it and blaming the teachers hasn't worked - big surprise.

 

In short, other countries have passed us because they don't play all the absurd touchy-feely BS we do.

 

No, of course that isn't all there is to it; there are other problems (eg unions, politicians, etc as mentioned in the article), but above is IMO easily the worst of it. Generally, kids who are truly motivated to do well do so.